What Thrive Conservation does

Thrive Conservation is a women-led non-profit organization founded in 2020, operating through two legally distinct entities: Thrive Conservation (USA), a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit, and Yayasan Cakrawala Nusantara Lestari, the Indonesian implementing arm. Headquartered in Badung, Bali, with field operations on Rote Island and Raja Ampat, the organization's mission is to address overlooked conservation gaps across Indonesia by employing and training emerging Indonesian conservationists to lead frontline projects. Revenue is generated through individual donations collected via the Donorbox online platform, corporate sponsorship, and strategic partnership funding (notably with Aqua Expeditions).

The organization runs a portfolio of core conservation programs: the Indonesian Manta Project (founded 2010, the Indonesian affiliate of the Manta Trust) conducting manta ray research; the Rote Project (launched 2021) integrating marine science, education, and community development; the StAR Project implementing the world's first elasmobranch repopulation through conservation translocation under the ReShark coalition; the Savu Sea Marine Biodiversity Rapid Assessment; and the Broken Wings campaign addressing wild bird trade. Underlying technical capabilities include SCUBA-based elasmobranch surveys, satellite and acoustic tagging, photo-identification databases (over 2,000 reef mantas catalogued in Raja Ampat, 30+ oceanic mantas around Rote), RFID tagging for shark tracking, and marine biodiversity assessment methodologies.

Thrive Conservation serves coastal communities in Rote Ndao, Indonesian youth and students, traditional fishing communities transitioning away from unsustainable practices, and the broader Indonesian conservation sector. Distribution is delivered through direct field programs, educational workshops in primary schools, community livelihood initiatives (seaweed farming, mangrove restoration, kitchen gardens), and partnerships with universities (UKAW, UGM), MPA authorities, and international conservation coalitions (Manta Trust, ReShark, IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group, Conservation International). Notable measurable outcomes include a 91.7% reduction in targeted manta fishing in Lamakera (2015-2018), the 2024 IUCN ISRA designation of Heliana Island, and 17 elasmobranch species recorded in Savu Sea surveys.

Name

Thrive Conservation

Legal name

Thrive Conservation

Website

https://thriveconservation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thrive Conservation is a women-led non-profit (founded 2020) operating in Indonesia through dual US and Indonesian entities, empowering emerging Indonesian conservationists to lead frontline marine and wildlife conservation projects including manta ray research, zebra shark repopulation, and community-based conservation in Rote and Raja Ampat.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

Keywords

• Marine conservation services
• Elasmobranch research
• Community-based conservation
• Wildlife monitoring programs
• Habitat restoration projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Rote Island

HQ country

Indonesia

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and corporate donations received through online donation platform (Donorbox) to support frontline conservation work in Indonesia
2. Partnership Funding: Funding from partnerships with organizations such as Aqua Expeditions to support manta ray research and conservation programs and scholarship initiatives

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Thrive Conservation delivers frontline marine conservation field programs across Indonesia, empowering local Indonesian conservationists to lead projects focused on manta ray conservation, zebra shark repopulation, marine biodiversity assessment, and bird conservation. Core activities include scientific research (underwater surveys, photo identification, tagging), community-based conservation education in primary schools, and alternative livelihood initiatives such as seaweed farming and mangrove restoration. The organization operates through two entities: Thrive Conservation (USA, 501(c)(3)) for international outreach and fundraising, and Yayasan Cakrawala Nusantara Lestari (Indonesia) for on-the-ground implementation.

Product overview

Thrive Conservation is a women-led not-for-profit organization founded in 2020, operating through two entities (Yayasan Cakrawala Nusantara Lestari in Indonesia and Thrive Conservation USA) focused on empowering Indonesian conservationists to address overlooked environmental issues. The organization manages a portfolio of conservation projects including the Indonesian Manta Project (founding initiative), Rote Project (marine conservation with science, education, and community development pillars), Savu Sea Marine Biodiversity Rapid Assessment, and the StAR Project (zebra shark repopulation). Additionally, it runs the Broken Wings Campaign for bird conservation, and various community livelihood programs including seaweed farming, mangrove restoration, and kitchen garden initiatives. The organization does not offer a software product but provides frontline conservation programs delivered by Indonesian conservationists in partnership with communities, universities, and international conservation organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Indonesian Manta Project (IMP): The founding initiative of Thrive Conservation, established in 2010, leading manta ray conservation throughout Indonesia. It is the Indonesian affiliate of the Manta Trust.
• Rote Project
• StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery Project)
• Savu Sea Marine Biodiversity Rapid Assessment
• Broken Wings Campaign

