HomelessEntrepreneur

What HomelessEntrepreneur does

Homeless Entrepreneur is a Barcelona-registered non-profit association founded in 2015 that operates a multi-program platform to move people out of homelessness through employment and active citizenship rather than traditional assistance. Its core product stack includes the HELP Program (a holistic one-year empowerment pathway with 9 case managers), a Housing Empowerment Program (first-month rental support), a 24/7 Helpline accessible via WhatsApp and free landlines through conXhub across 16 countries, and the Voices Program (video storytelling to connect beneficiaries with employers and communities). Sub-brands such as The Great Walk (150 km solidarity walks), The Great Sleepout (Davos), HOMEcan, and the EU Report on Assistance vs Empowerment function as awareness, fundraising, and policy-advocacy layers over the core stack.

The underlying technology is intentionally lightweight: a WhatsApp intake channel, an IBM Cloud-hosted blockchain transparency layer for donation traceability, the proprietary HE SELF Scale for assessing beneficiary readiness, and integrations with IBM SkillsBuild (digital credentials) and conXhub (free international landlines). There is no public-facing API, no mobile app, and no disclosed AI/ML components.

The business model is a donation-and-grant-funded non-profit with multiple revenue streams: corporate CSR contributions, individual monthly donations starting at €8/month, solidary product sales (e.g., Great Walk merchandise), and public grants/government partnerships. Beneficiary services are delivered free of charge. GTM is community-led and event-driven, combining inbound beneficiary referrals via Helpline/WhatsApp, corporate partnership applications, and high-profile activations at the World Economic Forum and FIFA World Cup. Operating geographies span 8 staffed cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Reus, Tarragona, London, Islamabad, Seattle) and 27 countries with 250+ volunteers, with a stated objective of 1,500 new beneficiaries and 150 success stories by end of 2026.

Name

HomelessEntrepreneur

Legal name

Homeless Entrepreneur

Website

https://homelessentrepreneur.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Homeless Entrepreneur is a Barcelona-based non-profit that empowers people out of homelessness through employment, housing, and active-citizenship programs (HELP, Helpline, Voices, Housing Empowerment), funded by donations, CSR, and public-private partnerships across 27 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Social enterprise
• Workforce empowerment
• Nonprofit programs
• Housing support

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Donations and CSR Contributions: Corporations contribute funds through CSR programs, monthly donor plans starting from €8/month, one-time donations, and in-kind product/service donations. Corporate engagement includes volunteering, mentorship, and hiring from the program.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute monthly or one-time donations to support key programs (Helpline, Voices, HELP Program, Housing Empowerment). Monthly donor plans begin from €8 per month.
3. Solidary Products and Fundraising Projects: Sale of solidary products and funding of solidary projects generates revenue while raising awareness. Products include items like The Great Walk hats.
4. Public Grants and Government Partnerships: Funding from government entities and public institutions for specific programs and social policy initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Homeless Entrepreneur is a nonprofit association that delivers a multi-program empowerment model aimed at moving homeless and socially excluded individuals into work and active citizenship. Its core offerings are four direct-service programs — the HELP Program (a one-year holistic empowerment pathway), the Housing Empowerment Program (first-month rental support), the 24/7 multilingual Helpline in 16 countries, and the Voices Program (video storytelling) — complemented by awareness and fundraising initiatives such as The Great Walk, The Great Sleepout, the UnforeSeen Variable sculpture, HOMEcan, and the European Report on Assistance vs Empowerment.

