UNDER THE POLE
Under The Pole is a French nonprofit ocean exploration organization conducting deep-sea scientific diving expeditions, training professional divers, and advocating for mesophotic zone protection globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersConcarneau, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
UNDER THE POLE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNDER THE POLE
- Legal name
- WHY EXPEDITIONS
- Website
- https://underthepole.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Under The Pole is a French nonprofit ocean exploration organization conducting deep-sea scientific diving expeditions, training professional divers, and advocating for mesophotic zone protection globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNDER THE POLE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation & Scientific Diving Services
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA), Dive & Snorkel Guides / Dive Masters (Boat-Based & Shore-Based) (THAAALAC)
Keywords
Where UNDER THE POLE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Concarneau
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
UNDER THE POLE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Diving School and Training Services: Revenue from professional and recreational diving training programs including CCR certifications, professional hyperbaric training (CAH Classes 0-3), and specialized diving courses.
- Explorer Program: Adventure tourism program allowing ocean enthusiasts to join Under The Pole expeditions and participate in scientific diving missions.
- Donations and Sponsorship: Support from corporate sponsors (Rolex, Brittany Region, Peugeot) and individual donors. The organization is certified 1% for the Planet, dedicating a portion of donations to ocean protection.
- Educational Services: Revenue from educational outreach programs, school interventions, the Pedagogical Caravan mobile exhibition, and educational resource sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CCR Diluant Air 0-40m Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CCR Diluant Trimix Air 0-60m Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CCR Diluant Trimix Hypoxique Air 0-100m Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Nitrox Elementary Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Nitrox Confirmed Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DPV Propulseur Underwater Training |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dry Suit Training |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Classe 0 Mention B (Professional to 12m) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Classe 1 Mention B (Professional to 30m) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Classe 2 Mention B (Professional to 50m) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Classe 3 Mention B (Professional beyond 50m) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CAH Recycling Mention B |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Hyperbaric Prevention Advisor (CPH) Training |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
UNDER THE POLE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Under The Pole is a nonprofit ocean exploration organization that conducts deep-sea scientific diving expeditions in the mesophotic zone (30-200m) to study and protect marine animal forests. It sells a portfolio of interrelated offerings: technical and professional diving certifications (CCR, Nitrox, hyperbaric CAH Classes 0-3) at its Concarneau school, the Explorer adventure program for enthusiasts to join expeditions, scientific research collaborations under the DEEPLIFE program with CNRS, educational outreach through the Caravane Pédagogique and downloadable classroom resources, and the Empreinte Océan public awareness tool.
Product overview
Under The Pole is an ocean exploration and conservation organization founded in 2008 by Emmanuelle and Ghislain Périé-Bardout. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected products and programs centered around deep-sea scientific diving expeditions. Core offerings include the WHY sailing vessel and DEEPSEA support boat as mobile research platforms, the DEEPLIFE (2021-2030) and DEEPHOPE (2017-2021) scientific research programs studying marine animal forests in the mesophotic zone (30-200m depth), and The Capsule underwater habitat for saturation diving. Supporting offerings include the Explorer Program for adventure divers, a Diving School offering CCR and professional hyperbaric training, the Empreinte Océan ocean footprint awareness tool, Educational Resources including the Cap sur l'Antarctique project, and the Caravane Pédagogique mobile educational unit. The organization operates from Concarneau, France, and collaborates with CNRS, international scientific consortia, and is recognized as an official project of the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DEEPLIFE: Research and exploration program led by Under The Pole in collaboration with CNRS and international scientific consortium, focusing on marine animal forests in the mesophotic zone (30-200m). Recognized as official project of UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
- DEEPHOPE
- WHY
- DEEPSEA
- The Capsule
- Explorer Program
- Under The Pole Diving School
Products and services
- Under The Pole Diving School (École de Plongée)
Quantifiable outcome
- 450 km² of coralligenous habitats protected in Greece through advocacy
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use UNDER THE POLE
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
UNDER THE POLE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
UNDER THE POLE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, main and minor.
- Camille ÉtiennecoreEnvironmental activist collaborating on advocacy campaigns including Fourni protection and Domain 1 Marine Protected Area campaign.
- RolexcoreMain partner and long-time supporter contributing to funding expeditions and amplifying Under The Pole's mission and impact in ocean conservation.
- Brittany RegioncoreRegional government partner providing support for expeditions and helping bring actions to life in the Finistère region.
- PeugeotmainMain partner supporting Under The Pole expeditions and activities.
- IUCNcoreInstitutional partner working with Under The Pole on mesophotic zone conservation advocacy and policy initiatives.
- CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research)corePrimary scientific collaborator leading the DEEPLIFE program. CNRS researcher Lorenzo Bramanti serves as Scientific Director of the program.
- Malizia Explorer / Team Malizia / Boris HerrmanncoreCollaboration on Antarctic expeditions, sharing research sailing vessel support, expertise, and coordinating efforts between explorers, divers, scientists, and activists.
