Ocean Futures Society

What Ocean Futures Society does

Ocean Futures Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 325 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara, California, founded by Jean-Michel Cousteau — son of legendary ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau — to continue the family's global ocean advocacy legacy. The organization works to explore, document, and protect the global ocean through three principal program lines: (1) the Ambassadors of the Environment educational program delivered at partner resort properties; (2) documentary film production and distribution, most prominently the PBS/KQED Ocean Adventures series plus standalone films such as Voyage to Kure, Wonders of the Sea 3D, and Secret Ocean 3D; and (3) global ocean expeditions to locations including Fiji, the Arctic, the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, the Gulf of Mexico, and various U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries. It serves individual ocean-conservation supporters and donors, families and students, corporate partners in the luxury hospitality sector, and partner NGOs across marine protected area, coral reef, marine mammal, and sustainable seafood advocacy.

The organization's "products" are mission-driven programs rather than technology platforms. Its technical capability centers on underwater filmmaking, expedition logistics, and digital content production (including a Virtual Film Festival and the SeaScope underwater virtual exploration program). There is no proprietary software platform, AI/ML stack, or API surface disclosed; the technology footprint consists of a standard website, blog, social channels (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube), and email newsletter infrastructure. Documented outcomes include directly influencing the designation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (2006) and its 2016 expansion, the 2009 Mariana Trench marine protected area, the 2014 Rose Atoll National Marine Sanctuary, and the 2025 French Polynesia full-EEZ Marine Protected Area, plus over 540 metric tons of marine debris removed from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands since 1996.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit funding mix rather than a commercial sales motion. Streams include tax-deductible donations and free recurring memberships, merchandise sales (apparel, posters, books, ringtones, wallpapers), gala and event revenue (e.g., the Diving & Discovery Gala, the CORAL 30th Anniversary Gala appearance in October 2024), speaking engagement fees for Jean-Michel Cousteau, and corporate partnership value from flagship clients such as Ritz-Carlton, Aqua Expeditions, Catalina Island Camps, and Paul Gauguin Cruises. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on documentary broadcast, social media, email dispatches, and earned media rather than paid acquisition; sales of educational programs are executed through resort channel partners. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Ocean Futures Society

Legal name

Ocean Futures Society, Inc.

Website

https://oceanfutures.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ocean Futures Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by Jean-Michel Cousteau that delivers ocean conservation advocacy, documentary filmmaking, and the Ambassadors of the Environment educational program to supporters, students, families, and luxury hospitality partners worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation
• Marine education
• Documentary filmmaking
• Environmental advocacy
• Marine protected areas

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: The organization raises funds through tax-deductible donations and free membership programs. Members receive updates, newsletters, and the ability to add their voice for ocean advocacy.
2. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online store selling apparel, posters, books, and special edition items including ringtones and wallpapers.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from gala events, speaking engagements, and speaking fees for Jean-Michel Cousteau appearances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ocean Futures Society is a nonprofit organization that conducts global ocean expeditions, produces documentary films, and delivers environmental education programs focused on ocean conservation. It raises funds through tax-deductible donations, free membership, merchandise sales, and speaking engagements by founder Jean-Michel Cousteau, and mobilizes public advocacy on marine conservation issues such as marine protected areas, sustainable seafood, and offshore drilling.

Product overview

Ocean Futures Society is a non-profit ocean conservation organization led by Jean-Michel Cousteau. Rather than a unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of mission-driven programs including the Ambassadors of the Environment educational program (offered at resort locations worldwide), documentary film production (Ocean Adventures series, Voyage to Kure, Wonders of the Sea 3D, Secret Ocean 3D), expedition programs to global ocean locations, and an online merchandise store. The organization also provides speaking engagements by Jean-Michel Cousteau and publishes educational content through its website and blog.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ambassadors of the Environment: Environmental education program run by Ocean Futures Society, offering hands-on learning experiences at various Ritz-Carlton properties and other locations worldwide.
• Voyage to Kure
• SeaScope

Products and services

• Ambassadors of the Environment Hands-on environmental education program delivered to students, families, and resort guests at partner locations including Ritz-Carlton properties (Dorado Beach, Bacara Santa Barbara, Grand Cayman, Kapalua, Maldives, St. Thomas, Laguna Niguel), Catalina Island Camps, El Capitan Canyon, and Paul Gauguin Cruises. Programs explore marine ecosystems, kelp forests, and coastal environments.
• Ocean Adventures Documentary Series PBS documentary series co-produced with KQED featuring Jean-Michel Cousteau exploring ocean environments including episodes on killer whales, the Amazon, underwater treasures, gray whale migration, and sharks. Distributed nationally through PBS public television.
• Voyage to Kure Documentary film about an Ocean Futures Society expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Was the first environmental film premiered at the White House and contributed to the designation of Papahānaumokuākea as a marine protected area.
• Wonders of the Sea 3D 3D documentary film narrated by Arnold Schwarzenegger, featuring Jean-Michel Cousteau and his children exploring ocean environments in Fiji, California, Sea of Cortez, Bahamas, and the Mediterranean.
• Secret Ocean 3D 3D documentary film exploring marine life and underwater ecosystems, co-produced and distributed through PBS/KQED.
• SeaScope Underwater virtual exploration program for education, part of Ocean Futures Society's learning initiatives, accessible via the organization's website.
• Expedition Programs Ocean exploration expeditions to locations including Fiji, Gulf of Mexico, British Columbia, the Amazon, the Arctic, Papua New Guinea, and the US National Marine Sanctuary System. Expeditions generate film content and support advocacy on marine protected areas, pollution, and conservation policy.
• Online Store E-commerce platform on the Ocean Futures Society website selling apparel, posters, special edition books including 'My Father, The Captain', ringtones, and wallpapers.
• Speaking Engagements Fee-based speaking presentations delivered by Jean-Michel Cousteau at corporate galas, university speaking series, climate and ocean conferences, and partner events such as the Diving & Discovery Gala at Ritz-Carlton Bacara.

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

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

• Coral Reef AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2024Ocean Futures Society and Coral Reef Alliance joined forces to help protect coral reefs. Ocean Futures Society President Jean-Michel Cousteau appeared at CORAL's 30th Anniversary Gala at California Academy of Sciences to highlight coral reef conservation.
• The Ritz-Carlton Hotel CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship partnership for the Ambassadors of the Environment program at multiple Ritz-Carlton properties worldwide including Dorado Beach Reserve (Puerto Rico), Bacara (Santa Barbara), Grand Cayman, Kapalua (Hawaii), Maldives, St. Thomas, and Laguna Niguel. Programs offer environmental education and outdoor adventures to hotel guests.
• PBS/KQEDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Adventures series and other documentary films including Secret Ocean 3D and Wonders of the Sea 3D. Media content is co-produced and distributed through public television.
• Aqua ExpeditionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJean-Michel Cousteau collaborates with Aqua Expeditions for journeys on Aria Amazon and Aqua Mekong vessels, bringing ocean conservation messaging to river cruise passengers and inspiring appreciation for global water systems.
• The Whale Sanctuary ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on whale sanctuary initiatives including support for North America's first seaside sanctuary for captive whales in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia. OFS has also been involved in advocacy for returning captive whales to ocean habitats.
• Catalina Island CampscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP), a residential environmental and outdoor education program for student groups grades 4-12, and Jean-Michel Cousteau Family Camp at Howlands Landing.
• Natural Resources Defense CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on environmental advocacy and marine conservation issues including marine protected areas and ocean policy.
• Green Cross InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with international environmental organization focused on sustainable development and environmental protection.
• Jean-Michel Cousteau Diving (Fiji)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDive operation in Fiji offering underwater experiences connected to Ocean Futures Society's conservation mission and Fiji resort partnerships.
• Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEco-resort in Fiji offering ocean experiences and environmental education aligned with OFS mission.
• Aggressor FleetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDive cruise operator providing underwater expedition experiences supporting OFS mission and expedition documentation.
• Paul Gauguin CruisesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury cruise line in French Polynesia offering environmental education experiences as part of Ambassadors of the Environment program.
• Aqua Expeditions (additional)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRiver cruise expeditions in Amazon and Mekong offering educational experiences about water systems and ocean connections.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Marine conservation nonprofit using direct-action campaigns, documentaries and expeditions to protect marine wildlife. Comparable mission, expedition-driven narrative style and donor-funded revenue model.
• Oceana: Largest international advocacy organization focused exclusively on ocean conservation; runs policy campaigns, investigations and donor mobilization. Directly comparable to OFS in mission, advocacy-led GTM and nonprofit funding model.
• Project AWARE Foundation: Scuba diving community-led nonprofit addressing ocean conservation through diver mobilization, policy campaigns and underwater debris removal. Comparable in linking dive tourism operators to conservation advocacy.
• Surfrider Foundation: Grassroots nonprofit dedicated to ocean and beach protection through advocacy, education and member mobilization. Comparable membership-driven nonprofit model and coastal/ocean protection mission.
• Coral Reef Alliance: Marine conservation nonprofit focused on coral reef protection; recently formalized a strategic partnership with Ocean Futures Society around the 30th Anniversary Gala. Directly comparable as a marine-focused advocacy NGO with overlapping donor base and policy goals.
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation: Marine mammal-focused nonprofit with comparable advocacy campaigns, partnerships (Whale Sanctuary Project) and donor-funded model addressing species protection — a direct peer on marine mammal and habitat missions.
• Marine Conservation Institute: Nonprofit focused on securing marine protected areas globally and ocean policy advocacy — a direct peer in mission and donor-funded policy-influence model.

Broad incumbents

• Greenpeace: Global environmental advocacy organization with substantial ocean campaigns, donor mobilization and documentary storytelling. Operates at much greater scale, but pursues overlapping ocean-policy outcomes.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest environmental nonprofits globally, with substantial marine conservation programs including marine protected areas. A broader incumbent that overlaps with OFS on ocean policy influence and philanthropy, but operates at vastly greater scale and scope.
• National Geographic Society: Iconic science and exploration society producing ocean-focused documentaries, expeditions and education programs with comparable storytelling brand strength. Overlaps with OFS in underwater filmmaking, exploration narratives and global awareness building, but operates at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jmcousteau
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OceanFuturesSociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Jean-Michel-Cousteaus-Ocean-Futures-Society/92486697079

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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 Ocean Futures Society