Blue Cross Switzerland

What Blue Cross Switzerland does

Blue Cross Switzerland (Blaues Kreuz Schweiz) is a Swiss non-profit umbrella organization founded in the 1870s–1880s to provide help for people affected by alcohol addiction. Headquartered in Bern, it coordinates 10 regional member organizations that operate approximately 11 counseling locations across German- and French-speaking Switzerland, supplemented by online counseling, self-help groups, and alcohol-free meeting points. Its service portfolio spans addiction counseling and support, prevention programs (including the roundabout and boyzaround dance networks for youth, holiday camps, and the Blue Cocktail Bar), youth protection services (age-check.ch e-learning, test purchases), workplace training, and advocacy for evidence-based alcohol policy.

The organization's core technology footprint is non-proprietary: it relies on a SharePoint-based internal staff network, a basic online counseling portal, and standard e-learning and social media channels. It has no proprietary AI, no app products, and no disclosed data flywheels. Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring cantonal government performance contracts (Leistungsaufträge), donations from individuals and institutions, and service revenue from social enterprises including Blaukreuz-Brocki secondhand stores, Blaukreuz-Verlag publishing, conference room rentals, and holiday camps. Core counseling is provided free of charge.

Blue Cross Switzerland is politically and confessionally independent and operates under Swiss association law. Its leadership includes CEO Marc Peterhans (Geschäftsführer) and President Philipp Hadorn. The organization is affiliated with International Blue Cross, partners with Fachverband Sucht, Sucht Schweiz, GREA, AT Schweiz, and receives partial federal financing through the Bundesamt für Gesundheit. Notable recent moves include the 2022 launch of Dry January Switzerland, the 2024 opening of a new Brocki store in Kägiswil-Sarnen, and 2025 publication of first-of-kind alcohol consumption recommendations.

Name

Blue Cross Switzerland

Legal name

Blaues Kreuz Schweiz

Website

https://blaueskreuz.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1880

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blue Cross Switzerland (Blaues Kreuz Schweiz) is a Swiss non-profit umbrella organization providing free alcohol addiction counseling, prevention, and youth protection services through 10 regional organizations and ~11 counseling locations nationwide, funded by cantonal contracts and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Performance Contracts: Cantonal government contracts (Leistungsaufträge) providing base funding for addiction counseling and prevention services
2. Donations and Contributions: Donations from private individuals and institutional contributions supporting organizational activities and campaigns
3. Service Revenue: Revenue from Brocki (thrift stores), book publishing (Blaukreuz-Verlag), conference room rentals, and holiday camp operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Blue Cross Switzerland is a national non-profit umbrella organization that provides free, confidential alcohol addiction counseling and support through ~11 in-person, phone, and online counseling locations across Switzerland. It complements counseling with prevention programs (Dry January, roundabout dance program for girls, boyzaround), youth protection services, workplace training, holiday camps, and social enterprises such as secondhand Brocki stores and addiction-related publishing.

Product overview

Blaues Kreuz Schweiz operates as a comprehensive addiction help organization offering a coordinated portfolio of counseling, prevention, and support services. The core offering centers on addiction counseling and support services for those affected by alcohol dependency, complemented by prevention programs like roundabout (dance-based empowerment for girls), boyzaround, and the Blue Cocktail Bar. The organization runs campaigns including Dry January and provides youth protection services through age-check.ch training platform. Additional services include workplace training workshops, holiday camps, online counseling, self-help groups, and social enterprises (Brockis secondhand stores). The umbrella organization coordinates approximately 11 regional offices across Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• roundabout: National HipHop dance network for girls and young women aged 8-20 years, promoting health, self-confidence, and body positivity as a prevention program
• Dry January Switzerland
• Blue Cocktail Bar
• be my angel tonight
• boyzaround
• Blaukreuz-Brocki
• age-check.ch
• Blaukreuz-Verlag
• Verstehen statt Verurteilen