Product overview

Homeless Entrepreneur is a nonprofit organization offering a multi-program platform focused on empowering people out of homelessness through work and active citizenship. The core programs include the HELP Program (a holistic one-year empowerment pathway), the Housing Empowerment Program (rental support), the Helpline (real-time resource connection), and the Voices Program (video storytelling). These are complemented by awareness and fundraising initiatives including The Great Walk, The Great Sleepout, The UnforeSeen Variable Sculpture, and HOMEcan. Research initiatives like the European Report on Assistance vs Empowerment and the Twelve Cities musical project support advocacy efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HELP Program: Homeless Entrepreneur Learning Protocol - a holistic one-year program providing support pathway to independence through employment opportunities and entrepreneurial activities
• Helpline
• Voices Program
• Housing Empowerment Program
• The Great Walk
• The Great Sleepout
• HOMEcan
• EU Report on Assistance vs Empowerment
• Twelve Cities Project

Products and services

• HELP Program (Homeless Entrepreneur Learning Protocol) A holistic one-year program that provides a support pathway to independence through incentivizing employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurial activities, targeting poverty in conjunction with housing programs for homeless and socially excluded individuals.
• Housing Empowerment Program Provides greater housing access and rental support for the first month to address the challenge of becoming a renter as Homeless Entrepreneurs enter the professional world again.
• Helpline Collects real-time data from homeless people and those at risk, and connects them to available resources via phone, WhatsApp, and landlines across 16 countries, available 24/7 in multiple languages.
• Voices Program Allows homeless individuals to share their stories through video, connecting them with housing and employment opportunities while building their income and assets.
• International Crisis Support Provides immediate benefit to people in crisis through the Helpline and Voices Program, with eligible beneficiaries directed to the HELP program for long-term empowerment. Launched during COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and the surge of inflation.
• The Great Walk Epic 150km walks over 5 days to give voice and presence to 150 million homeless individuals worldwide, with each kilometer representing 1 million people experiencing homelessness.
• The Great Sleepout / WEF Sleepout Annual overnight sleepout events held in Davos during the World Economic Forum to raise awareness and funds for homeless empowerment.
• The UnforeSeen Variable Sculpture Sculpture created by international artist Veronica de Nogales to raise awareness on global precarity and climate change, constructed from recycled materials and inaugurated at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
• HOMEcan Educational campaign that provokes society to reimagine humanity to end homelessness, specifically those affected by cancer, providing workshops and seminars to connect the homeless community with medical services.
• European Report on Assistance vs Empowerment Research report visiting 12 European cities to understand how assistance and empowerment-based solutions address homelessness, with the goal of being presented to the EU Parliament.
• Twelve Cities Musical project by composer Guillem S. Benet composing piano music for 12 European cities to sonify homelessness and poverty, raising awareness and funding for the EU Report.
• Social Impact Room Room at Hostal Grau Eco Boutique (Barcelona) where guests contribute to ending homelessness through their stay, with each room ending homelessness for 1 person per year, giving voice to 19 homeless individuals annually, and connecting 62 people experiencing homelessness with the Helpline.
• Garbage Rex Film project raising awareness about homelessness through cinematic storytelling.
• HEAT AID Campaign Campaign raising awareness about extreme heat's impact on homeless people and connecting individuals to local helplines and resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced per-person annual cost from €10,000 to €3,000 over five years of operations
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Naked Diablo TequilacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 April 2026Las Vegas-based premium tequila brand committed to dedicating a percentage of every bottle sold to three causes: homelessness, food insecurity, and veteran support services. Naked Diablo Tequila partnered with Homeless Entrepreneur as part of a social impact initiative to empower over 3,500 homeless beneficiaries across 21 countries.
• fritz-kolacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman beverage company fritz-kola is the Helpline sponsor for 2024, empowering 200+ homeless individuals through Homeless Entrepreneur's Helpline (+34 697 877 089) in Spain and Germany. The partnership also includes the European Heat Aid Great Walk campaign, raising awareness about extreme heat's impact on homeless people and connecting individuals to local helplines and resources.
• conXhubcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational landline provider enabling Homeless Entrepreneur to offer free calls via landlines in 16 countries. This allows homeless individuals worldwide to contact the Helpline at no cost, removing a critical barrier to access for vulnerable populations.
• GiveBack Coin ($GBack)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFinTech software company pioneering global charitable impact via blockchain. GiveBack is the official Mobility and Outreach Partner for The Great Walk by Homeless Entrepreneur to the FIFA World Cup Finals 2026, with outreach events planned in Philadelphia and New York City. The partnership activates both the homeless community and the global support network to grow together.
• GreenUpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss non-profit organization hosting the Climate Hub Davos. GreenUp organized the inauguration of Homeless Entrepreneur's sculpture 'The UnforeSeen Variable' at the World Economic Forum on January 20, 2025 at Arkadenplatz (Kulturplatz), Promenade 58C, Davos. The sculpture gives voice and presence to 150 million homeless people at WEF.
• IBMcoreTechnology or IntegrationIBM provides SkillsBuild digital training and badges to Homeless Entrepreneur beneficiaries, improving their employability. IBM SkillsBuild offers free digital training that Homeless Entrepreneurs use to earn certifications. Additionally, IBM Cloud provides the blockchain-based transparency tracking system used by HE to track donations and program outcomes.
• Novartis (Spain)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThree Homeless Entrepreneurs were invited to present their HELP program and personal projects in front of the Novartis (Spain) board, and received mentorship support from Novartis employees throughout the year. This board-level engagement demonstrates Novartis's commitment to social impact through direct beneficiary interaction.
• Air LiquideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported the second Great Walk from Orleans, France to Paris for the Summer Olympic Games, giving 150 million homeless people a voice and presence throughout the countryside and during the Olympics.
• IEBS Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEBS provides finance and entrepreneurship education support as part of the Swiss Great Walk and Twelve Cities project, helping build entrepreneurial skills among Homeless Entrepreneurs.
• bit2meminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCryptocurrency platform providing finance education support as part of the Swiss Great Walk and international programs.
• Hostal Grau Eco BoutiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarcelona hotel housing the Social Impact Room initiative where guests can directly support Homeless Entrepreneur. Every Social Impact Room ends homelessness for 1 homeless person per year, gives voice to 19 homeless individuals annually, and connects 62 people experiencing homelessness with the Helpline. The initiative strengthens Homeless Entrepreneur's social impact within the local tourism ecosystem.
• AdsAccelerator / Europe’s #1 Mastermind by Patrick WindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEurope's #1 Mastermind community by Patrick Wind successfully supported 2 Homeless Entrepreneurs in 2023-24 and committed to funding 4 more HELP programs in 2024-25. The community provides strategic mentorship and funding for beneficiaries.
• World Economic Forum (WEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless Entrepreneur has been giving the homeless community a voice at WEF since 2018. In 2025, the organization unveiled its sculpture 'The UnforeSeen Variable' at the WEF Climate Hub Davos, providing a presence for 150 million homeless people at the global forum. The organization has held 7 annual WEF Sleepouts in Davos.
• PMI (Project Management Institute) Chapters (Barcelona, Madrid, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Santiago, Sydney)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple PMI chapters supported The European Heat Aid Great Walk (880km through Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain). PMI volunteers apply PMP methodologies to Homeless Entrepreneur's programs and projects, improving structure, collaboration, and wider impact while reducing costs and expanding reach.
• Start Over MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Marco Robinson, Start Over Movement unites #1 best-selling authors with Homeless Entrepreneurs. Homeless Entrepreneur spoke at Start Over Movement's Dublin, Ireland event as the first step in this collaboration to empower beneficiaries through authorship and storytelling.
• Wellbeing Economy Wales (Cymru)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to carry out the 6th Great Walk through South Wales to the Festival of Ideas in Swansea. The walk (Nov 7-11, 2025) covered 150km from Barry to Swansea, inviting Welsh communities to discuss what a wellbeing economy means in their lived experience.
• PSV EindhovenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDutch football club hosted the European Heat Aid Great Walk team and inaugurated Homeless Entrepreneur's presentation in the VIP lounge at Philips Stadium during the 880km walk campaign.
• Rotary Club IgualadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Rotary Club in Spain supporting Homeless Entrepreneur's programs and community events.
• Rotary Club Barcelona MillenniumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRotary Club in Barcelona supporting Homeless Entrepreneur's programs and community initiatives.
• Miles Blayden-Ryall / HOME DocumentaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning documentary filmmaker collaborated with Homeless Entrepreneur on the feature documentary 'HOME' exploring homelessness and displacement through one person's journey. Homeless Entrepreneur will sponsor a mentee in the HELP program, with the documentary scheduled for completion by August 2026.
• Veronica de NogalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational artist who created 'The UnforeSeen Variable' sculpture in collaboration with Homeless Entrepreneur. The sculpture, constructed from recycled materials, was unveiled at the World Economic Forum Climate Hub Davos on January 20, 2025 to give 150 million homeless people a voice and presence at the global forum.
• Guillem S. BenetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinimalist Catalan pianist composing piano music for a solidary album representing 12 European cities in the EU Report on Assistance vs Empowerment. Compositions include 'Dublin', 'Strasbourg', and 'Davos', sonifying the obstacles and opportunities of homelessness and poverty across Europe.
• European ParliamentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless Entrepreneur is developing the European Homeless Entrepreneur Report on Assistance vs Empowerment, which will be presented to the EU Parliament. The report covers 12 strategically chosen European cities (European Capitals: Brussels, Luxembourg City, Strasbourg; Richest by GDP: London, Paris, Istanbul; Richest by GDP/capita: Dublin, Frankfurt, Helsinki; Poorest: Tbilisi, Chișinău, Tirana) to provide holistic recommendations for ending homelessness.
• Ajuntament de Barcelona (Barcelona City Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeputy Mayor Jaume Collboni participated in an official visit to a CSR hostel and highlighted Homeless Entrepreneur's work as promoting economic empowerment and poverty reduction. The organization has presented its empowerment-based model at the Parlament de Catalunya, PETI Committee of the European Parliament, and the Senate of Spain.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Ashoka: Global network supporting leading social entrepreneurs; thematically aligned through the 'entrepreneur' framing of excluded populations and ecosystem support, though focused on venture-style social enterprise rather than direct service.

