What is the name of your organization?
Lineup Ocean
What is the name of your solution?
Surfreef
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Bio-inspired artificial reefs protecting coasts while restoring marine ecosystems and generating blue carbon.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Montpellier, France
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
France
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Coastal communities around the world are increasingly exposed to the impacts of climate change, including erosion, sea level rise, and loss of marine biodiversity. Traditional coastal defenses are often expensive, carbon-intensive, and ecologically harmful. At the same time, marine habitats are degrading at alarming rates, affecting both biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions who depend on healthy oceans. According to the IPCC, over 680 million people live in low-lying coastal zones, many of them underserved and vulnerable. Additionally, ocean ecosystems, which could act as vital carbon sinks, are underperforming due to habitat loss. There is an urgent need for nature-based, scalable solutions that can protect coastlines, regenerate ecosystems, and contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation—all while involving local communities and industries.
What is your solution?
Surfreef is a new generation of bio-inspired artificial reefs designed to protect coastlines while regenerating marine life and storing blue carbon. Developed by Lineup Ocean, these modular structures mimic the natural complexity of mangroves, corals, and rocky reefs to dissipate wave energy and provide shelter for marine organisms. Surfreef units are eco-designed using low-impact materials such as recycled aggregates or shell-based concrete, and can be rapidly deployed with minimal disruption to the seafloor. The design promotes colonization by calcifying organisms, boosting biodiversity and long-term carbon sequestration. Surfreef combines engineering, marine biology, and circular economy principles to offer a scalable alternative to traditional coastal defenses. It protects both people and ecosystems, empowering communities to adapt to climate change while regenerating their natural capital.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Surfreef serves coastal communities vulnerable to erosion, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss. This includes small island populations, fishing villages, and tourism-dependent towns who are often underserved by large-scale infrastructure projects. These communities are on the frontlines of climate change and are frequently excluded from decision-making and innovation processes. By providing a modular, affordable, and replicable reef system, Surfreef empowers local stakeholders to take action. The solution offers physical protection from waves and submersion, helping to safeguard homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. It also boosts local fisheries and biodiversity, supporting food security and eco-tourism opportunities. In addition, Surfreef contributes to climate mitigation by fostering blue carbon habitats. Ultimately, the project strengthens the resilience of communities while regenerating the ecosystems they depend on.
