White Shark Video

What White Shark Video does

White Shark Video (WSV) is a San Francisco-based nonprofit corporation founded in 2009 by filmmaker Skyler Thomas that produces shark conservation media — documentary films, educational presentations, podcasts, and short-form web video — alongside a small line of branded merchandise and shark diving excursions. Its core catalog includes the Monsters feature documentary (on the Natal Sharks Board in South Africa), the Shark WeAk podcast (a critical counter to Discovery Channel's Shark Week), SharkCast (researcher interviews), the Shark Minutes 60-second web series, and six educational presentations (Purpose, White Shark 101, Swimming with Sharks, Balance, Great White Lies, and Killer Personalities Gallery Exhibit). Underlying production is conventional video and underwater cinematography, with operations appearing to be remote and project-based, supported by volunteer collaborators and co-host partnerships.

The organization derives revenue from four streams: tax-deductible donations processed through fiscal sponsor Independent Arts & Media (while WSV awaits its own 501(c)(3) approval), educational presentation bookings ($100-$200 for low-income schools up to $500-$3,000 for larger institutions), direct-to-consumer shark dive trips ($350/diver/day, capped at 6 divers per trip), and merchandise sales (t-shirts $20-25, caps $34.95). Go-to-market is multi-channel: YouTube (main audience platform), the own-site e-commerce store, event-driven film festival screenings, direct sales outreach to schools and museums, and counter-programming content timed to Discovery Shark Week. Customers are educational institutions (California Academy of Sciences, Sequoia High School), environmental film festivals (SF International Ocean Film Festival), and conservation nonprofits (Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, Monterey Cetacean Society), alongside direct consumer audiences for dive trips and merchandise.

Name

White Shark Video

Legal name

White Shark Video

Website

https://whitesharkvideo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

White Shark Video is a nonprofit founded in 2009 producing shark-focused documentary films, educational presentations, podcasts, and merchandise, serving schools, museums, conservation organizations, and shark diving enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Media and Education

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC)

Keywords

• Shark conservation media
• Documentary film production
• Marine biology education
• Wildlife educational tours
• Nonprofit media production

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations through fiscal sponsor Independent Arts & Media (IAM). Donation button on website, also accepts checks made to IAM with White Shark Video noted in memo.
2. Educational Presentations: Sale of Purpose and other multimedia presentations to educational institutions, museums, and organizations. Pricing ranges from $100-200 for low-income schools to $500-3000 for larger organizations.
3. Shark Dive Trips: Joint operations with local shark diving operators selling spots on guided shark diving excursions. Blue shark trips in Rhode Island at $350/day.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($20-25), caps ($34.95), beanies, and print photographs through online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

White Shark Video is a nonprofit media organization that produces shark conservation documentary films, podcasts, and educational presentations, and sells branded merchandise and guided shark diving experiences. Its content portfolio includes the feature film Monsters, the Shark WeAk and SharkCast podcast series, the Shark Minutes educational web series, multiple bookable multimedia presentations, and a research paper repository on white shark ecology.

Product overview

White Shark Video is a nonprofit media organization producing shark conservation content through documentary films, podcasts, and educational presentations. The core offering includes the Monsters documentary film, multiple podcast series (Shark WeAk, SharkCast), the Shark Minutes web video series, and six distinct educational presentations (Purpose, White Shark 101, Swimming with Sharks, Balance, Great White Lies, and Killer Personalities Gallery). Additional offerings include shark dive trip experiences, a South Africa shark internship program, and a research paper repository on white shark ecology. The company also operates a merchandise store. All products support the mission of raising public awareness about white shark conservation and challenging media misinformation about sharks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Monsters: Documentary film about the Natal Sharks Board and shark nets in South Africa, written and directed by Skyler Thomas. Currently showing at film festivals.
• Purpose
• Shark WeAk
• SharkCast

