Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean

What Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean does

Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 by Rachael Miller and James Lyne, headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, with a seasonal operations base at Kittery Point, Maine (Gulf of Maine). The organization pursues a multi-modal marine debris mission spanning surface-to-seafloor cleanup, K-12 and college education, citizen science, and peer-reviewed research. Its flagship operational asset is the 60-foot sailing research vessel American Promise, equipped with solar panels, a hydroelectric Sail-Gen, and a DuoGen D400 wind turbine, which serves as a mobile platform for expeditions, ROV-based underwater debris removal, and field workshops.

The technical stack combines purpose-built and third-party marine hardware: a VideoRay Pro 4 ROV ('Hector the Collector,' retired in 2022 and supplemented by the Sofar Trident underwater drone), Blueview multibeam imaging sonar, Lyyn Hawk image enhancement, KCF Technologies Smart Tether positioning, and Tritech Starfish side scan sonar for derelict fishing gear surveys. Citizen science programs use forensic-science-inspired microplastic sampling methods developed with Professor Claire Gwinnett at Staffordshire University, standardized data cards, and the Marine Debris Tracker App developed at the University of Georgia with NOAA support. Published research includes studies on Lake Champlain shoreline sediments (2014), river microfiber pollution (2017), dryer microfiber emissions (2020), and Gulf of Maine plastic pollution (2023).

The business model is nonprofit donations-and-grants: 501(c)(3) tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporate matching gifts (GE, IBM, Pfizer, Ben & Jerry's, Raytheon), corporate sponsorships (MARS, Patagonia, Preserve Products, VideoRay, 11th Hour Racing, Shiki Wrap), foundation grants (Robbins-de Beaumont, Peter & Cynthia Kellogg, National Geographic Society, NOAA Marine Debris Program), and 1% for the Planet partnership revenue. Customer segments include K-12 schools and colleges, marine scientists and early-career researchers, community volunteers, corporate sustainability programs, and local watershed organizations. All programs (volunteer expeditions, CSI for the Ocean, education workshops) are delivered free to participants.

Name

Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean

Legal name

Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean

Website

https://rozaliaproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that tackles marine debris through community cleanups, underwater robotics (ROVs, sonar, drones), citizen science microplastic mapping, and K-12/college education programs in the Gulf of Maine and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation and Ocean Literacy

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK)

Keywords

• Marine debris cleanup
• Citizen science microplastics
• Ocean conservation education
• Underwater ROV inspection
• Ghost fishing gear removal

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The organization is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that relies on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. They receive corporate matching contributions from companies including General Electric, IBM, Pfizer, Ben and Jerry's, and Raytheon.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Major partners including MARS Candy Corporation, Preserve Products, Patagonia, VideoRay, 11th Hour Racing, and Shiki Wrap provide financial and operational support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rozalia Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates marine debris cleanup expeditions, citizen science microplastic sampling (CSI for the Ocean), K-12 and educator STEM workshops, and solutions-based research using ROVs, sonar, and sailing vessel American Promise. Its deliverables are programs and data, not commercial products; participants join expeditions, download free protocols, or use educational toolkits.

Product overview

Rozalia Project operates as a multi-faceted marine debris organization offering educational programs, citizen science initiatives, underwater technology for debris removal, and published research. The core programs include the Data Cleanups Program using the Marine Debris Tracker App, the CSI for the Ocean citizen science program for microplastic monitoring, and hands-on Education Programs (Marine Debris Cleanup & Solutions Workshop, Microplastics & Solutions Workshop, Microfiber Workshop, Microplastic Educator Workshops, Innovation/Engineering workshops, and STEM for Healthy Waterways). The organization deploys specialized underwater technology including the VideoRay Pro 4 ROV (Hector the Collector), Sofar Trident underwater drone, Blueview multibeam imaging sonar, Lyyn Hawk image enhancement system, Smart Tether positioning system, and Tritech Starfish side scan sonar. The 60-foot research vessel American Promise serves as the expedition platform. Published research includes studies on Lake Champlain sediments, microfiber pollution in rivers, dryer emissions, and Gulf of Maine plastic pollution. The organization also recommends third-party solutions including the Cora Ball, Cora Clip, BeesWrap, Preserve Products, Blue Ocean Gear, Ripplfect, The Great Bubble Barrier, and Planet People.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSI for the Ocean: A global citizen science microplastic mapping and monitoring program using accessible methods inspired by forensic science, established in partnership with Prof. Claire Gwinnett of Staffordshire University.
• Hector the Collector
• American Promise

