Nice, France – 10 June 2025 – Today at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, the global ocean community saw the official launch of Ocean Matcher, an innovative web-based platform that uses cutting-edge technology to transform how ocean science and solutions are funded. This pioneering tool is a response to one of the most pressing challenges of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘UN Ocean Decade’): ensuring that the right projects are matched with the right funders to accelerate innovation and impact.
Ocean Matcher is a collaborative effort driven by leading ocean philanthropies and organizations (listed below), including REV Ocean and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the coordinating body of the UN Ocean Decade, and developed with strategic design and tech support from NoA Ignite. By using advanced AI natural language models and algorithmic matchmaking, the platform connects scientists, innovators, philanthropists, and investors in unprecedented ways.
“We created Ocean Matcher because the ocean community needs a more intelligent, transparent, and practical way to connect science and innovation with funding,” said Martin Styrmoe Moen, Chair of Ocean Matcher and CFO at REV Ocean. “Many funders feel lost in a sea of proposals, while critical ocean solutions remain underfunded. Ocean Matcher changes that dynamic.”
Designed as a smart matchmaker for the ocean, the platform helps funders efficiently navigate high-quality proposals aligned with their mission and values—without needing to sift through endless submissions. For project teams, Ocean Matcher offers greater visibility and alignment with potential supporters, while maintaining privacy and IP protections.
“Ocean Matcher is a powerful example of how the UN Ocean Decade is catalyzing innovation and partnerships to meet real-world needs,” said Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC. “By bridging the gap between science and funding, this platform empowers the global ocean community to channel resources where they are most needed, faster and more effectively. It represents exactly the kind of bold, solution-oriented thinking that the Decade was designed to inspire.”
This innovative tool is directly aligned with the core ambitions of the UN Ocean Conference and the UN Ocean Decade. It reflects the growing global momentum toward practical solutions, technological innovation, and strategic philanthropy that can drive real change for the ocean.
The platform is the result of over two years of development, beginning with foundational discussions at the UN Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue in Monaco (2023). The Proof of Concept received strong validation, with early testers praising its ability to understand nuanced project goals and generate highly relevant matches. The 2025 launch signals a major leap forward, opening the tool to a broader audience and setting the stage for global adoption.
“This is a rare opportunity to utilize advanced technology for good said Morten Sand, Executive Advisor, NoA. It’s truly inspiring to build a platform that empowers initiatives addressing the most urgent challenges facing our ocean ecosystems.”
Ocean Matcher was presented during a dedicated session at the conference, as well as through the Pink Flamingo Society gathering of philanthropic vessel operators—another demonstration of the growing coalition of actors committed to accelerating impact through collaboration, technology, and open science.
About Ocean Matcher
Ocean Matcher is a web-based platform that leverages artificial intelligence and semantic matching to connect funders with high-impact ocean projects. It was developed through a collaboration between leading philanthropic and science organizations committed to advancing the goals of the UN Ocean Decade. Learn more at www.oceanmatcher.com.
Ocean Matcher Funders:
- HUB Ocean
- Voice of the Ocean Foundation
- Lenfest Ocean Program
- Lloyd’s Register Foundation
- Baltic Sea Conservation Foundation
- Remmer Foundation
- International Foundation for Aids to Navigation
- Schmidt Ocean Institute
- Propeller VC
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- The Fishmongers’ Company
Media Contact:
Martin Styrmoe Moen
Chair Ocean Matcher
CFO REV Ocean
Martin.Moen@revocean.org