I.R.I.A.E

Archaeological Research Servicesiriae.com

I.R.I.A.E is a Naples-based non-profit research institute founded in 2012 that conducts land and underwater archaeological expeditions worldwide, with a specialization in Japanese archaeology; it serves academic researchers, governmental funders (Italian MFA, Japan Foundation, EU Horizon 2020), and university partners through expedition services, training courses, and collaborative research projects.

Company typePrivate
Founded2012
HeadquartersNaples, Italy
Headcount51–100
GTM typeB2B and B2C
OfferingServices

What I.R.I.A.E does

I.R.I.A.E (International Research Institute for Archaeology and Ethnology) is a Naples-based non-profit research organization founded in November 2012 by Daniele Petrella and Marco Merola. It conducts land and underwater archaeological expeditions across Italy and internationally, with a particular specialization in Japanese archaeology that has made it the first and only western organization authorized to conduct archaeological excavations both on land and at sea in Japan. The institute also contributed to drafting legislation protecting Japan's Underwater Archaeological Heritage. Its portfolio includes the Kubilai Khan's Lost Fleet Project, the EU Horizon 2020-funded BeArchaeo Project (Grant No. 823826), the Jomon Sea Project, the Tsushima Project, the Sōshoku Kofun Project, and the Edo Castle Mission.

The institute's operational backbone combines conventional archaeological methods with specialist instrumentation, including LiDAR-equipped drones, underwater sonars, georadar surveys, 3D photogrammetry, GIS spatial analysis, and virtual reconstruction paired with augmented reality. Its service lines fall into three buckets: expedition design and field execution, training programs (Archaeological Expedition Management Course, Archeo 3D, Underwater Archaeology courses, delivered partly via Zoom), and project-based research collaborations with universities in Italy, Japan, Portugal, Belgium, and Greece. Customers and partners are concentrated among academic institutions (University of Turin, University of Lisbon, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Okayama, Hosei, Kaiyo) and governmental funders (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Japan Foundation, EU Horizon 2020).

IRIAE generates revenue through annual collaborator membership fees, training course registrations, crowdfunding campaigns (e.g., Indiegogo), sponsorships, and PayPal donations. It does not disclose financial figures publicly beyond maintaining a fiscal balance sheet page for transparency. Distribution is primarily community-led, with researchers joining via a formal CV-and-interview application process, supplemented by event-driven public engagement through press coverage in Italian outlets (Corriere della Sera, Il Sole24Ore, RAI documentaries) and museum exhibitions (e.g., Kubilai Khan exhibition at the MAO Museum of Oriental Art in Turin).

I.R.I.A.E firmographics

Firmographics

Name: I.R.I.A.E
Legal name: International Research Institute for Archaeology and Ethnology
Website: https://iriae.com
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2012
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 51–100 employees
Short description: I.R.I.A.E is a Naples-based non-profit research institute founded in 2012 that conducts land and underwater archaeological expeditions worldwide, with a specialization in Japanese archaeology; it serves academic researchers, governmental funders (Italian MFA, Japan Foundation, EU Horizon 2020), and university partners through expedition services, training courses, and collaborative research projects.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

I.R.I.A.E industry classification

Industry

Product category: Archaeological Research Services
NAICS: Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
akta.pro primary industry: Field Schools & Experiential Academic Programs (Archaeology, Ecology, etc.) (EDAIAIAG)
akta.pro secondary industries: Cultural Heritage, Arts & Archaeology Service Programs (EDAIAGAH), Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH), Faculty-Led & Research/Field Study Expeditions (THAKAGAK)

Keywords

Archaeological research
Underwater archaeology
Ethnological expeditions
Cultural heritage documentation
Archaeological fieldwork

Where I.R.I.A.E is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Naples
HQ country: Italy
HQ region: Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

I.R.I.A.E business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B and B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

Annual Membership Fees: Collaborators pay annual fees to join IRIAE's network and be included in the collaborators database. The application process includes CV evaluation and an interview with the Executive Board.
Crowdfunding Campaigns: The institute conducts crowdfunding campaigns for specific archaeological expeditions, such as the 'Unearthing Ancient Japan' project on Indiegogo.
Sponsorship and Donations: IRIAE accepts sponsorships and donations through PayPal and other channels to support expeditions and research activities.
Training Programs: Revenue generated from archaeological expedition management courses, workshops, and specialized training programs offered to participants.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Collaborator Annual Membership
Other	One time/ perpetual license	Archaeological Expedition Management Course

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

I.R.I.A.E product offering

Product offering

Core offering

I.R.I.A.E (International Research Institute for Archaeology and Ethnology) conducts land and underwater archaeological expeditions worldwide, including research design, field execution, documentation, and scientific publication. The institute also delivers structured training through courses and workshops covering archaeological expedition management, 3D photogrammetry, and underwater archaeology techniques.

