Bjorn Steiger Stiftung

What Bjorn Steiger Stiftung does

The Björn Steiger Stiftung is a German charitable foundation established in 1969 by Ute and Siegfried Steiger after the death of their son Björn in a traffic accident caused by the absence of organized emergency medical services. The foundation's mission is to reduce the approximately 65,000 annual deaths from sudden cardiac death and improve emergency care in Germany through four integrated pillars: free CPR and AED training under the Herzsicher (Heart-Safe) initiative for individuals, companies, schools, sports clubs, and municipalities; specialized neonatal and pediatric emergency vehicles including the Baby-Notarztwagen with the Felix vibration-control system, the Medical Intervention Car (MIC) operating 24/7 in Stuttgart with over 260 deployments, and the Kindernotfallwagen; emergency-call infrastructure and research such as 35,000 km of emergency phones, the Rescue Bee Hive drone deployment station, and the AIRCIS and Power2Rescue programs; and policy advocacy including a March 2025 constitutional complaint (Verfassungsbeschwerde) against the federal government over rescue service standards. Its product surface spans physical specialized vehicles, an AED e-commerce shop (steiger-stiftung-shop.de), and free digital knowledge platforms (Notfallguru, ToxInfo, BEFAST-Test) plus child-education programs (Ritter Björn, MEDIMALS).

The foundation operates as a nonprofit under German law, headquartered in Winnenden, Baden-Württemberg (Petristraße 12), with two legal entities: Björn Steiger Stiftung SbR (primary) and Björn Steiger Stiftung e.V. Leadership consists of President Pierre-Enric Steiger (representing the founding family), Chairman of the Presidential Council Klaus-Dieter Scheurle, and Managing Directors Joachim von Beesten and Christof Constantin Chwojka. Its technology stack for operations includes Twingle for donation processing, Brevo for newsletters, Microsoft Bookings for training appointments, TIMME Hosting for web hosting, Convento for PR distribution, and Borlabs for cookie consent management.

The business model is donation-driven across four revenue streams: private donations (one-time and recurring), corporate sponsorships and Patenschaften (sponsorships of vehicles, training, or initiatives), AED hardware sales through the foundation's own online shop, and long-term bequests/estates (Erbschaften). Training under the Herzsicher initiative is offered free of charge, funded by donations. Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer through the foundation website, blog, newsletter, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, podcast), the biannual "Wege zum Rettungsdienst der Zukunft" congress, and partnerships with event organizers (Wacken Open Air via DRK, Special Olympics Saarland 2026) and clinical allies (Deutsche Schlaganfallbegleitung, Airport Klinik München). Customer segments are deliberately diversified across private individuals, companies/businesses, schools, sports clubs, and municipalities to maximize national coverage of heart-safe infrastructure.

Name

Bjorn Steiger Stiftung

Legal name

Björn Steiger Stiftung

Website

https://steiger-stiftung.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Björn Steiger Stiftung is a German charitable foundation, founded in 1969, that improves emergency medical care nationwide through the Herzsicher CPR/AED training initiative, specialized neonatal and pediatric emergency vehicles, free digital knowledge platforms, and advocacy for emergency service reform. It serves private individuals, companies, schools, sports clubs, and municipalities in Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Medical Services Foundation

NAICS

Ambulance Services (621910), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Education (CPR/First Aid/Disaster Readiness) (EDAAAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) & Preparedness (BPADADAK), Safety, Security & Emergency Supplies/Equipment (First Aid, AEDs, PPE, Lockdown Kits) (EDAEAIAL)

Keywords

• Emergency medical services
• CPR training programs
• AED placement services
• Neonatal transport vehicles
• Emergency response advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnenden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: Regular and one-time donations from private individuals supporting the foundation's charitable emergency medical projects.
2. Corporate Sponsorship & Partnerships: Companies sponsor special vehicles, training programs, or specific initiatives. Patenschaften (sponsorships) available for businesses.
3. AED Device Sales: Sale of automated external defibrillators through the foundation's online shop (steiger-stiftung-shop.de).
4. Bequests & Inheritances: Long-term funding through Erbschaften (inheritances/bequests) from supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Björn Steiger Stiftung is a German charitable foundation that delivers free CPR and AED training across communities, develops and operates specialized emergency vehicles (Baby-Notarztwagen with Felix system, Medical Intervention Car, Kindernotfallwagen), sells AED devices through its online shop, and provides free digital emergency medicine resources (Notfallguru, ToxInfo). The foundation also funds research projects (Rescue Bee Hive, AIRCIS, Power2Rescue) and advocates for emergency service reform.

