PAX sapiens
PAX sapiens Foundation is a private nonprofit philanthropic foundation, founded in 2024 by Marcel and Cynda Collins Arsenault, that prevents predictable global catastrophes — pandemics, U.S.-China conflict, and nuclear use — through grantmaking, operating programs (Open Nuclear Network, Our Secure Future, JADE), and Track II convening across offices in the U.S., Austria, and China.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersBroomfield, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PAX sapiens does
PAX sapiens Foundation is a private nonprofit philanthropic foundation established in 2024 and headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, by Marcel Arsenault and Cynda Collins Arsenault as part of a 25-year-old family of foundations that also includes Shuraako Capital (formerly One Earth Future Foundation) and Secure World Foundation. The foundation's stated mission is to prevent predictable global catastrophes — specifically global pandemics, armed conflict between the United States and China, and the use of nuclear weapons — and to advance the global Women, Peace and Security agenda. It operates four offices across three countries (Broomfield, Washington D.C., Vienna, and Beijing under the Arsenault Family Foundation China banner) and pursues its work through a distinctive P^3 partnership model that brings philanthropic, private-sector, and public-sector actors together around measurable KPIs.
The foundation delivers impact through a portfolio of five operating programs and three sub-initiatives: the Global Pandemic Prevention program (backed by a $200M, 15-year commitment and containing the Pandemic Compensation Initiative, Innovative Financing for Pandemic Response, and Pandemic Risk Outlook), the U.S.-China Conflict Prevention program, the Open Nuclear Network (ONN) for nuclear risk reduction, Joint Action on Drug Elimination (JADE) for U.S.-China anti-narcotics cooperation, and Our Secure Future (OSF) for Women, Peace and Security. Core technology consists of empirical research, open-source data analysis (notably through ONN), strategic foresight, and convening infrastructure rather than proprietary products; the foundation partners with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to access the OH-TREADS AI platform for wildlife disease surveillance.
The business model is philanthropic grantmaking and operating-program funding rather than commercial revenue: PAX sapiens does not generate sales revenue, and its operating capital is supplied principally by the Arsenault founders and the broader family of foundations. It identifies grantees through direct outreach (not unsolicited proposals), deploys multi-stage grants with co-investment requirements, and disburses funds to a diverse set of think tanks, academic institutions, and NGOs (e.g., Carnegie Endowment, Brookings, CNAS, Stimson, Perry World House, University of Wisconsin-Madison). Customer segments are therefore vertical-specific — global policy and peace organizations, global health organizations, nuclear governance and disarmament bodies, U.S.-China relations organizations, drug policy organizations, and Women, Peace and Security organizations — served primarily through grant capital, convening, and research collaboration. The only commercial revenue line is incidental office-suite rental to 501(c)(3) tenants at approximately $1,684 per month.
PAX sapiens firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PAX sapiens
- Legal name
- PAX sapiens Foundation
- Website
- https://paxsapiens.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PAX sapiens Foundation is a private nonprofit philanthropic foundation, founded in 2024 by Marcel and Cynda Collins Arsenault, that prevents predictable global catastrophes — pandemics, U.S.-China conflict, and nuclear use — through grantmaking, operating programs (Open Nuclear Network, Our Secure Future, JADE), and Track II convening across offices in the U.S., Austria, and China.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PAX sapiens industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Peace and Security Philanthropy
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), International Affairs (92812), Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Peace, Security Sector Reform & Stabilization Programs (BPADABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)
Keywords
Where PAX sapiens is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Broomfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
PAX sapiens business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Philanthropic/Foundation Funding: PAX sapiens is funded primarily by its founders Marcel Arsenault and Cynda Collins Arsenault. Marcel is an investor, serial entrepreneur, and CEO of Real Capital Solutions which oversees a portfolio of real estate. The foundation brings an impact-focused approach to philanthropy based on expertise in building successful businesses and navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Nonprofit Office Suite Rental - 2800 sq feet with six private offices, open floor space, one convertible meeting room |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
PAX sapiens product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PAX sapiens is a private philanthropic foundation that prevents predictable global catastrophes through five operating programs and strategic grantmaking. The foundation focuses on global pandemic prevention, U.S.-China conflict prevention, nuclear risk reduction, joint action on drug elimination (especially fentanyl), and the women, peace and security agenda. It conducts research, convenes governments and civil society, and funds partner organizations with multi-stage grants tied to measurable KPIs.
