Capital Azul
Fundación Capital Azul is a Chilean non-profit foundation, founded in 2016, that operates the Refugios Marinos program, helping artisanal fishing cooperatives establish non-extractive Marine Refuges within their AMERB tenure areas through co-creation, biodiversity monitoring, and coastal surveillance, funded by institutional donors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersChile Chico, Chile
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Capital Azul does
Fundación Capital Azul is a Chilean non-profit foundation founded in 2016 and headquartered in Santiago, Chile. It designs and operates the Refugios Marinos (Marine Refuges) program, a community-led marine conservation model in which artisanal fishing cooperatives (sindicatos) voluntarily establish non-extractive protected zones of approximately 15 hectares inside their existing AMERB (Área de Manejo y Explotación de Recursos Bentónicos) tenure areas, combining productive use and conservation within a single management system.
The foundation's underlying methodology rests on three pillars: co-creation with fishing communities, science-based biodiversity monitoring (a database of 18,000 fish records and 13,000 invertebrate records across six reserves), and coastal surveillance (on-site cameras plus inter-institutional coordination with SERNAPESCA, municipalities, and Carabineros). Supporting product lines include the Escuela de Refugios Marinos for methodology transfer, the Voces del Océano documentary series, the kids.capitalazul.org educational platform, and environmental education and eco-tourism capacity-building workshops for cooperative members. An integration with the Open Ocean Project (Global Fishing Watch) provides satellite-based maritime monitoring.
The organization is funded primarily by institutional donors, including BHP Foundation (anchor supporter of the Red Comunitaria Costera), The Nature Conservancy Chile, and the GEF Incentivos para la Biodiversidad project executed by Chile's Ministry of the Environment and implemented by UNDP. It does not sell products or services commercially; donations are accepted via its website. The foundation is active across Chile's Valparaíso and Los Ríos regions and has expanded into Chiloé in the Los Lagos region under the new Ley Bentónica 21.651, serving artisanal and Indigenous fishing communities as its primary beneficiary segment.
Capital Azul firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Capital Azul
- Legal name
- Fundación Capital Azul
- Website
- https://www.capitalazul.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Fundación Capital Azul is a Chilean non-profit foundation, founded in 2016, that operates the Refugios Marinos program, helping artisanal fishing cooperatives establish non-extractive Marine Refuges within their AMERB tenure areas through co-creation, biodiversity monitoring, and coastal surveillance, funded by institutional donors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Capital Azul industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Biodiversity, Conservation & Natural Capital Funds (FSANAJAG)
Keywords
Where Capital Azul is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chile Chico
- HQ country
- Chile
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Capital Azul business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grants and Institutional Funding: Fundación Capital Azul operates as a non-profit organization funded primarily by institutional donors such as BHP Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and GEF (Global Environment Facility) through the Incentivos para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad project.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels10 records
Capital Azul product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fundación Capital Azul co-creates and operates Refugios Marinos (Marine Refuges), approximately 15-hectare non-extractive protected zones established within Areas of Management and Exploitation of Benthic Resources (AMERB) managed by artisanal fishing cooperatives along Chile's coastline. The foundation delivers biodiversity monitoring, coastal surveillance, environmental education, eco-tourism capacity-building, and methodology transfer (Escuela de Refugios Marinos) directly to partner fishing sindicatos.
Product overview
Fundación Capital Azul operates a unified marine conservation program centered on the Refugios Marinos (Turf Reserves) initiative—a community-led model where artisanal fishing cooperatives voluntarily establish non-extractive protected zones within their managed fishing areas. The program integrates marine biodiversity monitoring, coastal surveillance systems, environmental education, and the Escuela de Refugios Marinos for methodology transfer. Supporting products include the Voces del Océano documentary series and the kids.capitalazul.org educational platform for children.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Refugios Marinos Program A community-led marine conservation program that establishes non-extractive protected zones within AMERB areas managed by artisanal fishing cooperatives. Six Refugios Marinos have been established across Chile, functioning as natural seedbeds that restore biodiversity and generate spillover effects benefiting adjacent fishing grounds. Target users are artisanal fishing sindicatos in Chile.
- Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Science-based monitoring system documenting marine biodiversity in Refugios Marinos through underwater sampling and species registration. Currently tracks 18,000 fish records and 13,000 invertebrate records across six marine reserves. Provided to fishing cooperatives and conservation stakeholders.
- Coastal Surveillance System Coastal monitoring infrastructure including surveillance cameras and community-based vigilance programs to protect marine reserves from illegal extraction, with inter-institutional coordination involving SERNAPESCA, municipalities, and port authorities. Deployed across Marine Refuge sites in Valparaíso.
- Escuela de Refugios Marinos Educational and training platform systematizing and transferring the Marine Refuge methodology to fishing communities, technical teams, and local leaders to replicate conservation areas throughout Chile's coastline. Includes capacity-building courses (such as the buzo mariscador course held at muelle Barón) for artisanal fishing communities.
- Environmental Education Programs Community capacity-building initiatives including aquarium-building workshops, environmental interpretation training for ecotourism, and integration of children and youth in marine conservation awareness activities. Includes women's empowerment workshops and ecotourism guiding workshops for fishing cooperative members.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6 Refugios Marinos established, spanning from Región de Valparaíso to Los Ríos
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Capital Azul
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Capital Azul technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
Capital Azul partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) ChilecoreTNC Chile signed a collaboration agreement with Capital Azul to replicate the Marine Refuge model in southern Chile. TNC is financing the creation of the Refugio Marino de Guadei (Guadei sector, ~8 hectares) through the Asociación Indígena de Pescadores de Huiro. Both organizations co-organize the International Encounter of Marine Refuges.
- Valentina Díaz Saravia (Documentary Filmmaker)minorDocumentary filmmaker leading the 'Voces del Océano' audiovisual series and the microdocumentary 'Refugios Marinos: pesca artesanal al cuidado del océano' documenting the stories of fishing communities behind Marine Refuges.
- Instituto Milenio en Socio-Ecología Costera (SECOS)coreSECOS (UC) researchers Stefan Gelcich and Rodrigo Estévez collaborated with Susana Cárcamo on the book 'Vaciante y Creciente: Inmersiones al buceo artesanal'. Stefan Gelcich is a cofounder of Fundación Capital Azul.
- Centro CAPESminorCAPES (Centro) collaborated on the book 'Vaciante y Creciente' documenting artisanal diving in Chile. The book is available for free download through the CAPES website.
- María Ignacia Rivera (PUCV)minorAcademic from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso who delivered a talk on 'The value of marine-coastal ecosystems: a view from ecosystem services' at a workshop for fishing cooperative members on ecosystem services methodology.
- Valentina Rebolledo (Marine Biologist)minorMarine biologist commissioned by the GEF ICB project to conduct a study evaluating the effectiveness of coastal surveillance systems in Marine Refuges and AMERBs.
- Comunidades y Biodiversidad (COBI, Mexico)minorMexican organization with over two decades of experience in Fisher Refuges participated in the 2nd International Encounter of Marine Refuges organized by Capital Azul and TNC, facilitating cross-border learning exchange.
- Centro de Estudio y Conservación del Patrimonio Natural (CECPAN)minorCECPAN collaborated with the Sindicato de Pescadores Mar Adentro del Río Chepu in Chiloé to create a Marine Refuge under the new Ley Bentónica, as part of the GEF ICB demonstration experiences.
- Acuario Ambulante (Mobile Aquarium)minorAcuario Ambulante partnered with Capital Azul to deliver a workshop on aquarium best practices for environmental education in Marine Refuges, serving fishing cooperative members from Cachagua and La Polcura.
- Fundación EndémicaminorEndémica Foundation organized the Planeta Isla project encounter on marine-coastal sustainability held at Caleta de Zapallar, supported by Capital Azul and the municipality of Zapallar, with participation from Juan Fernández islanders.
- Ilustre Municipalidad de ZapallarminorMunicipal government of Zapallar co-organized sustainability events and supported the Fiesta de San Pedro celebration marking the renewal of the Marine Refuge agreement with the local fishing cooperative.
