Ocean Discovery League

What Ocean Discovery League does

Ocean Discovery League (ODL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 and headquartered in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, that develops low-cost, modular deep-sea imaging and sensor systems to democratize access to ocean exploration. The organization was spun out of MIT Media Lab's Open Ocean Initiative by founder and President Dr. Katy Croff Bell, a National Geographic Fellow, and operates with a team of 1–10 employees plus a board including former NOAA leadership. Core products include DORIS, a next-generation 6,000m-rated modular deep ocean sensor and camera system with interchangeable O2/CO2, CTD, and lighting modules developed with WHOI; Maka Niu, a 1,500m-rated low-cost imaging platform with 3D-printed chassis and Raspberry Pi control subsystems; and the wireless Maka Niu Light Module. Supporting these are AI/data products: FathomNet, an open-source underwater image database for training machine learning algorithms, and Ocean Vision AI (OVAI), a $5M NSF Convergence Accelerator Grant-funded initiative for AI-based ocean imagery processing.

ODL's business model is grant- and donation-driven rather than commercial. Revenue streams include U.S. federal grants (NOAA, NSF, IOOS, NOAA Ocean Exploration), foundation grants (National Geographic Society, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Dalio Foundation, Cabot Family Charitable Trust, Rolex Perpetual Planet, Minderoo, Rob Walton Foundation), and individual donations channeled through a 501(c)(3) structure (EIN 84-1827384). Technology is distributed through a lending program and hands-on workshops rather than sold, with go-to-market centered on community-led capacity building, partnerships with research institutions and marine protected area stakeholders, and strategic alliances such as the April 2025 Blue Nature Alliance MOU.

The organization serves historically excluded and underrepresented communities, Marine Protected Area stakeholders, Small Island Developing States, early-career ocean scientists, and HBCU/minority-serving institution students through the Accessing the Deep training program, OceanX Young Explorers Program, and regional workshops across the Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Africa, and U.S. tribal nations. Its strategic framing — that less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor has been visually observed despite covering 66% of Earth's surface — anchors the Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals initiative to systematically explore 10,000 target locations.

Name

Ocean Discovery League

Legal name

Ocean Discovery League, Inc.

Website

https://oceandiscoveryleague.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ocean Discovery League is a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops low-cost, modular deep-sea imaging and sensor systems (DORIS, Maka Niu) and AI tools (FathomNet, OVAI) to democratize ocean exploration for historically excluded communities, marine protected area stakeholders, and early-career scientists globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Science Research and Ocean Exploration Technology

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Deep-sea exploration technology
• Ocean imaging systems
• Underwater sensor platforms
• Marine research nonprofit
• Accessible ocean exploration

Headquarters

HQ city

Saunderstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grants and Foundation Funding: ODL receives significant funding from government agencies (NOAA, NSF) and foundations (National Geographic Society, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Dalio Foundation, Cabot Family Charitable Trust) to develop technology and conduct research.
2. Donations: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepting individual contributions via direct wire transfer, donor-advised funds (DAFs), and standard donation forms. All donations are fully tax-deductible in the United States. EIN: 84-1827384.
3. Government Contracts: Received $1.2 million ocean technology transition grant from NOAA and IOOS for DORIS development. Government grants represent major revenue stream.
4. Partnership Funding: Funding from strategic partners including Blue Nature Alliance (Conservation International, Pew, GEF, Minderoo, Rob Walton Foundation), Rolex Perpetual Planet Expeditions, and others for specific initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ocean Discovery League develops low-cost, modular deep-sea imaging and sensor systems (DORIS and Maka Niu) designed to democratize access to deep-ocean exploration. The organization complements its hardware with open-access AI tools (FathomNet, Ocean Vision AI) and delivers its technology through a lending program, hands-on workshops, and the Accessing the Deep training program for historically excluded communities and marine protected area stakeholders.

Product overview

Ocean Discovery League offers a suite of low-cost, modular deep-sea exploration technologies designed to democratize access to ocean research. The core product portfolio includes DORIS (Deep Ocean Research & Imaging System), a next-generation 6,000m-rated modular imaging and sensor platform with interchangeable sensing and operational modules; and Maka Niu, a 1,500m-rated low-cost underwater camera system with modular add-ons including a wireless Light Module. Supporting these hardware platforms are AI-powered data analysis tools: FathomNet, an open-source underwater image database for training machine learning algorithms; and Ocean Vision AI (OVAI), an NSF-funded AI system for processing ocean imagery. ODL complements its technology with capacity-building programs including the Accessing the Deep training initiative and the Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals strategic framework to broaden participation in deep-sea exploration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DORIS: Deep Ocean Research & Imaging System - ODL's next-generation deep ocean sensor and camera system designed to lower financial and technical barriers to deep-sea exploration.
• Maka Niu
• Accessing the Deep
• Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals
• FathomNet

