What Ocean Solutions Accelerator does

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), formerly known as Ocean Solutions Accelerator, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 by Daniela Fernandez at Georgetown University and headquartered in San Francisco. The organization operates three integrated programs serving distinct stakeholder groups: the Ocean Leadership Network, which provides micro-grants and regional representatives supporting 80+ youth hubs across 115+ countries; the Ecopreneur Network, which offers investment of up to $100,000 USD per startup (via the affiliated Seabird Ventures fund), mentorship matching, and lifetime access to community for Pre-Seed to Series A ocean-positive ventures; and the Ocean Leaders Fellowship, an annual 40-person cohort receiving year-long programming and travel to major ocean conferences. Since 2018, SOA has deployed over $6M across more than 480 supported solutions, spanning 64 for-profit startups and 419 community-led grant projects. In 2025, the organization reported 9,231 people trained in marine topics, 5,030 blue jobs supported, 23,690 km² of protected area impacted, and 89,037 coral propagules planted.

SOA's underlying technology is non-technical and program-based rather than a unified software platform: there are no proprietary AI/ML products, no software modules, and no API surface, and core capabilities center on community operations, deal sourcing, mentorship matching, conference programming, and policy advocacy. Portfolio investments are made directly by SOA and via the affiliated Seabird Ventures fund, and co-investment activity has accelerated with syndicates including Stolt Ventures, Aqua-Spark, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, SOSV/IndieBio, Twynam, Scottish Enterprise, Savantus Ventures, and E14 Capital. In 2025, the organization explicitly deepened its focus on ocean-based decarbonization, blue carbon ecosystems, marine carbon removal, and regenerative mariculture as priority verticals. Distribution occurs through earned media (Times, Forbes, Inc., TechCrunch, AP, Bloomberg), social channels, participation in UN Ocean Conference, COP, Our Ocean, and Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit events, plus a regional representative model across Africa, Asia, Europe & Lusofonia, Hispanoamérica, and North America.

SOA's business model is donation- and grant-driven under its 501(c)(3) status, with a single large funding commitment of $15M announced in June 2022 (led by Marc Benioff). Financial revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization monetizes its impact through charitable contributions supporting youth leadership training, ecosystem grants, and portfolio investments that may generate returns via Seabird Ventures, while delivering programs free of charge to beneficiaries.

Name

Ocean Solutions Accelerator

Legal name

Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Inc.

Website

https://soalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (formerly Ocean Solutions Accelerator) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit running three programs—an Ocean Leadership Network, an Ecopreneur Network investing up to $100K in ocean startups, and an Ocean Leaders Fellowship—serving youth leaders, ocean ventures, and grassroots hubs across 115+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Conservation Accelerator

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation programs
• Youth leadership development
• Startup accelerator services
• Blue economy investments
• Nonprofit fellowship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: SOA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. Donations support youth leadership training, grassroots community initiatives, and ocean-focused startups addressing climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
2. Investment Returns from Ecopreneur Portfolio: SOA makes investments of up to $100,000 USD in select ocean startups each year through its affiliated venture fund Seabird Ventures. While primarily impact-driven, successful portfolio companies may generate returns that support SOA's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sustainable Ocean Alliance operates a nonprofit ocean accelerator and global youth network delivering three core programs: the Ecopreneur Network (investment of up to $100,000 USD, mentorship matching, working groups, and lifetime community support for Pre-Seed to Series A ocean startups), the Ocean Leadership Network (micro-grants and regional representatives supporting 80+ youth hubs of ocean action), and the Ocean Leaders Fellowship (a year-long program for 40 emerging ocean leaders featuring weekly virtual programming, an in-person institute, and travel to major ocean/climate conferences). The portfolio includes 64+ for-profit startups and 419+ community-led grant projects supported across ocean health areas including climate/decarbonization, pollution reduction, conservation tech, blue foods, and ocean data.

