Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ: XMTR) announced a partnership between its Xometry Foundation and MxD, the federally designated National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, to expand cybersecurity compliance access for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The grant program is designed to make cybersecurity compliance, including Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, more affordable for smaller manufacturers seeking to qualify for government contracts. The Xometry Foundation commits $1 million per year toward developing engineering and manufacturing talent.

MxD operates a factory floor in Chicago and runs MxD Learn, a workforce training program focused on digitally advanced manufacturing careers.

"Small- and medium-sized manufacturers are the backbone of the defense industrial base, yet they're also the most exposed to cyber threats and the least resourced to defend against them," said Berardino Baratta, CEO at MxD. "We are grateful for the partnership with Xometry, which will allow us to close that gap — giving smaller manufacturers access to practical, affordable tools to protect their operations and their place in the supply chain."

Silpa Gollapalli, SVP of Commercial and leader of the Partner Network at Xometry, said the initiative aims to lower cost and accessibility barriers so manufacturers can meet security standards and compete for defense contracts.

The MxD partnership follows earlier Xometry Foundation initiatives involving the ASME Foundation, the SAE Foundation, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and the KID Museum. According to the company's press release, the cybersecurity program is part of a broader commitment to strengthening the U.S. aerospace and defense industrial base.