GEWA

What GEWA does

GEWA Stiftung für berufliche Integration is a Swiss non-profit foundation (Stiftung) established in 1986 and headquartered in Zollikofen, Canton Bern. Its organizational premise is to embed vocational integration programs for people with psychological challenges inside real commercial service operations rather than running parallel sheltered-work facilities. The foundation operates 11 wholly-owned business units: Bärner Brocki (Switzerland's oldest thrift shop, since 1895), Gastronomie (two public restaurants plus a meal-delivery service producing ~5,000 meals weekly), Logistik and E-Commerce Fulfillment (2,600 pallet storage positions), Konfektionierung (assembly and packaging), Technische Montage (electronics, CNC, LED lighting), IT-Remarketing / Multimedia (98% refurbishment rate), Liegenschaftsservice (facility management), Gartenbau (landscaping), Administration (office outsourcing, digitization, mailing), Treuhand (trust and accounting), and Digihub (digital agency and apprenticeships). Employment totals approximately 1,200 people across headquarters, a major operational site in Schönbühl/Urtenen, an on-site Army logistics contingent in Thun (35-40 staff), and a retail outlet in Bern's Lorraine district.

The business model blends commercial B2B service revenue with funding from the Swiss disability insurance regime (IV). Customers include the Swiss Army (long-term logistics anchor processing 2 million+ garments annually), Coop (retail placement partnerships), IV-Stelle Kanton Bern (referral and case management for vocational programs), day schools and kindergartens (meal contracts), and a long tail of SMB/enterprise clients purchasing assembly, IT remarketing, and trust services. Distribution is dominated by direct field sales and IV-Stelle referrals, supplemented by physical retail at Bärner Brocki and an e-commerce storefront for refurbished electronics. The only documented AI/technology layer is third-party KITRO food-waste analytics deployed in gastronomy; core operations remain labor-intensive by design, with technology generally supporting rather than substituting the integration mission. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and no parent company, equity investors, or listings are indicated.

Name

GEWA

Legal name

GEWA Stiftung für berufliche Integration

Website

https://gewa.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

GEWA is a Swiss non-profit foundation that delivers vocational integration programs for people with psychological challenges through 11 operating business units spanning logistics, gastronomy, IT remarketing, technical assembly, and second-hand retail, serving B2B clients in Canton Bern and funded partly by IV disability insurance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Integration & Social Enterprise Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Management of Companies and Enterprises (551)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health & Cognitive Support Coordination (Dementia, Depression, SUD) (HSABAIAF)

Keywords

• Vocational integration services
• Social enterprise staffing
• Supported employment programs
• Disability employment services
• Workforce reintegration

Headquarters

HQ city

Zollikofen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Integration Services: Core revenue from vocational integration programs supported by IV (disability insurance), offering work placement, training, and adapted workplaces for people with psychological challenges
2. Logistics and Warehousing: E-commerce fulfillment, packaging services, storage solutions with 2,600 pallet spaces, providing end-to-end logistics for clients
3. Gastronomy Services: Restaurant operations producing approximately 5,000 meals per week for day schools, kindergartens, and companies, including meal delivery services
4. Trust Services (Treuhand): Financial accounting, payroll, creditor payments, invoicing, and tax services for companies and non-profit organizations
5. IT Remarketing: Take-back and resale of used IT devices, extending device lifespan and reducing resource consumption
6. Bärner Brocki Retail: Second-hand goods retail store, the oldest Brockenhaus in Switzerland since 1895, selling furniture, household items, clothing
7. Facility Management: Building maintenance, cleaning, grounds care, moving services, and end-of-lease cleaning services
8. Garden Design: Garden design and landscaping services for private and commercial clients
9. Technical Assembly: Electronic manufacturing, assembly, wiring, packaging, CNC milling, and lighting construction services

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

GEWA is a non-profit social enterprise that provides vocational integration programs for people with psychological challenges, funded and delivered through 11 operating business units offering B2B services including warehouse logistics, gastronomy catering, IT remarketing, technical assembly, facility management, garden landscaping, and accounting/trust services. Clients are primarily companies, government entities (including the Swiss Army), and educational institutions, while consumers access the Bärner Brocki second-hand retail store and the GEWA Multimedia online shop for refurbished electronics.

Product overview

GEWA is a social economy enterprise providing vocational integration services for people with mental health challenges. The organization operates as a multi-service platform with 11 distinct operating units offering diverse business services: Bärner Brocki (second-hand retail, Switzerland's oldest since 1895), Administration (office outsourcing, data management, digitization), Gartenbau (landscape/garden services), Gastronomie (restaurant services producing ~5,000 meals weekly), IT-Remarketing/Multimedia (refurbished electronics resale), Konfektionierung (assembly, packaging, filling operations supporting Swiss Army logistics), Liegenschaftsservice (property/facility management), E-Commerce & Logistik (warehouse with 2,600 pallet capacity), Treuhand (accounting/financial services), Technische Montage (electronic manufacturing, CNC machining, lighting solutions), and Digihub (digital services). Special initiatives include Projekt Restwert (online resale marketplace) and the Förderverein support fund. The various services work together within GEWA's social enterprise model, where business operations provide real work opportunities for people in vocational rehabilitation programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bistro zytlos: A bistro operated within the Bärner Brocki thrift shop, serving customers and staff.
• Esperanza
• Aliento

