obvita

What obvita does

obvita is a 125-year-old non-profit social enterprise headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland, serving people with visual impairments, developmental difficulties, and psychological conditions across Eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Founded in 1901 as the Ostschweizerischer Blindenfürsorgeverein (OBV), the organization operates an integrated service portfolio spanning five core lines: Sehberatung (visual consulting and rehabilitation), Berufliche Integration (vocational integration and job coaching), Wohnen (residential support including youth, working-age, and senior housing via the bruggwald51 facility), Tagesstruktur (day structure programs such as Tageszentrum, Talentwerkstatt, and Medienwerkstatt), and Produktion (production services across Elektro, Pharma, Food, Schmuck, Mechanik, Ausrüsten, Flechten, Logistik, and a dedicated V-ZUG division). Specialized programs include Startklar for youth labor-market transition, Restwert (a curated auction house), Granfluencer (a seniors' social media engagement project launched October 2024), and the BadiKafi Wittenbach kiosk. The Sozialinformatik (Social Informatics) team delivers assistive-technology training using third-party accessibility tools such as screen readers, magnification software, VoiceOver, voice control, and ECDL courses.

The business model blends regulated public funding with commercial production and philanthropic donations. Vocational integration, supported employment, and day-structure services are financed primarily through multi-year agreements with the Swiss disability insurance system (IV / Invalidenversicherung), not direct end-customer billing. Production services operate as a social enterprise B2B unit, supplying manufacturing, assembly, packaging, and logistics to enterprise clients including Spühl GmbH, Varioprint AG, Maestrani, V-ZUG, mfg by MIGROS, and Alunir GmbH, with production organized across nine specialized divisions. Donations, bequests, memorial contributions, and limited-edition merchandise (e.g., the 125th-anniversary Jubiläums-Shopper, capped at 100 units) provide a third revenue stream, underpinned by the Zewo quality seal held continuously since 1946.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and referral-driven: clients enter primarily via IV offices and referring physicians, while enterprise partnerships are built regionally, leveraging proximity (e.g., Spühl as a Wittenbach neighbor) and the social-mission narrative that pairs commercial value with social impact. Marketing channels span the obvita.ch website, newsletter, social media (including the Granfluencer campaign), events such as the OFFA Spring Fair and Open House Day, podcast content, and partnerships with the Rotary Club Fürstenland and the #sanktsozial city-promotion campaign. With approximately 600 total affiliated individuals including roughly 250 IV pension-supported workers and around 90 apprentices (26 of whom completed vocational training in 2025), obvita functions as one of the largest integrated social enterprises in Eastern Switzerland and reports an EFE-Assessment 4-star rating.

Name

obvita

Legal name

Ostschweizerischer Blindenfürsorgeverein (OBV)

Website

https://obvita.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

obvita is a 125-year-old Swiss non-profit social enterprise in St. Gallen serving visually impaired, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill individuals in Eastern Switzerland and Liechtenstein via vocational integration, housing, day programs, assistive technology, and B2B production partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Social Services

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) & Self-Care Skills Training (EDAKAFAE), Senior/Accessibility Concierge & Companion Errands (HSACAIAO)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Assistive technology consulting
• Sheltered production services
• Social enterprise services

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Gallen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vocational Integration Services: obvita receives funding through IV (disability insurance) agreements for vocational integration services, supported employment, and day structure programs for people with disabilities
2. Production Services: High-quality manufacturing services for trade and industry, including electronics, pharma packaging, food processing, jewelry making, mechanics, assembly, braiding, and logistics. Production connects meaningful work for people with disabilities with commercial value for external companies.
3. Donations and Fundraising: obvita is financed in part by generous donations. The organization holds the Zewo quality seal since 1946, guaranteeing that donations are used for those in need. Additional revenue comes from bequests (Erbschaften und Legate), memorial donations (Trauerspenden), and fundraising campaigns.
4. Shop Sales: Sale of products including the anniversary shopper bag (limited edition, 100 units), produced by youth and young adults with disabilities in the Startklar program
5. Real Estate Services: Property services including cleaning, garden maintenance, and building maintenance employing 22 employees with support needs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

obvita provides an integrated portfolio of social services for people with visual impairments, developmental difficulties, and mental health conditions in Eastern Switzerland and Liechtenstein, spanning visual consulting, vocational integration, residential living, day structure programs, and sheltered production work. A separate Produktion division offers contract manufacturing, assembly, packaging, and logistics services to industrial partners, while the bruggwald51 subsidiary provides senior care and Wohnen im Alter.

