Stichting Rugvin / Rugvin Foundation

What Stichting Rugvin / Rugvin Foundation does

Stichting Rugvin is a Dutch non-profit foundation (ANBI-registered) established in February 2007 in Velp, Gelderland, specializing in monitoring, research, and public education on cetaceans — particularly harbor porpoises — in the North Sea and the Oosterschelde. The organization runs systematic ferry-based cetacean surveys in partnership with Stena Line (since 2005) and Holland Norway Lines (since 2022), maintains a long-running photo-identification program (71 adult porpoises individually identified in the Oosterschelde between 2015-2019), and operates Studio Bruinvis, a unique acoustic research installation and public attraction at the harbor head of Zierikzee with a hydrophone buoy in the Oosterschelde. It conducts whale poop research on the ecological role of cetaceans and runs the Whale Poop Ambassadors awareness campaign. The foundation is led by a small core team of 14 staff and approximately 45-50 volunteers, with Frank Zanderink as director since October 2019.

The foundation's revenue model is diversified across donation streams rather than commercial sales. Recurring revenue comes from a symbolic porpoise adoption program at €5 per month (8 named porpoises: Loretta, Mart, Sedna, Stitch, Wendy, Granny.007, Puzzle Birdy, Saddle), donations (one-time, weekly, monthly, or yearly, with designated options for whale poop research, education, photo-identification, and Studio Bruinvis), and merchandise (€27.50 porpoise T-shirts, €30 Whallie de Poo plush, wildlife art by Tamara de Haan with partial proceeds to Rugvin). Project-based revenue is generated through whale courses (one-day and two-day observation and ecology courses), whale safaris on the Oosterschelde, and grants/sponsorship from WWF Netherlands, National Park Oosterschelde, and other environmental funders. The organization is embedded in the European Cetacean Monitoring Coalition, the Atlantic Research Coalition, and the GlobeGuards federation of 23 conservation organizations, and holds ANBI status (tax number 8176.67.167), making donations tax-deductible in the Netherlands. Financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Stichting Rugvin / Rugvin Foundation

Legal name

Stichting Rugvin

Website

https://rugvin.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Rugvin is a Dutch non-profit foundation that monitors and researches cetaceans in the North Sea and Oosterschelde through ferry surveys, photo-identification, and acoustic research, while running adoption programs, courses, and public education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Marine Wildlife & Birding Cruises (dolphins, seals, seabirds) (THAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Cetacean monitoring
• Wildlife education
• Porpoise research
• Citizen science

Headquarters

HQ city

Velp

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Gifts: General donations and periodic gifts from supporters. Stichting Rugvin is recognized by the Dutch Tax Authority as an ANBI (Public Benefit Organization), making donations tax-deductible.
2. Porpoise Adoption Program: Symbolic adoption of individual porpoises (Loretta, Mart, Sedna, Stitch, Wendy, Granny.007, Puzzle Birdy, Saddle) for €5/month, including digital certificates.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of T-shirts (€27.50), Whallie de Poo merchandise (€30.00), and wildlife art by Tamara de Haan with portion of proceeds going to Rugvin.
4. Whale Courses and Excursions: Revenue from educational programs including one-day whale courses, two-day observation and ecology courses, and whale safaris on the Oosterschelde.
5. Grants and Sponsorship: Financial support from organizations including WWF Netherlands, National Park Oosterschelde, and project-based funding from various environmental organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Stichting Rugvin is an independent Dutch non-profit foundation that conducts systematic cetacean (whale, dolphin and harbor porpoise) monitoring in the North Sea and Oosterschelde through ferry-based surveys, photo identification, and acoustic research at Studio Bruinvis. It supplements scientific research with public education by offering whale courses, whale safaris, presentations and lectures, and with fundraising via a symbolic porpoise adoption program (€5/month), merchandise sales and donations.

Product overview

Stichting Rugvin is an independent Dutch non-profit organization focused on monitoring cetaceans in the North Sea and Oosterschelde. The organization offers a symbolic harbor porpoise adoption program where supporters can adopt one of eight identified porpoises for €5/month, receiving a certificate. Educational offerings include one-day and two-day whale observation courses aboard the 'Stoere Eenvoud' vessel, and whale safaris on the Oosterschelde. Research activities encompass photo identification of individual harbor porpoises, ferry-based monitoring from Stena Line and Holland Norway Lines vessels, and whale poop research on the ecological role of cetaceans in ocean fertilization and climate. The foundation operates Studio Bruinvis (acoustic research installation at Zierikzee harbor), maintains the Zeevarken II research vessel, and runs the Whale Poop Ambassadors awareness campaign. Additional offerings include the Sedna Award for young researchers, merchandise (T-shirts, Whallie de Poo, whale art), and the annual Global Whale Count event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Studio Bruinvis: A unique acoustic research installation and public attraction located at the harbor head of Zierikzee, featuring a buoy with hydrophone in the Oosterschelde for monitoring harbor porpoises.
• Whale Poo Ambassadors
• Sedna Award

