CyArk
CyArk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses LiDAR and photogrammetry to create millimeter-resolution 3D digital twins of endangered cultural heritage sites worldwide, serving governments, museums, educators, and heritage professionals across 43 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CyArk does
CyArk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 by LiDAR pioneer Ben Kacyra and headquartered in Oakland, California. Its mission is to digitally preserve endangered cultural heritage sites worldwide using an integrated methodology that combines 3D laser scanning (LiDAR) with aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry to produce photo-textured 3D meshes at millimeter resolution. Over two decades, CyArk has documented more than 200 heritage sites across 43 countries and all seven continents, building a unique archive that supports conservation planning, disaster response, and ongoing site management for government heritage agencies (NPS, Historic Scotland, INAH), museums (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Museum of Science Boston), educational institutions, and trained heritage professionals.
CyArk's product surface centers on the Tapestry immersive 3D storytelling platform, professional Heritage Documentation Services producing digital twins for conservation, a portfolio of Photogrammetry Training Courses delivered through Teachable, and the OpenHeritage3D open-access data initiative (300+ datasets, 10,000+ downloads). The organization distributes content via CyArk.org, Tapestry web/mobile, MasterWorks VR on Oculus and Samsung Gear VR, museum installations, and Google Arts & Culture, reaching 2,500,000+ virtual visitors. Supporting technology partners include FARO, Topcon, Phase One, Seagate, Iron Mountain, NVIDIA, and RealityCapture.
CyArk operates a hybrid nonprofit revenue model combining tax-deductible individual donations (processed via Donorbox), foundation and government grants (NEH, Arcadia Fund, ALIPH, NPS, USAID), corporate partnerships (Seagate, Iron Mountain, IBM, Google Arts & Culture), and modest training course fees. The organization is led by Chairman and CEO John Ristevski (with the organization since 2003) and operates a wholly-owned European subsidiary, CyArk Europe Limited, launched in 2012. It sustains a high-profile international network spanning UNESCO, ICOMOS, Historic Scotland, NPS, and 20+ corporate and academic partners.
CyArk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CyArk
- Legal name
- CyArk
- Website
- https://cyark.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CyArk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses LiDAR and photogrammetry to create millimeter-resolution 3D digital twins of endangered cultural heritage sites worldwide, serving governments, museums, educators, and heritage professionals across 43 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CyArk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Heritage Preservation
- akta.pro primary industry
- Drone/UAV Data Capture & Processing Software (AFAAAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Aerial Robotics (Drones & UAV Autonomy) (HDAAAIAG), Simulation & Digital Twin Data for ML Training (HDAAALAI)
Keywords
Where CyArk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CyArk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tax-Deductible Donations: CyArk is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepting tax-deductible donations from individuals to support documentation, training, and heritage preservation activities
- Foundation and Government Grants: Funding from foundations (Arcadia Fund, ALIPH) and government agencies (NEH, NPS, USAID) to support specific documentation projects and training programs
- Corporate Partnerships: Technology and funding partnerships with companies like Seagate, Iron Mountain, FARO, Phase One for equipment, data storage, and project support
- Training Programs: Revenue from photogrammetry short courses (Terrestrial Photogrammetry Data Capture, Photogrammetry Processing and Modeling, Drone Data Capture) offered through online platforms
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation-based support |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Training courses |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
CyArk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CyArk is a nonprofit organization that creates millimeter-accurate 3D digital twins of endangered cultural heritage sites using integrated LiDAR scanning and aerial/terrestrial photogrammetry. It delivers these digital twins and immersive stories through the Tapestry web and mobile platform, the MasterWorks VR experience, and the OpenHeritage3D open dataset repository. It also delivers professional heritage documentation services, museum installations, and paid photogrammetry training courses to build local capacity worldwide.
Product overview
CyArk is a non-profit organization offering a platform-based approach to cultural heritage preservation. The core offering centers on the Tapestry platform for immersive 3D storytelling and virtual tours, complemented by professional Heritage Documentation Services that create digital twins using LiDAR and photogrammetry. Additional products include Photogrammetry Training Courses for capacity building, Open Heritage Data for open access datasets, Digital Twins for Conservation, and Museum Installations. The product portfolio enables comprehensive heritage documentation, virtual access, education, and conservation support for cultural heritage sites worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tapestry: An immersive storytelling platform brought to you by CyArk that enables exploration of real places in 3D and discovery of the people and stories that bring them to life.
