Jupiter Research Foundation

What Jupiter Research Foundation does

Jupiter Research Foundation (JRF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit scientific research organization founded in 2003 and headquartered at 350 Second Street, Los Altos, California, with operations support in Puako, Hawaii and Moss Landing, California. The Foundation operates with a small core team of 3-5 staff and is governed by Founder and Chairman Joseph D. Rizzi (previously a general partner at Matrix Partners and co-founder/chairman of Liquid Robotics Inc.), Director/Secretary/CFO Bruce Kamolnick, and VP of Hawai'i Operations Beth Goodwin (a marine biologist with 30+ years of humpback whale research experience who also operates the Eye of the Whale photo-identification program).

JRF's research platform is anchored on the Wave Glider, a wave-powered autonomous surface vehicle co-invented by JRF in 2005 and spun off into Liquid Robotics Inc. in 2007 (later acquired by Boeing). Surrounding this platform, JRF developed multiple proprietary payload systems including the CetaBuoy moored acoustic buoy, an Autonomous Microscope for in-situ marine microorganism imaging using darkfield and fluorescence microscopy, the HUMPACS acoustic survey system for trans-Pacific whale monitoring, a Camera Payload system, and an HF Voyager amateur radio telemetry system. The Foundation has executed four HUMPACS missions (East 2018, West 2019, PMNM 2020, Mexico 2021) totaling thousands of kilometers of autonomous acoustic surveying, recording over 4,000 cetacean calls and detecting humpback vocalizations up to 2,184 km offshore. A separate REACT (Research Enabling Advanced Climate Technology) program deployed pCO2, temperature, salinity, and acidity sensors on Wave Gliders in collaboration with Penn State, ExxonMobil R&D, MBARI, and NOAA PMEL; Phase I completed in 2021 with Phases II and III unfunded.

JRF's revenue model is built on research grants, government contracts (notably U.S. Navy Contract # N39430-19-S-213 for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument work), corporate partnership funding, and academic collaborations with entities such as Cornell University, Whale Trust Maui, University of Hawaii, and NOAA. Findings are published in peer-reviewed journals (Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Marine Mammal Science) and disseminated publicly via website, blog, and live whale song streaming. Critically, JRF's own website states "JRF has no active projects at this time," with only legacy publications and archived data maintenance continuing — a material operational status that frames the organization as effectively dormant on new programmatic activity despite retained institutional infrastructure and IP.

Name

Jupiter Research Foundation

Legal name

Jupiter Research Foundation

Website

https://jupiterfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jupiter Research Foundation is a small (3-5 staff) 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2003 in Los Altos, California that conducts marine research using Wave Glider autonomous surface vehicles — focused on humpback whale acoustic monitoring, climate-ocean sensor deployment (REACT), and microplastics studies — and currently reports no active projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine and Oceanographic Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Autonomous ocean research
• Marine mammal monitoring
• Wave-powered vehicles
• Ocean climate technology
• Scientific research foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Altos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Contracts: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, JRF operates through research grants, government contracts (e.g., U.S. Navy contract for PMNM work), and partnerships with academic institutions and corporations like ExxonMobil.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jupiter Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit scientific research organization that conducts innovative marine and electrobiology research using its co-invented Wave Glider autonomous surface vehicle and associated acoustic, imaging, and sensor payloads. Its work centers on humpback whale monitoring (Live Whale Song streaming, HUMPACS trans-Pacific surveys, photo identification), climate technology development (REACT program), microplastics detection, autonomous in-situ marine microscopy, and studies of electrical signaling in plants and fungi. Findings, data, and acoustic archives are shared with the public and academic community in lieu of commercial product sales.

