Mission 1 OCEAN

What Mission 1 OCEAN does

Mission 1 OCEAN is a French nonprofit association (SIREN 838679645) recognized as serving the public interest, founded circa 2018–2021 and headquartered in Marseille (with Paris operations) by underwater photographer Alexis Rosenfeld. The organization conducts global ocean exploration missions and produces high-resolution underwater photography, documentary films, and immersive exhibitions to raise awareness about marine biodiversity, climate change, and ecosystem conservation. Its flagship '1 OCEAN, the great testimony on the ocean' program operates in partnership with UNESCO and has completed 500+ dives and roughly 1,500 hours of underwater documentation across World Heritage marine sites, including the Tatakoto super coral discovery and the Sardine Run in South Africa.

The portfolio spans core products (scientific expeditions, large-format photography exhibitions, documentary films for Arte) and supporting products (Plongeon 3D immersive podcast, 'Un Océan en Héritage' intergenerational documentary series, the 'Océan, une merveilleuse odyssée photographique' book, photography rentals, and school programs under UNESCO Blue Schools). The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, reaching schools, corporations, and the general public through festivals, museum exhibitions, corporate immersive experiences, and digital platforms. Monetization is donation-based: individual donors (€1/month recurring program, tiered one-time donations €100–€500), corporate sponsorships with 60% French tax deduction, legacies and bequests, photography licensing, and merchandise. The organization employs 14 people and serves three primary segments — schools/educational institutions, corporate/business clients (RSE/CSR engagement), and the general public — with a secondary scientific research community.

Name

Mission 1 OCEAN

Legal name

1 OCEAN

Website

https://mission-1ocean.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mission 1 OCEAN is a French nonprofit association that uses underwater photography, documentary filmmaking, and immersive exhibitions to drive ocean conservation awareness, serving schools, corporations, and the public in partnership with UNESCO.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Conservation and Marine Environmental Awareness

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Underwater Photography & Videography Tours/Workshops (THAAAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation
• Underwater photography
• Marine documentaries
• Ocean exploration
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting ocean conservation. French donors benefit from 66% tax deduction on income tax (up to 20% of taxable income) and 75% IFI deduction (up to €50,000 annually). Monthly donation program at €1/month through '1€ pour l'Océan' initiative.
2. Corporate Sponsorship and Patronage: Corporate partnerships offering RSE/CSR engagement opportunities, including conference animations, immersive exhibitions in corporate offices, photography loans for office decoration, and international media exposure. Companies receive 60% tax deduction on donations up to 0.5% of annual CA HT.
3. Legacies and Estate Donations: Bequest and legacy donation programs allowing individuals to designate 1 OCEAN as beneficiary in wills or make lifetime donations of property and assets.
4. Photography Sales and Licensing: Sale and licensing of underwater photographs from expeditions through the online store (alexis-rosenfeld.sumupstore.com) including the book 'Océan, une merveilleuse odyssée photographique – 25 regards croisés de femmes'.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Mission 1 OCEAN is a French nonprofit association that conducts underwater ocean exploration missions and produces large-format photography exhibitions, documentary films, and an immersive 3D podcast (Plongeon) to raise public awareness about marine conservation. The organization partners with UNESCO on the '1 Ocean, the great testimony on the ocean' program, delivering educational content to schools, corporations, and the general public through traveling exhibitions, corporate sensitization services, and school programs aligned with UNESCO Blue Schools.

