Dolphin Labs
Dolphin Labs (PaloAI) operates a consumer SAT prep platform with an adaptive AI tutor, College Board question bank, and cross-platform web/iOS experience, monetized via freemium subscriptions to 60,000+ high school students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2025
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Dolphin Labs does
Dolphin Labs (legal entity PaloAI, d/b/a Dolphin and Dolphin SAT Prep) operates a digital SAT preparation platform composed of a web application at dolphin.study and a free iOS companion app. The product delivers adaptive practice questions drawn from the College Board question bank, AI-generated step-by-step explanations on incorrect answers, an integrated Desmos calculator for math sections, full-length timed practice tests, vocabulary flashcards, score-prediction analytics, and cross-device progress synchronization. Underlying technology centers on a performance-tracking engine that identifies each student's weakest categories (e.g., linear functions, transitions, command of evidence) and re-prioritizes the daily question queue accordingly.
The business model is a freemium consumer subscription sold self-serve. A free tier provides the core SAT question bank, basic explanations, and progress tracking; a paid tier unlocks the full feature set at three price points — Annual ($360/year, $30/month equivalent), Quarterly ($150/quarter, $50/month equivalent), and Monthly ($70/month). Acquisition is product-led and organic: users sign up with Google, Apple, or phone, start a 3-day free trial, and discovery is driven primarily by TikTok virality (@dolphinsat), with secondary channels including Instagram, YouTube, Discord, and word-of-mouth. The company reports 60,000+ active student users and 1,000+ App Store reviews averaging 5 stars.
Dolphin is a privately held, venture-backed startup with 1–10 employees. Investors disclosed on the website footer are Afore Capital and Perceptive Ventures; no funding amounts, dates, or valuation are public. The company self-describes as an "AI research lab working on creating the learning engine and infrastructure for the future," but currently ships only the SAT prep product. Legal name PaloAI reflects a broader ambition beyond the SAT vertical, though no adjacent products, geographies, or verticals have been launched or announced in the source data.
Dolphin Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dolphin Labs
- Legal name
- PaloAI
- Website
- https://dolphin.study
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2025
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Dolphin Labs (PaloAI) operates a consumer SAT prep platform with an adaptive AI tutor, College Board question bank, and cross-platform web/iOS experience, monetized via freemium subscriptions to 60,000+ high school students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dolphin Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Test Preparation Software
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.) (EDANAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Intelligent Practice & Mastery Learning Platforms (Spaced Repetition, Skill Drills) (EDAFAFAD)
Keywords
Dolphin Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription Plans: Tiered subscription model with Annual ($30/month, $360 billed yearly), Quarterly ($50/month, $150 billed every 3 months), and Monthly ($70/month) plans. All plans include full SAT question bank access, AI explanations, practice tests, and progress tracking. Free tier provides core functionality.
- Freemium Access: Core SAT prep features available free including practice questions, explanations, and basic progress tracking. Premium features locked behind subscription paywalls.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription - $360 billed yearly |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Quarterly subscription - $150 billed every 3 months |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly subscription - $70 billed monthly |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Dolphin Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dolphin Labs sells a digital SAT preparation platform delivered as a connected web app and free iOS companion app. The product provides an adaptive practice question engine sourced from the College Board question bank, AI-generated step-by-step explanations on incorrect answers, an integrated Desmos calculator for math sections, full-length timed practice tests, vocabulary flashcards, predictive score tracking, and gamified daily-streak engagement. Core features are available for free, with subscription tiers (Annual, Quarterly, Monthly) unlocking the full feature set.
Product overview
Dolphin is a unified digital SAT prep platform comprising a web application and a free iOS companion app. The core offering includes the SAT question bank, AI-powered explanations, full-length practice tests, vocabulary flashcards, and personalized progress tracking. All subscription tiers (Annual, Quarterly, Monthly) provide access to the same feature set, differentiated only by billing frequency. The platform adapts to each student's performance, focusing on weak areas and missed concepts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dolphin SAT Web App Web-based digital SAT preparation platform accessible via browser. Provides personalized study plans, adaptive practice questions sourced from the College Board question bank, AI-powered step-by-step explanations on incorrect answers, integrated Desmos calculator, full-length timed practice tests, vocabulary flashcards, predictive score tracking, and daily-streak analytics. Targets college-bound U.S. high school students preparing for the digital SAT.