Products and services

• Bärner Brocki Switzerland's oldest second-hand thrift shop (since 1895), selling donated and recycled furniture, household items, and clothing while providing employment for people with mental health challenges. Includes the in-house Bistro zytlos.
• Administration (Büro Outsourcing) Office administration outsourcing services for businesses, including address management, data entry, digitization, archiving, mailing, and digital postal services.
• Gartenbau (Garden & Landscape Services) Garden design, landscaping, tree care, and green-space maintenance services for private and commercial clients.
• Gastronomie (Restaurant & Catering) Public restaurants (Esperanza, Aliento), meal delivery, and catering services for day schools, kindergartens, and companies, producing approximately 5,000 meals per week.
• IT Remarketing / Multimedia Take-back, refurbishment, and resale of used IT devices through an online shop (gewa-multimedia.ch), extending device lifecycles and reducing resource consumption. 98% of received devices are professionally refurbished.
• Konfektionierung (Assembly & Packaging) Filling, packaging, maintenance, and logistics services including a long-term partnership with the Swiss Army at the Army Logistics Center Thun (over 2 million clothing items processed annually).
• Liegenschaftsservice (Property & Facility Services) Building maintenance, cleaning, groundskeeping, moving support, and end-of-tenancy cleaning with guarantee for property owners and managers.
• E-Commerce & Logistik (Logistics) Warehouse logistics with 2,600 pallet spaces, circulation shelving with 102 shelves, picking storage racks, e-commerce fulfillment, and nationwide delivery services.
• Treuhand (Trust & Accounting) Financial accounting, debtor/creditor management, payroll, VAT handling, and tax services for businesses and non-profit organizations.
• Technische Montage (Technical Assembly) Electronic manufacturing, CNC milling and drilling, industrial assembly, and custom LED lighting solutions (Leuchtenbau).
• Digihub (Digital Agency) Digital services including Interactive Media Design, web development, and digital business development apprenticeships for youth with support needs.
• Projekt Restwert Online consignment resale service where GEWA handles all logistics of selling individuals' used items on online trading platforms and returns 50% of the sale price to the original owner.
• Digital Apprenticeship Programs (Mediamatik & Development Digital Business) Vocational apprenticeship programs in digital fields for youth with support needs, including Mediamatik and Development Digital Business tracks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of IT devices processed were refurbished and remarketed through certified process
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Swiss Army (Schweizer Armee)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership spanning over a decade with the Swiss Army's logistics base in Thun. GEWA processes and maintains millions of clothing items and materials annually, contributing to the Swiss Army's logistical operations. Operations include sorting, washing, drying, ironing approximately 2 million items yearly.
• IV-Stelle Kanton BerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration with the disability insurance office for vocational integration programs. Case managers from IV work with GEWA integration specialists to ensure successful placement outcomes. Partnership focuses on clear roles, open communication, and binding agreements.
• CoopmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year collaboration including placement of GEWA employees in Coop stores such as the Megastore Bern Wankdorf Center. Goal is integration into the primary labor market.
• KITROsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered food waste management technology partnership. KITRO provides automated waste recording equipment that helps GEWA Gastronomy analyze and reduce food waste, save costs, and improve efficiency.
• VASK BernsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Association of Relatives of People with Mental Illness. VASK Bern provides support groups, knowledge transfer, networking with specialists, and relief offerings for families of people with mental health challenges.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rodtegg Stiftung: Lucerne-based Swiss foundation providing vocational integration, supported employment, and multi-trade workshops for people with disabilities; comparable mission, multi-division operating model, and Swiss disability-insurance referral structure.
• Stiftung Brühlgut: Swiss non-profit foundation based in Winterthur operating multi-division workshops (logistics, gastronomy, retail, assembly) for vocational integration of people with disabilities; structurally closest analogue to GEWA's Canton Bern model.
• AfB (Arbeit für Behinderte): European non-profit operating IT remarketing, device refurbishment, and retail services employing people with disabilities; highly comparable to GEWA's IT-Remarketing and Bärner Brocki units and its social-enterprise commercial model.
• Stiftung arwo: St. Gallen/Thurgau-based Swiss foundation running diverse workshops, housing, and integration services for people with disabilities across multiple trades; directly comparable to GEWA's divisional social-enterprise structure and IV-funded integration mission.
• Stiftung RgZ (Rheinhöhe Werkstätten): Pratteln/Basel-area Swiss foundation operating sheltered workshops and integration programs for people with psychological and physical disabilities; comparable Swiss sheltered-workshop structure and canton-level disability insurance integration.

Broad incumbents

• Pro Infirmis: Switzerland-wide disability advocacy and services organization providing counseling, supported employment, and integration support; adjacent to GEWA's mission and Swiss IV-Stelle ecosystem but does not operate commercial workshop divisions.
• Caritas Schweiz: National Swiss social services umbrella operating employment integration programs and adjacent social services across cantons; overlaps with GEWA on vocational integration but serves a much wider social-services portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GEmeinsamWAgen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gewa-stiftung-f%C3%BCr-berufliche-integration
• Instagraminstagram.com/gewa.ch
• Xx.com/gewa111

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries14 records

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 GEWA