The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is a nonprofit vision science research institute in San Francisco conducting basic, clinical, and rehabilitation engineering research to develop diagnostic procedures, treatments, and assistive technologies for blind and visually impaired individuals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute does
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute (SKERI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) independent research institute founded in 1963 in San Francisco, California, affiliated with and located adjacent to California Pacific Medical Center. The institute operates at the intersection of basic vision science, clinical ophthalmology research, and rehabilitation engineering, employing approximately 50 professionals including postdoctoral fellows drawn from ophthalmology, experimental psychology, physiology, engineering, optometry, computer science, and physics. SKERI's mission focuses on three integrated research streams: understanding normal vision to support vision disorder research, developing new diagnostic procedures and treatments for visual and sensory disorders, and engineering assistive technologies for blind and visually impaired individuals.
The institute's technology portfolio includes three core research centers — the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC), the Smith-Kettlewell Brain Imaging Center (MRI, fMRI, DTI, EEG, ERG, eye tracking), and the Video Description Research and Development Center (VDRDC) — alongside a suite of assistive technology products. Notable products include CamIO (computer vision-based audio labels for tactile graphics), YouDescribe (crowd-sourced audio descriptions for YouTube), Audiom (audio-visual mapping), MapIO (LLM-powered conversational tactile map interface), iVEERS (patent-pending iPhone-based virtual navigation training), Robin (wearable ultrasound echolocation device), and SKribbleEyes (automated visual field screening). The institute pioneered several foundational techniques including clinical applications of Botox for strabismus, multi-focal ERG, Sweep VEP, and the first sensory substitution device (TVSS, ancestor of BrainPort's commercial system).
SKERI's revenue model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Primary funding sources include federal research grants from the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and National Science Foundation (NSF), supplemented by private foundation grants (Pacific Vision Foundation, E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation, Ability Central, Foster Fund, Starr Foundation) and individual donations plus endowment income. The institute does not charge for research participation; its outputs are scientific publications, trained researchers, open-source assistive technologies, and community programs. Customers/beneficiaries include blind and visually impaired individuals, healthcare providers in low vision care, postdoctoral trainees, and research participants in the San Francisco Bay Area. Distribution is direct to research participants and academic/clinical collaborators, with no commercial product sales channel.
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
- Legal name
- The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
- Website
- https://ski.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is a nonprofit vision science research institute in San Francisco conducting basic, clinical, and rehabilitation engineering research to develop diagnostic procedures, treatments, and assistive technologies for blind and visually impaired individuals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vision Science Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Diagnostic Imaging Centers (621512)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN), Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF), Visual Field & Functional Vision Testing (Perimetry, ERG/VEP, Contrast Sensitivity) (HLAHAJAC)
Keywords
Where The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Federal Research Grants: Primary funding from federal agencies including the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and National Science Foundation (NSF). These grants fund specific research projects and training programs.
- Private Foundation Grants: Funding from private foundations including Pacific Vision Foundation, E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind, Ability Central, The Foster Fund, and The Starr Foundation.
- Individual Donations: Private donor funding plays a crucial role in advancing the mission. The institute relies on significant private donor funding to get new and innovative projects to the stage where they are sufficiently proven to attract federal grant support. Accepts one-time and recurring gifts, stock donations, bequests, and in-kind donations.
- Endowment Income: Income from named endowments including the Rachel C. Atkinson endowment, C.V. Starr Scholarship Fund, Peggy and Arthur Jampolsky Chair, Alan Scott Fund for Innovative Research, Bill Gerrey Blind Makers Fund, Hoover Chan Memorial Fund, and Young Researchers Fund.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is a nonprofit independent research institute that conducts basic scientific research on human vision, clinical research developing new diagnostic procedures and treatments for visual and sensory disorders, and engineering research producing assistive devices and rehabilitation techniques for blind and partially sighted individuals. Its offerings include three specialized research centers (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center, Brain Imaging Center, and Video Description Research and Development Center), a portfolio of assistive technologies such as CamIO, YouDescribe, Audiom, MapIO, iVEERS, Robin, and SKribbleEyes, an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship program in vision research, and ongoing clinical research studies for San Francisco Bay Area participants.