Products and services

• Data Cleanups Program Community-led cleanup program where participants collect and record marine debris data using standardized data cards and the Marine Debris Tracker app, contributing to a public catalog of over one million pieces of trash removed from urban and coastal waterways.
• Marine Debris Cleanup & Solutions Workshop Hands-on workshop where community members, businesses, families, and students participate in beach cleanups, sort collected trash, record data, and develop solutions through pitch presentations. Targeted at K-12 schools, families, and community groups.
• Microplastics & Solutions Workshop Field-based workshop where students collect, record, and analyze microplastics from urban surface water or shoreline sediments, then explore source-reduction solutions. Delivered to K-12 and college audiences.
• Microfiber Workshop Educational workshop where students design washing-machine experiments with control groups to understand how household laundry contributes to microfiber pollution and what variables affect the process. Targets K-12 and college classrooms.
• Microplastic Educator Workshops Professional development workshops for K-12 and informal educators on microplastic science and data collection, including educator lending kits. Developed in partnership with NOAA, Blue Ocean Society, and Boothbay Sea and Science Center.
• Innovation, Engineering and Source Reduction Program Design and engineering challenges where students analyze cleanup findings and develop innovative solutions to packaging problems, cleanup challenges, and systems-level source reduction. Targets K-12 and college audiences.
• We Are All Connected: Biology of Biomagnification Workshop Educational program exploring aquatic food webs, animal feeding strategies, and how land-based human activities impact marine animals and human health through marine debris. Targets K-12 and college audiences.
• Deep Dive into Plastic Pollution, Microplastics and Microfibers Scientific investigation program using provided equipment, methods, and data analysis to examine the prevalence of plastic in waterways and explore prevention solutions. Targets K-12 and college audiences.
• STEM for Healthy Waterways Multi-disciplinary education program combining science, technology, engineering, and math activities focused on marine debris and preserving the Gulf of Maine or local watersheds. Targets K-12 audiences.
• CSI for the Ocean Global citizen science microplastic and microfiber mapping and monitoring program using accessible forensic-science-inspired methods. Provides free equipment lists, methods, and protocols to participants worldwide, supported by the National Geographic Society and developed with Prof. Claire Gwinnett of Staffordshire University.
• Volunteer Expedition Program aboard American Promise Volunteer expedition opportunities aboard American Promise, including Remote Islands Cleanup expeditions in Downeast and Midcoast Maine and a CSI for the Ocean microplastic sampling expedition. Volunteers participate in surface-to-seafloor cleanup and data collection; participation is free and includes accommodations, vegetarian food, and Rozalia gear.
• American Promise Research Vessel Platform 60-foot sailing research vessel used as the platform for Rozalia Project's cleanup expeditions, citizen science programs, and STEM education cruises in the Gulf of Maine. Equipped with solar panels, a Sail-Gen hydroelectric generator, and DuoGen D400 wind turbine for sustainable power.
• Lake Champlain Shoreline Sediment Debris Study 2014 published scientific study determining the type, distribution, and concentration of marine debris in littoral sediments of Lake Champlain.
• Mountains to the Sea: River Study of Plastic and Non-Plastic Microfiber Pollution 2017 study examining anthropogenic contamination when collecting microfibers in the environment, published in Science Direct.
• Electric Clothes Dryers: An Underestimated Source of Microfiber Pollution 2020 published study examining microfiber emissions from electric dryer machines.
• Plastic Marine Pollution in the Gulf of Maine 2023 study analyzing microplastics and plastic debris collected in surface-towed plankton nets since 1987 to explore plastic pollution as a compounding threat to Gulf of Maine ecosystems.
• Marine Debris Cleanup Toolkit Public PDF guide providing instructions on how to host a marine debris cleanup event, including planning, execution, and data collection methods. Free download from the Rozalia Project website.
• Public Sort Toolkit Comprehensive public PDF guide for hosting public sorting events to categorize and analyze collected marine debris for research purposes.
• Plastic-Free Toolkit Public PDF guide for individuals and businesses to reduce and eliminate plastic use, including tracking methods, substitution suggestions, and gradual implementation strategies.
• Speaker Bureau and Keynote Presentations Founder and Executive Director available for keynote presentations at conferences and informative sessions about marine debris work, including TEDx talks on ocean cleaning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million pieces of trash cataloged through data cleanup programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and program.

