What Oceanic Global does

Oceanic Global is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2016 by Lea d'Auriol and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The organization operates at the intersection of ocean conservation, business sustainability verification, and policy advocacy, serving four primary constituencies: businesses seeking credible third-party sustainability claims, individual volunteers and ocean advocates, community organizations requiring conservation funding, and institutions and policymakers engaged in ocean governance. Its core offering is the Blue Standard, a cross-industry verification framework developed with a Board of Scientific Advisors and registered on the International Trade Centre's Standards Map (WTO/UNCTAD joint mandate). The framework provides 3-Star Verification for plastic-free business operations and Product & Packaging certification for consumer goods, with over 400 businesses verified across 58 countries.

The organization delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs: Community Grants (with $1.3M+ distributed to local conservation projects), Education & Campaigns (leveraging art, science, and wellness), Volunteer Hubs (NYC, LA, London, plus a virtual Universal Hub), Global Convenings (including 5+ years co-producing UN World Oceans Day with DOALOS), and the annual Short Film Festival. Its business model is donation-based, supported by individual contributions, corporate philanthropy (notably AB InBev/Corona, 1 Hotels, Sandals Resorts, Design Hotels), and event-driven revenue from film festival tickets and sponsorships. The organization has earned a 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid and a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating, with 85% of donations directly supporting programs. Reach extends to 78 countries, 175 UN Member States engaged in ocean literacy, and 8 multi-year UN organization partnerships.

Name

Oceanic Global

Legal name

Oceanic Global Foundation Corp.

Website

https://oceanic.global

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oceanic Global is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates the Blue Standard sustainability verification framework and a portfolio of ocean conservation programs serving businesses, volunteers, community organizations, and policy institutions across 78 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Conservation & Sustainability Verification Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP) (AFALAMAL)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation services
• Sustainability verification framework
• Blue standard certification
• Marine conservation grants
• Community conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations & Philanthropic Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Oceanic Global generates revenue primarily through donations. The organization receives individual donations, corporate philanthropy, and partnership contributions. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
2. Corporate Brand Partnerships: Partnerships with brands (Corona, AB InBev, 1 Hotels, Sandals, etc.) for cause marketing, verified sustainability programs, and event sponsorships.
3. Short Film Festival & Event Revenue: The annual Oceanic Global Short Film Festival generates revenue through ticket sales and partnership sponsorships. Films That Awaken New Depths 2026 edition includes global premieres in NYC, LA, and London.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Oceanic Global is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that reconnects humanity to the ocean through the Blue Standard cross-industry verification framework (3-Star Business Operations and Plastic-free Product & Packaging certifications), alongside Education & Campaigns, Community Grants, Volunteer Hubs, Global Convenings, and the Annual Short Film Festival. The Blue Standard is its flagship commercial offering for businesses, while grants, convenings, and advocacy programs serve individuals, communities, and institutions.

Product overview

Oceanic Global operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on ocean conservation and sustainability. The core offerings include the Cross-Industry Blue Standard (a verification framework with accompanying Blue Verification seals), Education & Campaigns (resources and programs), Community Grants (funding for conservation projects), Volunteer Hubs (regional volunteer chapters), Global Convenings (events and conferences), and the Oceanic Global Short Film Festival. The Blue Standard serves as the foundational verification mechanism that supports all other programs, while the Education & Campaigns program cross-promotes initiatives like Ocean & Wellness and Art for the Ocean. The Volunteer Hubs provide grassroots implementation across major cities, and Community Grants fund specific conservation projects worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Standard: A cross-industry verification framework developed by Oceanic Global that empowers businesses to take meaningful action for the ocean through two complementary verification programs: Business Operations (3-Star Verification for Plastic-free & Sustainable Business Operations) and Product & Packaging (Plastic-free Verification for Consumer Goods & Packaging).
• Oceanic Global Short Film Festival
• Ocean & Wellness

Products and services

• Cross-Industry Blue Standard Cross-industry verification framework that empowers businesses to achieve Blue Verification across hospitality, music, events, office spaces, professional sports, and CPG sectors, providing public-facing seals that communicate verified sustainable impact.
• Blue Verification (3-Star Business Operations & Plastic-free Product & Packaging) Public-facing verification seals issued through the Blue Standard, offering 3-Star Verification for plastic-free and sustainable business operations and plastic-free certification for consumer goods and packaging.
• Education & Campaigns Program that creates resources and amplifies vital information across art, science, innovation, wellness, and ancient wisdom to deepen understanding of humanity's relationship with the ocean.
• Community Grants Grant program that allocates funding toward regions and focus areas vital to ocean conservation, prioritizing vulnerable coastal regions for plastic reduction, climate resilience, ecosystem health, and ocean literacy projects.
• Volunteer Hubs Volunteer-based regional extensions that amplify core programs and campaigns, leading grassroots activations, awareness and fundraising events, partnerships, and localized programs in coastal cities including New York, Los Angeles, London, and a virtual Universal Hub.
• Global Convenings Global events and conferences that re-envision and prioritize the ocean in environmental narratives, increase inclusivity and diversity in dialogues, and support decision-making frameworks; includes UN World Oceans Day co-hosting, COP events, and Ocean x Climate Summit.
• Oceanic Global Short Film Festival Annual film festival celebrating ocean storytelling through short films that inspire collective action and environmental awareness, with global premieres in NYC, LA, and London plus a screening series through Design Hotels member properties.
• Ocean & Wellness Campaign exploring the intersection of ocean health and human well-being through immersive education, guided meditations, breathwork sessions, expert speaker series, and lifestyle activations.
• Art for the Ocean Campaign leveraging art as a universal language to inspire ocean action, featuring art auctions, evening events, and partnerships with artists who use their art to support environmental conservation.
• Blue Consultants Network Service network of over 130+ trained Blue Consultants who help implement the Blue Standard and support businesses' transition to sustainable practices to achieve Blue Verification.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97M+ single-use plastic items avoided through Blue Verified businesses
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.

