Ataxia
Ataxia UK is the leading UK charity dedicated to all forms of ataxia, funding research into treatments and cures while delivering helpline, specialist centre, advocacy, and community support services to patients, families, and clinicians across the United Kingdom.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ataxia does
Ataxia UK is the leading UK-registered charity exclusively focused on supporting people affected by all forms of ataxia, operating from a registered headquarters in London with dual charitable registration in Scotland (SC040607) and England & Wales (1102391) and a headcount of 11-50 employees. Its mission is twofold: funding research into treatments and cures, and delivering direct support services to patients, families, and clinicians. Core programmes include a free telephone Helpline (0800 995 6037), accredited Specialist Ataxia Centres in Sheffield, London, and Oxford for both adults and children, a Grants Programme, an Advocacy Service, voice banking, ID cards, online forums, local branches, and a South West Specialist Ataxia Nurse service. Membership is delivered through a free "Friends of Ataxia UK" programme that ships the Ataxia Magazine and a monthly eNewsletter.
Underlying technology is a modest digital platform: a website (ataxia.org.uk) hosting an online shop, donations, event registration, blog, and video content, supplemented by a Health Unlocked peer-support forum and standard social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn). There is no disclosed proprietary software platform, app, or API. The core "product" the organisation delivers at scale is funded research: between 2016 and 2026 Ataxia UK supported 62 research projects across 17 countries, generating 72 journal articles, 41 research tools, 6 databases, and 62 researcher awards. In 2026 it co-launched the FA Alliance Innovation Fund with the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre, awarding £500,000 to five University of Oxford researchers across epigenetic therapy, GAA-repeat proteomics, and digital clinical outcome assessments for Friedreich's Ataxia.
The business model is a traditional UK charity income stack: individual donations (one-off, recurring, Gift Aid, in-memory giving), legacies and gifts in Wills, community fundraising events, shop merchandise sales, roadshow and conference ticket revenue (£30 adult / £12.50 youth / free under-12s), and philanthropic grants. There are no equity investors, no parent company, and no subsidiaries. The organisation also generates influence revenue in the form of biotech sponsorships (Lexeo and Biohaven at the Liverpool Roadshow 2026) and pursues active health policy work via the #AccessOmavNow parliamentary campaign.
Ataxia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ataxia
- Legal name
- Ataxia UK
- Website
- https://ataxia.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ataxia UK is the leading UK charity dedicated to all forms of ataxia, funding research into treatments and cures while delivering helpline, specialist centre, advocacy, and community support services to patients, families, and clinicians across the United Kingdom.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ataxia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rare Disease Patient Support and Research Funding
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Ataxia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ataxia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: Charitable donations from individuals, including one-off and recurring donations. The organization receives gifts in Wills and legacy donations. Gift Aid scheme maximizes UK taxpayer donations.
- Membership (Friends of Ataxia UK): Free membership program providing access to Ataxia Magazine, eNewsletter, and support services. Serves as the primary community engagement vehicle.
- Event Revenue: Ticket sales for roadshows and conferences. Adult tickets priced at £30, with reduced rates for ages 13-18 and free admission for under-12s.
- Shop Sales: Sale of merchandise including clothing, accessories, and publications.
- Fundraising Events: Community fundraising activities including challenges, events, and registered fundraisers generating voluntary contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Adult Roadshow Ticket |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Youth Roadshow Ticket (13-18) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Child Roadshow Ticket (Under 12) |
| Freemium | Monthly | Friend of Ataxia UK Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Ataxia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ataxia UK is the leading UK charity that funds scientific research into treatments and cures for ataxia while delivering a portfolio of free support services to people affected by the condition. Core offerings include a telephone Helpline, accredited Specialist Ataxia Centres in Sheffield, London, and Oxford, an Advocacy Service, Ataxia UK Magazine, Roadshows/Conferences, Branches and Support Groups, Grants, Voice Banking, and ID Cards, supported by a free 'Friends of Ataxia UK' membership community.
Product overview
Ataxia UK is a charitable organization (registered in Scotland SC040607 and England & Wales 1102391) that serves as the leading UK charity supporting people affected by any of the ataxias. The organization provides a unified portfolio of support services centered around its Helpline, which offers information and advice to those affected. Additional services include Specialist Ataxia Centres for expert healthcare, an Advocacy Service for policy influence, and community programs such as Branches & Support Groups and Online Forums. The charity disseminates knowledge through publications including the Ataxia UK Magazine (sent to Friends members) and annual Research Impact Reports documenting funded research outcomes. Community engagement is facilitated through Roadshows and Conferences, while practical support includes Grants, Voice Banking services, and ID Cards. Research funding is a core activity, with 62 research projects awarded between 2016 and 2026, supporting researchers through collaborations with universities and international organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ataxia UK Helpline
Quantifiable outcome
- £500,000 awarded to five researchers through FA Alliance Innovation Fund for Friedreich's Ataxia therapeutic research
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Ataxia
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ataxia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ataxia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease CentrecoreThe Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre collaborates with Ataxia UK on Friedreich's Ataxia research. The FA Alliance Innovation Fund, in partnership with the Centre, awarded £500,000 to five researchers at the University of Oxford exploring novel therapeutic approaches including epigenetic therapy, GAA-repeat proteomics, and digital clinical outcome assessments.