Product overview

I.R.I.A.E (International Research Institute for Archaeology and Ethnology) is a non-profit research organization offering archaeological expeditions and educational services. The core offering consists of land and underwater archaeological expeditions conducted worldwide, complemented by a comprehensive educational program of courses and workshops. The expedition portfolio includes named projects such as the Kubilai Khan's Lost Fleet Project, BeArchaeo Project, Jomon Sea Project, Tsushima Project, Sōshoku Kofun Project, Edo Castle Mission, and various shipwreck investigations. Educational offerings include the flagship Archaeological Expedition Management Course and specialized training in 3D digital surveying (Archeo 3D) and underwater archaeology. The organization operates research areas covering archaeological excavation direction, underwater archaeology, architectural surveys, geoarchaeology, archaeobotany, and archaeozoology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Archaeological Expeditions Service

Quantifiable outcome

Discovery of Kubilai Khan's Lost Fleet - considered one of the major discoveries of the last 50 years
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use I.R.I.A.E

Customer profile

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

I.R.I.A.E technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

I.R.I.A.E partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

CMMKM of Federico II University in NaplesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration for virtual reconstruction of historical structures for the Historic Garden of Italian Embassy in Tokyo project.
EToS (Edo-Tokyo Studies) Research Centre of Hosei UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for Edo Castle Mission and Historic Garden projects, providing historical-architectural research and virtual reconstruction expertise.
Kaiyo University (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Academic partner for Tsushima Project, collaborating on archaeological investigations on Tsushima island studying Jōmon period cultures.
Tokyo University of Marine Science and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaboration for Jomon Sea Project and Tsushima Project maritime archaeology research, providing expertise in marine science and underwater archaeology.
University of TurincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019European consortium partner for the BeArchaeo Project (EU Horizon 2020). University of Turin headed the archaeometry activities while IRIAE led archaeological operations. Project focused on studying kofun (Japanese megalithic tombs) and power shifts in ancient Japan.
University of LisboncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019European consortium partner for BeArchaeo Project, leading communication activities. The project was funded through EU Horizon 2020 Rise programme (No. 823826).
TerraMarine (Greece)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019European consortium partner for BeArchaeo Project, providing geophysical surveys for archaeological research in Japan.
TecnArt (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic spin-off of University of Turin providing thermoluminescence dating services for BeArchaeo Project and other IRIAE research activities.
Visual Dimension (Belgium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019European consortium partner for BeArchaeo Project, providing 3D restoration services for archaeological visualizations.
Okayama University (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Japanese partner university for BeArchaeo Project, coordinating local research activities and hosting resulting exhibitions in Japan.
GASTP (Gruppo Ambientale Speleologico Trapanese)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2018Collaboration for preliminary survey of prehistoric caves in the Trapani area of Sicily, conducted May 7-16, 2018.
Hosei University (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018EToS Research Centre partnership for Edo Castle Mission and other Japanese historical research projects.
EducaJudominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 July 2017Partnership for cultural activities aimed at knowledge of Japan and development of cultural exchanges with the Japanese people. Signed July 19, 2017 in Naples.
TecnArtmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2015Memorandum of Understanding signed April 4, 2015 for scientific-archaeological research cooperation, professional exchange, and joint workshop/seminar organization.
ISTIAEN (Italian Institute of Naval Archaeology and Ethnology)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2015Memorandum of Understanding signed March 20, 2015 for mutual scientific collaboration in naval history, archaeology and ethnology. First activity was organizing a workshop on Naval Archaeology and Navigation History.
Asahi ShinbunminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Japanese newspaper that supported the Hatsushima Tokugawa Shipwreck project by spreading news throughout Japan.
Hayashida KenzōcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Founder of ARIUA and honorary member of IRIAE. Commissioned Daniele Petrella's team for Kubilai Khan fleet research. Leading figure in Japanese underwater archaeology.
ARIUA (Asian Research Institute for Underwater Archaeology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Long-standing collaboration partner for underwater archaeology expeditions in Japan, including Kubilai Khan's Lost Fleet Project. Founded by Hayashida Kenzo.
Sicilian Region Superintendency of the SeamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Early collaboration partner for underwater archaeology research, with the late Sebastiano Tusa. Contributed to initial Kubilai Khan fleet search activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

