The Wild Dolphin Project
The Wild Dolphin Project is a Florida-based nonprofit founded in 1985 that conducts the world's longest-running non-invasive underwater research on a wild Atlantic spotted dolphin community in the Bahamas, funded by donations, grants, memberships, and paid research expeditions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersJupiter, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Wild Dolphin Project does
The Wild Dolphin Project is a Florida-registered 501(c)-style nonprofit scientific research organization founded in 1985 by Dr. Denise Herzing to conduct long-term, non-invasive underwater research on a specific community of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the Bahamas, with additional coastal monitoring in southeast Florida. It operates the 62-foot R/V Stenella research catamaran from Jupiter, Florida, and runs primary field sites off Grand Bahama Island and Bimini, the latter added in 2013 after part of the resident dolphin community migrated there. The organization runs the world's longest-running underwater dolphin research project, gathering continuous behavioral, acoustic, and photo-identification data using combined underwater video, hydrophones, the proprietary FLUKEBOOK photo-ID database, and the CHAT (Cetacean Hearing and Telemetry) underwater computer interface developed with Georgia Institute of Technology to explore two-way communication. Machine learning is applied to a multi-decade acoustic corpus in collaboration with Georgia Tech and more recently with Google AI via the DolphinGemma project.
The organization is funded through a diversified nonprofit model rather than equity financing. Revenue streams include individual donations (including planned/estate giving, stocks, and workplace giving), grants from institutional funders such as the National Geographic Society and The Wildlife Intelligence Project, multi-tier memberships (Neonate through Generation, plus the premium CHAT Society tier), paid Bahamas research expedition participation aboard R/V Stenella, Florida day-trip surveys, an internship pipeline (notably through Florida Atlantic University), an online merchandise store, and the annual Wild Ocean Science fundraising event. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: a blog, social media, PBS documentary, TED Talk, and National Geographic coverage feed top-of-funnel awareness; membership tiers and expedition participation drive recurring engagement; and the Wild Ocean Science event with 15+ sponsors and 100+ attendees serves as the primary bottom-of-funnel fundraising mechanism. Primary served audiences are research expedition participants, members and donors, student interns, and the general public reached through educational outreach.
Recent strategic posture indicates an expansion of research scope beyond a single Bahamas site. The organization is a partner in a multi-institutional Oregon State University-led project on dolphin-human cooperative behavior with new study sites in Kerala (under a memorandum with the University of Kerala), Myanmar, and Brazil. It also deepens AI capability through ongoing Georgia Tech collaboration and the Google AI DolphinGemma project. The team remains small (1-10 employees), with founder Dr. Denise Herzing serving as Research Director and affiliate professor at Florida Atlantic University.
The Wild Dolphin Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Wild Dolphin Project
- Legal name
- The Wild Dolphin Project
- Website
- https://wilddolphinproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Wild Dolphin Project is a Florida-based nonprofit founded in 1985 that conducts the world's longest-running non-invasive underwater research on a wild Atlantic spotted dolphin community in the Bahamas, funded by donations, grants, memberships, and paid research expeditions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Wild Dolphin Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Mammal Research and Conservation
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
Keywords
Where The Wild Dolphin Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jupiter
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Wild Dolphin Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Research Expedition Participation Fees: The organization operates research vessels in the Bahamas and Florida, offering participants the opportunity to join field research trips for a fee. These multi-day expeditions provide hands-on experience with dolphin research while generating revenue.
- Membership Program: Multiple membership tiers from Neonate to Generation Membership, each with different perks. Members receive benefits including participation opportunities and updates on research activities.
- Donations and Grants: Funded by National Geographic Society, The Wildlife Intelligence Project, and other donors. The organization receives grants and charitable donations to support ongoing research operations.
- Merchandise Store: Online store selling merchandise related to the Wild Dolphin Project, including memberships and branded items.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Various membership levels from Neonate to Generation Membership |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Research trip participation |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Wild Dolphin Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Wild Dolphin Project is a nonprofit scientific research organization that conducts non-invasive underwater field research on a free-ranging community of Atlantic spotted dolphins (and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins) in the Bahamas and coastal Florida. Since 1985, the organization has studied dolphin behavior, social structure, communication, and habitat, and supports this research through memberships, donations, paid research expeditions, an online store, and educational events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wild Dolphin Project Research Program Longest-running underwater dolphin research project in the world, conducting non-invasive field research on Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins since 1985. Produces scientific data on dolphin behavior, social structure, communication, and habitat for the scientific community and general public.
