About Us: The Firehole Story

Firehole Technologies has its beginning in the academic research of composite analysis during the mid 1990's. The core technology was part of an academic research project at the University of Wyoming in the Mechanical Engineering Department. In 2000, a number of entrepreneurial graduate students and faculty at UW, seeing the commercial potential of the technology, set their minds to take control of their destinies and began Firehole Technologies.

During its first years of existence the company focused strongly on the research and development of composite technologies utilizing the US Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. Much of our research has been used by federal agencies such as the Office of Naval Research, Missile Defense Agency, Air Force Research Laboratories, and most recently NASA. To complement the original composite failure technology, additional models of composite analysis have been developed.

Now with the market for advanced composite analysis growing, Firehole Technologies is poised to further commercialize its technologies and bring them to a wider audience. In the short time of one year, we tripled the size of our workforce with plans to have a number of our technologies commercially available by 2009. Our company has expanded into a variety of software and consulting services for the US Government and private industry.

A true technology transfer company and commercial startup from a university, Firehole embodies the spirit of University and Industry linkages. We continue to maintain close collaborative relationships with University of Wyoming faculty and graduate students.

Wyoming often conjures images of mountains, rivers, and wildlife. Firehole Technologies' name sake is the Firehole River, a Wyoming river that originates in Yellowstone National Park. The Firehole is unique because it flows through several geyser basins which empty hot water into it, often causing steam to rise. It was named by early trappers because the steam makes it appear as if it is on fire. The Firehole is also known for exceptional fly fishing.

Firehole Technologies is proudly located in Laramie, Wyoming. Our name reflects our Wyoming roots and shows the Equality State has more to offer than beautiful landscapes, it can also offer high tech solutions. The unique approach we take to solving the complex problems associated with composite materials analysis are of special interest to the aerospace, manned and unmanned aerial vehicle, automotive, energy, and leisure industries.