Ecomares

What Ecomares does

Fundación ECOMARES is a non-profit foundation established in 2009 in Cali, Colombia, focused on marine biological research and conservation, with a small core team of nine staff and a wider scientific group of approximately 13 PhDs and MScs drawn from leading Colombian and European institutions. Its work spans both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Colombia, operating four interconnected program lines: scientific research, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems restoration, and environmental education and outreach. Core programs include coral reef monitoring at Gorgona National Natural Park (in partnership with Universidad del Valle and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali), large-scale coral larval propagation for the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park, the One Million Corals Project for Colombia, community-based ghost fishing gear management in the Gulf of Tribugá through the Guardians of the Sea group, and a donation-supported Guardians of the Reef (Guardianes del Arrecife) program.

The foundation's technical capabilities center on proprietary coral restoration protocols, including large-scale larval propagation techniques for Colombian Caribbean species (Orbicella annularis, Orbicella faveolata, Diploria labyrinthiformis) with documented fertilization success rates above 70%, microfragmentation methods pioneered in Colombia across five coral species (Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis, Orbicella faveolata, Siderastrea siderea, Porites porites), and annual coral spawning forecasts for Cartagena, Santa Marta, and San Andrés. Its scientific output includes coordination of a 32-scientist network monitoring 76 coral bleaching sites across the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Distribution of services and outputs is conducted through direct institutional partnerships — government contracts with Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, research collaborations with universities, and international grant implementation — rather than commercial channels.

ECOMARES earns revenue through three primary streams: donations via the tiered Guardianes del Arrecife program (Guardian COP 10,000-50,000 up to Guardian of Guardians at COP 500,000+), project grants from international funders including GIZ/IKI, the Colombia en Paz Fund administered by Conservation International, and PADI Project Aware, and research partnerships with universities and government entities. The foundation does not sell commercial products; go-to-market is community-led and grant-driven, with project-based partnerships forming the principal channel for both funding and field operations.

Name

Ecomares

Legal name

Fundación ECOMARES (Foundation for Marine Biological Research and Conservation)

Website

https://ecomares.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ecomares is a non-profit marine research and conservation foundation based in Cali, Colombia, founded in 2009, conducting coral reef monitoring, large-scale coral restoration, and community-based ghost fishing management across Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coasts in partnership with government agencies, universities, and international funders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Research and Coral Reef Restoration

NAICS

Other Aquaculture (112519), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stock Enhancement & Restocking / Conservation Aquaculture (AFAEAAAO), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Coral reef restoration
• Marine conservation research
• Coral larvae propagation
• Ghost fishing management
• Marine protected area monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Cali

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Programs: Ecomares receives donations through the Guardianes del Arrecife program with tiered membership levels (Guardian $10,000-50,000, Senior Guardian $50,001-100,000, Grand Guardian $100,001-500,000, Guardian of Guardians $500,000+) in Colombian Pesos.
2. Project Grants and Funding: Major project funding from international organizations including GIZ (donation agreement #81286967), IKI Small Grants, Colombia en Paz Fund, and Conservation International.
3. Research Partnerships: Collaborative research projects with government entities (Parques Nacionales Naturales), universities, and international organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ecomares is a non-profit foundation that conducts marine biological research and conservation in Colombia, operating programs in coral reef monitoring, coral sexual reproduction and larvae rearing, ghost fishing gear removal, and environmental education. It delivers scientific services to government protected areas (Gorgona National Natural Park, Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo) and supports community-based conservation with coastal fishing communities in the Gulf of Tribugá.

Product overview

ECOMARES is a non-profit marine research and conservation foundation established in 2009 in Cali, Colombia. The organization operates as a unified programs portfolio rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offerings include the Guardianes del Arrecife donation-based restoration program, Coral Reef Monitoring Services at Gorgona National Natural Park, the Coral Larvae Rearing Project for large-scale reef restoration, the Ghost Fishing Management initiative in the Colombian Pacific, the One Million Corals Project, Environmental Education and Outreach activities, and documentary production. These programs are interconnected through four strategic areas of action: Scientific Research, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, Habitats and Ecosystems Restoration, and Environmental Education and Outreach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guardianes del Arrecife (Guardians of the Reef): Community-based initiative for coral reef restoration involving donation-based guardian membership program supporting restoration of reefs in Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park