Product overview

Mission 1 OCEAN is a French foundation dedicated to ocean exploration and conservation awareness. The organization operates a unified portfolio of products and services centered on using photography, documentary filmmaking, and immersive experiences to educate the public about ocean preservation. Core offerings include scientific ocean exploration missions, large-format photographic exhibitions shown at international festivals and public venues, and documentary film production. Supporting services include the Plongeon immersive podcast, the Un Océan en Héritage documentary series, school educational programs aligned with UNESCO Blue Schools, corporate sensitization packages with photography rentals, and a photography book featuring women photographers' ocean perspectives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ocean Exploration Missions
• Photographic Exhibitions
• Documentary Films
• Plongeon Podcast
• Un Océan en Héritage (Documentary Series)
• Corporate Sensitization Services
• OCÉAN, une merveilleuse odyssée photographique (Photography Book)
• School Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ dives and 1,500 hours underwater documented through UNESCO partnership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO is the primary institutional partner for the '1 OCEAN, the great testimony on the ocean' program. The partnership coordinates global ocean documentation expeditions, provides access to World Heritage marine sites, and supports the annual Decade of Ocean Science. The collaboration has enabled 500+ dives and 1,500 hours of underwater documentation.
• SonycoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnical partner providing photography equipment for underwater expeditions. Sony supports the imaging technology used in documenting ocean ecosystems.
• BROTHIERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting ocean conservation mission through funding and resources.
• CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific research partner collaborating on marine biology expeditions including the Tatakoto super coral discovery with Laetitia Hédouin. CNRS researchers participate in expedition documentation and provide scientific expertise.
• CRIOBE (Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l'Environnement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner based at University of Perpignan, specializing in island environments and coral reef research in Pacific territories including French Polynesia.
• NausicaácoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine conservation aquarium and educational center collaborating on Ocean Month events and public awareness programs in France.
• La Fondation de la MercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench marine foundation partner supporting ocean conservation initiatives and providing institutional credibility in the marine sector.
• ArteflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean documentary broadcaster for 'Un Océan en Héritage' series (3×52 minutes) and expedition films. Provides international distribution reach for ocean conservation messaging.
• Renée Prod.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction company collaborating on the Plongeon 3D immersive podcast and corporate immersive experiences including Rothschild & Co exhibition.
• GOBELINS ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimation school producing 20 educational animated films for the Plongeon podcast series.
• IMS LuxembourgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxembourg sustainability network coordinating ocean awareness events in landlocked countries, including events with Grand-Duc participation.
• Institut Paul RicardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine research institute partner providing scientific expertise and venue for ocean conservation events.
• VilebrequinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury swimwear brand with ocean sustainability commitment, potentially providing marketing co-branding opportunities.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal environmental giving network providing corporate giving program structure and environmental credibility.
• La Caz'A ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm production company (© La Caz'A Productions) for documentary content including underwater photography series.
• French Government (Gouvernement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner including Ministry of the Sea, Ministry of Overseas Territories, Ministry of Ecological Transition, and regional governments supporting ocean initiatives.
• OFB (Office Français de la Biodiversité)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Biodiversity Office supporting marine conservation projects and regulatory coordination.
• Region SudminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur supporting local ocean initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• OceanX: OceanX is a nonprofit ocean exploration organization combining high-end media production, scientific research, and educational outreach via deep-sea expeditions. Comparable in its media-tech-enabled exploration and education model, especially the emphasis on broadcasting-grade documentary content.
• SeaLegacy: SeaLegacy is a nonprofit ocean conservation organization co-founded by photographer Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen, using professional photography and filmmaking to drive ocean protection. Directly comparable to 1 OCEAN's photographer-led, media-driven conservation approach with global expedition and exhibition activities.
• Mission Blue: Mission Blue, founded by Dr. Sylvia Earle, is a US-based nonprofit focused on marine protected areas (Hope Spots) with scientist-led expeditions and public engagement. Comparable in its founder-led, expedition-and-awareness model of ocean conservation, with global reach and corporate partnerships.
• Pure Ocean: Pure Ocean is a European nonprofit fund dedicated to supporting marine conservation research and projects, with corporate and individual donor programs. Comparable as a French/European ocean conservation nonprofit leveraging scientific partnerships and corporate philanthropy for impact.
• The Ocean Agency: The Ocean Agency is an international nonprofit using creative communications, photography, and technology to accelerate ocean conservation. Strongly comparable to 1 OCEAN's aesthetic and media-driven approach to reef protection and marine awareness, with similar gallery/exhibition outputs.
• The Cousteau Society: The Cousteau Society is the legacy ocean conservation organization founded by Jacques Cousteau's family, producing documentaries, expeditions, and educational programs. Alexis Rosenfeld previously worked with the Cousteau expeditions, making the Cousteau Society an extremely close comparable in legacy, mission, and media approach.
• Nausicaá: Nausicaá is a major French marine conservation aquarium and education center in Boulogne-sur-Mer, hosting exhibitions and Ocean Month events. Directly comparable as a French marine conservation and public education organization; 1 OCEAN is already a partner, but the institutional model is highly similar.
• Surfrider Foundation Europe: Surfrider Foundation Europe is a major ocean protection nonprofit with active community-led campaigns, donations, and corporate partnerships across France. Comparable in fundraising model, corporate engagement, and donor mobilization for ocean advocacy, though focused more on pollution/lobbying than photography.

Regional players

• Andromède Océanologie: Andromède Océanologie is a French marine research and conservation organization based in the Mediterranean, conducting scientific dives and biodiversity monitoring. Comparable in French marine research and underwater documentation activities, though with a more scientific/commercial focus than awareness.

Broad incumbents

• WWF France (Oceans Programme): WWF France runs a major ocean conservation program with corporate partnerships, donations, and institutional lobbying. Comparable as a French ocean conservation nonprofit with similar funding mechanisms, but operates at a much larger scale and broader conservation agenda than 1 OCEAN's photography/expedition focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alexisrosenfeld
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@1ocean-alexisrosenfeld263
• Facebookfacebook.com/fondation1ocean
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1-ocean
• Instagraminstagram.com/mission.1ocean

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Mission 1 OCEAN