- SERNAPESCA (Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura)minorNational fisheries authority participating in inter-institutional coordination for coastal surveillance in Marine Refuge areas, including at Ventanas with municipality of Puchuncaví and Carabineros.
- La Playa Wines / Top Wine GroupminorWine company that donates a portion of sales to Capital Azul to support Marine Refuge conservation activities, participating in community events such as the Zapallar Marine Refuge anniversary celebration.
- Fundación LontraminorLocal environmental foundation participating in community education events at Caleta de Zapallar alongside Capital Azul, raising awareness about marine conservation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Capital Azul competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): One of the world's largest environmental organizations with major ocean programs on marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, and coastal community engagement. Comparable in mission; operates at vastly larger scale than Capital Azul.
- Conservation International: Major global environmental nonprofit with marine and coastal programs including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, and biodiversity finance. Broad incumbent with overlapping mission to Capital Azul's marine biodiversity and community-led conservation work.
- Fauna & Flora International: International conservation charity protecting threatened species and ecosystems including marine and coastal environments. Comparable as a long-established conservation nonprofit employing science-based and community-partnership approaches to marine habitat protection.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC): One of the world's largest environmental nonprofits with global marine programs. Active in Chile through TNC Chile, a signed collaboration partner of Capital Azul co-financing the Guadei refuge and co-organizing the International Encounter of Marine Refuges.
- Oceana: Large international ocean advocacy nonprofit focused on policy campaigns, fisheries management reform, and marine protected areas. Operates at much larger scale but addresses overlapping mission of conserving marine biodiversity through regulated use of coastal fisheries.
Direct peers
- Blue Marine Foundation: UK-based marine conservation foundation focused on ocean protection, marine reserves, and sustainable fisheries. Comparable as a marine-conservation nonprofit working to establish and manage marine protected areas with scientific monitoring.
- Rare: Global nonprofit that designs community-led conservation and fisheries management campaigns in coastal communities, including 'Pride in Fishing' and fish-securing campaigns in Latin America. Directly comparable community-driven coastal conservation methodology to Capital Azul.
- Comunidades y Biodiversidad (COBI): Mexico-based nonprofit with over two decades of experience establishing fisher-managed marine refuges in Mexican waters. Most direct methodological peer to Capital Azul's Refugios Marinos model and active participant in Capital Azul's International Encounters.
Emerging players
- SeaLegacy: Conservation nonprofit using storytelling, expeditions, and media to drive marine protected area creation globally. Comparable as a smaller marine conservation nonprofit leveraging content/communications (analogous to Capital Azul's Voces del Océano series) to amplify impact.
Others
- Marine Stewardship Council: International nonprofit that sets standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. Ecosystem-level comparable: addresses artisanal fisheries sustainability and creates commercial value for well-managed coastal fisheries, complementing Capital Azul's marine refuge work.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Capital Azul social profiles
Digital presenceCapital Azul financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Capital Azul leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Capital Azul funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Capital Azul 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 Capital Azul
What does Capital Azul do?
Fundación Capital Azul co-creates and operates Refugios Marinos (Marine Refuges), approximately 15-hectare non-extractive protected zones established within Areas of Management and Exploitation of Benthic Resources (AMERB) managed by artisanal fishing cooperatives along Chile's coastline. The foundation delivers biodiversity monitoring, coastal surveillance, environmental education, eco-tourism capacity-building, and methodology transfer (Escuela de Refugios Marinos) directly to partner fishing sindicatos.
Is Capital Azul a public or private company?
Capital Azul is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Capital Azul founded?
Capital Azul was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Capital Azul based?
Capital Azul is headquartered in Chile Chico, Chile, in the Latin America region.
How does Capital Azul make money?
One revenue line is on record: grants and Institutional Funding.
Who are Capital Azul's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Oceana. Direct peers are Blue Marine Foundation, Rare and Comunidades y Biodiversidad (COBI). SeaLegacy is listed as an emerging player. Marine Stewardship Council is listed as an others.
Does Capital Azul have an API?
No public API is recorded for Capital Azul.
What industry is Capital Azul in?
Capital Azul's product category is Marine Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAI, Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines). Its NAICS code is 9241.