INPO - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas

What INPO - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas does

INPO (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas) is a Brazilian Social Organization (Organização Social) established in October 2023 under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), serving as the country's national reference center for ocean sciences. The institute coordinates a multidisciplinary network of more than 100 researchers linked to Brazil's leading universities — including USP, UFRJ, UERJ, FURG, UFPE, UFSC, Unifesp, and Unirio — and operates with a lean core staff of 9 employees based at its headquarters in the Rio de Janeiro Technology Park (Ilha do Fundão). Its work is organized across three pillars (Science, Technology & Innovation, Society) and four strategic projects: Ocean Observation, Oceanographic Instrumentation (Centro de Instrumentação Oceanográfica, CICO), Data Management (including modernization of the Banco Nacional de Dados Oceanográficos operated by the Brazilian Navy), and Blue Energy.

The institute's core technology stack spans ocean observation infrastructure, numerical modeling, real-time data integration, the Digital Twin of the South and Tropical Atlantic Ocean (developed with Mercator Ocean International), oceanographic instrumentation development and calibration, and offshore renewable energy R&D spanning wave energy, tidal currents, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), and green hydrogen production. INPO's go-to-market is institutional and community-led rather than commercial: it engages Brazilian federal ministries (MCTI, MMA, Ministry of Fisheries, Marinha do Brasil), multilateral bodies (UN Decade of Ocean Science, UNESCO-IOC, G20/Ocean20, OECD, BBNJ Treaty processes), the academic community, and — through fisheries management systems such as SisTainha and the lobster quota system — coastal communities and fisheries operators. The institute has been an active participant in COP30, UNOC3, the Global Ocean Summit, and the European Scientific Diplomacy Conference, positioning Brazil within global ocean governance and blue economy frameworks.

INPO's revenue model is non-commercial: as a Social Organization, it is funded primarily through government contracts and project-based grants from MCTI, Finep (including a R$15 million grant for the Blue Energy Center), CNPq, and state research foundations (FAPESP, FAPESC, Facepe, Fapes). No products or services are sold commercially. Distribution of outputs occurs through international multilateral forums, government committee participation, open data platforms, scientific publications, and public science communication channels including the "Além das Ondas" blog and YouTube broadcasts of workshops and panels.

Name

INPO - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas

Legal name

Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas

Website

https://inpo.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

INPO is Brazil's national reference center for ocean sciences, a Social Organization under MCTI coordinating 100+ researchers to deliver ocean observation, blue energy, digital twin platforms, and deep-sea exploration programs for government and scientific stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Science Research Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI), Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE), Remote Sensing & Geospatial Vision (satellite/drone imagery) (HDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Ocean science research
• Ocean observation systems
• Blue energy technology
• Marine data management
• Deep sea exploration

Headquarters

HQ city

Rio de Janeiro

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding as a Social Organization (Organização Social): INPO operates as a Social Organization (OS) linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), receiving public funding for its operations, research programs, and infrastructure projects. Revenue is derived from government contracts and project-based funding from entities such as Finep (R$ 15 million for Blue Energy Center), CNPq, FAPESP, FAPESC, Facepe, and Fapes through national and international grant programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

INPO is Brazil's national reference center for ocean sciences, operating as a Social Organization linked to MCTI. It coordinates ocean observation networks, develops oceanographic instrumentation, integrates national and international marine data systems, and advances blue energy technologies. The institute manages a multidisciplinary network of 100+ researchers across major Brazilian universities, delivering science-based intelligence for ocean policy, fisheries management, climate adaptation, and offshore renewable energy development.

Product overview

INPO (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas) is a Brazilian Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) that serves as the national reference center for ocean sciences. The institute operates through three core pillars: Science (research production for ocean knowledge and preservation), Technology & Innovation (developing solutions for the blue economy), and Society (promoting ocean culture and public policy). INPO structures its activities around strategic projects including Ocean Observation (monitoring essential ocean variables), Oceanographic Instrumentation (Centro de Instrumentação Oceanográfica), Data Management (integrated ocean data systems), and Blue Energy (renewable ocean energy technologies). Major initiatives include the Deep Sea Exploration Program, Digital Twin of the Ocean platform, and the Centro Temático de Energia Renovável no Oceano. The institute coordinates a multidisciplinary network of over 100 researchers from major Brazilian universities and research institutes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ciência (Science Research Program)
• Tecnologia & Inovação (Technology and Innovation Program)
• Sociedade (Society and Public Policy Program)
• Observação Oceânica (Ocean Observation Project)
• Centro de Instrumentação Oceanográfica (CICO)
• Gestão de Dados Oceanográficos (Oceanographic Data Management)
• Centro Temático de Energia Renovável no Oceano – Energia Azul (Blue Energy Center)
• Programa para Exploração do Mar Profundo (Deep Sea Exploration Program)
• Gêmeo Digital do Atlântico Sul e Tropical (Digital Twin of the South and Tropical Atlantic Ocean)
• Rede de Pesquisadores INPO (INPO Researcher Network)
• SisTainha – Sistema de Gestão da Pesca da Tainha (Mullet Fishery Management System)
• Real-Time Lobster Monitoring System

