ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersFriday Harbor, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE
- Legal name
- Orca Behavior Institute
- Website
- https://orcabehaviorinstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Research and Education
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC), Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC)
Keywords
Where ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Friday Harbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual donations: Work driven by individual donations from supportive community members who believe in the mission
- Educational course fees: Whale University courses including Bigg's 201 (4.5-month course with payment plan options of 4 payments of $475 every 2 months)
- Patreon membership: Exclusive livestreams, updates, merchandise and community engagement for Patreon supporters
- Merchandise sales: Sale of whale-themed merchandise including stickers and pins (e.g., $5 stickers, $8 pins)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Bigg's 201 Course - Full payment |
| Subscription | Monthly | Bigg's 201 Course - Payment plan |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - T19 Brothers Set |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - Individual stickers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - Pins |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Orca Behavior Institute is a non-profit organization that conducts non-invasive research on killer whales in the Salish Sea, delivers science-based continuing education through Whale University, and supports marine conservation advocacy. It sells paid courses (such as the 4.5-month Bigg's 201 program), whale-themed merchandise (stickers and pins), and Patreon memberships, and accepts individual donations to fund its research and education mission.
Product overview
Orca Behavior Institute operates as a non-profit whale research organization offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on killer whale research, education, and conservation. The core offerings include Whale University, an educational program with courses like Bigg's 201, and research services encompassing whale sightings tracking (2000+ per year), field observations (150+ encounters annually), and acoustic monitoring through the Orca Acoustics Program with a streaming hydrophone. Additional offerings include publications and presentations, advocacy services (60+ public comment letters), matriline profiles, sightings maps, merchandise, and an internship program. The organization focuses on non-invasive research on Bigg's killer whales and Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea, combining science-based education with bold advocacy for whale conservation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Whale University: Science-based continuing education programs offering courses on killer whales, marine mammals, and orca research including Bigg's 201 and Southern Resident-themed courses.
- Orca Acoustics
Products and services
- Whale University Continuing-education program for the general public, offering structured courses on killer whales (e.g., the 4.5-month Bigg's 201), book clubs, drawing classes, and introductory marine mammal courses; combines virtual lectures with in-person boat-based field trips.
- Orca Acoustics Program Research service that records and analyzes whale acoustic communication in the Salish Sea, featuring a publicly accessible streaming hydrophone in the North San Juan Channel for real-time monitoring.
- Whale Sightings Tracking Long-term data-collection service that systematically tracks and confirms whale sightings throughout the Salish Sea, producing the basis for OBI's research outputs and monthly sightings maps.
- Field Research Observations On-water field observations of Bigg's and Southern Resident killer whale behavior, conducted in collaboration with partners such as the Center for Whale Research and resulting in 150+ encounters per year.
- Publications and Presentations Peer-reviewed publications and public presentations sharing OBI's research findings on killer whale behavior, presence, and acoustic communication for the research community and the public.
- Advocacy and Policy Support Policy and advocacy service that translates OBI's research into public comment letters and joint responses aimed at protecting Bigg's killer whales and supporting recovery of Southern Resident killer whales.
- Merchandise (Stickers, Pins, Bundles) Direct-to-consumer whale-themed merchandise sold through OBI's online shop, including holographic stickers (e.g., $5), pins (e.g., $8), and sticker-and-pin bundles (e.g., $12).
- Internship Program Hands-on learning program that places interns with OBI's research team to gain practical experience in killer whale research and conservation field work.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2000+ whale sightings tracked per year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Center for Whale ResearchcoreCollaborative research partnership on Southern Resident killer whale encounters in Puget Sound. OBI conducted joint field work with Center for Whale Research to study links between discrete calls and specific social behaviors in endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
- Orca NetworkcoreCollaborative advocacy partner in joint response concerning prey availability research for Southern Resident killer whales. Both organizations signed joint letter challenging study conclusions about Chinook salmon availability.
- Whale ScoutminorListed as signatory on joint response document concerning prey availability research. Nonprofit focused on whale research and education.
- Wild OrcaminorListed as signatory on joint response document concerning prey availability research. Research nonprofit focused on orca conservation.
- Salish Sea Ecosystem AdvocatesminorListed as signatory on joint response document. Advocacy organization for Salish Sea ecosystem protection.
- Whale and Dolphin ConservationminorJessica Rekos Fellow listed as signatory on joint response document.
- Orca ConservancyminorListed as signatory on joint response document. Nonprofit focused on orca protection.
- Salish Sea SchoolminorListed as signatory on joint response document. Educational organization offering alternative introductory courses for those new to orca learning.
- PNW ProtectorsminorListed as signatory on joint response document. Conservation advocacy organization.
- Salish Sea Orca SquadminorListed as signatory on joint response document. Community advocacy group.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pacific Whale Foundation: Broad incumbent — Hawaii-based marine research and education nonprofit combining research, conservation, and eco-tour revenue streams. Comparable operating model (research + education + fundraising) at significantly larger scale.
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation: Broad incumbent — international nonprofit dedicated to whale and dolphin welfare worldwide. Listed as a co-signatory on OBI joint advocacy; operates at a much larger scale across multiple species and geographies.
- NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region: Broad incumbent — federal agency responsible for Southern Resident killer whale recovery and salmon policy. Sets the regulatory and scientific baseline against which OBI's advocacy and research are positioned.
Direct peers
- The Whale Museum: Direct peer — Friday Harbor, WA museum dedicated to marine mammals and Salish Sea ecology, with overlapping education, research, and advocacy functions. Geographic neighbor and natural co-marketing partner.
- Center for Whale Research: Direct peer — nonprofit cetacean research organization based in Friday Harbor, WA, also focused on Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. OBI has an active collaborative research partnership with CWR.
- Orca Network: Direct peer — Whidbey Island-based nonprofit operating a regional whale sightings hotline and advocacy platform for Southern Residents. Co-signed joint advocacy responses with OBI on prey availability research.
- Wild Orca: Direct peer — research nonprofit dedicated to wild killer whale conservation in the Pacific Northwest, with overlapping Salish Sea research, policy advocacy, and community engagement missions.
- Whale Scout: Direct peer — Pacific Northwest nonprofit focused on whale research and education, listed as co-signatory with OBI on joint advocacy responses. Comparable citizen-science and education mission.
- Orca Conservancy: Direct peer — nonprofit focused on orca protection with overlapping advocacy and policy comment letter activity in the Salish Sea region. Co-signed joint advocacy with OBI.
- Salish Sea Ecosystem Advocates: Direct peer — regional advocacy organization for Salish Sea ecosystem protection, listed as a co-signatory with OBI on joint advocacy letters concerning prey availability research.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE social profiles
Digital presenceORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE
What does ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE do?
The Orca Behavior Institute is a non-profit organization that conducts non-invasive research on killer whales in the Salish Sea, delivers science-based continuing education through Whale University, and supports marine conservation advocacy. It sells paid courses (such as the 4.5-month Bigg's 201 program), whale-themed merchandise (stickers and pins), and Patreon memberships, and accepts individual donations to fund its research and education mission.
Is ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE a public or private company?
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE founded?
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE based?
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE is headquartered in Friday Harbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual donations are the primary driver. The others are educational course fees, patreon membership and merchandise sales.
Who are ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pacific Whale Foundation, Whale and Dolphin Conservation and NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. Direct peers are The Whale Museum, Center for Whale Research, Orca Network, Wild Orca, Whale Scout, Orca Conservancy and Salish Sea Ecosystem Advocates.
Does ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE have an API?
No public API is recorded for ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE.
What industry is ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE in?
ORCA BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE's product category is Marine Conservation Research and Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAJ, Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare), with a secondary code of AFAEALAC, Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8731.