Cabrera Research Lab

What Cabrera Research Lab does

Cabrera Research Lab (CRL) is a non-profit theoretical and empirical research organization headquartered in Ithaca, New York, focused on the deep structure of thought and the systems found in nature. Founded at Cornell University by Dr. Laura Cabrera (CEO, Board Chair) and Dr. Derek Cabrera (Chief Science Officer), the lab investigates how cognition organizes information and posits that the same structural logic found in thought also exists in natural systems. The lab has operated since 1996 and remains small, with 11–50 employees.

CRL's core technology is the DSRP framework (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, Perspectives), a structural cognition model that the lab treats as the basis of how individuals and collectives organize information, solve problems, and adapt to complexity. The flagship commercial product is the Thinking Quotient (TQ), described as the only validated systems thinking test. The lab also publishes research and blog content, runs the Cabrera Lab Podcast (ranked in the Top 2% of podcasts worldwide and #1 in Systems Thinking), and offers training and professional credentials through a strategic partnership with the Systems Thinking Standards Institute (STSI).

The lab's revenue model combines cumulative federal research sponsorship from the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture (approximately $20M total) with credential and training revenue generated through the STSI partnership. CRL targets a horizontal set of customer segments, including executives and business professionals, special operators and first responders, alpine climbers and high-performance athletes, and educational institutions. No public pricing is disclosed. The organization is founder-led, has not raised venture capital, and is supported by NSF/USDA grants plus STSI-channel credentialing.

Name

Cabrera Research Lab

Legal name

Cabrera Research Lab

Website

https://cabreraresearch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cabrera Research Lab is a Cornell-originated, non-profit research organization that develops the DSRP structural cognition framework and the Thinking Quotient (TQ) assessment. It serves executives, educators, and specialized professionals via federal grants, an STSI credentialing partnership, and a top-ranked podcast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Systems Thinking Research & Cognitive Training

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (EDABAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quality Tools & Problem Solving (7 QC Tools, 8D, A3, Root Cause) (EDABAKAE), Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO), Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom) (BPAHALAE)

Keywords

• Systems thinking research
• Structural cognition framework
• Cognitive assessment tools
• Professional training credentials
• Cognitive science lab

Headquarters

HQ city

Ithaca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Sponsorship: Funded by National Science Foundation (NSF) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a sponsored research lab.
2. Credentials and Training: Partnership with STSI for Professional Systems Thinking Credentials and training programs through the Science Board accreditation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cabrera Research Lab is a non-profit research organization that conducts theoretical and empirical research on systems thinking and structural cognition, anchored by the proprietary DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, Perspectives) framework. It sells the Thinking Quotient (TQ), the only validated systems thinking test, and delivers professional systems thinking credentials and training programs through its Science Partner relationship with the Systems Thinking Standards Institute (STSI). The Cabrera Lab Podcast serves as the primary science-to-society dissemination vehicle for the lab's research.

Product overview

Cabrera Research Lab operates as an integrated science-to-society research organization offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core offering is Systems Thinking Research—a theoretical and empirical research program studying the deep structure of thought and its mirror of natural systems. The Cabrera Lab Podcast serves as the primary public-facing vehicle for disseminating this science (Top 2% of podcasts worldwide). Training and Credentials programs, delivered through the STSI partnership, provide professional certifications and educational standards in systems thinking. The Thinking Quotient (TQ) is the lab's flagship assessment tool—the only validated systems thinking test. Publications and Blog content round out the knowledge-sharing ecosystem, while Research Internships cultivate future talent. The portfolio is unified by the DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, Perspectives) framework and the vision of 8 Billion Systems Thinkers since 1996.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Systems Thinking Credentials and Training Paid professional credential and training programs in systems thinking, delivered through the lab's partnership with the Systems Thinking Standards Institute (STSI). Includes Systems Thinking Educational Standards (STES) accreditation and Science Board certifications for professionals and educators.
• The Thinking Quotient (TQ) The only validated systems thinking test on the market, measuring how the way people think shapes what they do, how they feel, and the results they get in the real world. Identifies, validates, and certifies mental moves and cognitive capabilities for individuals, leaders, and organizations.
• Cabrera Lab Podcast Science-to-society podcast delivering systems thinking and structural cognition research to the public; ranked in the Top 2% of podcasts worldwide and recognized as the #1 Systems Thinking Podcast globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Validated systems thinking measurement through TQ (Thinking Quotient)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• STSI (Systems Thinking Standards Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRL is a Science Partner of STSI, the leading authority on Systems Thinking Standards and evidence-based training and credentials. CRL provides the scientific foundation through Science Board accreditation, TQ certification, and professional credentials. The partnership enables worldwide amplification of CRL's research through credential programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• FranklinCovey: FranklinCovey delivers leadership, productivity, and thinking-skills training (e.g., 7 Habits) to enterprise and education markets. It is comparable to CRL as a scaled provider of cognitive/leadership training, content, and certifications.
• Duke Corporate Education: Duke CE partners with global organizations to deliver customized executive education and leadership development. Comparable to CRL as a research-backed, university-affiliated provider of executive training programs.
• Development Dimensions International (DDI): DDI is a leadership and talent measurement company that develops assessments and training programs for frontline to executive leaders. Comparable to CRL in the leadership assessment and development category.
• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with a large assessment and leadership development practice. Comparable to CRL as a scaled vendor of validated leadership assessments and credentials, though vastly broader in scope.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): CCL is a non-profit leadership development and research organization offering leadership assessments, training, and certifications globally. It is comparable as a non-profit research-backed leadership training organization, though broader in scope than CRL.
• Hogan Assessments: Hogan is a leading personality and cognitive assessment provider used in leadership selection and development. Comparable to CRL as a validated assessment vendor in the leadership/decision-making space, though focused on personality rather than systems thinking.
• BTS Group: BTS is a global professional services firm that designs business simulations and leadership development programs for enterprises. Comparable to CRL in targeting decision-making and executive development through structured, evidence-based methodologies.

Direct peers

• Systems Thinking Schools (PillarFour): Systems Thinking Schools (formerly PillarFour) is a systems thinking training and certification provider offering practitioner-level credentials. It directly competes with CRL/STSI in the professional systems thinking credentialing market.

Emerging players

• Society for Organizational Learning (SoL): SoL is a global learning organization advancing systems thinking and organizational learning, co-founded by Peter Senge. Comparable to CRL as a systems thinking community and learning body, though organized as a membership society rather than a credentialing vendor.
• Second Curve International: Second Curve International is a systems thinking consulting and training firm serving leaders and organizations. Directly comparable to CRL in offering applied systems thinking workshops and credentialing-adjacent training.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cabreraresearch
• Facebookfacebook.com/cabreraresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cabrera Research Lab