Product overview

obvita is a comprehensive social services organization offering an integrated portfolio of services for people with visual impairments, developmental difficulties, and psychological issues. The core offerings include Sehberatung (visual consulting and rehabilitation), Berufliche Integration (vocational training and job coaching), Wohnen (residential support), Tagesstruktur (day programs), and Produktion (work integration through manufacturing). The organization operates specialized programs like Startklar for youth transition, Medienwerkstatt for creative media activities, and Granfluencer for senior social media engagement. Production divisions cover Elektro, Pharma, Food, Schmuck (jewelry), Mechanik, Ausrüsten, Flechten, Logistik, and V-ZUG. Additional offerings include the bruggwald51 senior care facility, the Restwert auction house, and the BadiKafi Wittenbach café service. Consumer products include the limited edition Jubiläums-Shopper commemorative bag. The Sozialinformatik department provides technical aids and assistive technology services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sehberatung (Visual Consulting) Consulting and rehabilitation services for blind and visually impaired individuals, including counseling, training, technical aids, and Sozialinformatik support. Serving adults, children and adolescents across Eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
• Berufliche Integration (Vocational Integration) Support services helping youth and adults with disabilities enter the job market through vocational training, internal school, job coaching, and integration measures. Served by approximately 90 apprentices currently in training, with 26 completing vocational training in 2025.
• Wohnen (Residential Living) Residential offerings for individuals requiring support due to psychological or visual impairments, including Wohnen im Erwerbsalter, Wohnen im Jugendalter, Wohnen extern, and Wohnschule Langgasse (first residential school for obvita, opened 2023, capacity for up to three people).
• Tagesstruktur (Day Structure Programs) Day programs including Tageszentrum (opened April 2023 in Teufener/Davidstrasse), Talentwerkstatt (creative activities), and Medienwerkstatt (media-focused creative day structure launched May 2024), offering flexible care and creative activities for clients with disabilities.
• Produktion (Contract Production Services) Production services combining high-quality work for trade and industry with meaningful employment for people with disabilities. Nine operating divisions: Elektro, Pharma, Food, Schmuck, Mechanik, Ausrüsten, Flechten, Logistik, and V-ZUG. Serves customers including Spühl GmbH, Varioprint AG, Maestrani, Alunir GmbH, V-ZUG, and mfg by MIGROS.
• Wohnen und Pflege im Alter (bruggwald51) Senior living and care facility at Bruggwaldstrasse 51, providing friendly home care, personal assistance, and support services for the elderly, including those with visual impairments. Operated as wholly owned subsidiary providing holistic life-stage care.
• Sozialinformatik (Social Informatics) Technical aids and assistive technology services for visually impaired people — including consultation and training on screen readers, magnifiers, voice control, computer keyboard shortcuts, Low Vision lamps, barrier-free ECDL courses, E-Learnings, Low Vision Dictionary, and Orientation and Mobility training with employer consulting for workplace integration.
• Immobilien-Services (Real Estate Services) Property services for external clients including Hauswartung (building maintenance), Reinigung (cleaning), and Garten (garden maintenance), employing 22 employees with support needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26 apprentices successfully completed vocational training in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alunir GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Since approximately 2020, obvita produces jewelry (bracelets, spectacle cords, ankle bracelets) for Alunir. The partnership started with 1 workstation and has grown to 3 workstations. Alunir is a Swiss jewelry company focused on sustainable, fair production using recycled silver. The partnership is valued as long-term and aligns with both social and sustainability aspects.
• Spühl GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerobvita provides production logistics services for Spühl GmbH, an international company manufacturing high-performance machinery for mattress and spring manufacturers in over 150 countries. The partnership has been long-standing, with obvita offering good pricing, high flexibility, and Swiss quality. Spühl is a neighbor in Wittenbach, enabling short logistics routes.
• Varioprint AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA living win-win partnership with Varioprint AG, an international company developing and producing highly complex printed circuit boards (PCBs). obvita provides manufacturing support for their production needs.
• MaestraniminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorobvita provides chocolate packaging services (Schoggi verpacken) for Maestrani, known for Munz and Minor chocolate brands, also found in duty-free areas at airports.
• Valida and HPV Uzwil-FlawilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2024, obvita has partnered with Valida and HPV Uzwil-Flawil to establish the Berufsfachschule PrA Ost (vocational school for practical training). This bundles forces in vocational education, with PrA learners benefiting from shared resources and expertise.
• Rotary Club FürstenlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner event where Rotary Club members visited obvita to learn about the organization's work and engagement.
• mfg by MIGROSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for gift boxes, individual gift baskets, and handcrafted giveaways.
• #sanktsozial CampaignminorGTM or Marketing Partnerobvita is a partner of the Sankt campaign of the city of St. Gallen's location promotion, expressing connection to the city and region.
• bruggwald51coreOthersLiving and care facility for seniors at Bruggwaldstrasse 51, part of obvita's comprehensive services for elderly care.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Inclusion Handicap: Swiss umbrella association of disability organizations; relevant peer because obvita, as a Zewo-certified regional provider, both competes with and is represented within the Inclusion Handicap ecosystem for advocacy and funding influence.
• Caritas Schweiz: Major Swiss social-services organization operating across disability, poverty, migration, and elderly-care programs; provides donation infrastructure and Zewo-certified fundraising context comparable to obvita's donation-driven funding model.