Product overview
PAX sapiens is a philanthropic foundation (not a technology product company) focused on preventing predictable global catastrophes. The organization operates through five main programmatic areas: Global Pandemic Prevention, Joint Action on Drug Elimination (JADE), U.S.-China Conflict Prevention, Open Nuclear Network (ONN), and Our Secure Future (OSF) for Women, Peace and Security. Within the Global Pandemic Prevention program, there are three sub-initiatives: the Pandemic Compensation Initiative, Innovative Financing for Pandemic Response, and Pandemic Risk Outlook (PRO). The foundation operates through grantmaking and operational programs including convenings, thought leadership, and research development. PAX sapiens is part of a family of foundations including Shuraako Capital (formerly One Earth Future Foundation) and Secure World Foundation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Open Nuclear Network (ONN): Nuclear risk reduction program using open-source data, forecasting and strategic engagement
- Our Secure Future (OSF)
- Joint Action on Drug Elimination (JADE)
- Pandemic Compensation Initiative
- Pandemic Risk Outlook (PRO)
Products and services
- Global Pandemic Prevention Program A programmatic effort to prevent global pandemics by strengthening global and local systems for pandemic prevention, addressing governance gaps in technical capacity, sustainable financing, and political will.
- Joint Action on Drug Elimination (JADE)
Quantifiable outcome
- COVID-19 cost could have funded more than 800 years of pandemic prevention at current investment levels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PAX sapiens
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PAX sapiens technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
PAX sapiens partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- International Narcotics and Research (INHR)minorCo-published bilingual 'U.S.-China Joint Resource Guide to Fighting Fentanyl' with PAX at the 4th International Forum on Drug Policy in Shanghai.
- Consortium to Reduce Nuclear DangerscorePartnership between PAX sapiens, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Longview Philanthropy, Founders Pledge, and Global Challenges Foundation to reduce nuclear dangers through coordinated philanthropy.
- CPAFFC (Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)minorOrganized the 2025 'Guling Yuan' China-U.S. Youth Health Dialogue along with Foreign Affairs Offices and Health Commissions of Fujian and Guangdong Provinces, Yale Medicine, Stanford Medicine, and leading Chinese hospitals.
- Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation & Ocean GovernanceminorCo-organized the fourth Rocky Mountain Retreat on China-U.S. Relations with AFF China. Dialogue focused on navigating bilateral relations under second Trump administration.
- Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)minorOrganized the Second Jimmy Carter U.S.-China Relations Dialogue in Hangzhou with more than seventy delegates including former senior diplomats and scholars from Yale, Fudan, Peking, and Renmin Universities.
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)minorConvened first-of-its-kind group with PNNL's AI-Driven One Health Security Program to negotiate harmonizing wildlife data and offer analytic tools. PNNL's OH-TREADS platform provides state-of-the-art data science and AI for disease outbreak prevention.
- Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary MedicineminorPartner in wildlife data sharing initiative. Dr. Tracey McNamara emphasized chronic underfunding of wildlife data surveillance sector compared to human and agricultural counterparts.
- Shuraako Capital (formerly One Earth Future Foundation)flagshipCo-founded by Marcel and Cynda Collins Arsenault. Shuraako Capital (formerly One Earth Future Foundation) is part of the 25-year-old family of foundations working on peace and stability. OEF designs, tests, and partners to scale economic development and peacebuilding programs in fragile regions including Somalia and rural Columbia.
- Secure World Foundation (SWF)flagshipCo-founded by Marcel and Cynda Collins Arsenault. Secure World Foundation works with governments and key stakeholders to develop more effective peaceful governance systems for outer space.
- Arsenault Family Foundation ChinacorePAX's Beijing office operates under the Arsenault Family Foundation China banner. Oversees implementation of annual workplan and operations including the China-U.S. Scholars Dialogues, Rocky Mountain Retreat, and Jimmy Carter U.S.-China Relations Dialogue.
- Open Nuclear Network (ONN)coreONN is a program of PAX sapiens focused on reducing risks associated with nuclear weapons. Leverages open-source data, forecasting and foresight, and strategic engagement to support informed decision-making. Currently focuses on Euro-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific regions.
- Our Secure Future (OSF)coreOSF is a program of PAX sapiens focused on strengthening the Women, Peace and Security movement. Believes women make the crucial difference in achieving effective governance and lasting peace.
- Gates FoundationminorRepresentative from Gates Foundation participates in the Pandemic Compensation Initiative Working Group along with experts from medicine, insurance, law, and civil society.
- Imperial College LondonminorRepresentative from Imperial College London participates in the Pandemic Compensation Initiative Working Group.