- Archipelagos NGOcoreCollaboration led to successful protection of 450km² of coralligenous habitats in Fourni, Greece through joint advocacy and community work.
- Highfield BoatsminorProvides Patrol 660 rigid-hull inflatable boat customized for organizing and securing diving activities.
- CIP GlénanminorPartnership for diving certifications and training programs offered at Under The Pole diving school.
- SuexminorProvides underwater propulsion vehicles (DPV/scooters) used on all expeditions for over 10 years.
- FrisquetminorOfficial partner contributing to Under The Pole activities.
- Grizzly LabsminorOfficial partner providing technology solutions.
- CRIOBEcoreResearch partner specializing in coral reef ecosystems, collaborating on DEEPHOPE program (2017-2021) and ongoing research.
- EcolifeminorCollaboration to develop the Ocean Footprint calculator tool for estimating lifestyle impact on oceans.
- bioMérieuxminorCorporate sponsor supporting Under The Pole expeditions.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
UNDER THE POLE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OceanX: Ocean exploration organization combining deep-sea research, media production, and public engagement through vessel-based missions. Comparable in using advanced marine technology and storytelling for science and conservation, with a stronger media production and broadcast footprint.
- Tara Ocean Foundation: French nonprofit foundation operating a sailing schooner for global scientific ocean expeditions, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable in mission, vessel-based operational model, and French nonprofit structure, with a similar mix of scientific research, public engagement, and policy advocacy.
- Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance: Nonprofit ocean conservation organization focused on establishing a global network of marine protected areas (Hope Spots) and advocacy. Directly comparable in conservation advocacy, UN/IUCN engagement, and scientific expeditions to advance marine protection policy.
Broad incumbents
- Oceana: Largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization focused on policy and fisheries management. Comparable in advocacy-driven conservation outcomes and international policy engagement, with a much larger global staff and advocacy-driven (rather than expedition-driven) model.
- SSI (Scuba Schools International): Major global dive training and certification agency offering recreational, technical, and professional diving education. Comparable in delivering CCR and technical diving certifications, with a much broader geographic footprint and digital training infrastructure.
- The Cousteau Society: Historic ocean exploration and conservation organization founded by Jacques Cousteau, focused on research, education, and advocacy. Comparable in mission, vessel-based expeditions, and educational programming, with significantly stronger brand recognition dating to the 1960s-70s.
- National Geographic Pristine Seas: Largest private ocean exploration and conservation initiative, conducting scientific expeditions to document and protect marine areas. Comparable in combining scientific exploration, media storytelling, and policy advocacy, with vastly greater funding and broadcast reach.
- PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): The world's largest recreational diving certification organization, offering entry-level through professional dive training globally. Comparable in diving certification curriculum and CCR training programs, though operating at vastly greater scale and commercial scope than Under The Pole.
Emerging players
- Schmidt Ocean Institute: Private operating foundation advancing ocean research through advanced vessel-based expeditions and ROV technology. Comparable in enabling deep-sea scientific research and open data, though operating at much larger scale with ROV-based rather than human diving-based exploration.
- Reef-World Foundation: International marine conservation NGO focused on coral reef sustainability and dive industry engagement. Comparable in combining dive community engagement with conservation policy and education, with a narrower focus on shallow reef ecosystems rather than mesophotic zones.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UNDER THE POLE social profiles
Digital presenceUNDER THE POLE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNDER THE POLE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
UNDER THE POLE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNDER THE POLE 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 UNDER THE POLE
What does UNDER THE POLE do?
Under The Pole is a nonprofit ocean exploration organization that conducts deep-sea scientific diving expeditions in the mesophotic zone (30-200m) to study and protect marine animal forests. It sells a portfolio of interrelated offerings: technical and professional diving certifications (CCR, Nitrox, hyperbaric CAH Classes 0-3) at its Concarneau school, the Explorer adventure program for enthusiasts to join expeditions, scientific research collaborations under the DEEPLIFE program with CNRS, educational outreach through the Caravane Pédagogique and downloadable classroom resources, and the Empreinte Océan public awareness tool.
Is UNDER THE POLE a public or private company?
UNDER THE POLE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was UNDER THE POLE founded?
UNDER THE POLE was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is UNDER THE POLE based?
UNDER THE POLE is headquartered in Concarneau, France, in the Europe region.
How does UNDER THE POLE make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Diving School and Training Services are the primary driver. The others are explorer Program, donations and Sponsorship and educational Services.
Who are UNDER THE POLE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OceanX, Tara Ocean Foundation and Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance. Broad incumbents are Oceana, SSI (Scuba Schools International), The Cousteau Society, National Geographic Pristine Seas and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). Emerging players are Schmidt Ocean Institute and Reef-World Foundation.
Does UNDER THE POLE have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNDER THE POLE.
What industry is UNDER THE POLE in?
UNDER THE POLE's product category is Marine Conservation & Scientific Diving Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAKAD, Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives), with a secondary code of THAAAIAA, Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications). Its SIC code is 8200.