Mote

Name

Mote

Legal name

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Website

https://mote.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Research and Conservation

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Marine science research
• Ocean conservation
• Public aquarium
• Coral reef restoration
• Marine education

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aquarium Admissions: Ticket sales for Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota. Online ticket sales with advance booking.
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships providing unlimited visits, free general admission, discounts on programs and encounters, exclusive member events, and reciprocal admission to partner zoos and aquariums
3. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, including corporate partnerships, planned giving, and memorial/tribute gifts
4. Adopt an Animal Program: One-time adoption fees at three levels ($30, $100, $150) providing digital certificates, plush animals, and educational materials
5. Venue Rentals: Event space rentals including Exploration Hall, Quarterdeck, and aquarium galleries for weddings, corporate events, and private functions
6. Education Programs: Fee-based educational programs including field trips, birthday parties, camps, kayaking tours, and behind-the-science tours
7. Grant Funding: Research grants from government agencies (FWC, EPA, NOAA, Florida DEP) and private foundations for specific research programs and conservation initiatives

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is an independent nonprofit marine science research institution that operates the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) public facility and runs 38 research programs and centers focused on coral reef restoration, shark and ray research, fisheries electronic monitoring, red tide mitigation, and marine animal rescue. The organization also delivers fee-based marine science education programs (field trips, camps, kayaking, behind-the-science tours, birthday parties) and the symbolic Adopt an Animal program. Its research is supported by federal and state grants, foundation funding, donations, and revenue from aquarium admissions and memberships.