- FA AlliancecoreFA Alliance Innovation Fund provides research funding for Friedreich's Ataxia therapeutic development. Combined with Ataxia UK's Catalyst Fund, the partnership demonstrates philanthropy being deployed to translate early-stage research into potential treatments.
- LexeominorLexeo sponsored the Liverpool Roadshow 2026 event as an exhibitor, supporting Ataxia UK's community education events.
- BiohavenminorBiohaven sponsored the Liverpool Roadshow 2026 event as an exhibitor, supporting Ataxia UK's community education events.
- The Walton Centre, NHS Foundation TrustcoreThe Walton Centre provides specialist neurologist Dr Michael Bonello for Q&A sessions at Ataxia UK roadshow events, offering expert medical insight to the ataxia community.
- University College London (UCL)coreUCL researchers, including Dr Ricardo Parolin Schnekenberg, Prof Joanne Ng, Prof Selina Wray, and Prof Francesco Muntoni, conduct drug repurposing research for ITPR1-associated cerebellar ataxias, funded by Ataxia UK.
- Dr Lisa BuncoreDr Lisa Bun, a specialist physiotherapy and associated professions lead at University of Plymouth, provides evidence-based rehabilitation research for people with ataxia, with Ataxia UK funding support.
- Dr Massimo De BattisticoreCo-funded project with the National Ataxia Foundation supporting research at Radboud University Medical Center targeting Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3).
- Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)coreJoint funding collaboration for research projects including Dr Massimo De Battisti's work, combining resources with Stichting Friedreich Ataxie (Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance) for 2024 second project funding.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ataxia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA): US-based nonprofit dedicated to Friedreich's Ataxia research and patient support. Already an active partner of Ataxia UK on joint funding; structurally identical disease-specific research funder and advocacy body.
- National Ataxia Foundation: The leading US ataxia charity; funds research, provides support, and convenes the patient community. Directly comparable disease-specific nonprofit mission and revenue model, though operating in North America rather than the UK.
- Huntington's Disease Association: UK charity for Huntington's disease offering specialist advice services, regional branches, family support, and research engagement. Highly comparable rare neurological disease charity operating model.
- Motor Neurone Disease Association: UK charity for MND/ALS with comparable structure: research funding portfolio, regional branches, specialist care centre network, advocacy campaigns, and donor-funded revenue mix.
- Muscular Dystrophy UK: UK charity funding neuromuscular research and supporting affected families. Closely comparable mission, UK operating scope, specialist centre partnerships with NHS, and community-led engagement model.
Regional players
- Ataxia-Friedreich Initiative (AFI) / Stichting Friedreich Ataxie: European Friedreich's Ataxia research and patient advocacy organisation. Active joint funder with Ataxia UK; comparable disease-specific mission but continental European operating scope.
Broad incumbents
- Epilepsy Action: UK neurological charity providing helpline, support services, research funding, and advocacy. Similar UK charity operating model and community-led GTM, though addressing a more prevalent condition.
- Genetic Alliance UK: UK alliance of genetic and rare disease patient organisations. Comparable rare disease advocacy and policy-influencing role, though operating as an umbrella rather than a single-disease charity.
- Parkinson's UK: Larger UK neurological charity with research funding, support services, helpline, and advocacy. Same revenue model and UK charity footprint but serves a much larger disease population.
- Alzheimer's Research UK: UK-based neurodegenerative disease research charity with donor-funded model, research grant programmes, and advocacy function. Similar charitable structure and research-focused mission in adjacent neurology space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ataxia social profiles
Digital presenceAtaxia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ataxia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ataxia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ataxia 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 Ataxia
What does Ataxia do?
Ataxia UK is the leading UK charity that funds scientific research into treatments and cures for ataxia while delivering a portfolio of free support services to people affected by the condition. Core offerings include a telephone Helpline, accredited Specialist Ataxia Centres in Sheffield, London, and Oxford, an Advocacy Service, Ataxia UK Magazine, Roadshows/Conferences, Branches and Support Groups, Grants, Voice Banking, and ID Cards, supported by a free 'Friends of Ataxia UK' membership community.
Is Ataxia a public or private company?
Ataxia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ataxia founded?
Ataxia was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ataxia based?
Ataxia is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Ataxia make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are membership (Friends of Ataxia UK), event Revenue, shop Sales and fundraising Events.
Who are Ataxia's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), National Ataxia Foundation, Huntington's Disease Association, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Muscular Dystrophy UK. Ataxia-Friedreich Initiative (AFI) / Stichting Friedreich Ataxie is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Epilepsy Action, Genetic Alliance UK, Parkinson's UK and Alzheimer's Research UK.
Does Ataxia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ataxia.
What industry is Ataxia in?
Ataxia's product category is Rare Disease Patient Support and Research Funding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS), with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.