• Corona (AB InBev)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Long-term partnership since 2022 focused on beach protection and ocean conservation. Includes Beach 100 Grants program funding local marine conservation efforts, Blue Standard verification for Corona Island (first 3-star Blue Verified island), environmental education initiatives, and the River Cleanup Grant program. Corona's 'This Is Living' platform aligns with Oceanic Global's mission to protect ocean ecosystems.
• UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOceanic Global has been a partner to UN World Oceans Day event production for 5+ years. Events reach 181K+ average viewers with 94.5M+ social media reach. The annual event is hosted by DOALOS at UN Headquarters.
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UNDP Barbados & Eastern Caribbean Accelerator Lab to promote responsible tourism and seafood practices through the Blue Standard certification program.
• Mission BluemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on marine conservation projects including coral reef surveys and expansion of community-backed marine reserves in biodiverse regions like the Abrolhos area.
• 1 HotelsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Verified Events and Mission-Driven Stays partnership at Brooklyn Bridge property. Guests can support environmental causes through Mission by 1 Hotels membership program, with proceeds supporting Oceanic Global.
• Sandals ResortsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSandals Resorts portfolio achieved Blue Verification for sustainable hospitality practices across Caribbean properties. Sandals Foundation sponsors Blue Grants for locally owned businesses to achieve verification.
• OceanXstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMark Dalio, Founder & Creative Director of OceanX, serves as a Strategic Advisor. Partnership supports ocean exploration and conservation storytelling initiatives.
• Sounds of the OceanstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to harness music and immersive experiences to deepen humanity's connection to the ocean, combining soundscapes with conservation messaging.
• Edges of EarthstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to amplify impact storytelling and help deepen humanity's connection to the ocean through documentary and media projects.
• PeaceboatstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on ocean conservation voyages, Ocean Gala events, and youth leadership programs for climate and ocean action during the UN Ocean Decade.
• UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on ocean literacy and global ocean education initiatives through UN IOC programs and international frameworks.
• Design HotelsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality partner hosting Short Film Festival screenings across 15 member properties in 11 countries, supporting the 2026 global rollout of award-winning ocean films.
• Worldrise FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeach 100 Grant partnership to expand SEATY project in Italy, creating fully accessible, protected marine zones to build resilience against tourism pressure.
• The Litterboom ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2023 to intercept ocean-bound plastic in two rivers in South Africa through the Reclaimers Program, training locals in upcycling.
• Sungai WatchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deploy 21 barriers across 14 rivers in East Java using simple river barrier technology to stop plastic pollution before it reaches the ocean.
• Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeach 100 Grant partnership to expand SPDA's Hazla por Tu Ola program protecting surf breaks through innovative legal mechanisms in Peru.
• GRABE-BENINmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal non-profit partner for mangrove restoration and community conservation in southern Benin, Africa (2023-2025). Project supported by Sven and Kristin Lindblad through The Wanderlust Fund.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oceana: Largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization focused on policy and fisheries reform. Highly comparable to Oceanic Global in mission (ocean conservation) and approach (combining corporate engagement with international policy work), though at meaningfully larger scale.
• Ocean Conservancy: Major US-based ocean conservation nonprofit running the International Coastal Cleanup and driving ocean policy. Directly comparable mission and program mix (community cleanups, policy convenings, corporate partnerships) to Oceanic Global's Volunteer Hubs and Global Convenings.
• Surfrider Foundation: Grassroots ocean and beach conservation organization with strong volunteer chapter network and beach cleanup programs. Directly comparable to Oceanic Global's Volunteer Hubs and beach cleanup impact (122+ beaches cleaned) given similar community-led model.
• Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global alliance focused on ending plastic pollution through corporate accountability and consumer awareness. Directly comparable to Oceanic Global's Blue Standard and single-use plastic avoidance mission (97M+ items avoided).
• Lonely Whale: Ocean-focused nonprofit using storytelling, partnerships, and campaigns (e.g., Plastic Free July collaborations) to drive consumer behavior change. Closely comparable to Oceanic Global in combining celebrity/founder-led storytelling with corporate partnerships for ocean impact.
• 5 Gyres Institute: Nonprofit focused on plastic pollution research, education, and corporate engagement to end plastic waste. Comparable to Oceanic Global's plastic reduction verification work and corporate partnership model.
• Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle Alliance): Ocean conservation nonprofit driving a global network of marine protected areas ('Hope Spots'). Oceanic Global is an active Mission Blue partner (collaborating on coral reef surveys and marine reserves), making it a directly comparable peer in marine conservation.
• SeaLegacy: Ocean conservation nonprofit using visual storytelling, expeditions, and campaigns to drive ocean protection. Comparable to Oceanic Global's combination of artistic programming (Short Film Festival) with conservation advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• B Lab (B Corporation): Larger, more established third-party sustainability verification program for businesses. Comparable to Oceanic Global's Blue Standard as a competing cross-industry sustainability certification, though with a much broader (non-ocean-specific) scope.
• WWF Oceans: Marine conservation program within a much larger global environmental NGO. Comparable to Oceanic Global's ocean policy work and corporate engagement, but operates within a much broader mandate and larger resource base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oceanicglobal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmIJDC7BZhcHxBa_2L0QKJg
• Facebookfacebook.com/oceanic.global
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oceanic
• Instagraminstagram.com/oceanic.global
• TikToktiktok.com/@oceanicglobal

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Oceanic Global