Race For Water

What Race For Water does

Race for Water Foundation (Fondation Race for Water) is a Swiss non-profit organization founded in 2010 by entrepreneur Marco Simeoni and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The foundation's mission is the preservation of oceans and water, pursued primarily through multi-year international scientific expeditions ("Odysseys") conducted aboard purpose-built, zero-emission catamarans. To date, the foundation has completed two Odysseys (2015 and 2017-2020) and launched a third (Odyssée Océan & Climat 2025-2030) using the newly commissioned MODX70 catamaran, which combines solar energy, hydro-generation, and automated wing-sail/kite propulsion supplied by partners including Océan Développement, Skysails Yacht, and Aeroforce. Across 25 countries and 43 port stopovers, the foundation has collected 192,250 microparticles, produced 3 scientific publications, and directly engaged 23,760 stakeholders including students, policymakers, corporate partners, and scientific institutions.

The foundation operates three programmatic pillars — LEARN (field research), SHARE (awareness and education), and ACT (maritime decarbonization solutions) — supported by sub-products such as Posidonia Connect and RSE conference/event offerings. Beneficiaries span school groups, universities, government bodies, and scientific research institutions (e.g., EPFL, GIS Posidonie, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, University of Sassari), while corporate sponsors (Breguet, Plastic Omnium, ETIA, Skysails, Swisscom), private foundations (Fondation Audemars-Watkins, Fondation de bienfaisance du groupe Pictet), and public entities (Canton de Vaud) supply funding. Revenue is generated through donations (where 100% of contributions flow to missions), corporate sponsorship and patronage arrangements (with visibility and event-access benefits), and fee-based public interventions and conferences. Distribution relies on direct engagement at expedition stopovers, the multilingual raceforwater.org platform, social media, and earned media (over 3,700 press articles across both prior Odysseys), with UN Environment accreditation since 2015 reinforcing policy-level access.

Name

Race For Water

Legal name

Fondation Race for Water

Website

https://raceforwater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Race for Water Foundation is a Swiss non-profit founded in 2010 that conducts multi-year zero-emission ocean expeditions aboard innovative catamarans (MOD70, MODX70) to study marine pollution and biodiversity, educate youth and policymakers, and advocate maritime decarbonization, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and fee-based interventions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Ocean conservation
• Marine research expeditions
• Zero-emission vessels
• Environmental education programs
• Maritime decarbonization

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation relies on donations from individuals and organizations to fund expeditions and programs. 100% of donations go directly to the foundation's missions.
2. Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships: Companies provide financial or in-kind support through sponsorship, patronage, or contributions. Benefits include visibility on vessels, communication materials, events, and exclusive access to thematic events and ship visits.
3. Public Interventions and Conference Fees: Fee-based public interventions, conferences, and events for companies, institutions, schools, and universities to raise awareness about ocean preservation.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Race for Water Foundation operates international ocean expeditions (Odysseys) aboard pioneering zero-emission vessels to study marine ecosystems, raise public awareness about ocean preservation, and promote maritime decarbonization solutions. The foundation delivers three programmatic pillars — LEARN (field scientific research), SHARE (awareness, education, and stakeholder engagement) and ACT (promotion of sustainable solutions) — executed through port stopovers, conferences, scientific missions and educational workshops globally.

Product overview

Race for Water Foundation operates a portfolio of ocean preservation programs centered around innovative zero-emission expedition vessels. The core offering consists of the MODX 70 catamaran serving as a floating laboratory for scientific research, complemented by three programmatic pillars: LEARN (field research), SHARE (awareness/education), and ACT (solutions for maritime decarbonization). Additional offerings include Posidonia Connect (seagrass ecosystem research) and RSE public interventions. Legacy vessels include the MOD70 trimaran and the redesigned solar catamaran used in previous Odysseys.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LEARN Program Field investigation program conducting scientific research with expert partners to better understand the ocean's role in climate regulation and preservation of life, including collaborative missions with EPFL, GIS Posidonie, University of Sassari, and Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn.
• SHARE Program Awareness and education program alerting decision-makers, raising public awareness, and educating young generations about ocean-related challenges through port calls, workshops, and educational programs delivered at port stopovers.
• ACT Program Action-oriented program promoting solutions with sustainable economic, environmental, and social impacts for the decarbonization of maritime transport and protection of marine ecosystems, including mobilizing maritime transport actors toward decarbonization.
• Posidonia Connect Mission Italie A scientific project jointly led by GIS Posidonie and Race for Water Foundation to assess the ecological status of Posidonia oceanica meadows and harmonize evaluation methods at Mediterranean scale using an ecosystem-based approach.
• Public Interventions and Conferences (RSE) Fee-based public interventions, conferences, and cinematic debates aboard the foundation's vessels, designed to raise awareness, inspire action, and promote innovative solutions for ocean preservation, for companies, political bodies, schools, and universities.
• Odyssée Océan & Climat 2025-2030 An international expedition deployed in multiple missions until 2030, dedicated to understanding the links between ocean, climate, and biodiversity, and transforming scientific knowledge into collective action for maritime decarbonization. Aboard the MODX70 zero-emission catamaran, it includes the Posidonia Mission (2025) and Posidonia Connect Mission Italie (2026).
• MODX 70 Zero-Emission Catamaran Pioneering zero-emission catamaran powered by solar energy, hydro-generation, and automated wing sails (Aeroforce technology), functioning as a floating laboratory and ambassador vessel for the foundation's ocean preservation expeditions. Combines clean navigation with scientific research capabilities and is available as a venue for conferences and educational programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,760 people directly engaged at stopovers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and supporting.