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthminorDr. Tom Inglesby, Director of Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins, provides endorsement quote for Pandemic Compensation Initiative. Working Group includes representatives from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health.
- World Organisation for Animal HealthminorRepresentative from World Organisation for Animal Health participates in the Pandemic Compensation Initiative Working Group.
- Yale MedicineminorPartner in 2025 Guling Yuan China-U.S. Youth Health Dialogue bringing early-career doctors and medical students from both countries together.
- Stanford MedicineminorPartner in 2025 Guling Yuan China-U.S. Youth Health Dialogue.
- U.S.-China Business CouncilminorParticipated in Jimmy Carter U.S.-China Relations Dialogue representing U.S. business interests in bilateral relations.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PAX sapiens competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Open Society Foundations: Large private foundation funding global governance, human rights, and accountability initiatives. PAX sapiens' Our Secure Future (Women, Peace and Security) program and broader global advocacy work overlaps with OSF's governance and rights portfolio.
- Rockefeller Foundation: Major philanthropic foundation with deep pandemic preparedness programs (e.g., $1B commitment to COVID-19 recovery, Smart Power Market Initiatives, and 100 Resilient Cities). PAX sapiens' pandemic prevention work, including the Pandemic Compensation Initiative, overlaps significantly with Rockefeller's strategic focus areas.
- Wellcome Trust: Major UK-based foundation funding global health research and epidemic preparedness. Comparable to PAX sapiens in pandemic prevention focus, convening role in health security, and engagement with academic partners (Imperial College, Johns Hopkins).
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation: Major foundation with long-running programs on international peace, security, and human rights. PAX sapiens' conflict prevention and nuclear risk work, plus convening of top think tanks, is comparable to MacArthur's peace and security portfolio.
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The largest philanthropic foundation in global health, with massive pandemic preparedness and epidemic response programs. PAX sapiens' Global Pandemic Prevention focus and participation of Gates Foundation in the Pandemic Compensation Initiative Working Group makes it a direct functional peer in pandemic prevention funding.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies: Large philanthropic vehicle focused on public health, climate, and global cities. PAX sapiens' pandemic prevention mission and its grantmaking via trusted grantees (Johns Hopkins, Imperial College) parallels Bloomberg's role as a high-impact global health funder.
Emerging players
- Future of Life Institute: Nonprofit focused on reducing existential and catastrophic risks from emerging technologies. Comparable to PAX sapiens' catastrophic risk prevention mission, though FLI emphasizes AI and biotechnology rather than direct Track II diplomacy.
Direct peers
- Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI): NTI is a nonprofit focused on reducing nuclear and biological threats through policy work, convening, and track II engagement. PAX sapiens' Open Nuclear Network and Global Pandemic Prevention program are directly comparable in mission, methodology, and donor-driven model.
- Longview Philanthropy: Macroeconomic-focused philanthropic fund co-leading the Consortium to Reduce Nuclear Dangers alongside PAX sapiens. Both share the donor-led model of pooling resources for global catastrophic risk reduction.
- Carnegie Corporation of New York: Major peace and international affairs foundation co-leading the Consortium to Reduce Nuclear Dangers with PAX sapiens. Both foundations fund policy research, advance international peace and security, and target catastrophic risk reduction.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PAX sapiens social profiles
Digital presencePAX sapiens financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PAX sapiens leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
PAX sapiens subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
PAX sapiens funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PAX sapiens 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 PAX sapiens
What does PAX sapiens do?
PAX sapiens is a private philanthropic foundation that prevents predictable global catastrophes through five operating programs and strategic grantmaking. The foundation focuses on global pandemic prevention, U.S.-China conflict prevention, nuclear risk reduction, joint action on drug elimination (especially fentanyl), and the women, peace and security agenda. It conducts research, convenes governments and civil society, and funds partner organizations with multi-stage grants tied to measurable KPIs.
Is PAX sapiens a public or private company?
PAX sapiens is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was PAX sapiens founded?
PAX sapiens was founded in 2024. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PAX sapiens based?
PAX sapiens is headquartered in Broomfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does PAX sapiens make money?
One revenue line is on record: philanthropic/Foundation Funding.
Who are PAX sapiens's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Open Society Foundations, Rockefeller Foundation, Wellcome Trust, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Future of Life Institute is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Longview Philanthropy and Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Does PAX sapiens have an API?
No public API is recorded for PAX sapiens.
What industry is PAX sapiens in?
PAX sapiens's product category is International Peace and Security Philanthropy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADABAH, Peace, Security Sector Reform & Stabilization Programs, with a secondary code of HLAJAOAM, Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs). Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 9721.