Products and services

• Guardianes del Arrecife (Guardians of the Reef) Community-based coral reef restoration initiative enabling individuals to become reef guardians through tiered donations (Guardian, Senior Guardian, Grand Guardian, Guardian of Guardians from 10,000 to 500,000+ COP), receiving project updates and information about 'baby corals'. Targeted at individual donors who want to support reef restoration in Colombia.
• Coral Reef Monitoring Services Annual scientific monitoring of coral reef health at Gorgona National Natural Park and other locations, evaluating coral coverage, algae coverage, invertebrate abundance, and fish diversity. Delivered in collaboration with Universidad del Valle and Universidad Javeriana Cali to government environmental agencies.
• Coral Larvae Rearing Project Research project focused on large-scale coral larval propagation for reef restoration in the Colombian Caribbean, including early embryonic development studies of Orbicella annularis, Orbicella faveolata, and Diploria labyrinthiformis, with documented 70%+ fertilization success. Delivered in partnership with SECORE International, Universidad del Magdalena, and National Parks.
• Ghost Fishing Management in the Colombian Pacific Community-based initiative to mitigate, manage, and reduce the impact of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in the Gulf of Tribugá. Includes training local divers and the 13-member Guardianes del Mar group for underwater cleanups across 60,000 hectares and 9 coastal communities.
• One Million Corals Project for Colombia Coral reef restoration project generating microfragments to increase coral colony numbers at PNN Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo, with a target of 135,000 microfragments and 26 individuals trained in assisted fertilization and larvae rearing. Delivered with Conservation International funding and partner academic institutions.
• Environmental Education and Outreach Training workshops, symposia, academic conferences, and digital/printed materials promoting environmental education among natural resource users and stakeholders for marine biodiversity conservation across Colombia.
• Documentary 'Entre el Viento y la Marea' Short documentary featuring Florentino Cuero and other local artisanal fishermen on the central coast of the Colombian Pacific, illustrating the human dimension of marine resource use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70% fertilization success rate achieved in coral larvae rearing
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SECORE InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2025SECORE International and ECOMARES signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding valid until 2030 to strengthen collaboration on coral sexual reproduction techniques for reef restoration in the Colombian Caribbean. The partnership includes coral larval rearing laboratories at Universidad del Magdalena and involves key researchers from Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano and National University of Colombia.
• Kákiri Diving CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Nuquí that initiated efforts to combat ghost fishing gear impacts since 2013 and restore rocky reefs by training local divers. Ecomares supported the initiative in 2022 to evolve it into a community training project.
• General Community Council Los RiscalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthnic territorial authority partner in the ghost fishing management project, working on community-based conservation in the Gulf of Tribugá-Cabo Corrientes Integrated Management District.
• CEINERmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Coral Larvae Rearing Project at Los Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park (2021-2026). Contributed to the successful coral spawning and larvae rearing efforts.
• Diving PlanetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners who won the PADI Project Aware grant for coral reef sexual reproduction project in Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park, led by Ecomares director Elvira Alvarado Chacón.
• Universidad del VallecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research partner through the Coral Reef Ecology Research Group. Conducted annual monitoring of coral reefs at Gorgona National Natural Park since 2015. Also collaborated on Malpelo monitoring and biodiversity research.
• Universidad del MagdalenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting coral larval rearing laboratories as part of the SECORE-ECOMARES collaboration. Hosted the May 2025 MoU renewal meeting.
• Universidad Javeriana CalimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner led by Dr. Mateo López-Victoria. Contributes to coral reef restoration projects and ecological studies, including Varadero Reef research and coral bleaching monitoring.
• Parques Nacionales Naturales de ColombiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing funding and coordination for coral reef monitoring at Gorgona National Natural Park and restoration projects at Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park. Formalizing agreement for coral reef restoration projects in Colombian Pacific.
• INVEMARmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine research institute partner in Malpelo monitoring projects and biodiversity studies in the Colombian Pacific.
• WWFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the implementation of Malpelo monitoring and research projects, contributing to biodiversity assessment and conservation efforts.
• Blue Indigo FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in coral larvae rearing project at Los Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park, participating in the May 2025 MoU renewal meeting with SECORE and ECOMARES.
• NOAA Coral Reef WatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner providing coral bleaching monitoring data and global bleaching event alerts that inform Ecomares research on Colombian coral reefs.
• Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman research institution where Ecomares members Dr. Sonia Bejarano and Dr. Ana Lucia Castrillon Cifuentes are affiliated. Collaborative research on coral reef ecology and bleaching impacts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Coral Restoration Foundation: A leading Caribbean-focused coral restoration nonprofit using nursery and outplanting techniques. Highly comparable to Ecomares in mission (active coral propagation), target ecosystem (Caribbean reefs), and operational model.
• Blue Indigo Foundation: Direct partner in Ecomares' coral larvae rearing project at Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo NNP. Closely comparable mission and Colombian Caribbean focus, with overlapping donor and academic networks.
• Corales de Paz: Colombian Caribbean coral conservation foundation focused on reef restoration and community engagement. Closely comparable to Ecomares in geographic focus, nonprofit model, and integration of science with community programs.
• SECORE International: Direct peer and active partner; SECORE develops and disseminates coral sexual reproduction techniques globally. Ecomares renewed its MoU with SECORE through 2030 to apply these methods to Colombian Caribbean reef restoration.
• Reef Renewal Foundation (Bonaire): Caribbean coral restoration NGO using in-situ and ex-situ coral farming. Operates in a similar niche (Caribbean reef restoration, community engagement, donor-funded model) and faces comparable scale-up constraints.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation incumbent with major marine programs, including the Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub where former Ecomares Director Dr. Valeria Pizarro now works. Compares via overlapping coral restoration and MPA work.
• Conservation International: Major funder of Ecomares via the Colombia en Paz Fund for the One Million Corals Project. Compares as a broader incumbent running multi-country marine and biodiversity portfolios that include coral reef work.
• WWF Colombia: Active partner on Malpelo monitoring and biodiversity projects with Ecomares. Compares as a broader incumbent with overlapping marine conservation interests in the Colombian Pacific and Caribbean.

Emerging players

• Coral Vita: Commercial-restoration coral farming operation focused on climate-resilient corals. Comparable technology stack (assisted evolution, microfragmentation) but with a more commercial revenue model than Ecomares' nonprofit structure.
• Healthy Reefs Initiative: Multi-organization Caribbean reef monitoring and reporting coalition producing the Reef Report Card. Compares to Ecomares' Gorgona reef monitoring protocols and broader Eastern Tropical Pacific bleaching network.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ecomares_ong
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ecomares
• Facebookfacebook.com/ecomaresngo
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecomaresngo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecomares

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ecomares