Oceanswell
Oceanswell is Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education non-profit, conducting long-term cetacean research via photo-identification since 2008. It educates students and the public through field courses, citizen science tools, and publications, funded by grants and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersColombo, Sri Lanka
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Oceanswell does
Oceanswell is Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education organization, established in 2008 by Dr. Asha de Vos and operating from Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a small team of approximately eight staff and board members. Its mission centers on three pillars: long-term cetacean and marine mammal research, science communication, and capacity building for the next generation of marine scientists, with primary audiences including Sri Lankan university students, the general public, youth aged 15 and below, and government agencies involved in marine policy. Its flagship initiative, the Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project launched in 2008, is the longest-running study on blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean.
The organization's core research technology is photo-identification (photo-ID) methodology, supplemented by Baited Remote Underwater Video systems (BRUVs) for marine biodiversity assessment. Oceanswell maintains photo-ID databases on key marine mammal species in Sri Lankan waters dating back to 2008, which have supported identification of the oldest known blue whale in the Northern Indian Ocean (a 27-year longevity record). Public-facing outputs include 40+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, the 10-part Ocean Creature Feature and 9-episode Tiny Desk Adventures video series (both selected for the UNESCO Green Citizens initiative), the Ocean Hero Reels youth series, downloadable educational resources, and citizen science tools including a Nurdle Tracker and a Strandings Survey built on ArcGIS StoryMaps.
Oceanswell is a non-profit funded entirely through donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and institutional partners, with no commercial revenue streams or pricing tiers. Named funders and partners include Bertarelli Foundation, New England Aquarium's Marine Conservation Action Fund, Pew Charitable Trusts, Schmidt Ocean Institute, National Geographic, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Zoological Society of London, and an international network of universities (Western Australia, Exeter, Tasmania, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, NOVA University Lisbon). Distribution and engagement occur through community-led programs — including monthly Marine Conservation Conversations, the Ocean Hero Huddle, and annual Marine Conservation Field Courses — alongside a global social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Oceanswell firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oceanswell
- Legal name
- Oceanswell
- Website
- https://oceanswell.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Oceanswell is Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education non-profit, conducting long-term cetacean research via photo-identification since 2008. It educates students and the public through field courses, citizen science tools, and publications, funded by grants and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oceanswell industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Research and Education
- NAICS
- Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- 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
Where Oceanswell is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colombo
- HQ country
- Sri Lanka
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oceanswell business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Oceanswell operates as a nonprofit that conducts marine conservation research and education. All work is funded through grants and donations from individuals and organizations. The organization accepts donations via their website and encourages contributions of any amount.
- Volunteer Database: Oceanswell maintains a volunteer database for individuals interested in contributing to marine conservation efforts. Volunteers can participate in data collection, beach monitoring, and other field activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Donation-based support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Oceanswell product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oceanswell is Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education non-profit, conducting long-term research on marine mammals (with a flagship Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project established in 2008) and delivering education outreach programs, citizen science tools, scientific publications, and educational media content. The organization operates through donations and grants, providing free public programming including field courses, monthly conversations, youth engagement, downloadable resources, and interactive mapping tools for tracking nurdle pollution and marine strandings.
Product overview
Oceanswell is Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education organization offering a portfolio of research projects, educational programs, citizen science tools, and media content. The organization operates through three main pillars: Education Outreach Programs (including workshops, field courses, and monthly conversations), Conservation Research Projects (with the Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project as flagship), and media/publication series. Key offerings include the 10-part Ocean Creature Feature video series, 9-episode Tiny Desk Adventures video series with Q&A, 4-episode Ocean Hero Reels by youth, comprehensive MV X-Press Pearl disaster resources, downloadable educational materials, and citizen science tools for tracking nurdles and marine strandings. The organization also produces scientific publications and reports including the 2024 Swim-with-Whales Impact Report.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project Long-term research initiative on the unique, non-migratory blue whale population in Sri Lankan waters, established in 2008 as the flagship project of Oceanswell. Focuses on conservation threats such as ship-strike and unravelling the unique traits of Northern Indian Ocean blue whales.
- Sri Lankan Marine Mammal Photo-identification Database Photo-identification database maintained on all key species of marine mammals, dating back to 2008, enabling assessment of population size, demographics, and changes at population level. Has identified the oldest known blue whale in the Northern Indian Ocean ('Whalentine') and new species in Sri Lankan waters.
- Education Outreach Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Established 2008 - longest-running blue whale project in Northern Indian Ocean
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Oceanswell
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Oceanswell technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Oceanswell partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- National GeographicmajorNational Geographic is listed as a donor supporter of Oceanswell. Dr. Asha de Vos is a National Geographic Explorer, providing visibility and credibility to the organization's marine conservation work.
