Blue Ocean Initiative
Blue Ocean Initiative (BOI) is a Tokyo-based Japanese non-profit multi-stakeholder co-creation platform, founded in December 2022, that convenes corporations, local governments, universities, financial institutions, and NGOs to develop and scale ocean conservation projects. It generates revenue primarily through tiered annual membership dues and now serves 114 member organizations across five thematic areas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersMinato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Blue Ocean Initiative does
Blue Ocean Initiative (BOI, 一般社団法人ブルーオーシャン・イニシアチブ) is a Japanese general incorporated association (non-profit) founded on December 15, 2022, and headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo. It operates as a multi-stakeholder co-creation platform for marine conservation and sustainable ocean management, connecting corporations, local governments, universities, financial institutions, media, and civil society organizations across five thematic areas (marine plastic, fisheries resources, blue carbon, marine business & digital, and social communication). Within approximately three years, the organization scaled from 12 founding members to 114 member organizations and generated over 30 co-creation actions, anchored by comprehensive cooperation agreements with Tsushima City (May 2023) and Osaka Prefecture (August 2023), and visibility through the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 BLUE OCEAN DOME and UN Ocean Conference participation.
BOI does not build proprietary software or hardware products. Its core "platform" consists of structured convening mechanisms: sub-committees organized around the five thematic areas, quarterly Blue Ocean Leaders Community Meetings (17 held by June 2026), field study tours (notably Tsushima study tours), flagship forums (Tsushima Future Forum, NIKKEI BLUE OCEAN FORUM, ICCA&WCO 2025 Summit), talent development programs (Tsushima Blue College in partnership with Hokkaido University, Kyushu University, Kagawa University, and Minerva University), and branded co-creation projects (UMI-EMA upcycled goods, Osaka Bay algae bed restoration, full-chain seafood traceability, environmental education program). Member-contributed technologies include Sumitomo Osaka Cement's seaweed cultivation plates, Rengo's biodegradable cellulose seedling threads, Eight Knot's autonomous navigation AI CAPTAIN, Space Shift's SAR satellite analytics, and Think Nature's marine ecosystem AI analysis.
Revenue is generated primarily through tiered annual membership dues: Director Members at ¥20,000,000 per fiscal year, Managing Members at ¥1,000,000 per year, A Members (companies with ¥1B+ revenue) at ¥500,000 per year, and B Members (startups and SMEs under ¥1B revenue) free of charge. Supplementary revenue is generated through event participation fees, sponsorships, and media/book publishing (e.g., the Forbes JAPAN co-published BLUE COMMONS New Blue Economy Introduction book, February 2026). Customer acquisition is community-led: prospective members apply through the BOI secretariat and are approved by the Representative Director (Daisuke Shiroshita). In April 2025, BOI entered Phase 2 (running through 2030) with a public target of 100 co-creation projects by 2030, a reorganized thematic structure, and an expanded board.
Blue Ocean Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blue Ocean Initiative
- Legal name
- 一般社団法人ブルーオーシャン・イニシアチブ
- Website
- https://blueocean-initiative.or.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Blue Ocean Initiative (BOI) is a Tokyo-based Japanese non-profit multi-stakeholder co-creation platform, founded in December 2022, that convenes corporations, local governments, universities, financial institutions, and NGOs to develop and scale ocean conservation projects. It generates revenue primarily through tiered annual membership dues and now serves 114 member organizations across five thematic areas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blue Ocean Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Business Associations (813910), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Other Aquaculture (112519)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM)
Keywords
Where Blue Ocean Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minato-ku, Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blue Ocean Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership dues: BOI charges annual membership fees structured by tier: 理事会員 (Director Member) ¥20,000,000/year, 幹事会員 (Managing Member) ¥1,000,000/year, A会員 (A Member, companies with ¥1B+ revenue) ¥500,000/year, B会員 (B Member, companies under ¥1B revenue) free of charge. These fees fund community events, working groups, field demonstrations, and platform operations.
- Event and seminar management: BOI organizes and hosts symposiums, seminars, research meetings, study tours, and networking events (e.g., Blue Ocean Leaders Community Meetings held quarterly, Tsushima Future Forum, sub-committee workshops). Revenue may be generated through event participation fees or sponsorship.
