TOPtoTOP
TOPtoTOP is a Swiss non-profit founded in 1999 by Dario and Sabine Schwörer that runs a continuous global sailing expedition aboard the vessel Pachamama, educating approximately 200,000 students across 100+ countries through school visits, climate education workshops, marine research partnerships, and public events, funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersDel Mar, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What TOPtoTOP does
TOPtoTOP is a Swiss non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Dario and Sabine Schwörer, operating the Global Climate Expedition — a continuous 26-plus-year sailing expedition aboard the 15-meter vessel Pachamama. The family of eight has sailed to more than 100 countries and has educated approximately 200,000 students through direct school visits, hands-on environmental workshops, and public presentations. The organization's mission is to inspire youth to take climate action by demonstrating a tangible, lived alternative to fossil-fuel-dependent lifestyles.
The core technical platform is the Pachamama itself, equipped with Megasol and Sunware solar panels, a Superwind wind generator, a Nanni engine, TEXCO SWISS EPIRB emergency beacon, and ICOM M-500TR AIS transponder for safety. Beyond the expedition vessel, TOPtoTOP runs several sub-programs: SEA2TOP (marine biodiversity DNA sampling), SWISS TOPtoTOP 2.0 (a domestic bike-and-hike tour of Swiss cantons in partnership with UNEP), the 7 Summits climbing project, the Save the Arctic campaign, and a Climate Solution Award. The organization also engages in scientific data collection through partnerships with the International Pacific Research Center (IPRC, since 2013) and Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation (since 2016).
The business model is donation-driven: TOPtoTOP is funded through individual donations, annual memberships, corporate sponsorships (notably Victorinox, Canyon Bicycles, Sunware, DT Swiss), merchandise partnerships (WE ARE ZRCL sustainable t-shirts), and in-kind equipment support. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the organization is privately held by the founding family with no parent company, no venture or private-equity backing, and no subsidiaries. Customer segments are schools and K-12 students (primary), general public attending film tours and community events, and supporters/donors across the 100+ countries visited.
TOPtoTOP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TOPtoTOP
- Legal name
- TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition
- Website
- https://toptotop.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TOPtoTOP is a Swiss non-profit founded in 1999 by Dario and Sabine Schwörer that runs a continuous global sailing expedition aboard the vessel Pachamama, educating approximately 200,000 students across 100+ countries through school visits, climate education workshops, marine research partnerships, and public events, funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TOPtoTOP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-profit Environmental Education Services
- NAICS
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mountain, Glacier & Alpine Nature Tours (THAJAIAF)
Keywords
Where TOPtoTOP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Del Mar
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
TOPtoTOP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations: TOPtoTOP operates as a non-profit organization reliant on donations from individuals and supporters worldwide.
- Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions available through the website for supporters wanting ongoing involvement with the expedition.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with companies like Victorinox, Canyon Bikes, and others who provide equipment, funding, and in-kind support.
- Merchandise Partnership: Partnership with WE ARE ZRCL for sustainable t-shirts with 50% of proceeds going to TOPtoTOP.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation-based support |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
TOPtoTOP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TOPtoTOP is a Swiss non-profit organization operating a global climate expedition aboard the sailing vessel Pachamama, delivering environmental education through school visits, workshops, film tours, and research programs (SEA2TOP, SWISS TOPtoTOP 2.0, Save the Arctic, 7 Summits). The family-run initiative reaches schools and communities across 100+ countries, combining sailing, mountaineering, biodiversity sampling, and youth outreach to inspire climate action.
Product overview
TOPtoTOP is a Swiss non-profit organization running the Global Climate Expedition, a sailing-based educational program aboard the expedition sailboat Pachamama. The core offering combines the worldwide Pachamama expedition with school visits and educational programs, complemented by specialized projects including the SEA2TOP biodiversity program, SWISS TOPtoTOP 2.0 Swiss exploration, the 7 Summits around-the-world climbing expedition, Save the Arctic campaign, TOPtoTOP Arctic Base, Climate Solution Award, and Ocean Film Tour. The organization connects nature exploration with climate education through live tracking, video content, and hands-on environmental initiatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SEA2TOP: Biodiversity project involving DNA sampling at sea to study marine life and contribute to scientific research.
- SWISS TOPtoTOP
- Save the Arctic
Products and services
- School Visits and Educational Programs On-site and aboard-vessel educational presentations, workshops, drawing contests, and beach cleanups delivered at schools and educational institutions worldwide, targeting K-12 students and teachers to raise awareness of environmental protection and climate solutions.
- SEA2TOP Biodiversity Program A research program that collects DNA samples from oceans during the sailing expedition to document and study marine biodiversity, contributing data to scientific research on marine life.
- SWISS TOPtoTOP 2.0 A bike and hike tour that visits the highest point in each of the 26 Swiss cantons, documenting inspiring climate protection examples and positive environmental innovations across Switzerland.
- 7 Summits Non-Stop Around-the-World Expedition A record-setting mountaineering and sailing project that climbs the highest peaks on each continent using human power and natural forces, with the final summit being Mount Vinson in Antarctica.
- Ocean Film Tour A touring film event showcasing documentaries dedicated to the sea, adventure, and environmental awareness, featuring TOPtoTOP films and enabling in-person presentations and interviews across Swiss cities.
- TOPtoTOP Arctic Base (TOP Villa Villekulla) A physical base in Lyngenfjord, Northern Norway serving as accommodation, Save the Arctic campaign center, ski mountaineering training hub, and meeting point for nature enthusiasts during Arctic operations.
- TOPtoTOP Membership Program Annual membership subscription for individuals and supporters wanting ongoing involvement with the TOPtoTOP expedition and continuous support of the climate education mission.
Quantifiable outcome
- Educated approximately 200,000 students about environmental protection across 100+ countries
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use TOPtoTOP
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
TOPtoTOP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
TOPtoTOP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SunwarecoreSolar panel manufacturer providing deckhouse solar panels installed in June 2026 for enhanced renewable energy generation aboard Pachamama.
- Hair Help the OceansminorEnvironmental organization providing hair cleaners tested aboard Pachamama; hair is being used as oil filters demonstration project covered by NDR TV and Spiegel Magazine.
- TEXCO SWISScoreSwiss company providing EPIRB satellite emergency beacon for maritime safety and distress signaling aboard the expedition vessel.
- NOGVAminorNorwegian company where new Nanni engine was checked and tested; hosted farewell presentation and lunch for TOPtoTOP in Søvik, Ålesund region.
- WE ARE ZRCLminorMerchandise partnership for sustainable t-shirts with 50% of proceeds going to TOPtoTOP support.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreTOPtoTOP partners with UNEP as part of Swiss TOPtoTOP 2.0 initiative. The organization's climate expedition aligns with UNEP's environmental protection mission.
- React Swiss EyewearminorPartner in Swiss TOPtoTOP 2.0 initiative providing eyewear for the expedition team.
- Flyer BikesminorPartner in Swiss TOPtoTOP 2.0 initiative providing bicycles for the canton climbing and biking tour.
- Swiss Youth HostelsminorSupporter of Swiss TOPtoTOP 2.0 initiative, providing youth accommodation along the route through Switzerland.
- Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation (ASC)corePartnership for collecting microplastic water samples during Arctic voyage, contributing to marine debris research during Northwest Passage transit.
- International Pacific Research Center (IPRC)coreScientific partnership to collect seawater samples for analyzing Fukushima-related radionuclides, cesium radioisotopes, oil film, marine debris, and drifters in the North Pacific. TOPtoTOP serves as research vessel while sailing to Alaska and back.
- Hotel HalekulaniminorFive-star hotel in Honolulu generously hosted TOPtoTOP family for a week during Hawaii stopover, with Swiss manager Ueli Krauer facilitating the stay.
- Swiss Honorary Consul in Hawaii (Theres Desai)minorSwiss Honorary Consul provided significant support to TOPtoTOP during Hawaii visit, facilitating connections and resources.
- MegasolcoreSolar panel manufacturer providing renewable energy systems for the Pachamama vessel, enabling sustainable power generation during global expedition.
- SuperwindcoreWind generator manufacturer providing supplemental renewable energy systems alongside solar panels for the expedition vessel.
- Bucher & WaltcoreProvided solar panels and children's life vests for the expedition vessel Pachamama. Long-standing equipment partner since early expedition years.
- Canyon BicyclescoreCanyon provided two expedition bicycles for the 15,000 km Swiss TOPtoTOP 1.0 journey in 2003, outfitting the family with Star comfort MTB bikes, clothing, shoes, helmets, repair tools, and spare parts.
- DT SwissminorSwiss component manufacturer visited during Swiss TOPtoTOP 1.0; DT Swiss is a world leader in bicycle components that also supplies Canyon.
- VictorinoxcoreLong-standing partnership with Swiss knife manufacturer Victorinox. Victorinox provides tools and equipment for the expedition vessel and has supported TOPtoTOP since the beginning. Victorinox tools were used to fix Dario's ski binding during Patrouille des Glaciers 2026.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TOPtoTOP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Adventure Alternative: Sustainable tourism operator running mountaineering, trekking, and adventure expeditions with educational and community-development components. Comparable in combining adventure expeditions (similar to TOPtoTOP's 7 Summits project) with educational mission.
- WE ARE ZRCL: Sustainable apparel brand partnered with TOPtoTOP for co-branded merchandise (50% of proceeds donated). Listed as a direct commercial partner rather than a peer, but comparable as a sustainability-focused brand leveraging expedition storytelling.
Broad incumbents
- Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle Alliance): Major ocean conservation non-profit founded by Sylvia Earle, focused on protecting marine protected areas ('Hope Spots'). Comparable in combining advocacy, education, and ocean exploration for environmental impact, but at significantly larger scale.
- Plastic Oceans Foundation: Non-profit producing documentary films and educational content on plastic pollution. Comparable in combining ocean-focused documentary production (similar to Ocean Film Tour) with global education outreach.
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Marine conservation non-profit operating vessels for direct-action ocean protection campaigns. Comparable in operating ocean-going vessels as the foundation of an environmental mission, though far more activist-oriented than TOPtoTOP's education focus.
- The Ocean Cleanup: Large-scale non-profit deploying ocean cleanup technology to remove plastic pollution. Comparable in ocean-conservation mission and public-facing education, though its technology-first approach differs from TOPtoTOP's experiential/expedition model.
Direct peers
- Class Afloat: Offers semester-at-sea high school and university programs combining academic credit with sailing voyages. Comparable in using a sailing vessel as a mobile education platform engaging with schools.
- Sail Training International: Non-profit federation promoting sail training as character education for youth via tall-ship voyages. Comparable mission of using sailing vessels as platforms for youth education and personal development.
- eXXpedition: A non-profit sailing expedition organization running multi-leg voyages to research ocean plastic pollution and educate participants on environmental issues. Highly comparable to TOPtoTOP in combining sailing-based missions with ocean research and public-facing environmental education.
- Pangaea Explorations: Youth-focused sailing expedition organization offering educational voyages combining adventure and environmental learning. Directly comparable in delivering sailing-based experiential education to young people.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
TOPtoTOP social profiles
Digital presenceTOPtoTOP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TOPtoTOP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
TOPtoTOP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TOPtoTOP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TOPtoTOP
What does TOPtoTOP do?
TOPtoTOP is a Swiss non-profit organization operating a global climate expedition aboard the sailing vessel Pachamama, delivering environmental education through school visits, workshops, film tours, and research programs (SEA2TOP, SWISS TOPtoTOP 2.0, Save the Arctic, 7 Summits). The family-run initiative reaches schools and communities across 100+ countries, combining sailing, mountaineering, biodiversity sampling, and youth outreach to inspire climate action.
Is TOPtoTOP a public or private company?
TOPtoTOP is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was TOPtoTOP founded?
TOPtoTOP was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TOPtoTOP based?
TOPtoTOP is headquartered in Del Mar, United States, in the North America region.
How does TOPtoTOP make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, corporate Sponsorships and merchandise Partnership.
Who are TOPtoTOP's main competitors?
Others on record are Adventure Alternative and WE ARE ZRCL. Broad incumbents are Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle Alliance), Plastic Oceans Foundation, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and The Ocean Cleanup. Direct peers are Class Afloat, Sail Training International, eXXpedition and Pangaea Explorations.
Does TOPtoTOP have an API?
No public API is recorded for TOPtoTOP.
What industry is TOPtoTOP in?
TOPtoTOP's product category is Non-profit Environmental Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAIAF, Mountain, Glacier & Alpine Nature Tours. Its NAICS code is 4872.