What Observer Research Foundation America does

Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America) is a 501(c)(3) policy research and convening organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is the U.S. affiliate of the Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and operates a portfolio of four practice areas: Foreign Policy & Security, Technology Policy, Energy & Climate, and Global Economics & Development, with a central focus on U.S.-India relations supplemented by broader global policy engagement.

The organization's product set consists of recurring convenings and research outputs rather than commercial technology products. Flagship programs include the Global Cyber Policy Dialogue Series (run with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs across Western Balkans, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa), the U.S.-India AI Fellowship Program (20 fellows split between the U.S. and India), the U.S.-India Technology Cooperation Track 1.5 Dialogue (co-run with the Special Competitive Studies Project), the Future of Energy Breakfast series, the Chips for Breakfast semiconductor roundtable series, and the Global South Expert Working Group on development cooperation. Research and analysis are disseminated through the ORF America Comments blog, the Around the World podcast, and joint publications such as the U.S.-India AI and Emerging Technology Compact.

ORF America's business model is a nonprofit one funded via grants, donations, and institutional partnerships rather than commercial revenue. The GTM motion is event-driven, anchored by curated, closed-door roundtables with senior policymakers, complemented by public commentary and podcasts. Target audiences are U.S. and Indian government officials, think tank and academic experts, private sector executives, and early-career policy professionals, served through an ecosystem of strategic partnerships with entities such as the U.S. Department of State, the Embassy of India, CSIS, Carnegie India, and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore.

Name

Observer Research Foundation America

Legal name

Observer Research Foundation America

Website

https://orfamerica.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Observer Research Foundation America is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) think tank and U.S. affiliate of India's ORF that convenes policymakers, experts, and industry leaders on foreign policy, technology, energy, and economic development with a central focus on U.S.-India relations and global cyber, AI, and energy dialogue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Advisory

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), International Affairs (9721), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC), Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN), STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ), Corporate & Voluntary Procurement Policy (PPAs, Green Tariffs, 24/7 CFE) (EUAMANAH)

Keywords

• Policy research
• Foreign policy analysis
• Technology policy
• Think tank research
• Geopolitical advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research and Convening Services: ORF America generates revenue through research publications, event convening services, fellowship programs, and partnerships with governments, multilateral organizations, and private sector entities. The organization operates as a non-profit research institution focused on policy research and convening stakeholders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., that produces policy research, convenes expert dialogues, and runs fellowship programming across four pillars: foreign policy and security, technology policy, energy and climate, and global economics and development. It functions as the U.S. affiliate of the Observer Research Foundation, India, and delivers its work through publications, podcasts, events, and a fellowship community supported by approximately 30 staff.

Product overview

ORF America is a Washington D.C.-based think tank focused on foreign policy, technology policy, energy & climate, and economic development. Rather than a unified software product, it offers a portfolio of research publications (ORF America Comments blog), media programs (Around the World podcast), fellowship programs (U.S.-India AI Fellowship), and dialogue initiatives (Global Cyber Policy Dialogue Series, U.S.-India Technology Cooperation Track 1.5 Dialogue, Future of Energy Breakfast series, Chips for Breakfast semiconductor discussions). These programs serve policymakers, researchers, and practitioners through convenings, published analysis, and training initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy research publications Written policy research, reports, briefs, and commentaries produced under the four pillars (foreign policy and security, technology policy, energy and climate, and global economics and development), intended for policymakers, researchers, journalists, and institutional readers.
• Podcasts Audio series featuring expert commentary and interviews on policy topics for general policy audiences and the informed public, distributed on standard podcast platforms.
• Fellowship programs Structured programs that engage selected fellows in research and dialogue activities, designed for emerging policy professionals, graduate-level researchers, and diaspora practitioners seeking engagement with the D.C. policy ecosystem and the ORF network.
• Dialogue initiatives and convenings In-person and virtual events, roundtables, and structured discussions that bring together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to address policy issues, intended for institutional audiences across government, academia, and the private sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Established the U.S.-India AI Fellowship Program with 20 fellows (10 from U.S., 10 from India)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2025ORF America and SCSP co-launched the U.S.-India Technology Cooperation Track 1.5 Dialogue and jointly organized the U.S.-India AI and Emerging Technology Forum. The partnership focuses on advancing bilateral cooperation on AI infrastructure, applications, talent, and policies. They have published joint reports including the U.S.-India AI and Emerging Technology Compact.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the NetherlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerORF America partners with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Global Cyber Policy Dialogue Series, a multi-year initiative convening regional dialogues on cybersecurity challenges, capacity building, and multistakeholder cooperation. The series has covered Western Balkans, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and other regions.
• S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSIS partners with ORF America on the Global Cyber Policy Dialogue Series, particularly for Southeast Asia regional dialogues. The partnership brings together government, civil society, academia, and private sector participants to address cybersecurity challenges in the ASEAN region.
• Cyber Security Agency of SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSA partners with ORF America on Southeast Asia cyber policy dialogues, hosting events in Singapore and providing expertise on regional cybersecurity cooperation and digital transformation.
• U.S.-India Business CouncilmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerORF America partners with USIBC on roundtables and events focused on U.S.-India economic and trade relations, providing a platform for private sector engagement with policymakers.
• Carnegie IndiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORF America co-hosted a workshop with Carnegie India on U.S.-India Technology Cooperation focusing on TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative and defense industrial cooperation.
• Motwani Jadeja FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in organizing the U.S.-India AI and Emerging Technology Forum at the SCSP AI+ Expo, contributing to programming on technology cooperation.
• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORF America co-hosted a roundtable with CSIS on the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), bringing together government, industry, and policy experts.
• WRI IndiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORF America and WRI India co-hosted the Global Webinar on Forging the Future of Low-Emissions Steel, bringing together experts on steel decarbonization and industrial policy.
• African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORF America partnered with ACET on a high-level dialogue on AI, green transition, and new frameworks for development cooperation, held alongside the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings.
• Stimson CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORF America co-hosted a roundtable with the Stimson Center on Cyber Diplomacy, assessing outcomes from the UN Open-ended Working Group on cybersecurity.
• Research ICT AfricamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in hosting the Global Cyber Policy Dialogue: Southern Africa in Pretoria, bringing together stakeholders from across Southern Africa on cybersecurity challenges.
• Embassy of India, Washington DCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Embassy of India co-organized discussions at the U.S. Senate on U.S.-India strategic cooperation on AI and partnered on events related to the India AI Impact Summit.
• U.S. Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerORF America engages with the U.S. Department of State on multiple programs including briefings for State Department officials, participation in the TRUST initiative, and engagement on export control reform.
• Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Global Cyber Policy Dialogue series for the Western Balkans, hosting events in Tirana and Podgorica with regional cybersecurity authorities.
• Albania Sustainable Development OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in hosting the Western Balkans Cyber Experts Meeting in Tirana, Albania.
• Center for the Study of Democracy and GovernanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in hosting the Western Balkans Cyber Policy Dialogue in Tirana, Albania.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ORF_America
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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Observer Research Foundation America