Women for Sea

What Women for Sea does

Women for Sea is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901, d'int\u00e9r\u00eat g\u00e9ral) founded in 2006 by Nathalie Ille and headquartered in Marseille, France. The association's mission is to empower women through maritime activities and ocean conservation, structured around three operational pillars: FEEL (emotional connection to the sea and community building), LEARN (knowledge sharing and training), and ACT (collective multidisciplinary projects). It serves women engaged with or aspiring to engage in ocean protection, including those in career transitions or launching sea-related initiatives. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including sailing expeditions (SEASTERS, L'Odyss\u00e9e des Possibles), the recurring leadership initiative 'Toutes Cap et Engag\u00e9es' (a 4-day catamaran navigation with collective intelligence workshops), storytelling projects (Les Voix de l'Oc\u00e9an), and an annual community membership.

The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: members are acquired through social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter/X), the website, and word-of-mouth, with onboarding and registration routed through the HelloAsso platform. Revenue is generated via annual membership fees (adh\u00e9sions), per-program registration fees for structured sailing experiences, and corporate sponsorships (EDF, New Alpha). Press relations are handled by the agency Sea to sea. The organization has approximately 20 employees, is governed by a Board of Directors (President: Cristina Tebar Less; Founder/General Director: Nathalie Ille; Board member Marie-Pascale Dutoya), and its activities are aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The association positions itself as the only French non-profit specifically dedicated to women and the sea, with a competitive advantage rooted in a 12-year track record, a curated community of scientists, artists, sailing professionals, and marine conservation experts, and a content-rich project portfolio. There is no proprietary technology platform, AI/ML component, or software product; the technology layer is limited to a website maintained by Agence Ocsite and the HelloAsso membership/registration infrastructure.

Name

Women for Sea

Legal name

WOMEN FOR SEA

Website

https://womenforsea.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Women for Sea is a French non-profit association founded in 2006 in Marseille, empowering women through ocean conservation and maritime activities. It runs sailing expeditions, leadership programs, and storytelling initiatives funded by memberships and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Conservation & Women's Leadership Programs

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing, Catamaran & Day-Cruise Excursions (nature-focused) (THAAAIAG)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation programs
• Women's leadership training
• Sailing expeditions
• Marine biodiversity education
• Nonprofit community membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees (Adhésion): The association generates revenue through annual membership fees collected via the HelloAsso platform. Members ('adhérentes') gain access to community events, navigation programs, and other association activities.
2. Program Registration Fees: Revenue is generated from participant fees for structured programs such as 'Toutes Cap et Engagées' sailing expeditions, where women pay to participate in 4-day navigation experiences with coaching and workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Women for Sea is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) that runs sailing expeditions, leadership programs, and community projects to empower women in ocean conservation. It organizes 4-day catamaran expeditions ('Toutes Cap et Engagées') with collective intelligence workshops, recurring multidisciplinary projects (SEASTERS, L'Odyssée des Possibles, Les Voix de l'Océan), and an annual community membership, all structured around three pillars: FEEL, LEARN, and ACT.

Product overview

Women for Sea is a French association (loi 1901) focused on revealing women's power, amplifying their voices, and providing means to act for ocean protection. The organization operates as a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single product: core offerings include sailing expeditions (SEASTERS, L'Odyssée des Possibles), a dedicated women's leadership program (Toutes Cap et Engagées), storytelling initiatives (Les Voix de l'Océan), and a community membership system. Activities are structured around three pillars: FEEL (emotional connection and community building), LEARN (knowledge sharing and training), and ACT (developing multidisciplinary engaged projects).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEASTERS: Project focused on ocean exploration and women's empowerment.
• L'Odyssée des Possibles
• Les Voix de l'Océan
• Toutes Cap et Engagées

Products and services

• Toutes Cap et Engagées

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of women participants feel stronger and more motivated to engage after 'Toutes Cap et Engagées' programs

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EDFminorOthersEDF (Electricité de France) appears as a partner logo on the Women for Sea website, suggesting sponsorship or collaborative support for the association's activities.
• New AlphaminorOthersNew Alpha appears as a partner logo on the Women for Sea website, indicating financial or strategic support for the organization's mission.
• Sea to seacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSea to sea is the press relations agency working for Women for Sea. Contact: Solène Le Berre ([email protected]). This is a key partnership for managing the association's media presence and communications.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: One of the largest U.S. ocean conservation non-profits running large-scale public campaigns and partnerships. A broad incumbent in the same ocean advocacy space as Women for Sea, but operating at much larger scale and with a wider programmatic portfolio.
• Sail Training International: An international charity promoting sail training as a tool for youth development and personal growth. Comparable to Women for Sea in using sailing expeditions as a vehicle for personal/leadership development, though serving a broader demographic and operating globally.
• The Ocean Cleanup: A high-profile non-profit deploying technology and operations to remove ocean plastic. Comparable to Women for Sea as a marine conservation non-profit, but more technology- and deployment-driven rather than community/sailing-led.

Direct peers

• SeaLegacy: An ocean-focused storytelling and expedition organization using creative campaigns to drive ocean protection. Comparable to Women for Sea's blend of sailing expeditions (SEASTERS, L'Odyssée des Possibles) and content/storytelling (Les Voix de l'Océan) for ocean advocacy.
• Plastic Oceans Foundation: A non-profit dedicated to ending plastic pollution through education, film, and advocacy. Comparable to Women for Sea as a marine-focused non-profit using content, campaigns, and community to drive ocean action.
• Maiden Factor (Maiden): A sailing-based non-profit using the Maiden yacht to deliver education programs and empower women through maritime adventure. Closely comparable to Women for Sea's women + sailing expeditions (e.g., Toutes Cap et Engagées) and education focus.
• Surfrider Foundation: A long-standing ocean conservation non-profit combining grassroots activism with member-supported programs in coastal regions. Comparable to Women for Sea as a mission-driven association that mobilizes a community around marine protection, though with broader sports/cultural rather than women-focused framing.
• Sailors for the Sea (Ocean Conservancy program): An ocean conservation organization specifically engaging the sailing community to protect the sea. Closely comparable to Women for Sea in mobilizing sailors and sailing culture for marine protection, though not women-exclusive.
• WISTA International: Women's International Shipping & Trading Association is a global network advancing women in the maritime and shipping sectors. Directly comparable to Women for Sea in its intersection of women and the sea, though WISTA focuses on professional shipping leadership rather than sailing expeditions and ocean advocacy.

Emerging players

• Lonely Whale Foundation: A next-generation ocean non-profit focused on plastic pollution and ocean culture through campaigns and partnerships. Comparable as a smaller, digitally-led ocean advocacy organization with strong brand and corporate partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WomenforSeaAsso
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@womenforseaasso
• Facebookfacebook.com/wo.menforseaasso
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-for-sea
• Instagraminstagram.com/womenforseaasso

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Women for Sea