Product overview

Jupiter Research Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit scientific research organization founded in 2003, conducting innovative research outside mainstream science. The Foundation's primary platform is the Wave Glider autonomous surface vehicle, which serves as the backbone for multiple research programs: Live Whale Song Streaming and Whale Studies (including HUMPACS Pacific survey, photo identification via Fluke Catalog, and Whale Song Archive); the REACT climate technology program; Microplastics research; and the Autonomous Microscope for marine microorganism analysis. Supporting systems include the CetaBuoy moored buoy system for acoustic monitoring, Camera Payload for visual surveys, HF Voyager amateur radio system, and an Electrobiology research laboratory. The organization has no active projects currently.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wave Glider Autonomous Surface Vehicle Wave-powered autonomous surface vehicle that travels to and holds station at specified ocean locations without fuel, serving as the primary platform for JRF's whale acoustic monitoring, climate data collection, and ocean survey missions.
• CetaBuoy Moored buoy system named after the Cetacea marine mammal order, designed to stream live humpback whale songs via a 10-foot tall ABS plastic shell with solar panels, embedded hydrophones, GPS, UHF transceiving, and a JEM5 control board.
• Autonomous Microscope Wave Glider-deployed compound microscope that performs in-situ water sampling and screens for marine microorganisms, transmitting date/time/geolocation-stamped images back to shore in near real-time using darkfield and PS2 fluorescence imaging for microalgae and marine food web research.
• Live Whale Song Streaming Real-time internet streaming of humpback whale song from Hawaii and Alaska via jupiterfoundation.org, with archived recordings, making marine acoustic data accessible to researchers, educators, and the general public.
• Whale Studies Program Comprehensive humpback whale research program covering photo identification via unique fluke patterns, HUMPACS acoustic surveys across the Pacific, live song streaming, and joint projects with universities, community groups, and NOAA's marine mammal response efforts.
• HUMPACS (Humpback Pacific Survey) Autonomous Wave Glider survey mission (Europa) conducting trans-Pacific acoustic monitoring to detect humpback whale presence in previously unstudied deep ocean basins and seamounts between Hawaii, Mexico, and the Mariana Trench, with hydrophones, oceanographic sensors, and satellite telemetry.
• REACT Program (Research Enabling Advanced Climate Technology) Three-phase climate research initiative deploying autonomous ocean vehicles with sensor suites to collect CO2, temperature, salinity, and acidity data for assimilation into next-generation climate forecasting models.
• Microplastics Research Research program investigating the use of autonomous instruments to sample and identify microplastics in ocean water in order to characterize the distribution and abundance of marine microplastic pollution.
• Electrobiology Lab Research laboratory that processes electrical signals from plants, fungi, and mold using EEG-connected probes embedded in Petri dishes, digitizing and analyzing those signals for evidence of inter-organism communication using traditional statistical methodology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 cetacean calls recorded during first HUMPACS mission
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• U.S. NavycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2019Awarded contract (Contract# N39430-19-S-213) for glider work in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Partnership with Navy and NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries to study underwater sound within the National Marine Sanctuary System.
• ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (EMRE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019JRF-managed collaboration on REACT program for climate technology development. EMRE participated in initial concept discussions in 2018, executed agreement in first half 2019, and co-funded Phase I work. Vijay Swarup, VP R&D, was key contact. Provided funding for Phase I along with JRF.
• Penn State University (PSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner in REACT program with researchers represented on Scientific Advisory Board. Adds capability in oceanic, atmospheric, and terrestrial climate research technology, staffing and infrastructure. Planned collaboration across broad spectrum of resources including Marine Science and Technology Center.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong history of working with JRF. Provided extensive technical and operational support for REACT program, including introductions to network. Developed pCO2 sensor since 1990s. Jointly executed Wave Glider sensor integration and calibration deployments at Monterey Bay facility. Christopher Scholin, President and CEO, on REACT Executive Board.
• NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided latest version of pCO2 sensor for REACT program, supported Wave Glider integration efforts, and worked on validating sensor data integrity for Phase I. Christian Meinig, Director of Engineering, on REACT Executive Board.
• SchlumbergercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided Wave Gliders for REACT program. Co-developing future sensor technologies. Represented on Scientific Advisory Board. Simon Bittleston, VP Science & Technology for Schlumberger New Energy, on SAB. Ashok Belani, Executive VP, is Board Trustee of JRF.