• MARS Candy CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner of Rozalia Project. As a corporate partner, MARS provides financial and operational support for the organization's ocean conservation initiatives.
• Preserve ProductsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner that produces sustainable consumer products from 100% recycled plastics. Has created a takeback return program and uses recovered ocean-bound plastics for toothbrushes and razors.
• PatagoniamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner providing support for Rozalia Project's marine debris programs and ocean conservation work.
• VideoRaymajorTechnology or IntegrationMajor partner and provider of ROV technology. VideoRay Pro 4 ROV is used by Rozalia Project for underwater debris identification and removal operations.
• 11th Hour RacingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner focused on ocean health and sustainable marine practices. Supports Rozalia Project's mission to clean and protect oceans.
• Shiki WrapmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner providing support for ocean conservation initiatives.
• Center for Coastal StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in the New England Regional Fishing Gear Response and Removal Team (GEAR Team), addressing abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in the Gulf of Maine. Funded through NOAA Marine Debris Program.
• Gulf of Maine Lobster FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in the GEAR Team addressing derelict fishing gear in the Gulf of Maine region.
• OceansWidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in the GEAR Team for fishing gear removal operations.
• Blue Ocean Society for Marine ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in the GEAR Team and partner in microplastic education programs developed with NOAA Marine Debris Program.
• Net Your ProblemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in the GEAR Team for fishing gear recycling and removal solutions.
• National Geographic SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of CSI for the Ocean program. Rozalia Project Founder Rachael Miller is a National Geographic Explorer. Program has been largely supported by National Geographic Society.
• 1% for the PlanetmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRozalia Project is a proud 1% for the Planet nonprofit partner, connecting businesses with environmental nonprofits for giving programs.
• NOAA Marine Debris ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of the GEAR Team coalition and partner in developing educational resources including microplastics lesson plans and the Marine Debris Tracker App.
• University of Staffordshire (Prof. Claire Gwinnett)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Claire Gwinnett, award-winning forensic scientist from Staffordshire University, partnered with Rozalia Project in 2019 to develop CSI for the Ocean program using forensic science methods for marine science applications.
• Boothbay Sea and Science CenterprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for educational marine debris programming and educator workshops.
• Bigelow Marine LabprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing scientific expertise and resources for marine research initiatives.
• New England AquariumprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for marine education and conservation initiatives.
• Conservation Law FoundationprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partner working on environmental policy and conservation issues.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ocean Conservancy: Major U.S. marine debris and ocean policy nonprofit running the International Coastal Cleanup and advocating for plastic-pollution solutions. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit combining citizen-science data collection, education, and policy influence.
• Surfrider Foundation: Nonprofit focused on beach cleanups, water quality, and reducing plastic pollution at the source. Comparable as a community-driven coastal cleanup and education organization with active volunteer networks and chapter-based programs.
• The Ocean Cleanup: Nonprofit deploying technology to remove plastic from oceans and rivers, including interceptor systems and ocean-going cleanup arrays. Comparable for its technology-driven marine debris removal mission and use of advanced hardware to scale cleanup operations.
• 5 Gyres: Research and advocacy nonprofit focused on plastic pollution, microplastics, and solutions-based science. Comparable as a science-led plastic-polligation organization combining expeditions, research, education, and policy.
• 4ocean: For-profit social enterprise funding ocean cleanup through consumer product sales and employing cleanup crews. Comparable for vessel-based marine debris removal operations and use of branded merchandise to fund cleanup labor.
• Lonely Whale Foundation: Ocean conservation nonprofit focused on plastic pollution prevention, including source-reduction campaigns and corporate partnerships. Comparable for engaging consumer brands (e.g., Starbucks' strawless lid initiative) on plastic reduction.
• Plastic Ocean Project: Nonprofit using expeditions, film, and citizen science to address plastic pollution. Comparable for combining ship-based research, educational programming, and advocacy around microplastic and macroplastic debris.
• Heal the Bay: California-based marine conservation nonprofit focused on coastal water quality, pollution reduction, and education. Comparable for combining citizen science, school programs, and policy advocacy around plastic and debris pollution.

Emerging players

• Sea Education Association: Ocean-focused education and research organization running student sailing expeditions with associated marine debris and plastic studies. Comparable for vessel-based education programming and published research on ocean plastics.

Broad incumbents

• NOAA Marine Debris Program: Federal program funding and coordinating marine debris cleanup, research, and education across the U.S. Comparable as the umbrella funder of much of the same coalition work (including GEAR Team) that Rozalia Project participates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/rozaliaproject
• Xx.com/rozaliaproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean