What Rrreefs does

Rrreefs is a Zurich-based impact company founded in 2020 by four female co-founders — Ulrike Pfreundt, Marie Griesmar, Hanna Kuhfuss, and Josephine Graf — with backgrounds spanning science, art, and economics. The company builds modular 3D-printed terracotta clay reef structures designed to regenerate damaged coral reefs and create habitat for marine biodiversity. Its origins are at ETH Zurich and Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK); it evolved from a non-profit association into a for-profit impact business by 2023 and operates through two legal entities: rrreefs AG (Switzerland) and rrreefs e.V. (Germany). Active deployments span Colombia, Ecuador, the British Virgin Islands, the Philippines, and the Maldives, covering three ocean basins.

The core product is a system of interlocking 3D-printed terracotta clay modules engineered with experimentally optimized surface topography to encourage coral recruitment, paired with the modular Nauplius foundation block (concrete poured into transportable silicone molds) for underwater anchoring. The company publishes standardized six-monthly scientific monitoring across a three-year horizon, including eDNA analysis, coral recruitment counts, and fish biomass measurements. Documented field results include recruitment rates of 30 corals per m² versus 7.4 per m² on natural Maldivian reefs, more than 2x fish biomass increases inside monitored sites, and ~5,000 young corals settled at Siquijor within year one. Supporting offerings include a Reef Builders Workshop, an Education Toolkit, a Brick Adoption Program, and the RRREEF_RESILIENCE NFT collection.

Revenue is generated primarily through enterprise reef sponsorship and multi-year partnership contracts, where corporations, hospitality groups, and foundations fund fully managed regeneration projects spanning design, 3D-printed module production, installation, and ongoing monitoring. The company supplements this with consumer brick adoptions, an NFT line, retail brand partnerships (Wild Foods, TEAL Project) tied to percentage-of-proceeds arrangements, and non-dilutive grants from entities such as MassChallenge Switzerland, Innovate 4 Nature, and Alternative Bank Switzerland. Capital formation has progressed from a CHF 420,000 pre-seed round in March 2024 to a CHF 800,000 community equity round on the OOMNIUM platform in May 2026, with management targeting break-even in 2027.

Name

Rrreefs

Legal name

rrreefs AG

Website

https://rrreefs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rrreefs is a Zurich-based, female-founded impact company that regenerates damaged coral reefs using proprietary 3D-printed terracotta clay modules, serving enterprise sponsors, hospitality groups, and NGOs seeking measurable ESG and biodiversity outcomes through fully managed restoration projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Reef Sponsorship and Building Services: Businesses sponsor reef projects as part of their ESG and sustainability strategy. rrreefs provides fully managed service from design and 3D-printed module production to installation and scientific monitoring. Partners include hotels like Anantara, corporations like Melitta, and hospitality groups like Accor.
2. Community Investment Round: Equity crowdfunding through OOMNIUM investment platform allowing retail investors to become co-owners of the company. Raised CHF 800,000 targeting break-even in 2027.
3. Brick Adoption Program: Individual consumers can adopt individual reef bricks, providing a tangible connection to reef restoration projects and supporting coral regeneration efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rrreefs rebuilds and regenerates damaged coral reefs through a proprietary, scientifically designed modular reef system of 3D-printed terracotta clay modules (plus the newer Nauplius foundation blocks) deployed with local partners and monitored over multi-year periods. The company sells fully managed reef regeneration projects to enterprise clients (corporates, hospitality groups, foundations) and offers individual reef sponsorship/brick adoption, training workshops, scientific monitoring, and a digital NFT art collection.