Products and services

• Harbor Porpoise Adoption Program (Adopteer een bruinvis)
• Whale Courses (Eendaagse walviscursus / Tweedaagse Walviscursus Observatie & Ecologie)
• Whale Safaris (Walvissafari Oosterschelde) and Bruinvis Photosafari
• Photo Identification Research (Foto-ID)
• Ferry Monitoring (Veerboot Monitoring)
• Whale Poop Research (Walvispoeponderzoek)
• Studio Bruinvis
• Whale Poo Ambassadors (De WhalePooAmbassadors)
• Porpoise T-shirt (T-shirt bruinvissen)
• Whallie de Poo merchandise
• Whales and Wildlife Art by Tamara de Haan
• Donations (General and project-designated)
• Global Whale Count / Nationale Walvisteldag
• Presentations and Lectures (Presentaties en lezingen)

Quantifiable outcome

• 71 adult porpoises individually identified in Oosterschelde photo-ID catalog (2015-2019)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GlobeGuardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRugvin is a member of GlobeGuards, a Dutch federation of 23 international nature conservation organizations. The federation connects practical experience across member organizations, facilitates knowledge sharing, and organizes the annual Nature Day fundraising event.
• Stena LinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for marine mammal monitoring from Stena Line ferries Hollandica and Britannica on the Hoek van Holland - Harwich route since 2005. Observers conduct systematic cetacean surveys during ferry crossings.
• World Wildlife Fund Netherlands (WNF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term financial support for Oosterschelde research activities including the first official porpoise count in 2009, photo identification program, and Studio Bruinvis installation.
• National Park OosterscheldecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidy support for ongoing porpoise research in the Oosterschelde and public education about the findings.
• European Cetacean Society (ECS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational society promoting scientific research and protection of marine mammals. Founder Frank Zanderink served on the ECS Council from December 2019 until 2024.
• European Cetacean Monitoring Coalition (ECMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organizations including ORCA and Rugvin coordinating systematic monitoring of cetaceans across European waters. Joint data standardization and analysis.
• Stichting de NoordzeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent nature and environmental organization for sustainable North Sea use. Rugvin operated as a project under Stichting de Noordzee from 2005-2007 before becoming independent.
• De Nieuwe MaenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSailing clipper based in Zierikzee (Oosterschelde) used in partnership with Rugvin as course location and for overnight excursions to observe porpoises.
• SOS DolfijnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization specialized in rehabilitation of stranded cetaceans with the goal of return to sea. Also contributes to education and scientific research.
• Atlantic Research Coalition (ARC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition ensuring standardized data processing and joint monitoring formats for Atlantic marine mammal research.
• ORCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on monitoring and protection of cetaceans. Member of the European Cetacean Monitoring Coalition.
• Whale & Dolphin Conservation (WDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman colleagues supporting Rugvin's whale poop research since 2025, providing international collaboration and expertise.
• RijkswaterstaatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch government agency providing practical support for acoustic research in the Oosterschelde and employment for board member Maxime Weber as ecology advisor.
• Zeeland Environmental Federation (Zeeuwse Milieufederatie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization representing 25 regional nature and environment groups in Zeeland. Rugvin is one of the affiliated organizations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ORCA: UK non-profit focused on cetacean monitoring and protection and a fellow member of the European Cetacean Monitoring Coalition alongside Rugvin. Highly comparable in mission, methodology, and volunteer-driven data collection.
• Sea Watch Foundation: UK-based charity running long-term volunteer-driven cetacean monitoring and photo-identification across European waters. Closely comparable to Rugvin's citizen-science ferry and boat-based monitoring model.
• Stichting De Noordzee: Dutch non-profit for sustainable North Sea use under which Rugvin operated as a project from 2005–2007 before spinning out as an independent foundation. Comparable as a Dutch marine conservation non-profit covering the same waters.
• Stichting Zeehondencrèche Pieterburen: Dutch marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and research center where co-founder Nynke Osinga worked 2005–2014. Highly comparable as a Dutch marine mammal non-profit combining animal welfare, research, and public education.
• Stichting SOS Dolfijn: Dutch non-profit dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of stranded cetaceans, with active education and citizen-science programming. Highly comparable to Rugvin as a small Dutch marine mammal NGO combining rescue/rehabilitation, research, and public outreach.

Broad incumbents

• ARK Natuurontwikkeling: Dutch nature development foundation where Rugvin's director Frank Zanderink previously worked for 16 years. Comparable as a Dutch nature-focused non-profit, though broader in scope (terrestrial and marine) and larger in capacity.
• Zeeuwse Milieufederatie (Zeeland Environmental Federation): Umbrella federation of 25 nature and environment groups in Zeeland, of which Rugvin is a member. Comparable as a Dutch regional environmental non-profit umbrella organization, though broader in scope than cetaceans alone.
• WWF Netherlands (Wereld Natuur Fonds): Major Dutch branch of an international conservation NGO, and a long-term funder of Rugvin's Oosterschelde work. Comparable only insofar as both operate as conservation non-profits in Dutch marine contexts, but WWF is materially larger and broader in mission.
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC): International charity focused on cetacean protection, advocacy, and research, with whom Rugvin already collaborates on the Whale Poop Ambassadors program. Comparable as a cetacean-specialist non-profit, but materially larger and globally scoped.

Emerging players

• Bureau Waardenburg: Dutch ecological consultancy and research bureau conducting applied marine and freshwater ecology including cetacean and porpoise studies. Comparable as a Dutch marine ecological research provider serving similar conservation and government clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkvMudH15A2V7ha_uSWrsDw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rugvin-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Stichting Rugvin / Rugvin Foundation