• Génération MerkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Community of committed individuals raising awareness about marine conservation. Race for Water joined in 2024. Includes scientists, sportspeople, artists, and foundations.
• Skysails YachtcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Technology leader for automated towing kites for yachts. Founded in 2017, relies on 15 years of SkySails Group experience. Technology patented worldwide.
• Océan DéveloppementcoreTechnology or IntegrationHistoric partner and shipyard specializing in offshore racing and innovative projects. Contributed to development of MOD70, Race for Water solar catamaran, and MODX70 zero-emission vessel.
• AeroforcecoreTechnology or IntegrationBreton start-up innovative in marine mobility. Designs waterproof inflatable wing on retractable mast, fully automated.
• GIS PosidoniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific Interest Group created in 1982 focused on Mediterranean marine research. Co-leader of Posidonia Connect project with Race for Water.
• University of SassarikeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in northern Sardinia with recognized expertise in Posidonia oceanica study and restoration. Researchers join expeditions for marine sampling.
• Stazione Zoologica Anton DohrnkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned marine biology research institute founded in 1872. Active research on Posidonia dynamics, resilience, and restoration.
• PlanairsupportingOthersSince 1985, specializes in energy efficiency and renewable energies. Company with ~100 employees across 8 offices in French-speaking Switzerland and France.
• One CreationsupportingOthersCooperative created in June 2010 to support rapid growth of environmental technologies in a global multisector approach.
• La Fresque OcéanesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean-focused educational organization collaborating on interactive workshops for younger generations during expeditions.
• Ocean AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing expertise for maritime education programs and student engagement activities.
• BreguetsupportingOthersCorporate sponsor of the foundation
• Plastic OmniumsupportingOthersCorporate sponsor and partner, with CEO Alexandre Closset serving on Advisory Board
• ETIAsupportingOthersCorporate sponsor supporting foundation activities
• SwisscomsupportingOthersCorporate sponsor from Switzerland

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance: Marine conservation organization focused on protecting ocean 'Hope Spots' through expeditions and advocacy; shares expedition-driven mission model and ambassador-led awareness approach.
• Oceana: Largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization; competes for the same corporate sponsor CSR dollars and policy influence on ocean protection but operates globally without vessel-based expeditions.

Direct peers

• Tara Ocean Foundation: French non-profit foundation operating the schooner Tara for global ocean research expeditions; near-identical model of vessel-based scientific missions, public engagement, and policy advocacy targeting ocean preservation.
• The Ocean Cleanup: Non-profit developing advanced technologies to rid oceans of plastic pollution; shares the plastic-pollution narrative, global media profile, and corporate sponsor base, though focused on cleanup systems rather than expeditions.
• Sea Shepherd Global: Marine conservation organization operating vessels worldwide for ocean ecosystem protection; comparable vessel-based operations, awareness campaigns, and corporate/individual donor funding model.
• 5 Gyres Institute: US-based non-profit conducting research expeditions and policy advocacy on plastic pollution; comparable scientific output on microplastics and similar ocean gyre research focus as Race for Water's 2015 Odyssey.
• Planet Solar: Original owner of the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the first solar-powered circumnavigation vessel that was donated to Race for Water in 2015; Race for Water literally inherited its second expedition vessel from this organization.
• Plastic Odyssey: French non-profit operating a low-tech vessel to demonstrate plastic-to-fuel solutions and conduct port stopovers for education; directly comparable mission, vessel-based GTM, and plastic pollution focus.

Emerging players

• Saildrone: Autonomous wind and solar-powered ocean data collection vehicles; emerging player in zero-emission ocean research with overlapping sustainable maritime technology thesis but unmanned rather than crewed expeditions.

Others

• SkySails Group: Technology partner providing the patented automated towing kite propulsion used on Race for Water's vessels; adjacent enabling technology provider rather than competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/multioneattitude
• Xx.com/raceforwater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Race For Water