Solar Impulse Foundation

What Solar Impulse Foundation does

Solar Impulse Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organization headquartered in Montricher, Switzerland, founded by Bertrand Piccard following the 2015-2016 solar-powered circumnavigation of the globe. The Foundation operates a global ecosystem for identifying, certifying, and scaling clean technologies that are both environmentally beneficial and economically profitable, organized around three core pillars: the Efficient Solution Label, the Solutions Explorer database, and the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions. Its central platform, the Solutions Explorer, is a curated, free-access search engine showcasing 1,640+ labeled climate solutions assessed by independent experts and audited by Ernst & Young across 20 focus topics ranging from Clean Aviation to Circular Economy. The Foundation connects four primary stakeholder groups — 5,170+ innovators, investors, adopters, and promoters, supported by 335 expert evaluators — through events, matchmaking, advocacy, and accelerator programs, with 100M+ euros of investments facilitated and 150+ B2B events hosted since 2020.

The Foundation operates on a donation and grant-based revenue model, with no fees charged for membership, labeling, or platform access. Core products include the Efficient Solution Label (valid for three years with re-certification), the AI Explorer for AI-powered solution discovery, the Investment Hub for connecting innovators with investors, the Pioneer Awards annual recognition program, the Global Impulse Program for startup acceleration, and the Prêt à Voter legislative advocacy initiative. Strategic partners include Schneider Electric Foundation, BNP Paribas, Airbus Foundation, Bouygues, AXA, Adeo, and the UN Environment Programme, alongside regional government partners in Switzerland, France, Scotland, Belgium, and Portugal. The Foundation extends its reach through flagship initiatives such as Climate Impulse, a green hydrogen-powered circumnavigation project announced for 2026, and educational programs targeting schools, universities, and cities. Advocacy engagement spans UNFCCC Climate Negotiations (COP26 through COP30 and scheduled COP32), the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and UN Environment Programme, positioning the Foundation as both a solutions catalog and a policy thought leader in the cleantech ecosystem.

Name

Solar Impulse Foundation

Legal name

Solar Impulse Foundation

Website

https://solarimpulse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Solar Impulse Foundation is a Swiss non-profit that certifies and promotes 1,640+ clean and profitable climate solutions through the Solutions Explorer platform, connecting 5,170+ innovators, investors, adopters, and policymakers globally via its Efficient Solution Label audited by Ernst & Young.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Solutions Certification & Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms (EUABAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory & Disclosure Strategy (CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS S2, SEC, TCFD) (EUABAKAH), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

Keywords

• Climate solution certification
• Clean technology database
• Cleantech investment matchmaking
• Sustainable innovation advocacy
• Green hydrogen aviation

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The foundation operates as a Swiss non-profit organization receiving donations from partners, public entities, and individuals to support solutions that create jobs and generate profit while reducing pollution and preserving natural resources.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Solar Impulse Foundation identifies, assesses, labels, and promotes clean and profitable climate solutions through its Solutions Explorer database (1,640+ labeled solutions) and the Efficient Solution Label certification audited by Ernst & Young. It connects innovators with investors, adopters, and policymakers via the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions (5,170+ members), the Investment Hub, advocacy programs, and flagship events such as the Pioneer Awards and Pioneers Forum.

Product overview

The Solar Impulse Foundation operates a unified ecosystem of interconnected products and programs centered on its Efficient Solution Labeling system. The core platform is the Solutions Explorer—a searchable database of 1000+ certified clean and profitable climate solutions, complemented by the AI Explorer for AI-powered discovery. The World Alliance (5170+ members) serves as the community backbone, while the Investment Hub facilitates funding connections. Key programs include the Global Impulse Program for startup acceleration, Pioneer Awards for recognition, and Pioneers Forum as the flagship event. The Foundation also runs advocacy initiatives including Prêt à Voter (legislative proposals) and partners with UNEP and cities/regions globally. Climate Impulse demonstrates hydrogen aviation technology, while the Educational Corner and City of Tomorrow exposition spread awareness. The Efficient Solution Label (audited by EY, recognized by EC/UN/WEF) certifies solutions' environmental and economic viability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solutions Explorer A free-access search engine and database showcasing 1,000+ clean and profitable climate solutions assessed by independent experts. Enables businesses, public authorities, and individuals to filter solutions by sector, client, application, environmental benefit, and technology.
• Efficient Solution Label Certification label that validates solutions as both environmentally beneficial and economically viable. Rigorous 5-step process (initial application, full application, expert evaluation, final review, re-certification); label valid for three years.
• World Alliance for Efficient Solutions Global network of 5,170 members (innovators, investors, adopters, promoters) supported by 335 independent experts, promoting efficient solutions among decision-makers, media, and the public to accelerate cleantech adoption.
• AI Explorer