Products and services

• DORIS (Deep Ocean Research & Imaging System) Next-generation deep-diving, low-cost modular imaging and sensor system designed to lower financial and technical barriers to deep-sea exploration. Aims for 6,000m operational depth with interchangeable sensing and operational modules configurable for individual project missions.
• Maka Niu Low-cost, modular underwater imaging and sensing platform with internal 3D-printed dry chassis, battery management and sealed inductive charging system, and Raspberry Pi camera and control subsystems. Camera module can dive to 1,500m depth.
• FathomNet Open-source underwater image database for training, testing, and validating state-of-the-art artificial intelligence algorithms to help analyze ocean images and video for marine species identification and habitat assessment.
• Ocean Vision AI (OVAI) Multi-disciplinary team initiative funded by a $5M NSF Convergence Accelerator Grant that uses artificial intelligence to process ocean imagery, enabling faster analysis of underwater visual data for scientific research and conservation.
• Accessing the Deep (ATD) ODL's flagship virtual training and mentoring program that provides education and training to expand the community of deep-sea explorers. The program includes curriculum development, guest speakers, and ongoing participant support.
• Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals Ambitious international effort to visually explore 10,000 strategically selected locations across the deep seafloor. The initiative provides a statistically representative global sample and establishes the first full visual characterization of the entire deep sea floor.
• 2022 Global Deep-Sea Capacity Assessment Baseline assessment of technical and human capacity for deep-sea exploration and research covering 186 geographical areas in six global regions. Documents global and regional results related to organizational infrastructure, technical capacity, and accessibility to deep-sea tools.
• Maka Niu Light Module Wireless deep-sea light module add-on for the Maka Niu system that can dive to 1500m depth. Features four programmable light intensity modes controlled via an intuitive rotating collar, with wireless communication to the camera module using waveguides.

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 0.001% of deep seafloor visually observed despite covering 66% of Earth's surface
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Blue Nature AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025MOU signed April 22, 2025 to jointly strengthen marine protected area (MPA) stakeholder capacity through low-cost accessible technology, collaborative research, and capacity-building programs. Includes joint expeditions, co-hosted workshops, and shared research initiatives tailored to local and global MPA management priorities. Partnership brings together Blue Nature Alliance's global leadership in large-scale ocean conservation with ODL's democratization of deep-sea exploration.
• Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to achieve maximum impact for historically under-served communities. Leverages PacIOOS network of communities, regional liaisons, and data visualization platform to bolster community capacity. Grant will support training, user support, and workshops to address knowledge gaps concerning ocean technology in Pacific Islands region.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Anna Michel's team at WHOI will adapt their CO2/O2 sensor for use as a module for DORIS. Dr. Michel is Associate Scientist at WHOI and Chief Scientist of the National Deep Submergence Facility. WHOI plays role in developing accessible systems and advancing individual user mission objectives.
• University of Nebraska at LincolnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Dan Novy, Assistant Professor and transmedia experience designer, supervised development of previous ODL systems and will advise on technical design and development of DORIS project.
• The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Collaborates on seafloor mapping and biodiversity discovery initiatives.
• OceanXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Partnership includes Young Explorers Program providing hands-on research and mentorship to 15-16 university students aboard OceanXplorer. ODL team members serve as instructors.
• Schmidt Ocean InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Schmidt Ocean Institute operates research vessel Falkor and provides ocean science support.
• Challenger 150majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Challenger 150 is a global program to increase deep-sea knowledge and exploration.
• Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Hosted 'Cheap & Deep Technology as a Means for Capacity Development' workshop through DOOS Accelerator. ODL workshop had 14 participants from 6 countries.
• SpeSeasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Caribbean marine conservation organization.
• LAMAVEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines.
• OceanswellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Marine conservation organization in Sri Lanka.
• MarmorisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to supporting Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals.
• Sharks PacificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting Cook Islands workshop for ages 16-24 in ocean exploration, technology, and research using Maka Niu camera and other technology. Partnership funded by US Embassy in NZ.
• Conservation InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads Blue Nature Alliance collaboration to catalyze effective and equitable large-scale protections of critical ocean ecosystems.
• The Pew Charitable TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads Blue Nature Alliance to protect 18 million square kilometers of ocean.
• Global Environment Facility (GEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads Blue Nature Alliance providing flexible financial resources, technical expertise, and thought partnership.
• MIT Media Lab (Former)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen Ocean Initiative originated at MIT Media Lab in 2017. In summer 2021, ODL spun out of MIT Media Lab to continue this work. MIT Future Ocean Lab collaboration on early Maka Niu development.
• Slack for GoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership launch July 2021 to increase number of historically underrepresented individuals in tech and support ODL's inclusivity efforts. Slack hosted employee Town Hall with Dr. Katy Croff Bell.
• Ocean Exploration TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerODL founder Dr. Katy Croff Bell previously oversaw all operations for E/V Nautilus for Ocean Exploration Trust. ODL maintains collaborative relationship.
• Quinault Indian NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeployment of Maka Niu with light module for community ocean exploration. Workshop to build local capacity for deep-sea research.
• Polynesian Voyaging SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ocean exploration and cultural connection initiatives. Highlighted in June 2023 newsletter.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): Premier oceanographic research institution operating the National Deep Submergence Facility and Alvin submersible. WHOI directly partners with ODL on DORIS sensor modules and operates in the same deep-sea technology space, though at vastly larger scale and depth.

Broad incumbents

• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Private foundation operating the research vessel Falkor and supporting ocean science initiatives including the Global Deep Sea Exploration Goals. Comparable as a major philanthropic funder/operator in deep-sea exploration that ODL partners with.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI):

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@oceandiscoveryleague
• Facebookfacebook.com/OceanDiscoveryLeague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oceandiscoveryleague
• Instagraminstagram.com/oceandiscleague
• Xx.com/OceanDiscLeague

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Ocean Discovery League