- OpenHeritage3D
- CyArk 500 Challenge
- MasterWorks
Products and services
- Tapestry Immersive 3D storytelling platform for cultural heritage that enables virtual tours of historic places through web and mobile experiences, for global audiences seeking access to documented sites.
- Heritage Documentation Services Professional digital documentation of cultural heritage sites using 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, and LiDAR technology to create accurate, photo-realistic digital twins for conservation, research, and education, delivered to government heritage agencies and cultural institutions.
- Photogrammetry Training Courses Expert-led short courses in photogrammetry covering Terrestrial Photogrammetry Data Capture, Photogrammetry Processing and Modeling, and Drone Data Capture, delivered online via Teachable for heritage professionals and practitioners.
- OpenHeritage3D Data Repository Free open-access repository of high-quality digital heritage datasets for education, research, and non-commercial purposes, hosting 300+ datasets for educators, researchers, and creators.
- MasterWorks VR Free virtual reality application for Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR that transports users to visit historic sites including ancient capitals and monuments, for general audiences seeking immersive heritage experiences.
- Mount Rushmore Mobile App Mobile application developed with the National Park Service providing a virtual tour of Mount Rushmore National Memorial for park visitors and the general public.
- Fort Laramie iPad App Mobile application released for Fort Laramie National Historic Site enabling virtual exploration of the historic location for visitors and general audiences.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,500,000+ virtual visitors accessed heritage content
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CyArk
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CyArk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
CyArk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, supporting and core.
- Seagate TechnologyflagshipPartnership to digitally preserve Gateway of India and Historic City of Ayutthaya. Seagate provides data storage solutions and has awarded Ptolemy Data Science Award to CyArk.
- Air New ZealandsupportingPartnership to showcase New Zealand's history and culture, including Waitangi Treaty Grounds digital mapping.
- FARO (formalized partnership)coreFormalized partnership announcement with FARO Technologies, world's most trusted source for 3D measurement, for heritage documentation projects.
- NCPTT (National Center for Preservation Technology & Training)supportingGrant recipient and partner for development and dissemination of Emergency Heritage Recording Kit.
- UNESCO/ICOMOS Joint InitiativeflagshipEmergency recording and archiving initiative launched at 39th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting.
- African World Heritage FundsupportingTraining workshop partnership in Africa for digital documentation capacity building.
- ICOMOSflagshipMOU signed at UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for emergency documentation of high-risk cultural heritage sites globally.
- Zynga.orgsupportingPartnership to digitally preserve ancient Mayan sites through gaming platform engagement.
- FARO TechnologiescoreTechnology partnership for 3D laser scanning equipment. FARO is one of CyArk's key technology partners providing scanning hardware for documentation projects worldwide.
- Topcon Positioning GroupcorePartnership for positioning and scanning technology supporting digital preservation of heritage sites through the CyArk 500 Challenge.
- RealityCapturecoreSoftware partnership for photogrammetry processing and 3D modeling, used in training courses for transforming raw data into high-quality 3D models.
- NirasupportingTechnology partner providing 3D viewing platform for immersive exploration of documented heritage sites.
- SenseflysupportingDrone technology partner for aerial photogrammetry data capture in heritage documentation projects.
- Iron MountainflagshipSustaining partnership supporting CyArk 500 Challenge with data storage and preservation services. Multiple joint projects including Palacio de Bellas Artes, Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building, Fort York.
- Google Arts & CultureflagshipPartner in making cultural heritage accessible globally through Google Arts & Culture platform, featuring CyArk's documented sites.
- Phase OnecorePartnership with world-leading medium format digital camera provider to deliver high fidelity imaging for heritage documentation.
- National Park Service (NPS)flagshipLong-standing partnership for digital preservation of US national heritage sites including Mount Rushmore, San Antonio Missions, Fort Laramie.
- IBMcoreMulti-year partnership supporting CyArk's education program through grants and integration with IBM's Teachers TryScience platform for lesson plans.
- Historic ScotlandflagshipPartner in Scottish Ten initiative for laser scanning and digital documentation of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Sydney Opera House.
