Reef Renewal Curacao

What Reef Renewal Curacao does

Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao (RRFC), formerly Coral Restoration Curaçao, is a Curaçao-based non-governmental non-profit organization founded in 2015 by Ocean Encounters Diving Curaçao to restore degraded Caribbean coral reefs. The organization operates underwater coral nurseries that grow Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) corals before outplanting them onto Curaçao's reefs; infrastructure has expanded from 20 nursery trees at founding to 40 trees, with cumulative outplantings exceeding 15,000 corals. Its core methodology derives from technical knowledge transferred by Ken Nedimyer of the Coral Restoration Foundation and inspired by Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, with permits secured through CARMABI and the Curaçao government in June 2015.

The organization generates revenue and engagement through three streams: (1) donations and an Adoption Program allowing symbolic adoption of individual corals, nursery trees, or thickets; (2) a PADI Reef Renewal Diver Distinctive Specialty certification course plus Discover Reef Renewal Dive guided experiences delivered through a network of dive shop partners; and (3) a volunteer dive program plus a Wish List of in-kind equipment contributions. RRFC is designated as an ANBI by the Dutch Tax Administration (RSIN 8282.88.422), is registered with the Curaçao Chambers of Commerce (number 135866), and operates as a network member of Reef Renewal Foundation International, a US 501(c)(3) parent organization. Day-to-day operations are led by Manager Tripp Funderburk, supported by a staff of 6 based in Willemstad, Curaçao.

Name

Reef Renewal Curacao

Legal name

Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao

Website

https://reefrenewalcuracao.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao is a Willemstad-based non-profit NGO, founded in 2015, that runs underwater coral nurseries to restore Curaçao's Staghorn and Elkhorn coral reefs, serving divers, donors, and conservation supporters through volunteer programs, PADI training courses, and an Adoption donation program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Other Aquaculture (112519)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA), Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM)

Keywords

• Coral reef restoration
• Marine conservation
• Coral nurseries
• Underwater restoration
• Ocean conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Willemstad

HQ country

Curaçao

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Adoption Program: Revenue is generated through direct donations and the Adoption Program where individuals can adopt corals, nursery trees, or thickets to directly fund restoration efforts. The organization is a non-profit with ANBI status designated by the Dutch Tax Administration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao grows Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) corals in underwater nurseries and outplants them onto Curaçao's damaged reefs. The foundation supplements its restoration work with PADI Reef Renewal Diver certification courses, Discover Reef Renewal guided dives, a certified-diver volunteer program, and donation-based Adoption and Wish List programs to fund operations.

Product overview

Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao operates a coral reef restoration program centered on underwater coral nurseries where Staghorn and Elkhorn corals are grown and then outplanted to damaged reefs. The organization offers educational programs including PADI certification courses and volunteer opportunities for certified divers, as well as donation-based programs such as coral adoptions and wish list contributions. The portfolio consists of the core nursery and outplanting program, the PADI Reef Renewal Diver Distinctive Specialty training course, Discover Reef Renewal Dive guided experiences, a volunteer program for certified divers, and an adoption program for donors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Coral Nurseries Underwater coral nurseries where Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) corals are grown before being replanted on Curaçao's reefs. The program started with 20 nursery trees in 2015 and has expanded to 40 trees, with over 15,000 corals outplanted.
• PADI Reef Renewal Diver Distinctive Specialty A PADI certification course for certified divers that includes 2 training dives and classroom sessions teaching techniques involved in the reef restoration process, including nursery maintenance, coral outplanting, and restoration site activities.
• Discover Reef Renewal Dive

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 corals outplanted back to Curaçao's reefs
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ocean Encounters Diving CuraçaocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Ocean Encounters Diving Curaçao initiated the establishment of Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao in 2015, after seeing the impact of Coral Restoration Foundation's work and the success of Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire. They continue to support the organization.
• CARMABIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015CARMABI (Curaçao Marine Biological Institute) coordinated with the Curaçao government to help obtain the permit in June 2015 for the reef restoration project.
• Ken Nedimyer (Coral Restoration Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Ken Nedimyer, founder of Coral Restoration Foundation, provided help and knowledge to establish the Curaçao restoration project in 2015, sharing expertise from coral restoration methodologies.
• Reef Renewal Foundation BonairecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015The success of Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire inspired Ocean Encounters Diving Curaçao to bring similar reef restoration work to Curaçao, establishing Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao.
• Curaçao GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015The Curaçao government coordinated with CARMABI to grant the permit in June 2015 allowing for the reef restoration project.
• Dive Shop MemberscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of dive shop centers, resorts, boat operators, and instructors who demonstrate support for Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao. Each serves as an active center of outreach and education for reef restoration, offering Reef Renewal Diver courses and guided dives in the coral nurseries or restoration sites.
• Reef Renewal Foundation InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReef Renewal Foundation Curaçao is a network member of Reef Renewal Foundation International, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that allows for federal tax exemption. RRFI is listed in matching charity programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SECORE International: Nonprofit focused on coral reef restoration through sexual reproduction and larval propagation. Comparable in mission and Caribbean reef restoration scope, though SECORE employs a different (sexual reproduction) methodology versus Curaçao's asexual fragmentation approach.
• Coral Restoration Foundation: Florida-based coral restoration nonprofit that pioneered the Staghorn/Elkhorn nursery methodology used by Reef Renewal Curaçao. Directly comparable in mission, species focus, and community-engagement training programs; founder Ken Nedimyer personally advised the Curaçao organization's launch.
• Reef Renewal Foundation International: Parent/umbrella 501(c)(3) network coordinating Reef Renewal Curaçao, Bonaire, and other regional foundations. Directly comparable as a coordinating conservation nonprofit with identical coral restoration methodology and donor engagement programs.
• Roatan Marine Park: Honduras-based nonprofit running a coral nursery program where RRC's manager previously worked. Comparable in Caribbean Acropora restoration methodology, volunteer dive programs, and community engagement approach.
• Fragments of Hope: Belize-based nonprofit restoring endangered corals using similar nursery and outplanting techniques. Closely comparable in scope, species focus, and Caribbean geography, with community engagement and adoption-style donor programs.
• Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire: Bonaire-based sister organization that inspired the founding of Reef Renewal Curaçao. Operates the same coral nursery and outplanting model for Caribbean Acropora species with similar dive shop, PADI, and volunteer engagement programs.

Others

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): Global diving certification body whose Distinctive Specialty framework enables Reef Renewal Curaçao to offer its PADI Reef Renewal Diver course. Comparable as a partner/enabler in the dive-based community engagement model rather than a direct restoration peer.

Broad incumbents

• Mote Marine Laboratory: US marine research institution running coral restoration programs including the Iconic Reefs initiative. Overlapping in coral restoration science and methodology development, but operates at significantly larger scale and as a research organization rather than volunteer-driven restoration NGO.
• The Nature Conservancy Caribbean Program: Large international conservation organization with active coral reef programs across the Caribbean. Overlapping mission in reef protection and restoration, but operates at much broader scale and portfolio rather than single-island nursery focus.

Regional players

• CARMABI (Curaçao Marine Biological Institute): Curaçao-based marine research institute that coordinated government permits for Reef Renewal Curaçao. Comparable as a Curaçao-focused marine conservation organization, but broader in research scope rather than solely restoration execution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2mJM8GpOVMGjxkf35hVtCg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reef-renewal-curacao

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 Reef Renewal Curacao