Products and services

• Indonesian Manta Project The founding initiative of Thrive Conservation, established in 2010, dedicated to manta ray conservation throughout Indonesia through scientific research, community engagement, and advocacy, operating as the Indonesian affiliate of the Manta Trust.
• Rote Project A marine conservation initiative focused on Rote Island, launched in 2021, incorporating science, education, and community development to achieve a 'Resilient Rote' through empowering local conservationists.
• StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery) World's first elasmobranch repopulation project implementing conservation translocation of zebra sharks, operating under ReShark coalition in Raja Ampat, involving egg collection from aquariums, nursery rearing, and release into designated marine areas.
• Savu Sea Marine Biodiversity Rapid Assessment Expedition project exploring the southern boundary of the Savu Sea region, focusing on elasmobranch surveys, reef fish abundance monitoring, and critical habitat assessment in remote marine areas.
• Broken Wings Campaign International campaign to reduce wild bird capture across Indonesia, combining demand reduction strategies with birdwatching ecotourism development in Bali to provide alternative livelihoods.
• Rote Marine Conservation Education Program Interactive extracurricular classes on marine conservation delivered at six primary schools around West Rote and Landu Island, inspiring youth and fostering ocean awareness.
• Seaweed Farming (Anaconda) Initiative Community livelihood program introducing innovative 'Anaconda' seaweed farming technique developed with Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana to improve seaweed quality and farmer income.
• Mangrove Restoration Program Coastal ecosystem restoration initiative conducted with English Club community groups, involving seedling cultivation and planting at coastal areas.
• Kitchen Garden (Kebun Sayur) Program Household-scale vegetable gardening initiative to support food sovereignty in remote communities like Lohaen village.
• Community Beach Clean-Up Program Marine pollution mitigation initiative engaging local communities in coastal cleanup activities, waste categorization, and environmental education.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91.7% reduction in targeted manta fishing in Lamakera between 2015-2018
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aqua ExpeditionscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to safeguard Indonesia's marine biodiversity through research and conservation of manta rays. Supports manta ray ecology research in Raja Ampat and the upcoming Indonesian Emerging Conservationist Scholarship Programme.
• Manta TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrive Conservation is the Indonesian affiliate of Manta Trust, a globally-renowned charity aiming to unify manta scientists and conservationists worldwide. The partnership advances manta ray conservation through local and international collaboration.
• ReSharkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStAR Project implemented under ReShark, a global coalition working to recover threatened shark and ray populations. Thrive Conservation leads the world's first elasmobranch repopulation project through this partnership.
• Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana (UKAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since May 2024 to trial innovative 'Anaconda' seaweed farming technique in Rote. Scientists and professors from UKAW's Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science developed the technique for exposed remote regions.
• IUCN SSC Shark Specialist GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed proposal for Heliana Island ISRA designation through ISRA project introduced by IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group to identify critical habitat for sharks, rays, and chimaeras.
• Konservasi IndonesiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMochamad Iqbal Herwata from Konservasi Indonesia contributed to Heliana Island ISRA designation proposal.
• Conservation InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Mark Erdmann from Conservation International contributed to Heliana Island ISRA designation proposal.
• Public Aquariums (StAR Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering public aquariums lay genetically-appropriate zebra shark eggs for the StAR Project. Eggs are shipped to specialized nurseries in Raja Ampat for hatching and rearing.
• Teacher Working Group (KKG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Rote Malole Education Festival 2025 alongside Department of Education, Youth, and Sports.
• Bantu Guru Belajar Lagi (BGBL) FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Rote Malole Education Festival 2025 for educational outreach.
• Paul Hilton PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborated on Broken Wings campaign short film documenting Southeast Asia wild bird trade.
• StudioBirthplaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative partner for Broken Wings campaign short film production.
• WaterBear NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDistribution partner for sharing Broken Wings campaign content and short film.
• Universal MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic industry partner collaborating on Broken Wings campaign short music film.
• Ludovico EinaudiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRenowned composer who created music for Broken Wings campaign short film.
• Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents from UGM KKN program supported mangrove restoration activities at Fimok, Bo'a.
• Dinas Perumahan, Kawasan Pemukiman dan Lingkungan Hidup (PKPLH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRote Ndao Regency government department that supported transportation and responsible disposal of collected beach waste.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Blue Ventures: International marine conservation NGO specializing in community-based coastal management, fisheries reform, and marine protected areas in tropical coastal communities. Directly comparable operating model combining science, education, and alternative livelihoods in remote geographies.
• Manta Trust: Global charity dedicated to manta ray research and conservation; Thrive's Indonesian Manta Project is its Indonesian affiliate. They share focus species, scientific methodology, and a unified advocacy posture.
• ReShark: Global coalition recovering threatened shark and ray populations; Thrive leads the StAR Project under ReShark. They share the zebra shark translocation methodology and conservation translocation goals.
• Konservasi Indonesia: Indonesian marine conservation foundation working on MPAs, species protection, and coastal community resilience. Thrive collaborates with Konservasi Indonesia scientists on ISRA designations and operates in overlapping Indonesian geographies.
• Coral Triangle Center: Regional marine conservation NGO based in Bali focused on MPA management, climate resilience, and capacity building across Indonesia and the Coral Triangle — overlapping geography, target ecosystems, and stakeholder base with Thrive.

Broad incumbents

• WWF Indonesia: Large incumbent marine and terrestrial conservation organization operating across Indonesia with advocacy, policy, and field programs. Overlaps on shark/ray protection and community livelihoods, but at much broader scale and geographic scope.
• Fauna & Flora International: International conservation NGO with established marine and species recovery programs across Southeast Asia. Comparable in mission (species conservation, capacity building) but operates with significantly larger budgets and broader geographic scope.
• Conservation International Indonesia: Global conservation organization with marine and biodiversity programs in Indonesia; Thrive collaborates with CI scientists (Dr. Mark Erdmann) on ISRA designation. Larger portfolio and brand reach, but Thrive operates deeper at the community-implementation layer.

Emerging players

• Rare: Conservation organization running community-based behavior change campaigns for fisheries and marine resource management globally. Comparable theory of change to Thrive's community education and alternative livelihood approach, particularly relevant to the Broken Wings campaign methodology.
• WildAid: Wildlife protection organization focused on demand reduction campaigns for marine and terrestrial species, using celebrity-led media. Comparable to Thrive's Broken Wings campaign strategy but operates at a larger media scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThriveConserv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ThriveConservation
• Facebookfacebook.com/thriveconservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thrive-conservation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thriveconservation
• TikToktiktok.com/@thriveconservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Thrive Conservation