Samu
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersSevilla, Spain
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Samu does
SAMU, S.A. is a privately-held Spanish holding corporation founded in 1981 and headquartered in Sevilla, operating an integrated portfolio of emergency medical, social, educational, and ancillary services. The core emergency medical business (SAMU Emergencias) deploys UVI-Móvil mobile ICU ambulances — the first of their kind imported into Spain — from bases in Sevilla, Málaga, and Huelva. Complementary service lines include mental health and emotional wellbeing (SAMU Wellness, a clinic in Sevilla), functional diversity and social inclusion services, vocational and emergency-professional training through Escuela Samu, Escuela de Oficios Samu, and Academia Samu (anchored by the largest outdoor emergency simulation complex in Europe), and an international humanitarian and migration research arm via Fundación SAMU, SAMU First Response (USA), SAMU Internacional, and the Samu Institute for Scientific Research (ISIC).
The group also operates three adjacent business lines that diversify revenue beyond healthcare: Numed (personnel outsourcing and BPO), Recursam (sustainable Steel Framing construction), and Kata Catering (collective catering with a cafeteria in Mairena del Aljarafe). Innovation activities are consolidated in Samu Tech and the Cátedra de Innovación Social. Revenues are generated primarily through professional services and managed services contracts with Spanish public-sector buyers (public healthcare systems, municipalities, regional governments) and through international development cooperation projects with multilateral institutions. The organization maintains 120 work centers across six countries (Spain, USA, Peru, Ecuador, Morocco, Burundi) and employs over 3,000 professionals, with 100+ staff in the United States. SAMU has held ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and UNE 166002 certifications since 1999 and has operated a Compliance Program since 2018. The company is privately held, family-led, and currently executing a Plan 2030 strategy centered on professionalization, internationalization, and digital transformation under President Carlos González de Escalada and Director General José Antonio Trujillo (appointed September 2024).
Samu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Samu
- Legal name
- SAMU, S.A.
- Website
- https://samu.es
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Samu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Emergency Medical Services
- NAICS
- Ambulance Services (62191), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422)
- SIC
- Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG)
Keywords
Where Samu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sevilla
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Samu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Emergency Medical Services: Emergency ambulance services with medicalized fleets operating from bases in Sevilla, Málaga, and Huelva
- Social Services and Healthcare: Mental health services, social services, functional diversity services, and childcare/accommodation services for vulnerable populations
- Training and Education: Emergency professional training through Escuela Samu, vocational training through Escuela de Oficios Samu, and Academia Samu
- Outsourcing and BPO Services: Personnel outsourcing and business process outsourcing through Numed
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Samu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SAMU is a multinational holding corporation that fundamentally provides emergency medical services through UVI-Móvil (Mobile ICU) ambulances, professional emergency training through the Escuela Samu and largest outdoor simulation complex in Europe, mental health and emotional wellbeing clinical services through SAMU Wellness, social and humanitarian services for vulnerable populations (including migrant children) through Fundación SAMU, and complementary outsourced services including BPO (Numed), sustainable construction (Recursam), and collective catering (Kata Catering).
Product overview
SAMU is a multinational holding corporation primarily operating in emergency medical services, healthcare, social services, and education. The organization offers a diversified portfolio of services including emergency response (Emergencias with UVI-móvil ambulances), mental health services (SAMU Wellness), professional training (Escuela Samu, Academia Samu, Escuela de Oficios), business process outsourcing (Numed), sustainable construction (Recursam), catering (Kata Catering), and social services. The social arm is articulated through Fundación SAMU (child welfare and humanitarian aid), SAMU First Response (US-based humanitarian organization), and SAMU Internacional (development cooperation). Research and innovation are supported through SAMU Research Institute (ISIC) and SAMU Tech. The corporation operates approximately 120 centers across six countries with over 3,000 professionals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SAMU Emergencias Emergency medical services delivered with UVI-Móviles (Mobile Advanced Life Support ambulances) from bases in Sevilla, Málaga, and Huelva, including medicalized ambulance fleets for governments, public healthcare systems, and emergency response needs.