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 people benefitting from managed lobster fisheries with scientifically defined national capture limits
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature10 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rede de Modelagem e Observação Oceanográfica (REMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026INPO participates in REMO's scientific modeling and ocean observation network. REMO celebrated 20 years in 2026 with a seminar at the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC). Director Janice Trotte-Duhá spoke on the future of operational ocean forecasting and the importance of a collaborative ecosystem.
• Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Unirio)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Unirio researcher Silvia Matos Nascimento participates in INPO's Blue One Health initiative, presenting research on harmful microalgae and ciguatera poisoning in Fernando de Noronha, linking ocean monitoring to public health outcomes.
• Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Unifesp researchers Leandra Regina Gonçalves and Ronaldo Christofoletti contribute to INPO's network. Christofoletti participates in INPO's COP30 panel on science and ocean culture, while the institution collaborates on Blue One Health and integrated ocean health research.
• Mercator Ocean InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 for the development of the Digital Twin of the South and Tropical Atlantic Ocean. Mercator is a world reference in digital oceanography. The partnership aims to integrate Brazil into the Copernicus Marine Service and the global Ocean Digital Twin project. A joint workshop 'Data to Decision: Towards a Digital Twin Ocean Platform for the South Atlantic' was held in May 2025 in Rio de Janeiro.
• Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025UFRJ is a key academic partner for the Blue Energy Center and the Digital Twin project. Includes the Grupo de Energias Renováveis no Oceano (GERO) at COPPE/UFRJ, the Laboratório de Instrumentação Oceanográfica (Lioc), and participation in ReNOMO through the Programa de Engenharia Oceânica (Peno).
• Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025FURG is a key member of the INPO researcher network, contributing expertise in fisheries management (Professor Ronaldo Cavalli), aquaculture, shellfish and macroalgae carbon sequestration, and marine biology. FURG researchers contributed to the COP30 blue economy panel and fisheries science presentations.
• Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025UFPE is a partner in the Blue Energy Center and contributes to climate and ocean health research through professors Moacyr Araújo and Beatrice Padovani, who authored key chapters in the MCTI COP30 book on 'Ocean and Coastal Zones'. Research on OTEC potential at Fernando de Noronha and ocean-climate-dengue linkages.
• Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025UERJ contributes to INPO research through professors Letícia Cotrim da Cunha (phytoplankton, ocean acidification) and Gleyci Moser (bioluminescence and marine plankton), both members of the INPO researcher network.
• Universidade de São Paulo (USP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025USP researchers including Alexander Turra, Wim Degrave, José Luiz Moutinho, Wânia Duleba, and Mary Gasalla are part of the INPO network. They contribute to ocean governance, coastal resilience, marine biodiversity, and blue economy research. USP participates in COP30 panels organized by INPO.
• Fundação OceanQuestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint expedition planned for the second half of 2025 with OceanQuest Foundation for deep-sea exploration of the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain at 3,000 meters depth. Paulo Gadelha from OceanQuest also co-authored the MCTI COP30 book chapter on ocean and coastal zones.
• Ocean University of ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Director-General Segen Estefen visited two Ocean University of China campuses in Qingdao — the Laoshan campus (National Key Lab of Oceanic Engineering) and the West Coast campus (Faculty of Artificial Intelligence) — to discuss cooperation with GERO and the Blue Energy Center, and to explore joint research in offshore renewable energy and ocean technology.
• China University of PetroleumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Director-General Segen Estefen delivered a seminar on energy transition and offshore renewable energy at the China University of Petroleum in Qingdao, followed by meetings on decarbonization of offshore activities with professors Sun and Guangming Fu.
• Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025UFSC researchers Regina Rodrigues and Marinez Scherer (also special envoy for the Ocean at COP30) are members of the INPO network. UFSC contributes to climate-ocean linkages research, coastal resilience, and offshore wind energy studies. EPAGRI-UFSC partnership supports shellfish cultivation in Santa Catarina.
• University of Bergen (Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025INPO and the University of Bergen co-organized the panel 'Navigating Common Waters: Ocean Science Diplomacy for a Sustainable Common Future' as a side event at UNOC3 in Nice, France. The partnership focuses on ocean science diplomacy and international collaboration on ocean governance.
• Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Fiocruz researcher Carla de Freitas Campos is a co-author of the MCTI COP30 book chapter 'Ocean and Coastal Zones'. INPO and Fiocruz are partners in 'Blue One Health' dialogues, integrating ocean science with human and environmental health.
• OceanPact / Global Offshore Wind Alliance / BNDES / OECDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025INPO participated in COP30 panels alongside OceanPact CEO, BNDES, OECD Ocean Economy Division, and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance, discussing blue economy investment opportunities, offshore wind, and ocean-climate linkages.
• Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) — PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025INPO participated in the COP30 IPMA panel on sustainable fisheries alongside Portugal (José Guerreiro) and Angola (Tânia Mandinga). INPO director Estefen expressed strong interest in collaborating with Portuguese-speaking institutes to share practices and advance science-based fisheries management.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) — USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025WHOI's Kilaparti Hamakrishna participated in the Oceans20/G20 Social panel at COP30 alongside INPO. WHOI contributes to global ocean science, and INPO draws on WHOI research (e.g., deep-sea exploration methods) for its own programs.
• Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Giovanni Coppini from the foundation participated in the COP30 Italian Pavilion session 'Empowering Coastal Communities' co-organized by the Decade Collaborative Center for Coastal Resilience (DCC-CR), where INPO director Janice Trotte-Duhá spoke on science-based coastal adaptation.
• Rede Nacional de Observação e Monitoramento Oceânico (ReNOMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025INPO supports ReNOMO, a national network for ocean observation and monitoring integrating graduate programs in marine sciences across Brazil. ReNOMO organizes the 2025 Summer School on instrumentation and best practices in ocean observation (40 hours, November 2025, Lioc/UFRJ), with 12 vacancies funded for nationwide participants.
• Academia Brasileira de Ciências (ABC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025INPO participated in ABC's 110th anniversary scientific program and the 2026 ABC Magna Meeting focused on global warming impacts on the ocean. ABC scientific committee is chaired by Luiz Drude de Lacerda (UFC), president of INPO's Scientific Council.
• Sistema de Monitoramento da Costa Brasileira (SiMCosta)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025INPO participates in SiMCosta committees, contributing to coastal monitoring infrastructure and data integration for the Brazilian coast, supporting real-time environmental decision-making.
• Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Schmidt Ocean Institute conducts deep-sea expeditions using ROVs and AUVs. INPO references SOI expeditions in its science communication (deep-sea robotics articles), reflecting scientific alignment and shared mission in ocean exploration.
• Marinha do BrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Brazilian Navy operates the Banco Nacional de Dados Oceanográficos (BNDO), which INPO is working to modernize and coordinate with other national and international databases as part of its national ocean data infrastructure project.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Schmidt Ocean Institute operates deep-sea expeditions using ROVs and AUVs and shares INPO's mission in ocean exploration, open data, and science communication. INPO references Schmidt expeditions in its 'Al\u00e9m das Ondas' blog, indicating direct scientific alignment.
• Funda\u00e7\u00e3o OceanQuest: OceanQuest Foundation is a Brazilian deep-sea exploration non-profit and INPO's expedition partner for the Vit\u00f3ria-Trindade Seamount Chain at 3,000 meters. Both are Brazil-based non-profits focused on South Atlantic deep-sea research and policy-relevant ocean science.
• Mercator Ocean International: Mercator Ocean International is the world reference in operational oceanography and digital twins, and is INPO's MoU partner for the South and Tropical Atlantic Digital Twin and integration with Copernicus Marine Service. Both operate ocean forecasting systems and digital twin platforms.

Broad incumbents

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): WHOI is the world's largest private non-profit ocean research institution, with deep-sea exploration, ocean observing, and ocean science diplomacy missions. INPO directly engages WHOI (e.g., COP30 Oceans20 panel participation) and mirrors its model of multidisciplinary ocean science, deep-sea expeditions, and international partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@inpo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inpo-instituto-nacional-de-pesquisas-oce%C3%A2nicas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about INPO - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Oceânicas