Direct peers

• Pro Infirmis: Leading Swiss disability-services organization serving people with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities; obvita's Vocational Integration, Wohnen, and Tagesstruktur offerings map closely to Pro Infirmis's service portfolio across multiple Swiss cantons.
• Brühlgut Stiftung: Swiss foundation offering vocational integration, residential, and day-structure services for people with disabilities; its workshop-based production model for industrial customers is closely analogous to obvita's Elektor/Pharma/Food/Schmuck/Mechanik production lines.
• Schweizerischer Blindenverband (SBV): Swiss national federation of and for blind and partially sighted people; provides advocacy, services, and assistive-technology support comparable to obvita's Sehberatung and Sozialinformatik offerings, operating at the national level where obvita operates regionally.
• SENSGO — Kompetenzzentrum für sehbehinderte im Erwerbsalter: Swiss competency center specializing in vocational integration and job coaching for visually impaired working-age adults; narrowly targeted peer to obvita's Sehberatung and Berufliche Integration services for the visually impaired in Eastern Switzerland.
• Stiftung Wagerenhof (Wohn- und Werkheim): Swiss social foundation combining workshops for people with disabilities, residential living, day-structure, and supported employment — a direct operational analogue to obvita's integrated offering, including industrial production partnerships.
• Valida: Swiss social enterprise providing vocational integration, residential, and day-structure services for people with disabilities in Eastern Switzerland; partner of obvita in the Berufsfachschule PrA Ost since 2024, making it both collaborator and the closest operational peer.

Regional players

• Heimstätten Barmherzige Brüder (Gremsmühlen / Switzerland-aligned disability workshops): Catholic-sponsored social enterprise group operating large workshops and living accommodations for people with disabilities in the DACH region; the DACH social-enterprise model closely mirrors obvita's Produktion + Wohnen structure though serving a different primary geography.

Emerging players

• Stiftung Umwelt Einsatz Schweiz (in adj. Werkstätten space: Stiftung für integrative Arbeit): Smaller Swiss social-employment foundation focused on integrating people with disabilities into production and service work; comparable business model to obvita's Produktion division though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/obvitastgallen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/obvita

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about obvita