- Escuela Samu Emergency professionals training institution offering immersive, multi-sensory learning experiences for emergency responders, operating the largest outdoor emergency simulation complex in Europe.
- SAMU Wellness (Clínica Samu) Mental health and emotional wellbeing clinic located in Sevilla providing personalized psychiatric and psychological services for patients and families in the treatment of mental health disorders.
- Numed Business process outsourcing (BPO) and personnel externalization services delivering process management and operational efficiency solutions for companies, businesses and self-employed professionals across multiple sectors.
- Recursam Construction company specializing in sustainable building solutions using Steel Framing methodology, integral reforms, and electric vehicle charger installation delivered by a highly specialized technical team.
- Kata Catering Catering and collective dining service with more than 25 years of experience, including restaurant-cafeteria operations in Mairena del Aljarafe, serving events and institutional clients.
- Fundación SAMU Social foundation delivering residential child care, emergency reception services, and humanitarian aid as one of the main global operators in child welfare and migrant assistance.
- SAMU First Response International non-profit humanitarian organization headquartered in the United States delivering humanitarian response and migrant assistance programs.
- SAMU Internacional (Semeca) International development cooperation and humanitarian missions brand operating projects in countries including Peru, Ecuador, Morocco, and Burundi under the Semeca sub-brand.
- Academia Samu Educational institution delivering professional training and development programs within the SAMU ecosystem.
- Escuela de Oficios Samu Trade school providing vocational training and skills development programs.
- SAMU Diversidad Funcional Functional diversity services promoting inclusion through adapted solutions that facilitate access and participation for people with disabilities.
- SAMU Servicios Sociales Social services providing specialized, personalized and comprehensive treatment for behavioral disorders affecting users and families in inclusion-focused programs.
- SAMU Tech Technology and innovation division of SAMU focused on R&D projects and digital transformation initiatives.
- Samu Research Institute (ISIC) Scientific research institute managing research projects, hosting the Alliance for Migration Research, and collaborating with universities across Europe, the US, and Latin America.
Quantifiable outcome
- Assisted over 20,000 vulnerable individuals in 2022-2023
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Samu
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Samu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Samu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- American University (USA)coreParticipating institution in the Alliance for Migration Research, including the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies and Georgetown University-Institute for Study of the International Migration
- Alliance for Migration ResearchcoreAn international initiative led by Samu Institute for Scientific Research in Spain to facilitate collaborative research on migration. Involves universities and institutions from multiple countries including USA, Morocco, Spain, Mexico, and Italy. Hosts conferences, webinars, and expert meetings on migration topics.
- World BankcoreMultilateral development institution with which SAMU has developed international projects
- Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)coreMultilateral development finance institution supporting SAMU's international cooperation and development projects
- Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara (Mexico)majorAcademic partner in the Alliance for Migration Research representing Jesuit higher education in Mexico
- Loyola University Sevilla (Spain)majorAcademic institution collaborating on migration research, including digitalization in migration contexts research
- Pablo Olavide University Sevilla (Spain)majorAcademic partner researching migration, cultural recognition, and social sustainability
- Pontificia de Comillas University Madrid (Spain)majorAcademic institution collaborating on IMMERSE project and migration research
- Rockefeller Institute of Government Albany (NY)majorResearch institute participating in the Alliance for Migration Research
- University of Granada (Spain)majorAcademic partner in migration research initiatives
- University of Sevilla (Spain)majorAcademic institution researching mental health in migrant populations and other migration topics
- Abdelmalek Assaâdi University (Morocco)majorAcademic institution from Morocco participating in the Alliance for Migration Research
- CEU Fernando III University Sevilla (Spain)majorAcademic partner in the Alliance for Migration Research
- Centro Studi Emigrazione di Roma (Italy)majorItalian emigration research center participating in migration research alliance
- Campus Internacional para la Seguridad y la Defensa Sevilla (Spain)majorInternational campus for security and defense participating in migration research
- Otepkonsulting Médicos del MundominorHealthcare consulting partner collaborating on humanitarian projects
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Samu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- International SOS: Worldwide provider of medical assistance, evacuations, and humanitarian health support for governments and multinational clients. Comparable to SAMU's UVI-Móvil advanced life support capability and international humanitarian mission through Fundación SAMU and SAMU Internacional.