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)majorCollaboration with Dr. Chris Reddy at WHOI on M/V X-Press Pearl disaster research. Joint publication on burnt plastic and nurdle spill impacts. Scientific collaboration on environmental pollution research.
- University of ExetermajorAcademic research collaboration with the University of Exeter on illegal shark fisheries research, particularly understanding persistent non-compliance in marine protected areas.
- Zoological Society of London (ZSL)majorCollaboration on social drivers for illegal shark fisheries project. Multi-institutional research partnership advancing understanding of illegal fishing in the British Indian Ocean Territory.
- NOVA University LisbonmajorAcademic partnership for MPhil student Lasuni Gule Godage's research on human dimensions of illegal fishing. Collaborative supervision arrangement.
- Ocean University of Sri LankacoreLocal academic partner for marine research. Students from Ocean University participate in Oceanswell programs and research projects.
- University of Western AustraliamajorResearch collaboration with Prof. Charitha Pattiaratchi on Mount Lavinia beach variability and oceanographic research. Dr. Asha de Vos serves as Adjunct Research Fellow.
- University of TasmaniamajorCollaboration with Dr. Jacquomo Monk on MV Thermopylae Sierra shipwreck biodiversity assessment using BRUV systems.
- Sri Lanka Sub-aqua ClubcoreCollaboration on MV Thermopylae Sierra shipwreck preservation campaign. Joint effort to 'save the Thermopylae Sierra shipwreck from salvage'.
- Arabian Sea Whale NetworkminorRegional network partnership for cetacean research and conservation in the Arabian Sea region.
- Dominica Sperm Whale ProjectminorResearch partnership for cetacean conservation knowledge sharing and best practices.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Oceanswell competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC): Global cetacean-focused charity funding research, advocacy, and education. Comparable as a cetacean-dedicated nonprofit combining field research with policy advocacy and public engagement programming.
- Pacific Whale Foundation: Marine nonprofit conducting cetacean research, education, and conservation in the Pacific. Comparable structure combining research, education outreach, citizen science, and ecotourism engagement similar to Oceanswell.
- Blue Marine Foundation: Marine conservation charity funding marine protected areas, research, and policy reform. Comparable as a relatively small, focused marine conservation nonprofit working through partnerships with researchers and governments.
- Sea Watch Foundation: UK cetacean monitoring nonprofit combining citizen science sighting schemes, research, and education. Highly comparable operating model: small team, photo-ID and citizen science data collection, education outreach.
- Center for Whale Research: Independent nonprofit cetacean research organization focused on long-term population studies of the Southern Resident killer whales. Highly comparable as a small-team, founder-driven cetacean photo-ID and longitudinal research nonprofit.
- Arabian Sea Whale Network: Regional cetacean research and conservation network spanning the Arabian Sea, including India and Sri Lanka. Listed as Oceanswell's partner; highly comparable in mission to advance cetacean science in the Northern Indian Ocean through collaborative research.
Broad incumbents
- Ocean Conservancy: Large US-based marine conservation nonprofit working on policy, plastic pollution, and ocean health. Comparable space but much larger scale, broader mandate, and more diversified funding than Oceanswell.
- International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Global animal welfare and conservation organization with marine programs including cetacean protection. Comparable in engaging in cetacean and marine policy work but operates at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Fauna & Flora International (FFI): International conservation NGO with marine and species programs including cetaceans. Comparable as a grant-giving and project-implementing conservation nonprofit, but operates globally across many taxa and ecosystems.
Regional players
- WILDOCEANS: South Africa-based marine conservation program of the WildTrust focused on the Western Indian Ocean. Comparable in geographic adjacency (Indian Ocean) and focus on regional marine conservation and fisheries, but operates in African rather than South Asian waters.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Oceanswell social profiles
Digital presenceOceanswell financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oceanswell leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Oceanswell funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oceanswell M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Oceanswell
What does Oceanswell do?
Oceanswell is Sri Lanka's first marine conservation research and education non-profit, conducting long-term research on marine mammals (with a flagship Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project established in 2008) and delivering education outreach programs, citizen science tools, scientific publications, and educational media content. The organization operates through donations and grants, providing free public programming including field courses, monthly conversations, youth engagement, downloadable resources, and interactive mapping tools for tracking nurdle pollution and marine strandings.
Is Oceanswell a public or private company?
Oceanswell is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Oceanswell founded?
Oceanswell was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Oceanswell based?
Oceanswell is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in the Asia region.
How does Oceanswell make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are volunteer Database.
Who are Oceanswell's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Pacific Whale Foundation, Blue Marine Foundation, Sea Watch Foundation, Center for Whale Research and Arabian Sea Whale Network. Broad incumbents are Ocean Conservancy, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). WILDOCEANS is listed as a regional player.
Does Oceanswell have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oceanswell.
What industry is Oceanswell in?
Oceanswell's product category is Marine Conservation Research and Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 92412 and its SIC code is 8731.