Product overview

Bjorn Steiger Stiftung operates a diversified portfolio of emergency medical services and public safety products, centered around the 'Herzsicher' (Heart-Safe) initiative for CPR training and AED placement, supplemented by specialized emergency vehicles (Baby-Notarztwagen with Felix system, Medical Intervention Car, Children's Emergency Vehicle) for neonatal and pediatric care, and digital knowledge tools (Notfallguru emergency medicine app, ToxInfo poisoning database, BEFAST-Test stroke recognition). The foundation also provides educational programs including Ritter Björn and MEDIMALS for children, research projects (Rescue Bee Hive drone station, AIRCIS, Power2Rescue), and advocates for emergency services reform through its Rettungslandschaft platform and constitutional complaints.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Herzsicher Initiative A nationwide initiative providing free CPR training and AED (defibrillator) placement across Germany, serving schools, companies, sports clubs, and municipalities to create a heart-safe environment.
• AED Device Sales Sale of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) through the foundation's online shop (steiger-stiftung-shop.de) for individuals, businesses, and municipalities seeking to install AED devices.
• Baby-Notarztwagen with System Felix Specialized ambulance for premature and critically ill newborns, providing vibration-free transport to specialized clinics. The Felix system ensures gentle, stable transport for the youngest patients.
• Medical Intervention Car (MIC) Advanced emergency vehicle equipped with heart-lung machine, blood transfusion capability, and capabilities for preclinical care of critically ill children and newborns. Operates 24/7 in Stuttgart.
• Kindernotfallwagen (Children's Emergency Vehicle) Specialized vehicle bringing highly specialized neonatal and pediatric expertise directly to the emergency site for improved care of children in medical emergencies.
• Notfallguru Non-profit emergency medicine knowledge platform, independent and ad-free, accessible online for everyone. Contains comprehensive emergency medical information.
• ToxInfo Comprehensive poisoning information resource providing guidance on toxins and poisoning emergencies.
• Rescue Bee Hive Weatherproof mobile deployment station for up to six drones. Can be transported to various emergency locations for drone-supported rescue operations.
• Emergency Call Columns and Phones Emergency call stations and telephones installed along waterways and roads enabling rapid emergency calls to save lives in remote or water-related emergencies.
• AIRCIS Research initiative in the field of emergency calls and communications technology.
• Power2Rescue Research project focused on improving emergency response and rescue operations through innovative approaches.
• Schlaganfallbegleitung (Stroke Support) Stroke support initiative providing information about stroke prevention, aftercare, and rehabilitation, with cooperation with Deutsche Schlaganfallbegleitung for stroke patients and families.

Quantifiable outcome

• 260+ lives potentially saved by MIC in Stuttgart within first operational period
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Special Olympics Nationale Spiele Saarland 2026minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026HERZSICHER initiative supporting Special Olympics National Games Saarland 2026 with first aid training and AED positioning for the sporting event.
• Deutsche SchlaganfallbegleitungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership announced in January 2026 with Deutsche Schlaganfallbegleitung to support stroke patients and their families. Reinforces the foundation's 'Gemeinsam leben retten' (Saving lives together) motto through collaboration on stroke awareness and support.
• Airport Klinik MünchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Airport Klinik München - one of Europe's busiest airports handling 37 million passengers annually. The foundation's initiatives support emergency medical services at this critical location.
• Wacken Open Air / Deutsches Rotes KreuzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partners with DRK (German Red Cross) for emergency medical services at Wacken Open Air festival. DRK provides several hundred emergency responders on-site with support from fire department, police, and local authorities.
• twingle GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal service provider for donation processing. Twingle handles online donation form data (address, contact, bank details) for donation and payment management, contact administration, and communication. Operates as data processor under BSS instructions.
• Brevo (Sendinblue GmbH)coreTechnology or IntegrationNewsletter platform provider for managing subscriptions and sending newsletters. Processes contact data (name, email), usage data, and customer data as data processor under BSS instructions.
• TIMME Hosting GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal hosting service provider for website operation. Processes server log data (browser, OS, referrer URL, IP address, access time) as data processor under BSS instructions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. John Ambulance: International charitable organization providing first aid training, AED programs, and emergency medical services. Most closely matches BSS's combined training and emergency-services remit.
• Deutsche Herzstiftung (German Heart Foundation): Germany's leading nonprofit dedicated to cardiovascular health, CPR training, and AED awareness. Most direct domestic peer to Björn Steiger Stiftung's Herzsicher initiative and advocacy for heart-safety policy reform.
• American Heart Association: US-based nonprofit with a global CPR training and AED awareness program. Closest international analog to BSS's Herzsicher initiative in scale, mission, and advocacy-driven model.
• British Heart Foundation: UK cardiovascular charity investing in research, CPR training, and AED access. Comparable mission, donor-funded model, and policy advocacy posture to BSS.

Broad incumbents

• ZOLL Medical: Major manufacturer of AEDs and resuscitation devices. Competes in the same AED hardware market that BSS sells into through its online shop, with broader commercial scale.
• Laerdal Medical: Norwegian medical device company specializing in resuscitation training equipment and AED-adjacent solutions. A primary supplier and incumbent in the CPR/AED training ecosystem BSS operates in.
• Philips HeartStart: Philips' AED product line (HeartStart) is a global incumbent in the automated defibrillator market. Directly competes with BSS's AED sales channel as a hardware brand.

Regional players

• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross): Germany's primary emergency medical services organization and an active BSS partner (notably at Wacken Open Air). Adjacent rather than directly competing, but structurally relevant to BSS's reform advocacy.
• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe: Major German emergency medical service and humanitarian organization with comparable portfolio of ambulance services, training, and AED programs. Operates in the same German territory as BSS.
• Malteser Hilfsdienst: German emergency medical and humanitarian aid organization providing ambulance services, first aid training, and AED deployment. Comparable German-market peer in operational scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/steigerstiftung
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Bj%C3%B6rnSteigerStiftung1969
• Facebookfacebook.com/BjoernSteigerStiftung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bjorn-steiger-stiftung
• Instagraminstagram.com/steigerstiftung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bjorn Steiger Stiftung