I.R.I.A.E competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives: Non-profit that documents, trains and advocates for heritage protection in conflict-affected regions. Comparable to IRIAE through its remit spanning archaeological fieldwork, training programs, and contributing to legislative frameworks for heritage protection (IRIAE did so for Japan's underwater heritage).
SEARCH, Inc. US firm providing archaeological, cultural-resource-management and heritage-services to government and commercial clients. Comparable as a professional services organisation operating globally across land and underwater archaeology with multi-disciplinary scientific staff.
Maritime Archaeology Trust: UK charity focused on maritime heritage research, education and community engagement. Highly comparable to IRIAE's underwater-archaeology courses, shipwreck investigations (e.g., Hatsushima, Yamami) and educational arm.
Cultural Heritage Imaging: Non-profit that develops and disseminates 3D-imaging and photogrammetry technology for cultural heritage documentation. Comparable to IRIAE's Archeo 3D training and photogrammetry-led documentation work, including its 3D cave and heritage surveys.
Wessex Archaeology: UK-based archaeological and heritage services provider delivering field archaeology, heritage consultancy and training. Comparable to IRIAE's blended model of archaeological fieldwork, training programs (e.g., AEM course) and heritage-conservation projects.
INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage): India's principal non-profit heritage organisation focused on conservation and research. Comparable to IRIAE through its mix of heritage research, fieldwork, training and conservation mandate on nationally and internationally significant sites.
INSTAP Study Center for East Crete: US-based non-profit archaeological research institute funding fieldwork, publication and training in the eastern Mediterranean. Comparable to IRIAE's operating model of grant-funded international research expeditions and publication-driven outputs.
RPM Nautical Foundation: A US-based non-profit dedicated to maritime archaeological research worldwide. Highly comparable to IRIAE as both are private/non-profit maritime archaeology research outfits conducting multi-year international expeditions and producing scholarly publications.

Broad incumbents

ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites): International non-governmental organisation advising on heritage conservation, including underwater cultural heritage. Comparable because IRIAE has contributed to heritage legislation in Japan and partners with UNESCO Underwater Heritage — placing ICOMOS as a broader institutional peer in the same policy and protection domain.
AECOM (Cultural Resources / Environment practice): Global engineering and professional services firm with a substantial cultural-resources practice delivering heritage and archaeology consulting. Comparable as a much larger incumbent offering overlapping services (heritage surveys, archaeology, environmental) but as part of a broader portfolio rather than IRIAE's specialised niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

I.R.I.A.E financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

I.R.I.A.E leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

I.R.I.A.E funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

I.R.I.A.E M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about I.R.I.A.E

What does I.R.I.A.E do?

Is I.R.I.A.E a public or private company?

I.R.I.A.E is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was I.R.I.A.E founded?

I.R.I.A.E was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is I.R.I.A.E based?

I.R.I.A.E is headquartered in Naples, Italy, in the Europe region.

How does I.R.I.A.E make money?

Four revenue lines are on record. Annual Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are crowdfunding Campaigns, sponsorship and Donations and training Programs.

Who are I.R.I.A.E's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives, SEARCH, Inc., Maritime Archaeology Trust, Cultural Heritage Imaging, Wessex Archaeology, INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), INSTAP Study Center for East Crete and RPM Nautical Foundation. Broad incumbents are ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and AECOM (Cultural Resources / Environment practice).

Does I.R.I.A.E have an API?

No public API is recorded for I.R.I.A.E.

What industry is I.R.I.A.E in?

I.R.I.A.E's product category is Archaeological Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAIAG, Field Schools & Experiential Academic Programs (Archaeology, Ecology, etc.), with a secondary code of EDAIAGAH, Cultural Heritage, Arts & Archaeology Service Programs. Its NAICS code is 541360 and its SIC code is 8200.