Ocean Doctor
Ocean Doctor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that protects coral reef ecosystems primarily in Cuba through field research, community-based conservation, and educational programs. It is funded by donations and a Cuba educational travel program, serving coastal communities, students, and policymakers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ocean Doctor does
Ocean Doctor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2012 in Washington, DC, dedicated to protecting and restoring oceans through hands-on marine conservation, with a primary focus on Cuba's coral reef ecosystems. The organization was founded by Dr. David E. Guggenheim, a marine scientist, ocean explorer, submarine pilot, and Senior Fellow at The Ocean Foundation, and operates a portfolio of programs including the core Cuba Conservancy Program (coral reef research, environmental economics, and community-based sustainable development on the Isle of Youth), the 50 States Expedition (U.S. environmental education tour), the Penguin Conservation program following the 2011 Nightingale Island disaster, and supporting cultural and community initiatives such as the Cuba Environmental Film Festival and Animal Rescue in Cuba. Output also spans published books ('The Remarkable Reefs of Cuba', 2022; 'Deep in Enemy Territory', 2012), the report 'A Century of Unsustainable Tourism in the Caribbean' co-published with the Center for International Policy in 2018, a weekly radio show, and documentary films.
Ocean Doctor's business model is donation-driven as a tax-exempt nonprofit, supplemented by a fee-based Cuba Educational Travel Program that allows participants to visit conservation sites in Cuba. The organization maintains strategic partnerships with The Ocean Foundation (where Dr. Guggenheim serves as Senior Fellow), Cuba's National Center for Protected Areas, the University of Havana's Center for Marine Research, and the Center for International Policy through the Cuba-U.S. Sustainability Partnership (CUSP). It reaches audiences via speaking engagements, social media, its radio show, blog content, and earned media coverage including 60 Minutes, PBS NewsHour, and the New York Times. The organization relies on no disclosed technology platform and has no AI/ML capability, with operations built around scientific research, advocacy, education, and field-based conservation rather than software products.
Ocean Doctor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ocean Doctor
- Legal name
- Ocean Doctor
- Website
- https://oceandoctor.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ocean Doctor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that protects coral reef ecosystems primarily in Cuba through field research, community-based conservation, and educational programs. It is funded by donations and a Cuba educational travel program, serving coastal communities, students, and policymakers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ocean Doctor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Reef, Island & Coastal Ecotours (mangroves, lagoons, sea caves) (THAAAIAE)
Keywords
Where Ocean Doctor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ocean Doctor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Ocean Doctor relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, and supporters to fund its conservation programs and operations.
- Cuba Educational Travel Program: The organization offers travel opportunities to Cuba for individuals interested in experiencing Ocean Doctor's conservation work firsthand, providing educational travel experiences to support conservation efforts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Tax-deductible donations to support ocean conservation programs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ocean Doctor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ocean Doctor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects and restores oceans through hands-on conservation, anchored by the Cuba Conservancy Program — collaborative marine research, environmental economics applications, and community-based sustainable development with Cuban coastal communities on the Isle of Youth and Gardens of the Queen. The organization also runs paid Cuba educational travel, a 50 States school speaking expedition, penguin and sawfish conservation, radio/podcast programming, documentary films, books, and research reports funded primarily by tax-deductible donations.
Product overview
Ocean Doctor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring oceans through hands-on conservation. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including the Cuba Conservancy Program (core initiative focused on coral reef protection in Cuba), the Cuba Travel Program (educational travel component that supports conservation efforts), and the 50 States Expedition (public education initiative). Supporting programs include the Penguin Conservation initiative, The Ocean Doctor Radio Show podcast, and speaking engagements. The organization also produces documentary films (notably 'Disaster at Nightingale'), publishes books ('The Remarkable Reefs of Cuba' and 'Deep in Enemy Territory'), and releases research reports ('A Century of Unsustainable Tourism in the Caribbean'). The core mission is advanced through scientific research, education, and community engagement, with a primary focus on Cuba's remarkably healthy coral reef ecosystems as a model for Caribbean conservation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cuba Conservancy Program Ocean Doctor's primary conservation initiative focused on protecting coral reef ecosystems in Cuba through collaborative research with Cuban scientists, environmental economics applications, and community-based sustainable development alternatives for coastal communities on the Isle of Youth and Gardens of the Queen.
- Cuba Travel Program Educational travel opportunities for participants to visit Cuba's Isle of Youth and Gardens of the Queen, providing a behind-the-scenes look at conservation projects protecting coral reefs while supporting local coastal community economic development.
- 50 States Expedition (50 Years - 50 States - 50 Speeches) Environmental education initiative featuring Dr. David E. Guggenheim delivering speeches to students across all 50 U.S. states about ocean conservation and the wonder of marine ecosystems, with an adopt-a-state support model.
- Penguin Conservation Program Conservation efforts focused on Northern Rockhopper penguins following the 2011 disaster at Nightingale Island, accompanied by the documentary 'Disaster at Nightingale' documenting the ecological catastrophe.
- Speaking Engagements Booking service for Dr. David E. Guggenheim to speak at events, conferences, and educational institutions, offering perspectives on ocean conservation spanning submarine expeditions and Washington, DC policy discussions.
- Cuba Environmental Film Festival Film festival initiative showcasing environmental films in Cuba as part of the Cuba Conservancy Program's cultural engagement efforts.
- Project Red Alerta Conservation project on Cuba's Isle of Youth focused on environmental monitoring and community alert systems for ecosystem protection under the Cuba Conservancy Program.
- Animal Rescue in Cuba (Project De La Calle) Support for Cuban volunteer efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and find homes for stray and abandoned cats and dogs, including spay/neuter services and public education.