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,640+ solutions labeled and 100M+ euros of investments facilitated
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UN Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Strategic partnership to develop the Catalogue of Climate Solutions for Buildings, selecting Optiml's Real Estate Decision Intelligence (REDI) platform for inclusion. The collaboration aims to accelerate adoption of proven climate solutions globally.
• Schneider Electric FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner supporting the Foundation's mission. Schneider Electric collaborated on reports including Energy Efficiency for SMEs with the EIB Group, demonstrating practical applications of clean technologies in buildings and industrial processes.
• Airbus FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting the Foundation's aviation and mobility initiatives, leveraging expertise in aerospace and sustainable aviation technologies.
• BouyguesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction and real estate partner contributing to green building solutions and sustainable construction practices in the Foundation's ecosystem.
• Région Île de FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partner in France supporting the Foundation's advocacy work and bringing solutions to the attention of regional decision-makers.
• Région Grand EstmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partner providing direct support and collaboration on bringing sustainable solutions to cities and businesses in the Grand Est region of France.
• Scottish GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect support provided by the Scottish Government for the Foundation's advocacy work and clean technology adoption initiatives.
• Wallonia RegionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partner in Belgium providing direct support for the Foundation's initiatives to promote efficient solutions.
• Service for the Promotion of the Economy and Innovation (SPEI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Vaud region's SPEI to select ten startups for the Global Impulse Program, accelerating international expansion of cleantech companies including Droople, Voltiris, Enerdrape, Perovskia Solar, TeraSol, Ecorobotix, WasteFlow, Neology Hydrogen, CompPair Technologies, and Verretex.
• AdeomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome improvement retailer partner working with the Foundation to promote clean technologies and sustainable solutions in the retail/home improvement sector.
• AXAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance partner collaborating on sustainable solutions and risk management approaches for clean technology implementations.
• H55minorOthersCompany founded in 2017 by Solar Impulse alumni André Borschberg, Gregory Blatt, and Sébastien Demont, working to certify electric propulsion systems for aviation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Project Drawdown: Project Drawdown reviews and ranks climate solutions based on their potential to reduce greenhouse gases, providing a curated public resource of effective solutions. Directly comparable to the Solutions Explorer as a curated, expert-assessed database of climate solutions.
• Carbon Trust: Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy that certifies low-carbon products, technologies, and businesses through independent verification. Closely analogous to the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label model of third-party-assessed certification of clean solutions.
• We Mean Business Coalition: We Mean Business Coalition convenes businesses and investors to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy, mirroring the Foundation's adopter-and-investor matchmaking and policy advocacy model.
• Climate KIC: Climate KIC is the EU's climate innovation initiative, running accelerators, labeling innovation, and convening cleantech communities. Closely aligned with the Foundation's Global Impulse Program, World Alliance model, and policy advocacy at EU level.
• Climate Action Tracker (CAT): CAT is an independent scientific assessment that tracks government climate action against Paris Agreement commitments. Comparable to the Foundation's independent expert assessment and policy-credibility role, though focused on government targets rather than solutions.

Broad incumbents

• B Lab / B Corp: B Lab certifies companies meeting verified standards of social and environmental performance. Comparable as a third-party-assessed certification label for sustainable businesses, though broader than the Solar Impulse Label's product/solution focus.
• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): CDP runs the world's largest environmental disclosure platform used by investors, companies, and policymakers to measure and act on climate impact. Comparable to the Foundation's role as an environmental data and disclosure intermediary between corporates, investors, and regulators.
• RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute): RMI is a global clean-energy think tank that curates and promotes actionable climate solutions to policymakers and businesses. Directly comparable to the Solar Impulse Foundation's mission of bridging solution providers with adopters and governments through research, convening, and advocacy.
• World Economic Forum (WEF) Climate Initiatives: WEF's UpLink platform and climate initiatives crowdsource and scale innovative solutions globally while convening governments and businesses at Davos. Comparable as a global multi-stakeholder convening and solution-curation platform with high-level policy access.

Emerging players

• EIT InnoEnergy: EIT InnoEnergy invests in and accelerates sustainable energy startups across Europe, combining capital, expertise, and ecosystem access. Comparable to the Foundation's Global Impulse Program and Investment Hub for cleantech startups, with deeper venture capital capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solarimpulse
• Facebookfacebook.com/solarimpulse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/694468
• Instagraminstagram.com/solarimpulse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments9 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solar Impulse Foundation