- Dolphin iOS Companion App Free iOS mobile application that lets students complete quick SAT practice questions, review vocabulary flashcards, and track daily-streak progress on the go. Progress syncs to the user's Dolphin web account across devices. Targets the same high-school student audience as the web app.
- Dolphin SAT Question Bank Large library of SAT-aligned practice questions sourced from the College Board question bank, covering both math and English sections with detailed explanations. Used as the underlying content layer powering adaptive practice across the Dolphin web and iOS apps.
Quantifiable outcome
- Score improvements of 100+ points reported by users within weeks
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Dolphin Labs
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Dolphin Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
Dolphin Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- College BoardminorOwner of SAT trademark. Dolphin uses College Board question bank content. Explicitly states Dolphin is not affiliated with College Board.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Dolphin Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CollegeVine: AI-driven SAT/ACT prep with adaptive questions and tutoring; serves the same college-bound high school segment with online practice and personalized feedback.
- PrepScholar: Adaptive SAT/ACT prep platform with personalized study plans and progress tracking; serves the same high-school college-bound segment with a subscription model and AI-driven customization.
- Magoosh: Online SAT, GRE, GMAT, and other test prep platform with subscription-based practice questions, video lessons, and score predictions; comparable digital-first delivery model to Dolphin.
- UWorld: SAT prep question bank with detailed explanations and performance analytics; competes in the same adaptive-practice space with a similar web/app subscription model.
- Albert.io: Adaptive online SAT and AP practice platform with question bank, explanations, and progress tracking; targets the same high-school segment with a digital subscription product.
- Testmasters: SAT and ACT prep company offering courses and adaptive practice tests; operates in the same test-prep category, primarily offline but increasingly with digital components.
Broad incumbents
- Khan Academy: Free, official College Board-endorsed SAT prep platform; directly competes with Dolphin's freemium positioning while operating as a broader education nonprofit across many subjects.
- Princeton Review: Established test-prep brand offering SAT courses, tutoring, and online practice; competes in the same SAT prep category with a broader portfolio spanning admissions and K-12.
- Kaplan Test Prep: Major incumbent in standardized test preparation offering SAT courses, books, and online practice; competes directly in the SAT prep category with broader higher-education test coverage.
- Varsity Tutors: Online tutoring and test prep platform owned by Nerdy; offers SAT prep alongside a broad range of subjects and tutoring services, comparable on subscription/digital delivery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dolphin Labs social profiles
Digital presenceDolphin Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dolphin Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Dolphin Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dolphin Labs 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 Dolphin Labs
What does Dolphin Labs do?
Dolphin Labs sells a digital SAT preparation platform delivered as a connected web app and free iOS companion app. The product provides an adaptive practice question engine sourced from the College Board question bank, AI-generated step-by-step explanations on incorrect answers, an integrated Desmos calculator for math sections, full-length timed practice tests, vocabulary flashcards, predictive score tracking, and gamified daily-streak engagement. Core features are available for free, with subscription tiers (Annual, Quarterly, Monthly) unlocking the full feature set.
Is Dolphin Labs a public or private company?
Dolphin Labs is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Dolphin Labs founded?
Dolphin Labs was founded in 2025. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does Dolphin Labs make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Subscription Plans are the primary driver. The others are freemium Access.
Who are Dolphin Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CollegeVine, PrepScholar, Magoosh, UWorld, Albert.io and Testmasters. Broad incumbents are Khan Academy, Princeton Review, Kaplan Test Prep and Varsity Tutors.
Does Dolphin Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dolphin Labs.
What industry is Dolphin Labs in?
Dolphin Labs's product category is Test Preparation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAGAH, Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.), with a secondary code of EDAFAFAD, Intelligent Practice & Mastery Learning Platforms (Spaced Repetition, Skill Drills). Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 7371.