The Retired Investigators Guild

What The Retired Investigators Guild does

The Retired Investigators Guild (RIG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2022 and headquartered at a confidential secure location in Reno, Nevada. It coordinates a volunteer workforce of retired law enforcement officers, military veterans, and forensic specialists to support cold-case homicide investigations and active investigations for law enforcement agencies nationwide, with particular emphasis on smaller, under-resourced departments and cases involving women, children, and underserved communities. RIG's operational model pairs field investigation and detective mentoring with partner-provided forensic capabilities, including DNA analysis (SERI), genetic genealogy (Ramapo College IGG Center), and cybersecurity expertise (Proactive Risk).

RIG's product surface centers on an OSINT Database Search portal that aggregates public law enforcement data (state offender registries, federal wanted lists, public court records), a Secure Tip Portal with anonymity-preserving submission architecture (no IP or browser tracking), The RIG Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and the Bright Light Continuum Initiative addressing POW/MIA accounting from Vietnam-era conflicts. The organization does not operate a unified software platform; technology augments human investigative work rather than replacing it. Recent case outcomes include a March 2026 arrest after 22 years ("Justice for Jamila"), a January 2026 new suspect profile in a 1995 killing, and a November 2025 case reopening in New Mexico.

RIG is funded entirely through donations via the Zeffy platform, tax-deductible contributions, and event revenue (NYC Roundtable Dinner tickets at $300/person with sponsorship opportunities). The organization has no venture capital, private equity, or institutional ownership, and no funding rounds, acquisitions, or revenue figures are disclosed. Operating geographies are confined to the United States, with administrative offices Monday–Friday 0900–1700 EST and field operations running 24/7/365 based on case requirements.

Name

The Retired Investigators Guild

Legal name

The Retired Investigators Guild

Website

https://therig.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Retired Investigators Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coordinates retired homicide detectives and military veterans to support cold-case investigations, OSINT queries, and forensic mentoring for U.S. law enforcement agencies, particularly under-resourced departments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cold Case Investigation Services

NAICS

Investigation and Personal Background Check Services (561611)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Litigation Support & Civil Investigations (Witness/Asset/Skip Tracing) (BPAKAEAE)

Keywords

• Cold case investigations
• Volunteer investigative services
• OSINT database search
• Forensic DNA analysis
• Nonprofit law enforcement support

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

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. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, RIG relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals, organizations, and supporters to fund operations, cold case investigations, and forensic resources for underfunded law enforcement departments.
2. Event Revenue: RIG generates revenue through ticketed events such as the annual NYC Roundtable Dinner at $300 per person, with sponsorship opportunities available. All proceeds directly support cold case investigations and forensic resources.
3. Partnership and Collaboration: RIG partners with organizations like ATII, The LifeGuard Group, and Ramapo College IGG Center to access advanced forensic tools and expertise, often at no cost to smaller law enforcement departments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Retired Investigators Guild (RIG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coordinates retired law enforcement officers and military veterans to provide volunteer investigative support on cold case homicides, active investigations, and detective mentoring for under-resourced U.S. law enforcement agencies. Its offering is augmented by an OSINT database search portal, an anonymous secure tip submission system, and strategic partnerships that deliver advanced forensic and genetic genealogy resources to smaller departments at no cost.