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,759 alcohol-free days achieved through workplace challenge
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Marc Sway, Charles Nguela, Arina Luisa, Oliver BaerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Four prominent personalities engaging in 'Verstehen statt Verurteilen' campaign against stigmatization of alcohol problems, appearing on posters and video portraits
• Swiss Companies (Workplace Challenge)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 202631 companies participated in first Dry January Workplace Challenge, collectively achieving 11,759 alcohol-free days
• Socialwerk Pfarrer SieberminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Supporting organization for Dry January campaign
• Public Health SchweizminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Supporting organization for Dry January campaign
• AT Schweiz (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Tabakprävention Schweiz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on youth protection training courses for sales and service personnel. Blue Cross developed alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine sales training courses available in multiple languages through www.age-check.ch platform.
• Fachverband Sucht (Addiction Professional Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in organizing national campaigns including Dry January and National Action Day on Alcohol Problems
• Sucht Schweiz ( Addiction Switzerland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on national campaigns and action weeks, particularly for children of addicted parents
• GREA (Groupement Romand d'Etudes des Addictions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern Swiss partnership for Dry January campaign organization and addiction awareness activities
• Bundesamt für Gesundheit (BAG/Federal Office of Public Health)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartial financing of National Action Day on Alcohol Problems through federal health funding
• International Blue CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational umbrella organization connecting Blue Cross organizations worldwide, supporting innovation and quality assurance

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Suchtmedizin Schweiz (SSAM): Swiss Society of Addiction Medicine, the medical-professional body for addiction treatment physicians. Comparable as a Swiss addiction-sector peer focused on the clinical and medical side of alcohol and substance dependence.
• Sucht Schweiz (Addiction Switzerland): Swiss national foundation dedicated to prevention, research, and policy on addiction (alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, behavioral addictions). Highly comparable to Blue Cross as a Swiss umbrella addressing alcohol-related harm through prevention campaigns and policy advocacy.
• Sozialwerk Pfarrer Sieber: Zurich-based non-profit supporting people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and social hardship. Comparable as a Swiss non-profit delivering addiction-related social services and a co-supporter of the Dry January campaign.
• International Blue Cross: Global network of Blue Cross addiction organizations. Blue Cross Switzerland holds a joint venture interest in International Blue Cross, making it a directly comparable affiliate peer for cross-border program and knowledge transfer.
• GREA (Groupement Romand d'Études des Addictions): Western Swiss (Romandie) addiction professional association that co-organizes Dry January and awareness campaigns with Blue Cross. Directly comparable as a regional addiction-services umbrella collaborating with Blue Cross on shared programs.
• Fachverband Sucht: Swiss professional association of addiction service providers. Blue Cross partners with Fachverband Sucht on Dry January and the National Action Day on Alcohol Problems, making it a directly comparable industry-body peer.
• Alcoholics Anonymous Switzerland: Swiss arm of the global mutual-help fellowship for people with alcohol problems, providing self-help groups across Switzerland. Directly comparable as a peer delivering free, peer-led alcohol recovery support.

Broad incumbents

• Pro Juventute Schweiz: Swiss foundation for child and youth welfare, including counseling and parent-support services. Comparable as a peer in the youth-protection and family-counseling segment that Blue Cross addresses through family services and roundabout programs.
• Heilsarmee Schweiz (Salvation Army Switzerland): Swiss arm of the Salvation Army delivering social services, addiction recovery programs, and second-hand retail. Comparable as a broader non-profit operating thrift stores, social work, and addiction support in Switzerland.
• Caritas Schweiz: Largest Swiss charitable confederation providing social assistance, integration, and poverty-relief services. Comparable as a broader Swiss non-profit social-services umbrella that intersects with addiction, family, and youth support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@blaueskreuz_schweiz
• Instagraminstagram.com/blaueskreuzschweiz
• Xx.com/BlauesKreuz
• Facebookfacebook.com/blaueskreuz.schweiz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blaues-kreuz-schweiz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Blue Cross Switzerland