- Publishing and media: BOI engages in publishing activities (planning, production, and sales of publications) and collaborates with media partners (Forbes JAPAN, OCEANS, Nikkei BP, etc.) for content dissemination. Revenue from book sales and media partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Director Member (理事会員): ¥20,000,000 per fiscal year, tax-exempt. Full voting rights (社員). |
| Subscription | Annual | Managing Member (幹事会員): ¥1,000,000 per fiscal year, tax-exempt. Full voting rights (社員). |
| Subscription | Annual | A Member (A会員): ¥500,000 per fiscal year, tax-exempt. Companies with annual revenue of ¥1B or more. |
| Subscription | Annual | B Member (B会員): Free of charge (approved by the Representative Director). Revenue under ¥1B. |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Blue Ocean Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blue Ocean Initiative (BOI) operates a multi-stakeholder co-creation platform that connects corporations, local governments, universities, financial institutions, and media organizations to develop and implement ocean conservation and sustainable marine management projects. Through structured sub-committees organized around five thematic areas (marine plastic, fisheries resources, blue carbon, marine business & digital, and social communication), BOI facilitates co-creation projects, field demonstrations, community meetings, and educational programs. The organization generates revenue through tiered annual membership dues (Director ¥20M, Managing ¥1M, A ¥500K, B free), with members gaining access to a network of 114+ organizations across Japan.
Product overview
Blue Ocean Initiative (BOI) is a co-creation action platform rather than a traditional software product company. BOI facilitates collaboration among diverse stakeholders—corporations, local governments, academia, and citizens—to address ocean conservation challenges. The organization manages several programs including the Marine Industry Matching Service (a platform connecting idle fishing port facilities with potential users), the 'Aoi Hoshi no Aoi Umi' visual book educational program, and UMI-EMA eco-votive tablets made from upcycled fishing gear. These offerings are programs and platforms designed to drive social impact rather than commercial software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- BOI Membership Program Tiered annual membership program for organizations seeking to participate in ocean sustainability co-creation. Four tiers available: Director Member (¥20M/year, tax-exempt, full voting rights, leadership role), Managing Member (¥1M/year, tax-exempt, leads thematic areas), A Member (¥500K/year, companies with ¥1B+ revenue, active project development), and B Member (free, SMEs and startups under ¥1B revenue, subject to Representative Director approval). Members gain access to cross-sector networking, co-creation projects, field demonstration sites, and high-visibility events.
- Marine Industry Matching Service (海業マッチングサービス) A matching platform that connects idle fishing port facilities with companies, organizations, and individuals seeking to utilize them, addressing the decline of fisheries and fishing villages. The service facilitates the activation of unused fishing port infrastructure by linking facility owners with potential users across diverse industries.
- Aoi Hoshi no Aoi Umi Visual Book (あおいほしのあおいうみ) A visual book enabling fun learning about the ocean, published jointly with Think the Earth (NGO). Used as the foundation for developing environmental education programs for schools nationwide, supporting ocean literacy and awareness across all age groups.
- UMI-EMA (海絵馬) Upcycled Goods Eco-ema (votive tablets) made from upcycled fishing gear, designed to promote ocean conservation awareness through positive messaging. The 'Thank Blue' branded goods aim to transform consumer behavior by connecting purchasing decisions with marine environmental impact.
- Full-chain Traceability Program for IUU Fishing Elimination (IUU漁業撲滅に向けたフルチェーン・トレーサビリティ構築) A program to build full-chain traceability systems combining items, operations, and tools suitable for Japan's small-scale coastal fisheries. Led by Abeam Consulting as a working group, the program addresses IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing and supports international-standard seafood traceability (GDST) implementation.
- Osaka Bay Seaweed Restoration Project (大阪湾藻場再生プロジェクト) Blue carbon ecosystem creation project in Osaka Bay using the Osaka Prefecture public subsidy program. The project supports the Osaka Bay MOBA Link Initiative and conducts seaweed restoration near the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue, with Sumitomo Osaka Cement supplying proprietary seaweed cultivation plates and Rengo co-developing biodegradable seedling threads.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30+ co-creation actions (共創アクション) generated among members within approximately 3 years of operation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Blue Ocean Initiative
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Blue Ocean Initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Blue Ocean Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Think Nature Inc. (株式会社シンク・ネイチャー)coreBOI co-organized the 'Ocean Nature Positive Symposium' with Think Nature, a BOI member specializing in marine ecosystem data and AI analysis. BOI presented on 'Co-creation Action Generation for Ocean Problem-Solving', and WWF Japan, IUCN Japan, and the Japan Nature Conservation Society served as co-supporters.
- Minerva University (ミネルバ大学)flagshipMinerva University, recognized by UN agencies as the world's most innovative university for four consecutive years (2022-2025), partners with BOI for internship coordination in sustainability research programs. BOI member companies (Umitron, WMI, Tsushima City, Osintech, Space Shift) serve as mentors, providing practical expertise to international students. The partnership accelerates next-generation talent development for ocean problem-solving.
