Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

What Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation does

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is a Greek non-profit NGO founded in 1997 (per the founding record) and headquartered on Samos, with a second research and wildlife-care base on Lipsi. The organization conducts applied scientific research, conservation actions, education, and community engagement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in the northeastern Mediterranean — a biodiversity hotspot where it focuses on marine mammals, deep-sea ecosystems, Posidonia seagrass meadows, coral formations, microplastic pollution, and the impacts of overfishing and invasive species. Field operations are carried out aboard the research vessels Triton and Aegean Explorer, supported by laboratory and rehabilitation infrastructure at the two island bases.

The organization's commercial surface is dominated by the International School of the Sea, a multidisciplinary field-research and training program launched in 1998–1999 that has onboarded more than 27,000 participants from 43 countries over 27 years. Adjacent offerings include onsite internships, multidisciplinary field courses, remote internships, and citizen-science projects (Save the Aegean, Eco-Navigation, Fish4Life, SAMESEA), alongside dedicated research programs in marine biodiversity, deep-sea ecology, microplastics, and terrestrial island conservation. The Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary (AMLS) is an in-licensing wildlife-rehabilitation initiative that, if approved, would add a facility-based service vertical.

Revenue is generated through two streams: donations and educational program fees paid by interns, students, and partner universities. University partnerships are a critical commercial channel — Roger Williams University, College Year in Athens, and Penn State are all listed as recurring collaborators, with the Roger Williams relationship formalized as a permanent field research program in 2024. The organization is governed independently with Dr. Thodoris Tsimpidis (Θοδωρής Τσιμπίδης) as Director, and it engages EU policy bodies, the European Cetacean Society, and OceanEurope on regulatory and scientific matters. There is no disclosed corporate ownership, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity; growth is organic and mission-driven.

Name

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

Legal name

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

Website

https://archipelago.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is a Greek non-profit NGO operating research bases on Samos and Lipsi that conducts marine conservation research in the northeastern Mediterranean, delivering field education, citizen science, and conservation programs serving students, universities, and EU policy bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Marine conservation research
• Marine biodiversity monitoring
• Environmental field education
• Citizen science projects
• Marine ecosystem protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Sámos

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a Greek non-profit NGO, Archipelagos relies on donations to fund conservation activities, research operations, and educational programs. The organization operates facilities in the Aegean Sea region.
2. Educational Program Fees: Revenue from internship programs, field courses, and multidisciplinary training programs delivered through the International School of the Sea, including partnerships with universities like Roger Williams University and College Year in Athens.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is a Greek non-profit NGO that conducts field-based marine research, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation actions in the northeastern Mediterranean. It delivers educational and training programs through the International School of the Sea, including internships, multidisciplinary field courses, and citizen science projects such as Save the Aegean, Eco-Navigation, Fish4Life, and SAMESEA.

Product overview

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is a Greek non-profit NGO offering field-based marine research and conservation programs rather than a technology product platform. Its portfolio includes the International School of the Sea (educational program), various citizen science projects (Save the Aegean, Eco-Navigation, Fish4Life, SAMESEA), research expeditions, and internship/field course programs. Conservation focus areas include marine mammals, deep sea ecosystems, Posidonia seagrass meadows, microplastic pollution, and island sustainability. The organization operates research vessels (Triton, Aegean Explorer) and research bases in Samos and Lipsi.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International School of the Sea An empowering educational initiative that prepares the next generation of scientists and conservationists through multidisciplinary field research and conservation training in the Aegean Sea. Designed for researchers, young graduates, students, and volunteers.
• Internships in the Aegean On-site placement programs allowing participants to take part in multidisciplinary field research and targeted conservation initiatives in the Greek Aegean.
• Remote Internships Remote multidisciplinary internship opportunities allowing participants to contribute to marine conservation research from anywhere.
• Multidisciplinary Field Courses Hands-on field courses conducted in the Aegean Sea focusing on applied marine research and conservation methodologies.
• Save the Aegean Citizen science initiative engaging the public in monitoring and protecting the Aegean Sea's marine biodiversity.
• Eco-Navigation Project focused on promoting sustainable navigation practices and monitoring maritime activities to protect marine ecosystems.
• Fish4Life Initiative engaging citizens in fish population monitoring and data collection for marine conservation.
• SAMESEA Regional marine research and conservation project addressing environmental challenges in the Mediterranean.
• Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary (AMLS) Sanctuary initiative for the protection and rehabilitation of marine wildlife, currently in licensing process.
• Marine Mammal Conservation Program Research and conservation efforts focused on protecting marine mammals including dolphins, whales, and seals.
• Deep Sea Research Program Scientific investigation of deep sea ecosystems and biodiversity in the northeastern Mediterranean.
• Posidonia Seagrass Meadows Program Protection and monitoring of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, critical blue carbon ecosystems.
• Microplastic and Plastic Pollution Research Monitoring and analyzing microplastic pollution in Greek seas with over 15 years of documented research.
• Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Comprehensive monitoring of marine species and ecosystems across the northeastern Mediterranean.
• Terrestrial Research and Conservation Conservation initiatives addressing terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity of Greek islands.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27,000+ individuals trained from 43 countries in marine conservation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Roger Williams UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched a permanent field research program in the Aegean Sea, providing hands-on training for students in applied marine research aboard research vessels and at field bases.
• College Year in AthenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative Study Abroad program delivering multidisciplinary field courses on marine conservation in the Aegean through the International School of the Sea initiative.
• European Cetacean SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in annual conferences for knowledge sharing and collaboration on cetacean research and conservation.
• OceanEuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in EU fisheries policy working group meetings and marine policy workshops.
• Notre Grande Blue (Tunisia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with Tunisian environmental organization for cross-border marine conservation efforts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Marine Conservation Society: Established UK marine conservation charity engaged in research, citizen science, and pollution campaigns similar to Archipelagos' focus areas.
• Blue Marine Foundation: UK charity focused on marine protected areas and ocean conservation; overlaps in mission and policy advocacy but operates at larger, international scale.
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: International marine conservation NGO operating vessels for direct ocean protection; shares the vessel-based marine defense model at larger scale.
• Oceana: Large international ocean conservation organization advocating on overfishing and marine policy, overlapping thematically but far broader in scope and budget.

Others

• Ocean Conservancy: US-based ocean advocacy nonprofit focused on plastics and marine policy; thematically related but primarily campaign- and policy-driven rather than field-research based.

Direct peers

• iSea: Greek environmental NGO focused on aquatic ecosystem conservation and citizen science; a direct domestic peer in marine conservation and research in Greek seas.
• Tethys Research Institute: Italian non-profit conducting Mediterranean cetacean and marine biodiversity research; directly comparable in mission, geography, and field-research model to Archipelagos.
• MEDASSET: Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles, a Greece-based NGO combining marine research, conservation, and policy advocacy in the same region as Archipelagos.

Regional players

• Notre Grand Bleu: Tunisian environmental organization and named partner of Archipelagos conducting Mediterranean marine conservation in a different geography.
• Archipelagos Ambiente e Sviluppo Italia: Italian marine research and conservation association operating in the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean; comparable mission in a different territory.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@archipelagos
• Facebookfacebook.com/Archipelago.gr
• Xx.com/archipelagogr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation