Maternity Foundation
Maternity Foundation is a Danish non-profit NGO founded in 2005 that develops the Safe Delivery App and Safe Delivery+ Programme to train midwives and frontline healthcare professionals in low- and middle-income countries, reaching 500,000+ users across 70+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Maternity Foundation does
Maternity Foundation is a Danish non-profit international development organization, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Copenhagen, that builds digital and in-person training tools to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Its core product is the Safe Delivery App, a free mobile application for midwives and other frontline healthcare professionals that delivers evidence-based, peer-reviewed clinical guidance on obstetric and neonatal emergencies, alongside the Safe Delivery+ Programme which combines app-based learning with hands-on mentoring. The platform has reached more than 500,000 healthcare professionals across 70+ countries and supports content in 30+ languages, with offline functionality designed for low-connectivity settings.
The underlying technology stack centers on a smartphone application supported by an in-app learning management system, with content co-developed with the University of Copenhagen, Johns Hopkins, and UNFPA/UNICEF partners, and extended by an AI-enabled smartbot called NeMa that was piloted in India in 2023–2024 in partnership with Neuvo Inc. and benshi.ai. Distribution is direct-to-user via app stores and is also driven by national-level integration of the curriculum into pre-service midwifery training and by partnerships with government health authorities. The product has expanded beyond intrapartum emergency care into modules covering gestational diabetes, postnatal care, and perinatal mental health.
The organization is funded primarily through institutional grants rather than commercial revenue. Major disclosed funders include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Government of Denmark, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the World Diabetes Foundation; corporate partners include Laerdal, GN, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, and Gnosis by Lesaffre. The go-to-market is partnership-led: scale is built by embedding the solution into national health systems and donor-funded programs rather than by direct sales.
Maternity Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Maternity Foundation
- Legal name
- Maternity Foundation
- Website
- https://maternity.dk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Maternity Foundation is a Danish non-profit NGO founded in 2005 that develops the Safe Delivery App and Safe Delivery+ Programme to train midwives and frontline healthcare professionals in low- and middle-income countries, reaching 500,000+ users across 70+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Maternity Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maternal and Newborn Health Digital Solutions
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pregnancy & Prenatal Care Telehealth (OB tele-visits, prenatal monitoring) (HLALAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Maternal & Neonatal Remote Monitoring Platforms (HLACAFAC), Postpartum & Newborn Care Telehealth (postpartum check-ins, newborn guidance) (HLALAHAD), Maternal Mental Health Telehealth (perinatal anxiety/depression, support programs) (HLALAHAH), Contraception & Family Planning Telehealth (birth control, counseling, follow-up) (HLALAHAB)
Keywords
Where Maternity Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copenhagen
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Maternity Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and Donations: Maternity Foundation is a non-profit NGO. Revenue comes primarily through grants from foundations (Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, World Diabetes Foundation), government funding (Government of Denmark, GIZ), corporate partnerships (Gnosis by Lesaffre, Ferring Pharmaceuticals), and individual donations (MobilePay, bank transfer, US donations via maternityus.org).
- Strategic Partnerships: Global Maternity Partners programme - strategic philanthropists that contribute not only funding but also essential knowledge, skills, and network to support scaling work globally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free app for all healthcare professionals |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Maternity Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Maternity Foundation develops and distributes the Safe Delivery App, a free evidence-based mobile job aid and microlearning tool for midwives and other healthcare professionals in low-resource settings. The App works offline once downloaded, is available in 30+ language and country versions, and is delivered alongside the Safe Delivery+ Programme - a Training-of-Trainers cascade curriculum combining competency-based training, certification, and integration into national health system curricula across 70+ low- and middle-income countries.
Product overview
Maternity Foundation operates a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on its Safe Delivery+ Programme. The core offering consists of the Safe Delivery App—a free, evidence-based mobile application that functions offline and supports midwives in providing maternal and newborn care. The App serves as the digital backbone, while the broader Safe Delivery+ Programme provides competency-based training, certification pathways, and implementation support. The App contains multiple clinical modules including Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care, Antenatal Care, Postnatal Care, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Perinatal Mental Health, Modern Contraception, Safe Abortion, COVID-19, and Normal Labour and Birth. Additional offerings include the LUCY SMS service for pregnant women and the 10 Million Safer Births Initiative. The product portfolio has expanded from an initial focus on emergency care to a more holistic, preventive approach encompassing the full continuum of maternal healthcare.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Safe Delivery App: Evidence-based job aid, training and microlearning tool designed to support midwives and other healthcare professionals in providing quality preventive, routine, and emergency care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
- Safe Delivery+ Programme
- 10 Million Safer Births Initiative
Products and services
- Safe Delivery App A free, evidence-based mobile application and microlearning tool designed to support midwives and healthcare professionals in providing quality preventive, routine, and emergency maternal and newborn care. Works offline once downloaded and is available in 30+ language and country-specific versions covering emergency obstetric and newborn care, antenatal care, postnatal care, gestational diabetes, perinatal mental health, contraception, safe abortion, COVID-19, and normal labour.
- Safe Delivery+ Programme A comprehensive capacity-building programme combining competency-based training with the Safe Delivery App as a practical job aid and microlearning tool. Includes Training-of-Trainers cascade approaches, certification pathways for healthcare professionals, and integration into national health system curricula in low-resource settings.
- LUCY SMS Service An SMS-based health information service for pregnant women and new mothers providing health information and enabling connection to health systems throughout pregnancy and early childhood. Originally launched in Ethiopia.
- 10 Million Safer Births Initiative A flagship maternal health initiative implemented through UNFPA's Maternal and Newborn Health Fund, aiming to ensure 10 million safer births across Sub-Saharan Africa by end of 2030. First phase targets Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
Quantifiable outcome
- 77% of midwives in Tajikistan report improved obstetric knowledge; 79% report increased confidence; 98% confirm stronger clinical decision-making
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Maternity Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Maternity Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature5 records
Maternity Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Gnosis by LesaffrecoreMulti-year partnership to expand preventive focus in maternal health. Core focus is accelerated rollout of antenatal care module within Safe Delivery App and expanding hands-on antenatal care training.
- UNFPAcorePartnership with UNFPA for the 10 Million Safer Births Initiative under patronage of HM Queen Mary of Denmark. First phase targets Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Initiative aims to ensure 10 million safer births across Sub-Saharan Africa by end of 2030.
- GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)corePartnership to launch national versions of Safe Delivery App for Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan under the regional project 'Improving Mother and Child Health in Central Asia'. Includes training cascade programmes.
- International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)corePartnership with ICM and Direct Relief to support midwives in safeguarding women and newborns from climate-related impacts. Global partnership to strengthen midwives' capacity.
- Direct ReliefmajorPartnership with ICM and Direct Relief announced to support midwives in protecting mothers and newborns from climate-related risks.
- World Diabetes FoundationcorePartnership for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) training module in Safe Delivery App in India. Piloted in clinics across selected districts of Madhya Pradesh, reaching 16,700 users with GDM module.
- Ferring PharmaceuticalsmajorPartnership to prevent excessive bleeding after birth (postpartum haemorrhage), one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.
- Neuvo IncmajorCollaboration to develop AI-based NeMa smartbot, piloted in India in 2023. Provides faster, high-quality AI-powered support for midwives.
- UNFPA JordanmajorImplementation partner for Safe Delivery+ programme in Jordan, including training in Al Za'atari Camp and integration into national SRH coordination.
- Jordan Health Aid Society – International (JHASi)majorImplementation partner in Jordan for Safe Delivery+ programme, hosting workshops and supporting knowledge exchange.
- Danish Red CrossmajorImplementation partner for Safe Delivery+ programme in MENA region (Jordan, Iraq, Syria).
- Iraqi Red Crescent SocietymajorImplementation partner in Iraq. Has integrated Safe Delivery App into maternal health programming.
- Laerdal Global HealthmajorPartnership to support and scale Safe Delivery App globally. Laerdal is a leading provider of solutions for healthcare training.
- JhpiegomajorImplementation partner for Safe Delivery App launch in India (Hindi version) and various other countries. Technical support for integration.
- Aastrika FoundationmajorDue to collaboration with Aastrika, a learning experience with content from Safe Delivery App has been integrated into their digital learning platform 'Aastrika Sphere'. Also partnered for e-learning platform for nurses across India with India Nursing Council.
- Five universities in EthiopiamajorPartnership with five universities in Ethiopia to make Safe Delivery App part of the curriculum in midwifery schools.
- Ethiopian Midwives AssociationcoreLong-term partnership for implementing Safe Delivery App in Ethiopia. Collaborating on CPD accredited courses based on Safe Delivery App modules.
- University of CopenhagenmajorPartnership for developing and testing innovative mobile health technologies. Clinical trial of Safe Delivery App in Ethiopia conducted in cooperation with University of Copenhagen and University of Southern Denmark.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Maternity Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Laerdal Global Health: Laerdal Global Health is a non-profit that develops low-cost simulation and training tools (e.g., MamaBirthie, MamaNatalie) for maternal and newborn care in low-resource settings, and is a long-standing Maternity Foundation partner. Both organisations target the same frontline birth attendant segment with complementary digital and physical training products.
- Jhpiego: Jhpiego is an international non-profit affiliated with Johns Hopkins that designs and implements maternal, newborn, and reproductive health programmes in 40+ countries. It is both a Maternity Foundation implementation partner (India, Ethiopia) and a direct peer in the maternal-health capacity-building space.
- D-tree International: D-tree International develops digital clinical decision-support and training apps for community health workers in low-resource settings across Africa and Asia. It is a close direct peer in mobile health tooling for frontline maternal and child health workers.
- AMREF Health Africa: AMREF Health Africa is a large African-led NGO focused on training community health workers, with deep maternal and newborn health programming. It is highly comparable to Maternity Foundation in target audience (midwives, frontline workers) and operating geography (Sub-Saharan Africa).
- Pathfinder International: Pathfinder International is a global sexual and reproductive health and rights organisation delivering family planning, maternal health, and contraception programmes in 15+ LMICs. Its contraceptive and reproductive health focus closely mirrors Maternity Foundation's Modern Contraception and Safe Abortion modules.
- IntraHealth International: IntraHealth International works on health workforce development, including digital training and capacity-building for midwives and frontline workers in low-resource settings. Its mandate on building health-worker capacity directly overlaps Maternity Foundation's Safe Delivery+ training model.
Broad incumbents
- Save the Children: Save the Children operates a large global maternal, newborn, and child health portfolio across 100+ countries with substantial funding from major institutional donors. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with Maternity Foundation's maternal health work but at a much larger scale and scope.
- UNFPA: UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, a core Maternity Foundation partner and co-implementer of the 10 Million Safer Births Initiative. It is the dominant institutional incumbent in maternal health globally and a key channel partner for Safe Delivery App rollouts.
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): CHAI works to save lives and reduce the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries, with growing focus on maternal and newborn health alongside its core HIV, malaria, and vaccine work. It is a broad incumbent in global health implementation with overlapping donor funder ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Concept Foundation: Concept Foundation is a Geneva-based non-profit focused on improving access to sexual and reproductive health commodities and training in LMICs. It overlaps with Maternity Foundation on contraception and maternal health training in low-resource settings, but at smaller scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Maternity Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceMaternity Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Maternity Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Maternity Foundation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Maternity Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Maternity Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Maternity Foundation
What does Maternity Foundation do?
Maternity Foundation develops and distributes the Safe Delivery App, a free evidence-based mobile job aid and microlearning tool for midwives and other healthcare professionals in low-resource settings. The App works offline once downloaded, is available in 30+ language and country versions, and is delivered alongside the Safe Delivery+ Programme - a Training-of-Trainers cascade curriculum combining competency-based training, certification, and integration into national health system curricula across 70+ low- and middle-income countries.
Is Maternity Foundation a public or private company?
Maternity Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Maternity Foundation founded?
Maternity Foundation was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Maternity Foundation based?
Maternity Foundation is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Maternity Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are strategic Partnerships.
Who are Maternity Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Laerdal Global Health, Jhpiego, D-tree International, AMREF Health Africa, Pathfinder International and IntraHealth International. Broad incumbents are Save the Children, UNFPA and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). Concept Foundation is listed as an emerging player.
Does Maternity Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Maternity Foundation.
What industry is Maternity Foundation in?
Maternity Foundation's product category is Maternal and Newborn Health Digital Solutions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLALAHAC, Pregnancy & Prenatal Care Telehealth (OB tele-visits, prenatal monitoring), with a secondary code of HLACAFAC, Maternal & Neonatal Remote Monitoring Platforms. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8090.