Sunflower Star Laboratory

Name

Sunflower Star Laboratory

Legal name

Sunflower Star Laboratory

Website

https://sunflowerstarlab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Other Aquaculture (112519)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Hatchery, Nursery & Seed Production (aquaculture-specific) (AFAEAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae) (AFAEAAAE)

Keywords

• Marine conservation aquaculture
• Endangered species recovery
• Kelp forest restoration
• Sea star rearing
• Wildlife conservation research

Headquarters

HQ city

Moss Landing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID 87-3957769), Sunflower Star Laboratory relies primarily on tax-deductible donations from individual donors, foundations, and conservation-minded community members. The organization moved to a new dedicated space in Moss Landing in January 2024 with community support.
2. Grants and Foundation Funding: Significant grant funding from organizations including The Nature Conservancy ($18M PCOR initiative recommendation), Valhalla Foundation (staffing support), and other conservation foundations. The 2024 operating budget was $112,000; 2025 budget approximately $540,000; 2026 secured funding $1.13M.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, long sleeves), canvas bags, and prints through the Bonfire online store. Fulfills next day with shipping varying by location.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sunflower Star Laboratory operates a conservation aquaculture facility in Moss Landing, California, that grows juvenile sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) from eggs through adulthood using specialized saltwater recirculating systems and microalgae cultures. It coordinates the Pacific Coast sunflower star recovery effort across 8+ institutional partners, develops cryopreservation and eDNA monitoring protocols, and conducts experimental ocean outplanting trials to reintroduce the critically-endangered keystone predator into California kelp forests.