Product overview

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) offers three interconnected programs as its core service portfolio: the Ecopreneur Network (a lifetime-support program for Pre-Seed to Series A ocean-positive startups offering investment up to $100,000, mentorship, and access to the affiliated Seabird Ventures fund), the Ocean Leadership Network (regional youth hubs with micro-grants supporting grassroots ocean action), and the Ocean Leaders Fellowship (an annual cohort-based program providing emerging ocean leaders with virtual programming, mentorship, and travel to ocean conferences). SOA also publishes an annual Impact Report and maintains a portfolio of 64+ for-profit startups and 419+ community-led grant projects. The organization does not operate a unified software platform with modules; rather, its offerings are non-technical, program-based services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ecopreneur Network A lifetime-support program for ocean-positive startups from Pre-Seed to Series A, offering investment of up to $100,000 USD, expert mentorship matching, working groups, thought leadership, and amplification opportunities. Designed for for-profit companies aligned with ocean impact areas including climate/decarbonization, pollution reduction, conservation tech, blue foods, and ocean data. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with prioritization of time-sensitive deals.
• Ocean Leadership Network A global grants and community program that supports emerging ocean leaders and 80+ youth hubs of ocean action across 115+ countries. Provides micro-grants, regional representation, community organizing support, local conservation initiative funding, and policy advocacy engagement for grassroots ocean leaders and community organizations.
• Ocean Leaders Fellowship An annual year-long cohort-based program (March-December) that provides 40 selected emerging ocean leaders with weekly virtual programming, an in-person institute, and travel to major ocean and climate conferences (including UN Ocean Conference, COP events, and Our Ocean Conference). Developed and funded in partnership with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,475 metric tons CO₂e reduction in 2025
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• The Nature ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026Research collaborator and advisor to Primitives, providing scientific expertise on kelp forest restoration.
• Dona Bertarelli PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy to develop and fund the Ocean Leaders Fellowship program. Dona Bertarelli attended the 2025 UN Ocean Conference luncheon with SOA Fellows. The fellowship equips 40 early-career delegates annually with tactical skills, leadership opportunities, and high-level networks.
• Solar Impulse FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Launched the 'Ocean Solution Label' in December 2024 to recognize ocean-positive innovations and solutions. Collaborative effort to identify and amplify effective ocean solutions.
• Waitt InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Launched Fellowship in Tonga for 2025 in partnership with the Waitt Institute, expanding SOA's presence and programming in the Pacific region.
• Plastic OdysseyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Global partnership announced in September 2022 to combat ocean plastic pollution through joint initiatives and advocacy.
• UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOA served as official partner umbrella organization for youth at UNOC-3, supporting over 100 youth delegates from 40+ countries including 40 Ocean Leaders Fellows.
• OceanXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with OceanX to host SOA Fellows aboard the OceanXplorer research vessel during UNOC-3, providing tours and programming for 50+ young ocean leaders.
• Goldman Environmental PrizeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted 'Spotlighting the Next Generation of Ocean Innovation and Leadership' session at Ocean House during UNOC-3, featuring Goldman Prize winners alongside SOA Fellows.
• UN Global Goals / Project EveryonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Ocean House events at UNOC-3 with UN Global Goals and Project Everyone, bringing together ocean champions and SOA community.
• KoraïminorOthersEcosystem & Biodiversity Restoration project in Madagascar - coral reef restoration activities supported by SOA grants.
• rePurpose GlobalminorOthersFirst received investment from SOA in 2019; reached milestone of removing over 100M pounds of waste from 11 countries in 2025.
• Our Ocean Youth Leadership SummitflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted with Korean Ministry of Oceans & Fisheries and Korea Maritime & Ocean University. 80 ocean leaders from 35 countries attended.
• International Seabed AuthorityminorOthersSOA has Observer status at ISA meetings and leads campaign efforts against deep-sea mining.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SeaAhead: SeaAhead is a blue economy accelerator supporting ocean-focused startups from pre-seed through Series A — directly comparable to SOA's Ecopreneur Network in target startups, stage, and ocean-tech thesis.
• REV Ocean: REV Ocean is a Norway-based ocean foundation supporting ocean research, technology development, and policy advocacy — comparable in mission, geographic breadth, and philanthropic operating model to SOA.
• Waitt Institute: Waitt Institute partners with governments on ocean protection and runs ocean leadership programs — directly comparable to SOA's policy-advocacy and fellowship work (notably a current SOA partnership for the Tonga Fellowship).
• Plastic Odyssey: Plastic Odyssey is a global initiative tackling ocean plastic pollution through technology, expeditions, and education — directly comparable to SOA's pollution-reduction program work and an active SOA partner since 2022.

Broad incumbents

• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Schmidt Ocean Institute operates one of the largest private ocean research and philanthropy programs globally with significantly greater capital — comparable in ocean-conservation mission and funding-portfolio approach, but with broader research and technology focus.
• OceanX: OceanX combines ocean exploration, media production, and education — overlapping with SOA's storytelling and youth engagement mission and currently an active SOA programmatic partner.
• Solar Impulse Foundation: Solar Impulse Foundation curates and labels profitable climate solutions globally — directly comparable to SOA's mission-driven solutions-amplification work and current SOA co-launch partner for the Ocean Solution Label.
• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is one of the largest global environmental nonprofits with major marine and ocean programs — overlapping with SOA's conservation mission and an active SOA research collaborator on the Primitives kelp-restoration project.
• Conservation International: Conservation International is a major global conservation NGO with significant marine program investment — comparable in nonprofit marine-conservation mission and grants-based funding approach, but at materially larger scale.

Others

• Acumen: Acumen is a nonprofit impact-investment fund combining philanthropic capital with entrepreneurship support in emerging markets — comparable in hybrid grant-plus-investment model and serving a similar talent pool (SOA's Board Chair Carlyle Singer was Acumen's President for 12 years).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xthreads.com/%40soalliance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@soalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-ocean-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/soalliance
• TikToktiktok.com/@soalliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Ocean Solutions Accelerator