- The Ocean Doctor Radio Show Weekly radio show/podcast hosted by Dr. David E. Guggenheim covering ocean issues, marine conservation topics, and interviews with ocean researchers and advocates, available on WebTalkRadio.net and iTunes.
- The Remarkable Reefs of Cuba: Hopeful Stories from the Ocean Doctor (book) Book authored by Dr. David E. Guggenheim documenting Cuba's healthy coral reef ecosystems and hopeful stories from his ocean conservation work.
- Deep in Enemy Territory (book) Book by Dr. David E. Guggenheim documenting his experiences and research in Cuba.
- A Century of Unsustainable Tourism in the Caribbean: Lessons Learned and Opportunities for Cuba (research report) Comprehensive report co-produced with the Center for International Policy analyzing tourism impacts on Caribbean ecosystems and outlining sustainable alternatives for Cuba.
- Disaster at Nightingale (documentary film) 25-minute documentary about the 2011 ecological disaster at Nightingale Island involving Northern Rockhopper penguins, featuring Dr. David E. Guggenheim's accidental involvement in documenting the catastrophe.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% Caribbean coral decline since 1970 documented; Cuba's coral reefs remain healthy as a living laboratory for restoration
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Ocean Doctor
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ocean Doctor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ocean Doctor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Center for International PolicycoreJoint initiative through the Cuba-U.S. Sustainability Partnership (CUSP) to support Cuba's sustainable development efforts, including co-publishing the report 'A Century of Unsustainable Tourism in the Caribbean'
- The Ocean FoundationcoreDr. David E. Guggenheim serves as Senior Fellow and Director of The Ocean Foundation's Cuba Marine Research and Conservation Program. The Ocean Foundation is the parent organization where Ocean Doctor operates as a focused initiative.
- Cuba's National Center for Protected AreascoreCollaborative projects with Cuba's government agency responsible for protected areas, focusing on coral reef conservation and environmental economics applications
- University of Havana's Center for Marine ResearchcoreA decade of collaborative expeditions exploring Cuba's Gulf of Mexico coast and marine ecosystems, including Jardines de la Reina
- Robert Muse & AssociatesminorCUSP partnership collaborator providing legal and policy expertise on Cuba-U.S. relations
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ocean Doctor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reef Check Foundation: Reef Check runs volunteer-based reef monitoring and citizen-science programs globally. It directly overlaps Ocean Doctor on reef health assessment, volunteer expeditions, and converting reef data into conservation action and policy.
- Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle Alliance): Mission Blue is Dr. Sylvia Earle's ocean conservation nonprofit (she sits on Ocean Doctor's Board). Both organizations combine public advocacy, science communication, and protected-area advocacy around marine ecosystems, with substantial leadership overlap.
- Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL): CORAL is a nonprofit focused on coral reef conservation, science, and community-based stewardship across the tropics. It is a direct functional peer to Ocean Doctor: both pursue reef protection, community engagement, and sustainable financing for reef ecosystems.
- Blue Marine Foundation: Blue Marine Foundation is a focused marine conservation nonprofit creating marine protected areas and supporting community fisheries — closely matching Ocean Doctor's Cuba Conservancy model of combining reef protection with sustainable coastal livelihoods.
- National Geographic Pristine Seas: Pristine Seas is a marine exploration, filmmaking, and policy program that combines documentary media with protected-area advocacy. Highly comparable to Ocean Doctor on the blend of undersea exploration, documentary content, and policy-driven marine protection.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is the world's largest environmental nonprofit with major Caribbean and global reef initiatives. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping donor base, marine science programs, and reef-restoration funding.
- Conservation International: Conservation International is a large global environmental NGO with significant marine programs and Caribbean reef work. Comparable as a broad incumbent that competes for the same donor dollars and policy influence on coral reef protection.
- Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is a large-scale marine conservation nonprofit where Dr. Guggenheim was previously Vice President. It operates across a wider portfolio (pollution, fisheries, policy) but is highly comparable on marine policy advocacy and science-driven campaigns.
Others
- WildAid: WildAid is a wildlife/marine conservation nonprofit built around celebrity-driven media campaigns and public-awareness work. Comparable on the model of using mass-media content (TV/radio/digital) to drive conservation donations and behavior change.
- The Ocean Foundation: The Ocean Foundation is the umbrella organization where Ocean Doctor's founder serves as Senior Fellow and Director of the Cuba Marine Research and Conservation Program. It is closely allied — sharing people and programmatic scope — but distinct, providing a direct ecosystem peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ocean Doctor social profiles
Digital presenceOcean Doctor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ocean Doctor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ocean Doctor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ocean Doctor 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 Ocean Doctor
What does Ocean Doctor do?
Ocean Doctor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects and restores oceans through hands-on conservation, anchored by the Cuba Conservancy Program — collaborative marine research, environmental economics applications, and community-based sustainable development with Cuban coastal communities on the Isle of Youth and Gardens of the Queen. The organization also runs paid Cuba educational travel, a 50 States school speaking expedition, penguin and sawfish conservation, radio/podcast programming, documentary films, books, and research reports funded primarily by tax-deductible donations.
Is Ocean Doctor a public or private company?
Ocean Doctor is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ocean Doctor founded?
Ocean Doctor was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ocean Doctor based?
Ocean Doctor is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ocean Doctor make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are cuba Educational Travel Program.
Who are Ocean Doctor's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reef Check Foundation, Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle Alliance), Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), Blue Marine Foundation and National Geographic Pristine Seas. Broad incumbents are The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International and Ocean Conservancy. Others are WildAid and The Ocean Foundation.
Does Ocean Doctor have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ocean Doctor.
What industry is Ocean Doctor in?
Ocean Doctor's product category is Marine Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management, with a secondary code of THAAAIAH, Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks). Its NAICS code is 541620 and its SIC code is 8731.