Unlocking Finance for the Ocean
We are on a mission to unlock finance for projects that fix the ocean.
Powered by AI, grounded in science, and designed for impact.
Athena Blue transforms ocean initiatives into finance-ready opportunities that deliver climate resilience and ocean health.
- →The Ocean is our largest carbon sink and absorbs more than 30% of excess CO2e emissions and it is key to meeting Net Zero goals
- →If the Ocean Economy was a country it would be the fifth largest economy in the world. It is valued at over $1.5 trillion with growth projected to $3 trillion by 2030.
- →But the Ocean is in crisis and lack of finance is exacerbating the problem.
The Scale of the Challenge
Understanding the barriers that prevent critical ocean restoration projects from accessing the funding they desperately need.
Underinvestment Crisis
SDG14 (Life Below Water) is the least funded of all the UN goals, with a finance gap estimated to be over $175 billion.
Of all global philanthropy, the ocean receives just 1% of funding.
Promising projects struggle to access private finance to scale their solutions.
The gap between what projects need and what they are receiving is vast.
Project-Funder Disconnect
Many ocean initiatives are too nascent or early stage for traditional funders and remain overlooked.
Conventional due diligence process is lengthy, clunky, and time-consuming.
There are no standardised frameworks for assessing the readiness of early-stage projects.
Fragmented opportunities and limited data result in a lack of an investable pipeline.
The Opportunity
Athena Blue bridges the gap between the vast potential of ocean projects and the lack of finance to scale. Starting with blue carbon ecosystems we work with projects to develop high-quality pathways to deliver impact: carbon, biodiversity, and social.
The Blue Carbon Opportunity
Blue carbon ecosystems—mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes—represent one of nature's most powerful climate solutions.
3-5x more carbon storage per hectare than tropical forests
80% reduction in storm surge through coastal protection
Biodiversity hotspots supporting marine life cycles
Community benefits through sustainable livelihoods
The Solution: Systematic Pipeline Development
Athena Blue addresses these challenges by creating the infrastructure for an investable blue carbon pipeline.
We don't replace existing expertise—we enhance it
Financial readiness components unlock funding
Systematic approach to scale impact
Ready to Drive Ocean Impact?
Whether you are a corporate looking for high-impact opportunities or a project seeking to become finance-ready, Athena Blue provides the tools and connections you need.
For Corporates: Access to Vetted Opportunities
Curated Project Pipeline
Standardised due diligence and early access to emerging opportunities before public markets.
AI-Powered Due Diligence
Dynamic AI conversations, document analysis, and progress tracking for comprehensive project evaluation.
For Projects: Your Path to Finance Readiness
Transform your blue carbon vision into a fundable opportunity with our comprehensive finance readiness platform designed specifically for ocean restoration projects.
Finance Readiness Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation covering financial structure, impact measurement, market positioning, and corporate requirements.
Financial Structure Analysis
Revenue models, cost projections, risk assessment
Impact Measurement Framework
Carbon quantification, biodiversity metrics, community benefits
Market Positioning
Advice and guidance on navigating the market
Corporate Requirements
Meeting criteria for high-integrity impact
Who We Are
Athena Blue is building the pipeline of high-impact Blue Economy projects powered by AI, grounded in science, and designed for impact.
Catch up with Us At..
September: Blue Finance Summit (London)
October: Blue Earth Summit (London)
November: Seagrass Symposium (Cardiff)
UNOC in Nice, France - June 2025 (Past)
Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco - June 2025 (Past)
European Seagrass Restoration Alliance conference in Arcachon - May 2025 (Past)
Our Story
Athena Blue launched in response to the need to urgently unlock finance to ocean projects. Our Founder, Kirsty Schneeberger MBE, had previously led deals in the Voluntary Carbon Market securing finance for early-stage ocean projects. Recognising the need to systematise and scale this approach, she set up Athena Blue to address the challenges to financing ocean projects head-on.
Meet Our Team
World-class expertise in climate finance, policy, and ocean restoration.
Leadership
Kirsty Schneeberger, MBE
Founder & CEO
18+ years climate change experience. Former advisor to Christiana Figueres for Paris COP21. Former Charity CEO managing $25M portfolio. Raised $30M+ for environmental projects.
Core Team
Laura Hurley
Policy Expert
15 years policy experience specializing in carbon removals and environmental regulation
Joy Williams
Carbon Finance Expert
25+ years finance experience, former GFANZ technical lead with deep VCM expertise
Gabrielle Brophy
Operations Lead
15 years high-impact project management and operations experience
Get Started
Select your role to get started. Whether you're a project developer or a potential corporate investor, we want to hear from you.