Product overview

Sunflower Star Laboratory is a nonprofit conservation organization that operates a single integrated platform for sunflower star recovery centered around its conservation aquaculture facility in Moss Landing, CA. The core offering consists of growing juvenile sunflower stars using specialized aquaculture systems, conducting outplanting research to restore the species to California waters, and offering cryopreservation services to preserve genetic diversity. Supporting services include volunteer and internship programs, citizen science sighting reporting, educational events and tours, and merchandise sales. The organization does not offer a traditional SaaS product but rather a comprehensive suite of conservation programs designed to recover the critically-endangered sunflower star and restore kelp forest ecosystems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Aquaculture Facility A full-scale conservation aquaculture facility growing juvenile sunflower stars, microalgae, and purple urchins to support the recovery of the critically-endangered sunflower star keystone species. Houses three independent saltwater recirculating systems, a larval rearing area, and an algae culture room.
• Sunflower Star Rearing Program Rearing sunflower stars from eggs through juvenile stages using specialized aquaculture techniques including larval rearing systems, algae cultures, and habitat management at the Moss Landing facility.
• Outplanting and Reintroduction Research Field research and experimental outplanting trials to reintroduce juvenile sunflower stars into California coastal waters to restore kelp forest ecosystems.
• Cryopreservation Services Cryopreservation of sea star larvae to preserve genetic diversity and create a biobank for future conservation efforts, developed in collaboration with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
• Citizen Science Sighting Reporting Platform Public-facing platform for reporting sunflower star sightings in California, Oregon, or Mexico to provide researchers vital data about the critically-endangered species recovery.
• Educational Events and Lab Tours
• Sunflower Star Merchandise Store Branded apparel and merchandise including t-shirts, long sleeves, canvas bags, and prints available via Bonfire platform to support fundraising for conservation efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47 of 48 (98%) juvenile stars survived one-month ocean outplanting study
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Reef Check FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Partner in the 2025 experimental outplanting research project, contributing to monitoring and field research on juvenile sunflower stars in Monterey.
• Monterey Bay AquariummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Collaborated on the 2025 outplanting research project and hosts volunteer special tours at SSL facility. Part of broader marine conservation network.
• Stanford UniversitymajorTechnology or Integration · 11 December 2025Coordinated eDNA sample procurement and will lead sample processing for the 2025 outplanting research study using cutting-edge environmental DNA monitoring.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifecoreOthers · 11 December 2025Provided permits for the 2025 experimental outplanting research project under state wildlife regulations.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2025Partner in developing cryopreservation protocols through their Frozen Zoo program. Contributed to the breakthrough sea star larval cryopreservation research and provided cryopreserved sperm for the 2024 spawning event.
• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2025Co-developed cryopreservation protocols for sea star larvae. Holds cryopreserved sunflower star larvae from multiple partner institutions and co-leads the AZA SAFE Sunflower Sea Star Program.
• Birch Aquarium at ScrippscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2024Hosted the first successful California spawning of sunflower stars on Valentine's Day 2024. Adult sunflower stars were induced with spawning hormones and gametes were collected for cross-fertilization, creating approximately 10 million embryos distributed to partner institutions across California.
• Aquarium of the PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2024Held adult sunflower stars for reproduction and participated in the landmark February 2024 spawning collaboration. Co-leading the AZA SAFE Sunflower Sea Star Program and contributed to larval cryopreservation research.
• California Academy of SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2024Brought spawning induction protocols to the February 2024 collaboration and received embryos for culturing at their San Francisco facility as part of the multi-institution Cupid Cohort distribution.
• Friday Harbor Laboratories / University of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2024Led by Dr. Jason Hodin, FHL has produced consecutive cohorts of sunflower stars since 2019, pioneering early life history research and culture methods that enabled California's first successful spawning. Provides ongoing guidance and expertise.
• The Nature Conservancy (California)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated the Roadmap to Recovery for sunflower stars and recommended to receive $18M over three years for the Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration Initiative (PCOR) to restore degraded marine ecosystems across California including sunflower star recovery.
• Minorities in AquaculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide paid internships at SSL for underrepresented students in aquaculture. Helps coordinate housing for non-local applicants and reimburses transport. Has sponsored multiple interns including Mariana Jimenez and Melissa Andrade.
• NOAA PMEL LabmajorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboratively developed eDNA monitoring tool with NOAA, UC Merced, and SSL to revolutionize detection of elusive or endangered marine species in the wild.
• UC MercedsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaborating partner in eDNA monitoring tool development alongside NOAA PMEL and SSL.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSL participates in the AZA Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Sunflower Sea Star Program, co-led by Aquarium of the Pacific and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, incorporating aquaculture, research, reintroduction, and education objectives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Reef Check Foundation: Marine conservation partner involved in the 2025 experimental outplanting and broader kelp forest monitoring, led by SSL board member Dr. Jan Freiwald. Directly comparable as a community-driven marine conservation nonprofit working on Pacific reef ecosystems.
• Revive & Restore: Conservation genetics nonprofit advancing cryopreservation, biobanking, and genetic rescue for endangered species. Directly comparable to SSL's cryopreservation and restoration efforts on the sunflower star, with overlapping methods and donor base.
• SECORE International: Coral restoration nonprofit using sexual reproduction and aquaculture to recover endangered reef-building corals. Directly comparable as a marine invertebrate conservation aquaculture organization that also relies on aquarium partnerships and reintroduction science.
• Birch Aquarium at Scripps: Hosted the first successful California spawning of sunflower stars on Valentine's Day 2024 and is a core institutional partner. Directly comparable as an aquarium conducting sunflower star breeding, larval rearing, and distribution.
• Minorities in Aquaculture: Diversity-focused aquaculture nonprofit that partners with SSL to provide paid internships for underrepresented students in marine aquaculture. Comparable as a community-driven nonprofit organization operating within and supporting the aquaculture field.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Co-developed the first sea star larval cryopreservation breakthrough through its Frozen Zoo program and contributed cryopreserved sperm for the 2024 spawning. Directly comparable as a conservation organization applying biobanking and cryopreservation to endangered marine species.
• Aquarium of the Pacific: Core AZA SAFE Sunflower Sea Star Program co-leader and partner that held adult sunflower stars for the February 2024 spawning collaboration. Directly comparable as an aquarium-based institution conducting sunflower star conservation aquaculture and cryopreservation research.
• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: Co-leads the AZA SAFE Sunflower Sea Star Program, co-developed cryopreservation protocols, and holds cryopreserved sunflower star larvae. Directly comparable as an AZA-accredited institution running conservation aquaculture and biobanking for the same species.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (California): Recommended SSL for an $18M Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration Initiative award and facilitated the Roadmap to Recovery for sunflower stars. Comparable as a major marine conservation funder/convener working on kelp forest restoration at a broader geographic and programmatic scale.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Large aquarium and marine conservation institution collaborating on SSL's 2025 outplanting and hosting volunteer tours at the SSL facility. Comparable as a broader marine conservation player with kelp forest and sea otter programs overlapping SSL's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sunflowerstarlab
• Instagraminstagram.com/sunflowerstarlab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sunflower-star-laboratory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Sunflower Star Laboratory