Marine Technology Society

What Marine Technology Society does

Marine Technology Society (MTS) is a U.S.-based not-for-profit professional society founded in June 1963 and headquartered at One Thomas Circle, Suite 700, Washington, DC. MTS serves as the premier convener of the marine technology community, operating a horizontal membership model that spans individual professionals, students, early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs), corporate and organizational members, and government agencies across academia, industry, and government. The society runs a portfolio of programs including the peer-reviewed Marine Technology Society Journal, the MATE ROV Competition (integrated from MATE Inspiration for Innovation in July 2023), Ocean Exchange (integrated as a full program in July 2025), the Ocean Enterprise Initiative (seeded by $3.9M from NOAA in September 2023), the EMERGE mentorship program, microcredentials/digital badges funded by NSF, and an extensive conference portfolio including OCEANS, TechSurge, the Dynamic Positioning Conference, Underwater Intervention, and the International Submarine Symposium.

MTS generates revenue through individual, student, ECOP ($50/year), and organizational membership dues; conference and event registrations and sponsorships; publications (MTS Journal, Currents newsletter, Ocean News & Technology, ECO magazine); advertising; and federal and philanthropic grants (NOAA, NSF, Schmidt family foundations). The society operates 20+ geographic sections worldwide and 15+ technical committees, providing the structural backbone for member engagement. Sub-brands include MATE ROV Competition, Ocean Exchange, ECOPs, EMERGE, TechSurge, and SeaMATE (the educational store). Approximately 22 staff support operations, and the organization is led by CEO Chris Ostrander with a senior team spanning operations, engagement, ocean enterprise, communications, and program development.

The technology footprint is organizational rather than proprietary: MTS does not develop or sell a software platform. Its technology stack comprises the MemberClicks membership portal, a career website, webinar delivery, and standard website/newsletter infrastructure. The competitive position rests on community, content, and convening power rather than technology assets, with 60+ years of accumulated reputational capital and an integrated ecosystem of awards (including MTS Fellows since 1975, Walter Munk Scholar Award, Captain Don Walsh Award with SUT) reinforcing member loyalty and cross-sector participation.

Name

Marine Technology Society

Legal name

Marine Technology Society

Website

https://mtsociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Marine Technology Society (MTS) is a 501(c) non-profit professional society founded in 1963 and headquartered in Washington, DC, convening marine technology professionals across academia, industry, and government through membership, conferences, peer-reviewed publications, the MATE ROV Competition, and Ocean Exchange.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Society Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations (EDAOANAB)

Keywords

• Professional society membership
• Marine technology association
• Ocean science conferences
• Underwater robotics competition
• Blue economy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Individual, organizational, student, and ECOP memberships provide recurring revenue streams. ECOP membership is priced at $50.
2. Events and Conferences: Major annual conferences including OCEANS, Underwater Intervention, TechSurge events, Dynamic Positioning Conference, International Submarine Symposium, and regional section events generate registration and sponsorship revenue.
3. Publications Revenue: MTS Journal (peer-reviewed), Currents newsletter, Ocean News & Technology magazine, and related publications generate revenue through subscriptions and advertising.
4. Sponsorships and Advertising: Corporate sponsors, advertising in publications, and event sponsorships from marine technology companies and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Marine Technology Society is a not-for-profit professional society that convenes the global marine technology community through individual and organizational memberships, geographic sections, technical committees, conferences and workshops, a peer-reviewed journal, a student underwater robotics competition, and integrated programs supporting ocean innovation and the blue economy. It also runs workforce credentialing (microcredentials), career services, awards and scholarships, and programs such as Ocean Exchange and the Ocean Enterprise Initiative for industry-government collaboration.

Product overview

Marine Technology Society (MTS) is a professional society offering membership-based programs rather than a traditional product company. The organization provides a portfolio of professional development services including the peer-reviewed Marine Technology Society Journal, the MTS Career Center job board, and MTS Webinars. MTS supports its members through geographic Sections and technical Committees that organize conferences and workshops. Key programs include the MATE ROV Competition for student robotics education, the ECOPs (Early Career Ocean Professionals) Program for early-career networking and mentorship, the EMERGE mentorship program, and the Ocean Enterprise Initiative. The society also operates Ocean Exchange for blue economy innovation and provides microcredentials and digital badges for workforce development. Annual awards recognize achievements in marine technology through the MTS Awards and Honors Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MATE ROV Competition: International underwater robotics competition for students that challenges teams to design, build, and deploy ROVs to complete real-world ocean-related tasks.
• Ocean Exchange
• ECOPs (Early Career Ocean Professionals)
• EMERGE Program
• TechSurge
• SeaMATE

Products and services

• MTS Individual Membership Annual individual subscription to the Marine Technology Society providing access to networking events, technical conferences, peer-reviewed publications, sections/committee participation, career resources, mentorship, and professional development benefits for individual marine technology professionals.
• MTS Organizational / Corporate Membership Annual organizational subscription for companies, government agencies, and non-profits seeking industry visibility, talent pipeline access, networking, conference sponsorship, and engagement with the marine technology community.
• ECOP (Early Career Ocean Professionals) Membership Discounted annual membership ($50) for early-career professionals within 10 years of their last professional degree, providing mentorship, networking, and leadership opportunities within the marine technology sector.
• Marine Technology Society Journal (MTSJ) Peer-reviewed scientific journal publishing research on marine technology, ocean engineering, and related fields, distributed to members and subscribers as part of MTS membership.
• MTS Conferences and Events Annual conferences and events including OCEANS conferences, TechSurge events (e.g., Next-Generation Maritime Autonomy), Underwater Intervention, Dynamic Positioning Conference, International Submarine Symposium, and regional section events providing networking and knowledge exchange for marine technology professionals.
• MATE ROV Competition International robotics competition where student teams design, build, and deploy remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to solve real-world ocean challenges, with regional qualifiers and a World Championship culminating annually.
• Ocean Exchange Program that identifies and supports solutions improving ocean health, coastal systems, and the blue economy through annual monetary prizes ($100K Neptune awards and $10K Collegiate Awards) and networking for blue-economy startups.
• Ocean Enterprise Initiative Program supported by a $3.9 million NOAA investment that advances industry-government dialogue on ocean observing and accelerates innovation in the sustainable blue economy through MTS/GOOS/NOAA Dialogues with Industry.
• EMERGE Program Fully-funded mentorship program providing emerging ocean professionals access to MTS conferences paired with experienced member mentors for career development.
• MTS Microcredentials Digital badges and microcredentials for professional development and workforce certification in marine technology, developed with NSF funding to support the ocean technical workforce.
• MTS Webinars Online educational presentations and professional development sessions on marine technology topics delivered virtually to members.
• MTS Sections Geographic-based local chapters (20+ worldwide) that organize local activities, seminars, presentations, collaboration, and regional conferences for members.
• MTS Committees Technical interest groups (15+ across 3 technical divisions with 31 professional committees) bringing together members with common professional interests to organize specialized conferences, workshops, and journal special issues.
• MTS Career Center Online job board and career resources for marine technology professionals to find employment and connect with employers in the marine technology industry.
• MTS Summer Workshops Hands-on educational workshops for students and professionals focusing on marine technology skills and research, held at academic institutions.
• MTS Awards and Honors Program Annual recognition program honoring outstanding contributions to marine science and technology, including MTS Fellow designation (since 1975), Distinguished Achievement Award, Organizational Excellence Award, John P. Craven Mentor Award, Walter Munk Scholar Award, Captain Don Walsh Award, ECOP Award, and Special Commendation.
• MTS Scholarships Financial scholarships for student members for academic and career advancement in marine technology fields, including MATE ROV Competition team scholarships supported by Schmidt Ocean Coalition.

Quantifiable outcome

• MTS was the first organization to fully embrace ECOPs in alignment with UN Decade of Ocean Science, restructuring bylaws to give ECOPs full visibility and voting power
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• NOAAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023NOAA invested $3.9 million as an early investment for the Ocean Enterprise Initiative, launched by MTS to advance dialogue between industry and government on ocean observing and the blue economy through the MTS/GOOS/NOAA Dialogues with Industry.
• National Science Foundation (NSF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023NSF awarded MTS funding to develop the ocean technical workforce through microcredentials and digital badges, supporting professional development and certification programs for the marine technology field.
• MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Integration of MATE Inspiration for Innovation and its MATE ROV Competition into MTS's program offerings, fostering connection and bridging the gap between today's professionals and future innovators in marine technology. This strategic move expanded outreach and fostered innovation and learning within the field of marine technology.
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Established the Red Sea Section, the society's first section in the Middle East, at KAUST with the goal of facilitating communication between those interested in marine science and technology from inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Schmidt Ocean Coalition / Schmidt Family FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Funding provided for Scholarships for MATE ROV Competition Teams, supporting the development of new student teams with focus on underserved audiences and fostering DEI in the ocean workforce talent pipeline. Includes Schmidt Ocean Institute, 11th Hour Racing, and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners.
• Walter Munk Foundation for the OceanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Joint sponsorship of the Walter Munk Scholar Award and Commemorative Lecture, established to pay tribute to Walter Munk's legacy of bold exploration and breakthroughs in ocean scientific and technological research, ocean education, or ocean conservation.
• Society for Underwater Technology (SUT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly confer the Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration, acknowledging exceptional and ongoing international contributions to the development, application, and dissemination of marine technology for the progress of ocean exploration.
• Ocean Exchange (Integrated Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean Exchange fully integrated into MTS in July 2023, identifying and supporting solutions that improve ocean health, strengthen coastal systems, and advance the broader blue economy. Executive Director Millicent Pitts leads the program within MTS.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Ocean Conservancy: Major U.S. marine conservation and policy advocacy nonprofit. Operates in adjacent ocean-policy space with overlapping federal-government engagement but does not compete for MTS's technical-membership base.
• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Philanthropic funder of ocean research and technology development, including MTS partner Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. Relevant as a funding counterpart and ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Society for Underwater Technology: UK-based international membership society for underwater technology practitioners. MTS and SUT co-confer the Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration and overlap heavily on ROV, submarine, and offshore engineering communities.
• IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society: IEEE's ocean engineering technical society, co-organizer of MTS's flagship OCEANS conferences. Competes for ocean-engineering members and conference sponsorship in overlapping disciplines like sonar, AUVs, and ocean observation.
• The Oceanography Society: International professional society for ocean scientists, publisher of Oceanography magazine. Comparable membership society model serving an adjacent (more science-focused) segment of the ocean community that overlaps with MTS's academic base.
• Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO): International scientific society advancing aquatic sciences. Comparable professional-membership model with conferences, peer-reviewed journals (L&O, L&O: Methods, L&O: Bulletin), and student/early-career programs that overlap with MTS's academic members.
• World Ocean Council: International cross-sectoral ocean industry leadership alliance. Comparable convening role for ocean industry, with overlapping corporate members and focus on sustainable ocean economic activity that intersects with MTS's blue economy agenda.
• Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF): Multidisciplinary membership organization for coastal and estuarine scientists and managers. Similar professional society model with conferences, publications, and student programs targeting a related coastal/marine science audience.

Broad incumbents

• American Geophysical Union (AGU): Much larger Earth and space science society with ~60,000 members across ocean, atmospheric, and Earth disciplines. While not exclusively marine technology, AGU's ocean sciences section competes for academic members and conference attention.

Regional players

• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: U.S.-focused nonprofit supporting the National Marine Sanctuary system. Operates as a marine advocacy/funder rather than a membership society, but overlaps with MTS on marine conservation programming and federal grant ecosystems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mtsociety
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCH6N2AyQ_dZD6Q95LXMXnYw
• Facebookfacebook.com/marine-technology-society-1458821247682406
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-technology-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/marinetechnologysociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Marine Technology Society