Product overview

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is a nonprofit marine science research institution offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on marine conservation and education. The core visitor product is Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), a public aquarium where 'Science is the Attraction.' Supporting the aquarium are 38 research programs spanning coral reef restoration, shark research, fisheries ecology, red tide mitigation, and marine animal rehabilitation. Key specialized offerings include the Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS) for public beach monitoring, the Global FinPrint reef shark survey project, the Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring (CFEMM) using camera technology for fishery management, and the International Coral Gene Bank for coral preservation. The institution also offers education programs including field trips, camps, and virtual learning, plus an Adopt an Animal symbolic adoption program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) Mote's public science education aquarium located at 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, FL, featuring marine life from around the world, shark habitats, and hands-on STEM exhibits. Open daily 9:30am-5:00pm. Targeted at general public visitors, families, tourists, and school groups.
• Marine Science Research Programs 38 marine research programs and centers spanning coral reef restoration, shark and ray conservation research, fisheries ecology, harmful algal bloom mitigation, marine animal rescue and rehabilitation, and biomedical research using marine models. Served by doctoral researchers and supported by government and foundation grants.
• Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative Cooperative Mote-FWC initiative that examines and develops technology to mitigate Florida red tide (Karenia brevis) harmful algal blooms. Includes ROV deployment for algicide dispersion, limnocorral field experiments, and water sampling as part of the statewide red tide surveillance network.
• International Coral Gene Bank Coral genetic preservation initiative at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park that cryopreserves coral sperm, breeds corals, and stress-tests coral genotypes against environmental challenges to support reef resilience and restoration. Hosts 20,000+ healthy coral fragments across its Florida Keys nurseries.
• Marine Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Hospital 24-hour marine animal stranding hotline and dedicated hospital facilities for sick and injured sea turtles and marine mammals (including manatees under federal secondary care facility designation). Includes rehabilitation, medical care, and release back to the ocean.
• Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS) Real-time public beach monitoring system (visitbeaches.org) covering 13 locations across 10 states, reporting on red tide presence, dead fish, respiratory irritation, water color, and wind conditions for public health and recreation decision-making.
• Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring at Mote (CFEMM) The only program dedicated to developing and assessing electronic monitoring (EM) technology in the Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish fishery. Uses on-vessel cameras and AI systems to document catch events and ensure fishery sustainability.
• Global FinPrint International coral reef shark and ray survey project documenting and monitoring global shark and ray populations on coral reefs, expanding the world's largest reef shark survey.
• Adopt an Animal Program Symbolic animal adoption program at three price tiers: $30 E-Pal digital adoption, $100 Buddy plush package, and $150 Deluxe package (plush, certificate, photo, book about Dr. Eugenie Clark, Mote reusable bag, greeting card). Supports animal care and conservation.
• Marine Science Education Programs Fee-based marine science education programs for all ages including K-12 field trips, classroom outreach, summer camps, kayaking tours, behind-the-science tours, virtual learning, and birthday parties (10-40 guest packages) at Mote SEA and Florida Keys campuses.
• Venue Rentals at Mote SEA Event venue rental service at Mote SEA offering Exploration Hall, Quarterdeck, and aquarium galleries for corporate events, weddings, galas, and private functions.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership program providing unlimited aquarium visits, free general admission, discounts on education programs and animal encounters, exclusive member events, and reciprocal admission to partner zoos and aquariums.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,736 sea turtle nests documented in 2025 - setting a new record
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cornell Atkinson Center for SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMote is partnered with Cornell for coral reef resilience engineering research as part of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability's 2026 Academic Venture Fund grants. Mote Marine Laboratory is one of six research teams working on diverse sustainability challenges including coral reef protection initiatives.
• Combat Wounded Veteran ChallengecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for coral reef restoration and research, with combat wounded veterans participating alongside Mote scientists and SCUBAnauts International members in summer restoration expeditions.
• SCUBAnauts InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued partnership for coral reef restoration and research expeditions, with young researchers joining Mote scientists and Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge members in underwater restoration work.
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative Red Tide Research Program partnership with Mote conducting water sampling and monitoring as part of statewide red tide surveillance network. FWC Red Tide Status Line maintained for public updates.
• U.S. Harmful Algal Bloom Control Tech Incubator (US HAB-CTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMote co-leads this national-level research partnership involving 30+ partners conducting 20 projects since 2022. Focuses on harmful algal bloom mitigation technology development with 8 active projects in recent year.
• Sarasota CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainable farming program and aquaponics demonstration systems at Mote Aquaculture Research Park. County collaboration supporting local food production initiatives.
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public reporting of unusual marine events on Florida's Coral Reef through Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN), and coordination of Florida Keys BleachWatch monitoring program by trained divers.
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Marine Mammal Stranding NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMote participates in federally led marine mammal stranding network, responding to strandings in partnership with FWC for manatee rescue and rehabilitation as designated secondary care facility.
• Protect Our Reefs Grant PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant program supporting coral research and STEM education at multiple institutions with over $8 million awarded to 300+ projects over 20+ years. Partners include various academic and research institutions working on Florida's Coral Reef.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Public aquarium with major ocean conservation research mission, seafood sustainability programs, and educational exhibits. Most direct comparable to Mote in combining visitor aquarium with deep science research portfolio.
• Georgia Aquarium: Large public aquarium with active research programs in whale shark and marine animal health. Comparable in combining ticketed aquarium experience with marine research output.
• New England Aquarium: Public aquarium with affiliated Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, marine animal rescue, and conservation research. Closely mirrors Mote's research-plus-aquarium-plus-rescue model.
• National Aquarium (Baltimore): Midsize public aquarium with animal rescue, conservation, and education programs. Comparable operating model and visitor mix to Mote SEA.
• Shedd Aquarium: Chicago-based public aquarium with significant research, animal rescue, and education programming. Similar nonprofit aquarium-plus-science institution model.
• The Florida Aquarium: Tampa-based aquarium with conservation and research programs in Florida waters. Closest Florida geographic peer and direct competitor for aquarium visitors in the state.
• Audubon Nature Institute: Operates the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas alongside research, education, and conservation programs. Closely mirrors Mote's nonprofit aquarium-plus-conservation operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Major oceanographic research institution at UC San Diego with broad marine science portfolio. Competes with Mote for federal grants and scientific talent, but operates as a university-affiliated research powerhouse rather than a public aquarium.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Premier independent marine research institution with extensive ocean science programs. Comparable independent nonprofit research model, though without the public aquarium visitor business.
• NOAA Fisheries: Federal agency managing U.S. marine fisheries, protected species, and habitat. Direct partner and competitor for fisheries electronic monitoring and endangered species work that Mote conducts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MoteMarineLab
• Facebookfacebook.com/MoteMarineLab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mote-marine-laboratory
• Instagraminstagram.com/motemarinelab
• TikToktiktok.com/@motemarinelab?lang=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Mote