Product overview

Rrreefs offers a modular coral reef regeneration system centered on 3D-printed terracotta clay reef structures. The core product is the Modular Clay Reef System, which consists of interlocking clay bricks and the newer Nauplius foundation blocks. Additional offerings include reef sponsorship/adoption programs, scientific monitoring services, reef-building workshops, education toolkits, and community investment opportunities. The company also offers a digital NFT collection (RRREEF_RESILIENCE) where proceeds fund real reef construction. Businesses can partner for ESG-driven reef regeneration projects with full-service delivery from production to monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Modular Clay Reef System Proprietary, scientifically designed 3D-printed interlocking terracotta clay modules (paired with Nauplius foundation blocks) that mimic natural reef structures, support coral recruitment, and provide habitat for fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other marine life; deployed in fully managed regeneration projects for corporate, hospitality, foundation and conservation partners.
• Reef Builders Workshop Hands-on training program for local partners, NGOs, universities and communities covering theory and practical skills in ocean construction, site selection, mapping, substrate testing, and underwater assembly of the rrreefs modular reef system; enables in-country capacity for reef rebuilding.
• Reef Sponsorship Program Self-serve sponsorship and brick-adoption offering for individuals and businesses who want a tangible contribution to a specific reef restoration project, including ESG, brand, or personal impact storytelling.
• Reef Partnership Program Fully managed B2B regeneration engagement covering design, 3D-printed module creation, installation and yearly scientific monitoring reports, sold to enterprises seeking measurable ESG and sustainability outcomes.
• Scientific Monitoring Services Long-term ecological monitoring of reef sites on a semi-annual basis across a three-year period, using standardized surveys and eDNA analysis to assess coral growth, fish abundance, biodiversity, and overall reef health; underpins the company's ESG reporting claims and is included in multi-year enterprise contracts.
• RRREEF_RESILIENCE NFT Collection Limited digital art NFT collection of unique coral reef animals, created with creative studio 697 THz, where each purchase funds the growth of at least three real corals and ties directly to reef construction in Ecuador.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 corals per m² recruitment rate in Maldives tiles vs. 7.4 on natural Maldivian reefs and 21.4 in Kenya protected areas
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Anantara Dhigu Maldives ResortflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Multi-stakeholder partnership installing 150m² reef at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort. Combines ecological regeneration with eco-tourism, bringing together Edelweiss, Helpalliance, and Anantara for a unique reef restoration initiative.
• Ventive Hospitality LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Launched reef restoration initiative at Anantara Dhigu Maldives using advanced 3D-printed Artificial Clay Reef technology. Deployed 13 modular reef structures spanning nearly 150m² of seabed.
• EdelweisscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Swiss partner in Maldives reef project supporting reef regeneration initiative. Partner in multi-stakeholder partnership for ocean health.
• HelpalliancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Foundation partner in Maldives reef project supporting reef regeneration and marine biodiversity enhancement.
• AccorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Partnership to rebuild and regenerate coral reefs in Siquijor, Philippines. Accor supports long-term reef regeneration as part of their sustainability commitment. The reef was built by local partners with Accor support.
• MelittacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2024German coffee brand partnered on the biggest reef in Ecuador as part of Melitta's sustainable practices mission. Collaboration promotes shared commitment to ocean health and biological diversity preservation.
• FourfoldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Three-year partnership to support rrreefs in developing blueprint for community engagement that can be replicated globally. Fourfold focuses on innovation, creativity, community, and science in sustainability.
• 44westminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Swiss rowing team participating in World's Toughest Row to raise money for reef rebuilding. Donating part of proceeds to build reef in the Caribbean.
• CCEF (Coastal Conservation & Education Foundation)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Non-profit dedicated to coastal resource management, marine protected areas, and reef rehabilitation in southern Philippines. Provides essential knowledge, training, and on-the-ground support.
• DOrSU (Davao Oriental State University)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Public research university in Mati City, Philippines playing key role in coastal restoration and marine science. Faculty and students support reef and mangrove regeneration efforts in Pujada Bay.
• Mama Earth FoundationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Environmental NGO based in Mindanao dedicated to large-scale mangrove reforestation and ocean plastic upcycling. With over 2 million mangroves planted, supports coastal protection and local livelihoods.
• Team MaliziaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sailing team partnering on Pujada Bay regeneration project combining reef restoration with mangrove planting.
• Wild FoodsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Swiss startup creating plant-based alternatives to fish and meat. Partnership rooted in shared commitment to ocean health. 2% of proceeds go to reef projects.
• TEAL ProjectminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Swiss startup creating sportswear from ocean plastic. 5% of proceeds from sales go to rrreefs for building reefs in the Philippines.
• CONMAR (Conservación Marina Ecuador)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Ecuadorian non-profit leading coral research and restoration. Multi-disciplinary team includes scientists, biologists, engineers, and marine photographers. Implements reef monitoring and engages local fishing communities.
• Corales de PazcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Colombian non-profit focused on coral restoration through science, education, and community involvement. Trains EcoDivers and Reef Repair Divers, implements reef techniques, and leads monitoring in Colombia.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coral Vita: Bahamas-based commercial coral restoration operator that grows climate-resilient corals on land and outplants them in the ocean. Directly comparable to Rrreefs in offering science-driven reef restoration as a paid service, with a similar B2B/ESG go-to-market.
• Reef Design Lab: Sydney-based marine architecture firm producing artificial reef structures (e.g., Living Seawalls) for biodiversity enhancement. Comparable in combining engineered substrates with biodiversity outcomes, and in collaborating with corporate and municipal partners.
• Reefscapers (Seamarc): Maldives-based reef restoration operator deploying metal-framed coral propagation structures at resort sites. Direct peer operating in the same geography and hospitality customer base as Rrreefs' Maldives and Accor projects.
• Reef Renewal International: Florida- and Bonaire-based NGO pioneering coral restoration techniques (micro-fragmentation, larval propagation) with resort and tourism industry partnerships. Comparable in reef restoration method, hospitality integrations, and volunteer/diver engagement programs.
• Coral Gardeners: French Polynesia-based coral restoration venture combining in-water nurseries, community engagement, and a 'coral adoption' sponsorship model. Direct comparable in mission, community-driven brand, and individual/corporate reef sponsorship products.
• SECORE International: Non-profit focused on sexual coral reproduction and reef restoration technology development. Closely comparable scientific peer to Rrreefs, working on scalable, science-based reef restoration across the Caribbean, Florida, and Indo-Pacific.

Emerging players

• Global Coral Reef Alliance (Biorock / Seacrete): Pioneer of mineral accretion (Biorock / Seacrete) reef restoration technology, deployed in Indonesia, Panama, and other tropical sites. Comparable as a competing reef-substrate technology player, though using electrochemistry rather than 3D-printed clay.

Regional players

• Reef-World Foundation: UK-based international NGO delivering the Green Fins marine tourism program across Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Comparable in targeting the diving/tourism industry for reef-friendly behavior, but adjacent rather than directly competing in physical reef construction.
• Biorock Indonesia (Yayasan TERANGI): Indonesian organization running large-scale Biorock reef restoration projects in collaboration with the Global Coral Reef Alliance. Comparable in active reef restoration deployments but focused on a single regional geography and different substrate technology.

Broad incumbents

• Mars Sustainable Solutions: Corporate-backed coral reef restoration program from Mars, Inc. operating in Indonesia and the Coral Triangle. Comparable as a well-funded, large-scale reef restoration player with similar ESG-corporate positioning but a single-corporate-parent funding model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rrreefs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rrreefs
• Instagraminstagram.com/rrreefs
• Facebookfacebook.com/rrreefs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors8 records

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 Rrreefs