- ISS A/S: Global facility services and BPO/outsourcing provider. Directly comparable to SAMU's Numed subsidiary for personnel outsourcing and facility-management services, and to Kata Catering's collective catering business.
- Falck: Danish-founded global provider of ambulance, fire services, and workforce healthcare solutions. Most directly comparable to SAMU's emergency medical services and on-site medical outsourcing, with similar public-sector contract mix and broader European scale.
- Medair: International humanitarian relief organization providing emergency medical response, shelter, and social services in crisis-affected countries. Comparable to SAMU Internacional's development cooperation and humanitarian missions in Peru, Ecuador, Morocco, and Burundi.
- Cruz Roja Española (Spanish Red Cross): Spain's primary humanitarian organization operating emergency response, social services, and migrant assistance programs in the same Spanish geography as SAMU. Direct overlap with Fundación SAMU's humanitarian missions and emergency medical service offerings.
- Aldeas Infantiles SOS: International NGO operating residential child care, family strengthening, and emergency child welfare programs including for unaccompanied minors. Closely comparable to Fundación SAMU's residential child care services for vulnerable and migrant children in Andalusia.
- Médicos del Mundo (Doctors of the World): Spain-based humanitarian NGO delivering health care to vulnerable populations including migrants and refugees. Directly comparable to Fundación SAMU's humanitarian and migrant child welfare activity, and identified in SAMU's own partnership data.
Regional players
- CEAR (Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado): Spanish refugee assistance NGO focused on asylum seekers and refugees in Spain. Directly comparable to Fundación SAMU's humanitarian and migrant protection activity in Andalusia.
Broad incumbents
- Sodexo (catering & facilities): Global provider of food services and facilities management. Comparable to Kata Catering's collective catering business and to SAMU's broader integrated facility services portfolio.
- European Medical Association / EU Emergency Response: Broader EU-coordinated emergency medical, disaster relief, and humanitarian response infrastructure. Comparable in mission scope to SAMU's humanitarian emergency response and international development cooperation arm.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Samu social profiles
Digital presenceSamu compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Samu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Samu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Samu subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries12 records
Samu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Samu 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 Samu
What does Samu do?
SAMU is a multinational holding corporation that fundamentally provides emergency medical services through UVI-Móvil (Mobile ICU) ambulances, professional emergency training through the Escuela Samu and largest outdoor simulation complex in Europe, mental health and emotional wellbeing clinical services through SAMU Wellness, social and humanitarian services for vulnerable populations (including migrant children) through Fundación SAMU, and complementary outsourced services including BPO (Numed), sustainable construction (Recursam), and collective catering (Kata Catering).
Is Samu a public or private company?
Samu is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Samu founded?
Samu was founded in 1981. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Samu based?
Samu is headquartered in Sevilla, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Samu make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Emergency Medical Services are the primary driver. The others are social Services and Healthcare, training and Education and outsourcing and BPO Services.
Who are Samu's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are International SOS, ISS A/S, Falck, Medair, Cruz Roja Española (Spanish Red Cross), Aldeas Infantiles SOS and Médicos del Mundo (Doctors of the World). CEAR (Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Sodexo (catering & facilities) and European Medical Association / EU Emergency Response.
Does Samu have an API?
No public API is recorded for Samu.
What industry is Samu in?
Samu's product category is Emergency Medical Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAKAE, Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs, with a secondary code of EDADALAG, Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE). Its NAICS code is 62191 and its SIC code is 8000.