- NVIDIAsupportingGPU technology partnership supporting VR rendering and visualization of heritage preservation data.
- LenovosupportingComputing technology partnership providing hardware support for digital preservation work.
- FarBridgesupportingPartnership with Oculus to bring photorealistic 3D heritage replicas to Virtual Reality platforms.
- University of Colorado Denver (CoPR)coreOngoing partnership with Center of Preservation Research for digital preservation of US heritage sites including Japanese American confinement sites.
- Mid-Pacific InstitutesupportingTechnology center partnership in Honolulu providing training in 3D laser scanning for students.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CyArk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Paradox Sports / Open Heritage Data (OpenGLAM): Open GLAM and Open Heritage communities promote open access to cultural heritage data — adjacent mission to OpenHeritage3D and comparable on data-publishing model, though they operate as a movement rather than a service provider.
- Matterport: Operates a 3D spatial capture platform producing digital twins of buildings and spaces. Comparable on photogrammetry/3D capture and digital twin output, though primarily commercial real estate rather than heritage.
- NeRF-based Heritage Reconstruction Projects (e.g., University of Cambridge): Academic and research projects applying neural radiance fields and AI-driven 3D reconstruction to heritage sites. Comparable end-output (digital twins of heritage) using emerging ML techniques that could compete with or complement photogrammetry.
Direct peers
- Sketchfab: 3D model sharing and viewing platform used for cultural heritage publishing. Overlapping distribution channel for digital heritage content and comparable on open-access 3D asset publishing, now part of Epic Games.
- Iconem: Iconem uses photogrammetry, LiDAR, and drones to create 3D digital twins of endangered cultural heritage sites, including UNESCO locations and conflict-affected monuments — directly comparable mission, technology stack, and customer base to CyArk.
Others
- FARO Technologies: Leading provider of 3D laser scanning hardware and software; CyArk's flagship technology partner for scanning equipment. Comparable in heritage documentation workflow but commercially focused on broader industrial metrology.
- Leica Geosystems (Hexagon): Provides LiDAR and photogrammetry hardware/software used in heritage documentation. Comparable on capture technology stack that CyArk relies on, with broader geospatial and surveying commercial focus.
- Trimble: Geospatial technology vendor offering LiDAR, photogrammetry, and 3D scanning solutions used in heritage and infrastructure documentation. Comparable on the technology layer enabling digital twin workflows.
Broad incumbents
- Historic Environment Scotland: Scottish heritage agency and CyArk's partner on the Scottish Ten initiative (including Sydney Opera House). Operates LiDAR scanning and digital documentation programs at national scale, serving similar government/museum customers.
- Google Arts & Culture: CyArk's flagship distribution partner; operates a much larger cultural-heritage platform with global reach. Comparable on digital heritage distribution and immersive storytelling, with far broader scope and resources.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CyArk social profiles
Digital presenceCyArk compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CyArk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CyArk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CyArk subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
CyArk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CyArk M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CyArk
What does CyArk do?
CyArk is a nonprofit organization that creates millimeter-accurate 3D digital twins of endangered cultural heritage sites using integrated LiDAR scanning and aerial/terrestrial photogrammetry. It delivers these digital twins and immersive stories through the Tapestry web and mobile platform, the MasterWorks VR experience, and the OpenHeritage3D open dataset repository. It also delivers professional heritage documentation services, museum installations, and paid photogrammetry training courses to build local capacity worldwide.
Is CyArk a public or private company?
CyArk is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CyArk founded?
CyArk was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CyArk based?
CyArk is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does CyArk make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tax-Deductible Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Government Grants, corporate Partnerships and training Programs.
Who are CyArk's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Paradox Sports / Open Heritage Data (OpenGLAM), Matterport and NeRF-based Heritage Reconstruction Projects (e.g., University of Cambridge). Direct peers are Sketchfab and Iconem. Others are FARO Technologies, Leica Geosystems (Hexagon) and Trimble. Broad incumbents are Historic Environment Scotland and Google Arts & Culture.
Does CyArk have an API?
No public API is recorded for CyArk.
What industry is CyArk in?
CyArk's product category is Digital Heritage Preservation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAAFAH, Drone/UAV Data Capture & Processing Software, with a secondary code of HDAAAIAG, Aerial Robotics (Drones & UAV Autonomy).