Nice, France – 10 June 2025
The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) proudly joined fellow ocean leaders in launching Ocean Matcher, a revolutionary AI-powered platform unveiled today at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. Designed to transform how ocean science and sustainability projects are funded, the platform marks a major milestone in global efforts to protect the ocean and accelerate innovation under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
As a core funder and early supporter, IFAN played a pivotal role in the development of Ocean Matcher, which uses advanced natural language processing and algorithmic matching to connect funders, scientists, innovators, and conservationists with speed and precision. The result: better alignment, less friction, and more impact.
Francesca Pradelli, IFAN Development Manager, said:
“At IFAN, we know that safety at sea and sustainability go hand in hand. By investing in Ocean Matcher, we are helping to light the way – quite literally – for ocean innovation. This tool makes it easier for funders to support the right projects and for innovators to be seen and supported. It reflects IFAN’s mission to be a bridge between maritime safety, environmental protection, and strategic collaboration.”
Built as a smart matchmaking platform, Ocean Matcher addresses a key challenge identified by the UN Ocean Decade: the difficulty of efficiently pairing quality proposals with the right funding partners. For funders, the tool filters proposals based on mission alignment and values; for project teams, it enhances visibility while respecting confidentiality and intellectual property rights.
Martin Styrmoe Moen, Chair of Ocean Matcher and CFO at REV Ocean, said:
“We created Ocean Matcher because the ocean community needs a more intelligent, transparent, and practical way to connect science and innovation with funding. Many funders feel lost in a sea of proposals, while critical ocean solutions remain underfunded. Ocean Matcher changes that dynamic.”
This dynamic new tool was developed through a close collaboration involving REV Ocean, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), NoA Ignite, and a coalition of visionary funders, including IFAN. The concept was first seeded at the 2023 Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue in Monaco, and has now matured into a powerful engine for global impact.
Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC, said:
“Ocean Matcher is a powerful example of how the UN Ocean Decade is catalyzing innovation and partnerships to meet real-world needs. By bridging the gap between science and funding, this platform empowers the global ocean community to channel resources where they are most needed.”
Ocean Matcher was presented in a dedicated session at the UN Ocean Conference and during the Pink Flamingo Society gathering of philanthropic vessel operators, further evidence of the growing coalition committed to practical, tech-enabled ocean solutions.
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 by leading philanthropic and science organizations aligned with the goals of the UN Ocean Decade. Learn more at www.oceanmatcher.com.
Ocean Matcher Funders include:
- 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 (IFAN)
- Schmidt Ocean Institute
- Propeller VC
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- The Fishmongers’ Company
Get involved – IFAN can fund your project
Do you have a project that promotes safe navigation, island sustainability, or marine ecosystem protection? We want to hear from you. Submit your proposal here.
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About IFAN:
The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing maritime safety, protecting marine ecosystems, and strengthening global navigation capabilities. IFAN ensures safer and more efficient shipping routes while minimizing environmental risks by supporting projects focused on enhancing Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) frameworks, developing technical expertise, and providing AtoN infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships, funding, and technical expertise, IFAN plays a pivotal role in securing safe, sustainable global waterways and safeguarding the world’s ocean for future generations.