GreenWave
GreenWave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports a 2,500+ user global network of regenerative ocean farmers, primarily kelp cultivators, through a free digital platform, training curriculum, marketplace, and direct farmer subsidies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What GreenWave does
GreenWave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 315 Front Street, New Haven, Connecticut, that supports a global network of regenerative ocean farmers. Founded around 2014-2015, its mission is to scale 3D polyculture ocean farming — primarily kelp (seaweed) cultivation combined with shellfish — to create coastal jobs, restore marine ecosystems, and sequester carbon. The organization functions as a sector-building intermediary for a nascent industry, providing farmer training, technical protocols, market development, and direct financial support rather than operating as a commercial producer itself.
The company's core asset is the Ocean Farming Hub (hub.greenwave.org), a digital platform serving over 2,500 users with farm design tools, a community forum (843 posts, 97,129 total views across 8 topic areas), a Creative Commons-licensed curriculum, and a library of 170+ resources including calculators, protocols, and templates. Supporting products include Seaweed Source, a free two-sided marketplace app connecting seaweed farmers, hatcheries, and buyers via forward contracts; the Kelp Climate Fund, a subsidy program paying farmers for environmental impact in exchange for monitoring data; the My Kelp mobile app (iOS/Android) for farm data tracking; a commercial farm and hatchery acting as an innovation lab; and Kelp CoLab, launched March 2026 to give consumer packaged goods brands access to regeneratively farmed kelp-derived functional ingredients. Technical IP includes gametophyte seed bank protocols for growing kelp seed independent of wild sorus, developed with input from Netherlands-based partner Hortimare.
GreenWave's revenue model is donations-based: it accepts cash, checks, donor-advised funds, stock, qualified charitable distributions, cryptocurrency, employer matching gifts, and wire transfers through partners like FreeWill, CryptoForCharity, and Double the Donation. All farmer-facing services are provided free of charge. Commercial revenue activity is emerging via the Kelp CoLab platform, which brokers kelp-derived ingredient access to CPG brands (inaugural cohort: Credo Beauty, Krave Beauty, True Botanicals, Elate, Sea-el, Sonsie), and via research partnerships such as a three-year Rodale Institute biostimulant study. Geographic focus is North America (USA and Canada) with a stated global farmer-network footprint.
GreenWave firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GreenWave
- Legal name
- GreenWave Organization Corp
- Website
- https://greenwave.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GreenWave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports a 2,500+ user global network of regenerative ocean farmers, primarily kelp cultivators, through a free digital platform, training curriculum, marketplace, and direct farmer subsidies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GreenWave industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regenerative Ocean Farming Services
- NAICS
- Aquaculture (1125)
- SIC
- Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae) (AFAEAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine Shellfish Farming (e.g., oysters, mussels, clams) (AFAEAAAB)
Keywords
Where GreenWave is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GreenWave business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 47-5438012), GreenWave operates primarily through donations. They accept donations via check, donor-advised funds, stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions, cryptocurrency, and wire transfer. Corporate matching programs are also supported.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free tier - All services provided at no cost to ocean farmers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
GreenWave product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GreenWave trains and supports regenerative ocean farmers from seed to sale through its Ocean Farming Hub digital platform (2,500+ users), delivers direct farmer compensation via the Kelp Climate Fund, connects farmers with buyers through the Seaweed Source marketplace app, and operates the Kelp CoLab innovation platform that links consumer packaged goods brands with kelp-derived functional ingredients developed by member farms.
Product overview
GreenWave is a nonprofit organization that operates as a global network of regenerative ocean farmers, offering a platform-plus-programs model. The core offering is the Ocean Farming Hub, a comprehensive digital platform with over 2,500 users that provides seed-to-sale resources including farm design tools, community forums, and training curriculum. Supporting this platform are distinct programs: the Seaweed Source app for connecting farmers with buyers, the Kelp Climate Fund for farmer compensation, and the Kelp CoLab for ingredient innovation with consumer brands. The organization also provides hands-on training through its commercial farm and hatchery innovation hub, plus an extensive resources library with calculators, protocols, and templates. The My Kelp mobile app supports farm monitoring for climate fund participants.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ocean Farming Hub: A comprehensive online platform providing digital farm design tools, a community hub, and curriculum to equip farmers with tools and support needed to run successful ocean farming operations. With over 2,500 users, it serves as a free seed-to-sale resource designed by and for ocean farmers.
- Seaweed Source
- Kelp Climate Fund
- Kelp CoLab
- My Kelp App
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,500+ farmers and aspiring farmers trained and supported through the Ocean Farming Hub
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use GreenWave
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GreenWave technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature5 records
GreenWave partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Rodale InstitutecoreThree-year research partnership to evaluate kelp-based biostimulants for soil health and crop performance, focusing on lettuce and sweet pepper cultivation. The collaboration assesses how ocean-derived products can support regenerative organic agriculture and climate adaptation strategies, positioned as foundational for broader research into ocean agriculture solutions addressing soil degradation and food security.