Products and services

• Monsters A feature documentary film investigating the Natal Sharks Board in South Africa and their shark nets, exposing deception about public safety versus profit motives. Written and directed by Skyler Thomas; screened at film festivals for conservation and general audiences.
• Shark WeAk Podcast A podcast critical of Discovery Channel's Shark Week programming, featuring co-host Walter Bernardis and analyzing shark-related media content and misinformation. Aimed at shark conservation supporters and Shark Week critics.
• SharkCast A video interview podcast featuring shark researchers, conservationists, and experts discussing shark ecology, behavior, and conservation issues. Targeted at science-literate viewers and conservation advocates.
• Shark Minutes A web video series delivering shark facts and educational content in 60-second segments, covering multiple shark species and behaviors, with educational quiz elements. Targeted at general audiences and educators.
• Purpose Presentation A multimedia presentation exploring shark ecosystems and why sharks do not pose danger to humans, drawing on 20 years of diving footage. Bookable by schools, museums, and organizations; donation-based pricing available for nonprofits.
• White Shark 101 Presentation Presentation covering basic anatomy and behavior of white sharks, explaining unique features and debunking myths. Bookable by schools, museums, and organizations.
• Swimming with Sharks Presentation Presentation featuring footage of shark interactions with discussion of diving experiences and shark behavior expectations. Bookable by schools, museums, and organizations.
• Balance Presentation Presentation exploring why sharks are important to the planet and the pros and cons of shark ecotourism, based on the film 'Balance'. Bookable by schools, museums, and organizations.
• Great White Lies Presentation Presentation diving into political corruption affecting conservation, science, and the future of marine life. Bookable by schools, museums, and organizations.
• Killer Personalities Gallery Exhibit Mobile photo exhibition featuring high-definition prints of identified sharks with distinctive personalities, accompanied by video presentations and Q&A sessions. Bookable by museums, schools, and organizations.
• Shark Internship Program Discounted internship program in South Africa partnered with a white shark ecotourism company, offering daily trips, diving, and research experience to aspiring shark researchers and conservation interns.
• Orca VS. Jaws Video Series Multi-part documentary series exposing misinformation about orcas killing white sharks, presenting scientific research on anthropocentric threats to shark populations. Targeted at conservation advocates and Shark Week critics.
• Shark Dive Trips Shark diving excursions to locations including Isla Guadalupe, Farallones Islands, Rhode Island, and South Africa, featuring guided and cage diving experiences. Sold directly to individual SCUBA divers and underwater photographers.
• White Shark VS. Orca Research Papers Collection of research papers and articles regarding white shark populations in South Africa and the orca controversy, available as downloadable PDFs. Targeted at researchers, students, and conservation advocates.
• Shark Merchandise Store Online store selling shark-themed merchandise including t-shirts ($20–$25), caps ($34.95), and beanies featuring various shark designs and logos, sold direct-to-consumer to support the organization's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 film awards received
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Joe RomeirocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotographer and filmmaker partnership for blue shark diving trips in Rhode Island. Joint operations where both Skyler Thomas and Joe Romeiro co-host 1-3 day diving excursions. Partners since 2015.
• South African White Shark Ecotourism PartnercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with white shark ecotourism and conservation company in South Africa offering discounted internship program. Provides shark dive trip discounts using WSV discount codes.
• California Academy of SciencesminorOthersVenue for film screenings and guest speaker presentations. WSV has screened multiple films and Skyler Thomas presented at the institution.
• Miyoko's CreameryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured as 'Official Cheese of Sharks' for first-ever plant-based shark ecotourism trip. Miyoko's provided vegan cheese products for live-aboard Guadalupe shark trip.
• Islander Charters, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoat charter operator for Guadalupe white shark diving trips, featured in Ultimate Guide to Guadalupe Cage Diving video content.
• SDMadventures.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company of Eli Martinez for tiger shark and various shark species diving adventures, cross-promoted on WSV platform.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: The largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization, running campaigns on marine wildlife including sharks. Comparable as a marine conservation media/advocacy nonprofit but operating at much greater scale and broader scope than White Shark Video's shark-only niche.
• National Geographic Society: A major nonprofit producing shark and marine wildlife documentary media. Comparable as a documentary-driven conservation media organization, though operating at vastly larger scale and broader scope than WSV.
• BBC Studios Natural History Unit: Producer of major marine wildlife documentaries (Blue Planet, Shark) with global broadcast reach. Comparable to WSV as a producer of shark documentary content but operating as a commercial broadcaster at incomparably larger scale.

Direct peers

• Project AWARE Foundation: A nonprofit mobilizing divers and water enthusiasts worldwide for ocean conservation, including shark protection. Comparable to WSV in combining the dive community with conservation advocacy and education.
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Marine conservation nonprofit that uses direct action, media campaigns, and documentary-style content to advocate for ocean wildlife. Comparable to WSV in mission-driven, confrontational conservation media aimed at changing public perception.
• Shark Angels: A nonprofit focused on shark conservation through public education, community engagement, and media advocacy. Comparable to WSV as a small, shark-focused nonprofit that relies on grassroots education and media to counter fear-based narratives.
• Beneath the Waves: A nonprofit focused on shark and ray conservation through science, policy, and media. Comparable to WSV as a shark-specialist nonprofit that leverages scientific credibility and media to influence conservation outcomes.
• WildAid: A wildlife conservation nonprofit using media campaigns to reduce demand for wildlife products, including shark fins. Comparable to WSV in using media-driven advocacy as the primary change lever for marine wildlife.
• Save Our Seas Foundation: A marine conservation foundation focused on sharks, rays, and ocean ecosystems that funds research, education, and media. Highly comparable to White Shark Video given its shark-specific nonprofit mission, education focus, and filmmaker/researcher backing.
• Shark Research Institute: A nonprofit dedicated to scientific research and public education on sharks, with active involvement from scientists and divers globally. Comparable to WSV as a shark-focused nonprofit that bridges scientific research and public-facing advocacy media.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@whitesharkvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/WhiteSharkVideo
• Instagraminstagram.com/whitesharkvideo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/white-shark-video

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about White Shark Video