Product overview

The Retired Investigators Guild (RIG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a cold case investigation service rather than a traditional software product company. The core offering consists of volunteer investigative services for unsolved homicides, supported by technology-enabled tools including an OSINT Database Search portal for querying law enforcement databases and a Secure Tip Portal for anonymous tip submission. The RIG Podcast extends reach through storytelling content on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The Bright Light Continuum Initiative is a specialized program addressing POW/MIA accounting from the Vietnam War era. RIG does not offer a unified software platform but provides investigative assistance, forensic resources, and case management support to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OSINT Database Search Secure portal that aggregates searches across publicly available Open Source Intelligence databases including state offender registries, federal wanted lists, and public court records. Results are for informational purposes only. Used by RIG investigators and partners to support cold case and active investigations.
• Secure Tip Portal Encrypted portal for submitting crime tips. Information is stored in an isolated intelligence database with an option to remain completely anonymous without IP or browser tracking. Open to the public to submit potential cold case leads.
• The RIG Podcast Podcast series hosted by Mike Marty featuring interviews with homicide and major crime investigators across the United States, sharing stories and tools used to solve complex cases. Distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Justice achieved for victims after decades
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Task Force GarrisoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Coalition of veterans, investigators, and researchers united to advance the POW/MIA accounting mission through the Bright Light Continuum Initiative. Supports awareness, historical research, and recovery efforts for America's missing service members from the Vietnam War.
• Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center (RCNJ IGG Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2025Groundbreaking partnership formalized through an MOU to address unsolved violent crime through cutting-edge genetic genealogy. The partnership combines RIG's investigative expertise with the center's advanced IGG capabilities.
• Anti-Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (ATII)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2023Strategic partnership to combat human trafficking using financial intelligence to expose and dismantle trafficking networks. ATII follows money trails to identify and help rescue vulnerable individuals.
• The LifeGuard GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations through community action and advocacy. Joined forces with RIG in November 2023.
• Serological Research Institute (SERI)coreTechnology or IntegrationANAB Accredited Forensic DNA Lab providing cutting-edge forensic DNA and serology casework. SERI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit private forensics laboratory in Northern California serving law enforcement agencies.
• Proactive RiskcoreTechnology or IntegrationBoutique cybersecurity consultancy specializing in critical national infrastructure protection. Provides penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and strategic risk management expertise.
• Innovative Forensic InvestigationscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides cutting-edge forensic science services to law enforcement and legal teams, helping break through investigative barriers in complex cases.
• Finding KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on locating missing and exploited children and reuniting them with their families.
• Midnight PlatoonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on a new shirt supporting cold case homicide investigations. Proceeds benefit RIG's ongoing mission.
• CREST InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBecame a supporter of The Retired Investigators Guild, providing promotional and awareness support.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Innocence Project: Nonprofit legal organization that uses volunteer investigators and legal clinics to reinvestigate wrongful convictions. Comparable nonprofit investigative model serving criminal-justice outcomes with pro bono expertise.
• CUE Center for Missing Persons: North Carolina-based nonprofit that advocates for and investigates long-term missing persons cases. Comparable mission, LE partnership approach, and nonprofit donation-driven model.
• Project Cold Case: Nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of and solving cold case homicides in the United States. Closely comparable to RIG in mission focus, nonprofit structure, and target audience (families of victims, law enforcement partners).
• Texas EquuSearch: Texas-based volunteer search organization dedicated to locating missing persons. Directly comparable volunteer-driven model serving law enforcement with missing/cold case work.
• DNA Doe Project: Nonprofit that uses investigative genetic genealogy to identify John and Jane Does, many connected to long-unsolved homicides. Directly comparable to RIG's cold case focus and its Ramapo College IGG partnership approach.
• Black and Missing Foundation: Nonprofit focused on missing persons of color and underserved communities. Directly comparable to RIG's stated prioritization of cases involving women, children, and underserved communities, and its LE partnership model.

Broad incumbents

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Established nonprofit serving as the national resource center for missing and exploited children. Overlaps with RIG's case work involving children but operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
• NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System): U.S. Department of Justice program that serves as the national clearinghouse for missing persons and unidentified decedent records. Overlaps with RIG's cold case work but is a federally funded program rather than a volunteer nonprofit.

Others

• Othram: Forensic laboratory specializing in forensic genome sequencing to help resolve cold and unidentified cases. Functions as a technology/vendor partner to organizations like RIG rather than a direct nonprofit competitor.

Emerging players

• Locate International: UK-based nonprofit that uses family DNA and genetic genealogy to help resolve cold cases, including unidentified remains and long-missing persons. Comparable emerging nonprofit model in adjacent (international) geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/therig

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Retired Investigators Guild