Product overview
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute (SKERI) operates as a nonprofit research institute offering a portfolio of assistive technologies and research services focused on vision science and blindness rehabilitation. The core offerings include three specialized research centers: the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) developing practical assistive devices, the Brain Imaging Center providing neuroimaging facilities, and the Video Description Research and Development Center (VDRDC) creating accessible video technologies. Key technology products include CamIO (audio labeling for tactile graphics), YouDescribe (crowd-sourced video descriptions), Audiom (audio-visual mapping), MapIO (conversational tactile map interface), iVEERS (virtual navigation training), and Robin (echolocation wearable). The institute also offers postdoctoral fellowship training and conducts clinical research studies. These products collectively enable independence and accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals across mobility, information access, and spatial understanding.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC)
Quantifiable outcome
- Pioneered clinical applications of Botox for strabismus treatment
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability10 records
Feature13 records
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)coreSKERI is affiliated with and located adjacent to the California Pacific Medical Center campus in San Francisco. This medical center campus is ideal for fostering collaboration between laboratory and clinical scientists with first-hand exposure to real biomedical problems. SKERI has physician-scientists with dual appointments at CPMC and SKERI.
- UCSF (University of California, San Francisco)majorCollaboration with scientists at important vision research centers in the Bay area including UC San Francisco is strongly encouraged and has been historically beneficial. Researchers from UCSF attend SKERI's external colloquium series.
- UC BerkeleymajorCollaboration with researchers at UC Berkeley is encouraged. Faculty and students from Berkeley attend SKERI's external colloquium series.
- Stanford UniversitymajorCollaboration with Stanford researchers is encouraged. Faculty and students from Stanford attend SKERI's external colloquium series.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear (Harvard): Independent nonprofit vision research institute affiliated with Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School; conducts basic, clinical, and translational vision research with a model and scope directly analogous to SKERI.
- Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins): Academic ophthalmology research and treatment center combining basic science, clinical research, and rehabilitation with deep federal grant funding; comparable in mission mix to SKERI.
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (University of Miami): Vision research and clinical care institute within a major academic medical center; shares SKERI's three-pillar structure of basic, clinical, and rehabilitation/translational work in vision science.
- Casey Eye Institute (Oregon Health & Science University): Academic vision research and clinical care institute with strong NIH funding, low-vision rehabilitation services, and assistive-technology research — closely comparable mission to SKERI.
- Jules Stein Eye Institute (UCLA): University-affiliated vision research and clinical institute pursuing ophthalmic research, training, and patient care with similar federal-grant-driven operating model.
Broad incumbents
- National Eye Institute (NEI / NIH): Lead U.S. federal agency for vision research funding; both a funder of SKERI and a peer in setting the national vision-science research agenda, training programs, and rehabilitation priorities.
- Foundation Fighting Blindness: Major nonprofit that funds vision research grants and runs patient registries/rehabilitation programs; comparable mission mix of research funding, assistive-tech development, and low-vision community services.
- Lighthouse Guild: Nonprofit providing vision care, rehabilitation services, and assistive technology programs; complementary to SKERI's low-vision rehabilitation and assistive-tech work in the same target population.
Emerging players
- Be My Eyes: Tech-driven accessibility platform pairing blind users with sighted volunteers and integrating GPT-4 visual interpretation; competes with SKERI's YouDescribe and Crowdsourced Description output for audience attention in video/media accessibility.
- Wicab BrainPort: Commercial developer of the BrainPort vision-to-tongue sensory substitution device, which traces its lineage to SKERI's Tactile Vision Substitution System (TVSS); direct technical and IP descendant.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute social profiles
Digital presenceThe Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 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 Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
What does The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute do?
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is a nonprofit independent research institute that conducts basic scientific research on human vision, clinical research developing new diagnostic procedures and treatments for visual and sensory disorders, and engineering research producing assistive devices and rehabilitation techniques for blind and partially sighted individuals. Its offerings include three specialized research centers (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center, Brain Imaging Center, and Video Description Research and Development Center), a portfolio of assistive technologies such as CamIO, YouDescribe, Audiom, MapIO, iVEERS, Robin, and SKribbleEyes, an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship program in vision research, and ongoing clinical research studies for San Francisco Bay Area participants.
Is The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute a public or private company?
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute founded?
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute was founded in 1960. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute based?
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Federal Research Grants are the primary driver. The others are private Foundation Grants, individual Donations and endowment Income.
Who are The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear (Harvard), Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (University of Miami), Casey Eye Institute (Oregon Health & Science University) and Jules Stein Eye Institute (UCLA). Broad incumbents are National Eye Institute (NEI / NIH), Foundation Fighting Blindness and Lighthouse Guild. Emerging players are Be My Eyes and Wicab BrainPort.
Does The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.
What industry is The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in?
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute's product category is Vision Science Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of HLAHAJAN, Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.