- Bahamas Field Research Trips Multi-day paid research expeditions aboard R/V Stenella in the Bahamas (Grand Bahama Island and Bimini), allowing members to participate in underwater dolphin observations and data collection.
- Florida Day Trips
Quantifiable outcome
- Longest running underwater dolphin research project in the world
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Wild Dolphin Project
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Wild Dolphin Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
The Wild Dolphin Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- University of KeralamajorMemorandum of agreement signed for multi-institutional research project studying evolution of cooperative behavior between dolphins and humans, with Ashtamudi estuary in Kerala as one of three global study sites.
- Oregon State UniversitymajorLead institution for multi-institutional collaborative research project on dolphin-human cooperative interactions, with research sites in Kerala, Myanmar, and Brazil.
- Georgia Institute of TechnologycoreCollaboration with Georgia Institute of Technology researchers, including Professor Thad Starner, on machine learning algorithms for analyzing dolphin sounds and development of the CHAT (Cetacean Hearing and Telemetry) underwater computer interface for two-way communication research.
- Florida Atlantic UniversitycoreDr. Denise Herzing serves as affiliate professor with Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Graduate students from FAU conduct research with the Wild Dolphin Project.
- Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative)minorRelated nonprofit organization applying machine learning to decode sperm whale communication. Featured at Wild Ocean Science events and shares research approaches with Wild Dolphin Project.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Wild Dolphin Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative): Nonprofit research initiative applying AI and NLP to decode cetacean (sperm whale) communication. Direct comparable in mission, technology approach, and nonprofit structure, and identified as an active partner of Wild Dolphin Project.
- Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (Mote Marine Laboratory): Long-running dolphin research program focused on population biology, behavior, and health of a resident bottlenose dolphin community. Comparable in long-term longitudinal methodology and marine mammal focus.
- Dolphin Communication Project: Nonprofit dedicated to studying dolphin acoustics, communication, and behavior in the wild. Highly comparable in research methodology, nonprofit funding model, and focus on dolphin communication.
Regional players
- Pacific Marine Mammal Center: Marine mammal rescue and research nonprofit based in California. Comparable as a regional marine mammal nonprofit with research and education components, though focused on rescue/rehabilitation.
Broad incumbents
- Pacific Whale Foundation: Nonprofit marine conservation and research organization running ecotourism, research, and education programs on cetaceans. Comparable in combining research with ecotourism and donor-funded model.
- Ocean Conservancy: Large ocean-focused nonprofit working on marine conservation policy, science, and advocacy. Comparable as a marine conservation nonprofit, though at much larger scale and broader scope.
- Dolphin Research Center: Larger nonprofit marine mammal facility offering education, research, and interactive dolphin experiences. Comparable mission of dolphin education and conservation, with a broader facility-based operating model.
- Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute: Established marine research nonprofit conducting studies on marine mammals including dolphins. Comparable scientific mission with broader institutional backing and species coverage.
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation: Global nonprofit focused on cetacean conservation, advocacy, and welfare. Comparable as a major cetacean-focused nonprofit operating at greater geographic scale and with larger donor base.
Others
- Georgia Tech Sonification Lab: Academic research group at Georgia Institute of Technology that collaborates with Wild Dolphin Project on machine learning and CHAT interface development. Comparable as a technology enabler in the marine mammal acoustics space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Wild Dolphin Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Wild Dolphin Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Wild Dolphin Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Wild Dolphin Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Wild Dolphin Project 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 The Wild Dolphin Project
What does The Wild Dolphin Project do?
The Wild Dolphin Project is a nonprofit scientific research organization that conducts non-invasive underwater field research on a free-ranging community of Atlantic spotted dolphins (and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins) in the Bahamas and coastal Florida. Since 1985, the organization has studied dolphin behavior, social structure, communication, and habitat, and supports this research through memberships, donations, paid research expeditions, an online store, and educational events.
Is The Wild Dolphin Project a public or private company?
The Wild Dolphin Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Wild Dolphin Project founded?
The Wild Dolphin Project was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Wild Dolphin Project based?
The Wild Dolphin Project is headquartered in Jupiter, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Wild Dolphin Project make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Research Expedition Participation Fees are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, donations and Grants and merchandise Store.
Who are The Wild Dolphin Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (Mote Marine Laboratory) and Dolphin Communication Project. Pacific Marine Mammal Center is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Pacific Whale Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, Dolphin Research Center, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Georgia Tech Sonification Lab is listed as an others.
Does The Wild Dolphin Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Wild Dolphin Project.
What industry is The Wild Dolphin Project in?
The Wild Dolphin Project's product category is Marine Mammal Research and Conservation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAB, Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation. Its NAICS code is 712190.