- Osaka Prefecture Environmental, Agricultural and Fisheries Department (大阪府環境農林水産部)coreBOI signed a business cooperation agreement with Osaka Prefecture for the 'Regeneration and Creation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Osaka Bay'. The partnership supports the Osaka Bay MOBA Link Initiative, seaweed restoration near the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue, and coordinates private sector participation in public environmental projects.
- Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture (長崎県対馬市)coreTsushima City signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with BOI in May 2023 to pursue becoming 'the world's most advanced sustainable island' by 2050. BOI hosts the annual Tsushima Future Forum and Tsushima Future Conference, conducts field study tours, and runs the Tsushima Blue College talent development program. Tsushima provides field demonstration sites, facilitates connections with local fishermen and businesses, and co-develops specific projects addressing marine plastic, seaweed restoration, and sustainable fisheries.
- Saraya Co., Ltd. (サラヤ株式会社)flagshipSaraya serves as BOI's Director Member (理事会員), providing overall leadership in governance. The company contributes environmental plastic materials, cold chain technology, and marine plastic recycling expertise. Saraya's chairman (更家一徳) serves as Director of the BLUE OCEAN DOME at the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
- Abeam Consulting Co., Ltd. (アbeamコンサルティング株式会社)coreAbeam Consulting serves as a Managing Member (幹事会員), focusing on international-standard seafood traceability (GDST) implementation and market development for Japanese fisheries products. The firm conducts stakeholder interviews, organizes discussions, and manages project schedules for traceability working groups.
- Rengo Co., Ltd. (レンゴー株式会社)coreRengo serves as a Managing Member (幹事会員). It co-developed biodegradable cellulose-based seedling threads for the Osaka Bay seaweed restoration project (with Sumitomo Osaka Cement) and cardboard fish boxes for the Tsushima fishing industry. Rengo also presented with BOI at the ICCA&WCO 2025 International Summit.
- Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd. (住友大阪セメント株式会社)coreSumitomo Osaka Cement (A Member) developed proprietary seaweed增殖礁 plates with over 4,000 units installed and 300,000+ plates delivered. Partnering with Rengo, it co-developed biodegradable seedling threads for the Osaka Bay blue carbon project near the Expo venue.
- Forbes JAPAN / Linkships Inc. (リンクタイズ株式会社)flagshipLinkships Inc., publisher of Forbes JAPAN and OCEANS media, serves as BOI's media partner. Forbes JAPAN co-published 'BLUE COMMONS 新・ブルーエコノミー入門' in February 2026, featuring BOI member company contributions and the blue economy concept. OCEANS magazine provides ongoing editorial coverage of BOI activities.
- Business Design Graduate School / MPD (事業構想大学院大学)coreMPD collaborates with BOI on talent development (Tsushima Blue College), hosts quarterly community meetings at its Tokyo campus, and provides research and educational frameworks for ocean innovation. BOI's Executive Managing Director (小宮信彦) serves as a Special Professor at MPD.
- Eight Knot Inc. (株式会社エイトノット)coreEight Knot (Managing Member) developed the 'AI CAPTAIN' autonomous navigation platform for small vessels. BOI members collaborate on testing autonomous vessels for island maritime logistics, waste collection, and survey support in Tsushima and other BOI field sites.
- TerraCycle Japan合同会社coreTerraCycle Japan (B Member) builds value chains using ocean plastic collected in Tsushima as raw material. Co-developed ocean plastic-based disinfectant dispensers with Saraya for the Expo, and contributed to the UMI-EMA upcycling project. Over 7+ years of ocean plastic recycling work in Tsushima.
- Fisherman Japan Marketing Co., Ltd. (株式会社フィッシャーマン・ジャパン・マーケティング)coreFisherman Japan (A Member) co-leads the UMI-EMA upcycled goods project and the marine business matching service project. The company coordinates between fishing communities and BOI corporate members, facilitating knowledge exchange and co-creation in the marine business sector.
- Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (大和ハウス工業株式会社)coreDaiwa House (A Member) has committed to eliminating marine plastic impact by 2030. The company participates in BOI sub-committees on marine plastic and social communication, and co-develops solutions for plastic use reduction and sustainable construction practices near marine environments.
- ZERI (Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives) Japan (特定非営利活動法人ゼリ・ジャパン)flagshipZERI Japan operates the BLUE OCEAN DOME at the Osaka-Kansai Expo and co-hosted the BLUE Challenge 2025 event series with BOI. BOI and ZERI collaborate on the Expo pavilion activities, Tsushima Week, and public awareness campaigns. ZERI also has a cooperation agreement with Tsushima City since September 2022 for circular economy pilot projects.