- Credo BeautycoreParticipating brand in Kelp CoLab inaugural cohort, working with kelp-based ingredients for applications including skin barrier soothing and natural emulsification in beauty products.
- Krave BeautycoreBeauty brand in Kelp CoLab innovation platform accessing functional ingredients derived from regeneratively farmed kelp for product development.
- True BotanicalscoreBeauty brand participant in Kelp CoLab working with regeneratively farmed kelp ingredients for skin barrier and natural emulsification applications.
- ElatecoreBeauty brand participant in Kelp CoLab exploring kelp-derived functional ingredients for cosmetic applications.
- Sea-elcoreBeauty brand in Kelp CoLab accessing kelp-based ingredients for sustainable product development.
- SonsiecoreBeauty brand participant in Kelp CoLab working with kelp-derived ingredients for personal care applications.
- HortimarecoreTechnical Manager Josh Masel from Hortimare joined GreenWave to introduce new Hub courses on gametophyte nursery setup, painting gametophytes onto spools, and rearing seeded spools for outplanting. Hortimare provides technical expertise for seed production technology.
- Maritime BlueminorRegional network hub for the nascent Pacific Northwest seaweed industry. Working on a roadmap for the Washington seaweed industry and connecting prospective farmers with resources. Kelp initiative program manager Willow Battista coordinates with WA kelp growers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GreenWave competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Atlantic Sea Farms: Largest U.S. commercial kelp farming operation, based in Maine, working directly with seaweed farmers to grow, process, and market kelp products. Comparable to GreenWave in its focus on regenerative kelp cultivation and farmer support, but operates as a for-profit cooperative with downstream product revenue.
- Cascadia Seaweed: British Columbia-based commercial kelp farming and processing company focused on Pacific Northwest sugar kelp and bull kelp. Directly comparable in cultivation methods and farmer partnerships, but operates as a for-profit vertically integrated business.
- Ocean Rainforest: Faroe Islands-based offshore seaweed cultivation company operating large-scale macroalgae farming. Comparable in regenerative ocean farming focus and kelp cultivation technology, but geographically focused on European offshore operations.
- Blue Evolution: U.S.-based seaweed cultivation and consumer products company developing kelp and other seaweed-based food, beverage, and wellness products. Comparable in regenerative kelp farming mission with stronger downstream product commercialization.
- Mara Seaweed: UK-based seaweed consumer products company building a retail brand around sustainable, regenerative seaweed. Comparable in regenerative ocean farming ethos and ingredient innovation, but focused on consumer packaged goods rather than farmer support.
Broad incumbents
- The Seaweed Company: Dutch seaweed cultivation and processing company with operations across Europe and Asia. Broader incumbent in the seaweed space with vertically integrated cultivation, processing, and B2B ingredient supply, compared to GreenWave's nonprofit hub model.
- Acadian Seaplants: Canada's largest independent marine plant processor, harvesting and cultivating seaweed for agricultural, food, and biotech markets. Established incumbent with broader product portfolio including animal feed, crop inputs, and food ingredients.
Regional players
- Maritime Blue: Pacific Northwest maritime innovation cluster serving as a regional network hub for the nascent Washington state seaweed industry. Already partners with GreenWave, but operates as a regional economic development entity rather than a kelp farmer.
Others
- Ocean Conservancy: Major U.S.-based ocean conservation nonprofit working on marine policy, plastic pollution, and sustainable fisheries. Tangentially related through shared ocean health mission, but does not focus on regenerative ocean farming or aquaculture.
- WWF (World Wildlife Fund): Global conservation organization with active programs on oceans, aquaculture, and sustainable seafood supply chains. Adjacent in mission but operates at a much larger scale as a multinational NGO rather than a hands-on ocean farming support organization.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GreenWave social profiles
Digital presenceGreenWave financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GreenWave leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
GreenWave funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GreenWave 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 GreenWave
What does GreenWave do?
GreenWave trains and supports regenerative ocean farmers from seed to sale through its Ocean Farming Hub digital platform (2,500+ users), delivers direct farmer compensation via the Kelp Climate Fund, connects farmers with buyers through the Seaweed Source marketplace app, and operates the Kelp CoLab innovation platform that links consumer packaged goods brands with kelp-derived functional ingredients developed by member farms.
Is GreenWave a public or private company?
GreenWave is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was GreenWave founded?
GreenWave was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GreenWave based?
GreenWave is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does GreenWave make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Charitable Contributions.
Who are GreenWave's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Atlantic Sea Farms, Cascadia Seaweed, Ocean Rainforest, Blue Evolution and Mara Seaweed. Broad incumbents are The Seaweed Company and Acadian Seaplants. Maritime Blue is listed as a regional player. Others are Ocean Conservancy and WWF (World Wildlife Fund).
Does GreenWave have an API?
No public API is recorded for GreenWave.
What industry is GreenWave in?
GreenWave's product category is Regenerative Ocean Farming Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEAAAE, Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae), with a secondary code of AFAEAAAB, Marine Shellfish Farming (e.g., oysters, mussels, clams). Its NAICS code is 1125 and its SIC code is 200.