• Whale Trust MauicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration with co-founder Dr. Jim Darling on humpback whale song research. Partnership on HUMPACS project (Humpback Pacific Survey). Dr. Darling serves as biologist expert on humpback whale song. Joint publications and presentations on whale research findings.
• Cornell UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on humpback whale localization study using 3 Wave Gliders equipped with hydrophones to triangulate on singing whales. Also involved in whale watching support for Cornell University students.
• Hawaii Marine Mammal ConsortiumsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership on marine mammal research including humpback whale localization studies and whale watching expeditions.
• Eye of the Whale ResearchsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth Goodwin operates Eye of the Whale research. Created interactive fluke catalog for humpback whale photo identification. Over 30 years of humpback whale photo-ID experience along Kohala Coast.
• Liquid Robotics Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpun off from JRF in 2007 after successful Wave Glider prototype. JRF co-invented the Wave Glider with Liquid Robotics completing product development. Boeing company. JRF continues to use Wave Gliders for research missions.
• NOAA Office of National Marine SanctuariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership on PMNM survey work and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary research. Working with JRF to study sounds produced by marine animals and physical processes within national marine sanctuaries.
• Ocean SonicssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationMike Holt of Ocean Sonics provided acoustic expertise in designing hydrophone housing that acoustically matches seawater for HUMPACS missions.
• University of HawaiisecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelped deploy and recover EARS (environmental acoustic recording system) equipment. Collaborated on various oceanic projects including microplastics research with PSU researchers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Liquid Robotics (a Boeing company): Liquid Robotics commercialized the Wave Glider technology co-invented by JRF in 2007. It operates the same class of autonomous surface vehicles that JRF continues to use for marine research, making it the most direct product and platform peer.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): MBARI is a private oceanographic research institution that partners with JRF on Wave Glider sensor integration and REACT deployments. Both operate autonomous ocean platforms for marine science with a similar non-profit/private research model.
• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Schmidt Ocean Institute is a private operating foundation funding and conducting large-scale ocean research using advanced technology platforms. Like JRF, it leverages private philanthropy and partnerships to enable open-access marine science that public agencies cannot fully fund.
• Saildrone: Saildrone builds wind- and solar-powered autonomous surface vehicles used for ocean data collection, including partnerships with NOAA. It directly competes with the Wave Glider platform that JRF pioneered, addressing similar use cases in ocean monitoring, climate science, and maritime domain awareness.
• OceanX: OceanX is a marine research and media organization combining deep-ocean science with public engagement and high-quality media production. It mirrors JRF's hybrid model of scientific research paired with public-facing content (live whale song streaming, documentaries).

Broad incumbents

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): WHOI is the largest private non-profit oceanographic research institution in the U.S., with substantially broader capabilities. It is comparable to JRF in mission (marine science and autonomous platforms) but operates at far greater scale and serves as the dominant peer in the marine research space.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Scripps is a major oceanographic research institution engaged in autonomous ocean observation, marine mammal research, and climate science. It is comparable to JRF as an ocean science peer but operates as part of UC San Diego with significantly larger scale and resources.
• Teledyne Marine: Teledyne Marine is a major supplier of oceanographic instruments, sensors, and acoustic systems used in marine research. While JRF operates at smaller scale, both organizations supply and integrate measurement systems used in autonomous ocean research and whale monitoring.

Emerging players

• Ocean Sonics: Ocean Sonics designs and manufactures underwater acoustic monitoring equipment used in JRF's HUMPACS missions. It is comparable as a niche hydrophone/acoustic technology provider focused on marine bioacoustics research applications.

Others

• NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL): NOAA PMEL is a federal research lab that partnered with JRF on the REACT program, providing pCO2 sensors for Wave Glider integration. It is comparable as an ocean climate science partner and funder of autonomous ocean research, though not a commercial competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JupiterResearc1
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jupiter-research-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Jupiter Research Foundation