- MaOI (Marine Open Innovation Institution, 一般社団法人マリンオープンイノベーション機構)coreMaOI (Shizuoka Prefecture 100% invested) joined BOI in April 2026 as a member. It drives Blue Economy ecosystem development in Shizuoka Prefecture through maritime industry-finance-government-academia matching, grant programs, seminars, and marine genome research. It provides BOI members access to Shizuoka's maritime industry network and potential field sites.
- Hokkaido University Industry-Academia-Rocal Collaboration Promotion Organization (北海道大学 産学・地域協働推進機構)coreHokkaido University serves as an Academic Partner (アカデミアパートナー). Its Marine Sciences, Fisheries Science, Environmental Science, and Digital Transformation research capabilities support BOI's blue carbon and marine digital innovation sub-committees. Umitron and other marine biotech startups collaborate through this relationship.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Blue Ocean Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ZERI Japan: ZERI Japan operates the BLUE OCEAN DOME pavilion at Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, co-hosts BLUE Challenge 2025, and shares Tsushima City cooperation agreement. Operates a similar ocean-focused co-creation model with circular economy and sustainability emphasis.
- Marine Open Innovation Institution (MaOI): Shizuoka Prefecture-invested organization that drives Blue Economy ecosystem development through maritime industry-finance-government-academia matching, grant programs, and seminars. Joined BOI in April 2026 but operates a parallel multi-stakeholder marine co-creation model.
- Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA): Global ocean multi-stakeholder platform convening startups, corporates, and policymakers around ocean solutions. Comparable co-creation model at international scale, focused on ocean technology startups and youth leadership.
- Friends of Ocean Action (World Economic Forum): World Economic Forum-initiated global ocean stewardship coalition convening governments, business, civil society, and academia to take action on ocean priorities. High-level comparable multi-stakeholder convening function.
- World Ocean Council (WOC): Industry-led international ocean business council convening companies across maritime sectors for ocean stewardship. Closely comparable multi-stakeholder corporate ocean convening model, though with broader industry-focus rather than conservation emphasis.
Broad incumbents
- The Nippon Foundation: Major Japanese philanthropic foundation with extensive ocean-related programs including fishery support, ocean policy, and maritime innovation. Operates at much larger scale than BOI but shares the multi-stakeholder convening role for ocean causes in Japan.
- Ocean Policy Research Institute (Sasakawa Peace Foundation): Japanese think tank under Sasakawa Peace Foundation focused on ocean policy research, international cooperation, and ocean governance. Provides research and policy advocacy comparable to BOI's policy dialogue function.
- WWF Japan: Established environmental NGO with significant ocean conservation programs in Japan including marine plastic, fisheries sustainability, and climate-ocean work. Co-supports BOI events (Ocean Nature Positive Symposium) but operates at much larger scale as international organization.
- UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition: UN Global Compact initiative convening business leaders around ocean sustainable development. Comparable multi-stakeholder corporate sustainability convening function at global scale with UN backing similar to BOI's UN Ocean Conference participation.
Emerging players
- Japan Climate Initiative (JCI): Japanese non-governmental multi-stakeholder platform connecting companies, local governments, and civil society on climate action. Structurally similar membership-based advocacy model though focused on climate rather than oceans specifically.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blue Ocean Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blue Ocean Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Blue Ocean Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blue Ocean Initiative 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 Blue Ocean Initiative
What does Blue Ocean Initiative do?
Blue Ocean Initiative (BOI) operates a multi-stakeholder co-creation platform that connects corporations, local governments, universities, financial institutions, and media organizations to develop and implement ocean conservation and sustainable marine management projects. Through structured sub-committees organized around five thematic areas (marine plastic, fisheries resources, blue carbon, marine business & digital, and social communication), BOI facilitates co-creation projects, field demonstrations, community meetings, and educational programs. The organization generates revenue through tiered annual membership dues (Director ¥20M, Managing ¥1M, A ¥500K, B free), with members gaining access to a network of 114+ organizations across Japan.
Is Blue Ocean Initiative a public or private company?
Blue Ocean Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Blue Ocean Initiative founded?
Blue Ocean Initiative was founded in 2022.
Where is Blue Ocean Initiative based?
Blue Ocean Initiative is headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Blue Ocean Initiative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership dues are the primary driver. The others are event and seminar management and publishing and media.
Who are Blue Ocean Initiative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ZERI Japan, Marine Open Innovation Institution (MaOI), Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), Friends of Ocean Action (World Economic Forum) and World Ocean Council (WOC). Broad incumbents are The Nippon Foundation, Ocean Policy Research Institute (Sasakawa Peace Foundation), WWF Japan and UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition. Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Blue Ocean Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blue Ocean Initiative.
What industry is Blue Ocean Initiative in?
Blue Ocean Initiative's product category is Marine Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.