Direct peers

• The Big Issue: Social enterprise providing employment opportunities (street magazine vendors) to homeless and vulnerably housed individuals; directly comparable empowerment-through-work model with international footprint.
• Shelter (UK): Major UK homelessness charity combining direct services, housing advice, and policy advocacy — comparable holistic approach spanning service delivery, policy work, and public-facing campaigns.
• Pathway (UK healthcare for homeless): Specializes in healthcare and supported pathways out of homelessness for excluded individuals in the UK; comparable focus on integrated case management and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Emmaus International: Global federation of social enterprises focused on helping people out of social exclusion through work, housing, and community — directly paralleling HE's empowerment-via-work model for excluded populations.
• Depaul International: International charity working with homeless and socially excluded people across multiple countries via supported housing and employment pathways — comparable in operating geographies and beneficiary cohort.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army: Global charitable organization providing shelter, rehabilitation, and social services including homelessness programs; comparable international footprint and direct-service delivery, though with established institutional scale.
• Habitat for Humanity: Large global nonprofit addressing housing insecurity through partnerships and volunteer engagement; comparable international scale and corporate partnership model, though focused on building rather than empowerment.
• Caritas Internationalis: Global confederation of Catholic relief organizations providing social services including housing and homelessness support; comparable geographic reach and beneficiary cohort but operates as a much larger established incumbent.

Emerging players

• GiveDirectly: Pioneer of dignified, direct cash transfer programs to people in poverty; shares HE's strengths-based, dignity-preserving philosophy and use of technology (mobile delivery) to serve excluded populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/homelesspreneur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/-homelessentrepreneur

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 HomelessEntrepreneur