What Mathilde Escher Foundation does

The Mathilde Escher Stiftung is a non-profit foundation headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 1865 (over 155 years of continuous operation). It operates a specialized care and education institution serving people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other progressive neuromuscular diseases — a narrow patient population for which it is the only specialized provider in Switzerland. The foundation delivers an integrated lifespan service portfolio that includes residential care, schooling, vocational training, occupational and physical therapy, palliative care, and an in-house graphic design and print workshop (création handicap / Grafikwerkstatt) that employs approximately 40 people with muscular disease in commercially productive work. It is certified to ISO 9001:2015, holds the ZEWO Swiss charity quality seal, and is recognized under SODK Ost+ for cross-cantonal service delivery.

The foundation is funded through a mix of Swiss federal disability insurance (IV), cantonal and municipal placement contracts, private donations (including named partnerships such as the Thomas und Doris Ammann Stiftung palliative care sponsorship), and revenue from the création handicap workshop. Operations are organized around the Zurich site, which was materially expanded by the Cubus extension building in 2011, and are staffed by 51–100 employees. Strategic positioning extends beyond residential care — the 2020 rebrand from "Heim" to "Stiftung" signaled a broader institutional mission, an in-house FaGe healthcare training program was launched in 2022, an ETH Zurich Assistive Technology Challenge partnership was established, and a powerchair hockey program has progressed to a 2026 World Championship. The foundation received a Swiss Arbeitgeber Award in 2021 (rank 15).

Name

Mathilde Escher Foundation

Legal name

Mathilde Escher Stiftung

Website

https://mathilde-escher.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Mathilde Escher Stiftung is a Zurich-based non-profit foundation, founded in 1865, that operates Switzerland's only specialized institution for people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and related progressive neuromuscular diseases, delivering integrated residential care, schooling, therapy, vocational training, palliative care, and a graphic-design workshop employing ~40 participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Care Services

SIC

Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Neurogenetics & Rare Neurologic Diseases (HLAKAIAO)

Keywords

• Disability care services
• Muscular dystrophy care
• Specialized residential care
• Special education services
• Vocational training disability

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government/Public Funding: The public sector (cantonal and municipal government) finances a substantial portion of the foundation's operating costs, covering core care, education, and residential services. Funding comes via disability insurance (IV/Invalidenversicherung), social welfare offices, and educational authorities.
2. Donations and Legacies: The foundation receives charitable donations from individuals, companies, and organizations. It also accepts legacies and bequests. Donations are tax-deductible as the foundation is a recognized charitable institution (ZEWO-certified). The foundation runs a 'Friends and Friends of the Mathilde Escher Foundation' membership program with annual contributions.
3. Grafikwerkstatt (création handicap) Revenue: The in-house graphic design workshop generates revenue by selling greeting cards, print materials, and web design services to private individuals, associations, and companies. Products include greeting cards, notebooks, flyers, business cards, promotional items, brochures, and website creation/maintenance services.
4. Shop Sales: The foundation operates a shop selling products created by the grafikwerkstatt (cards, print products) and potentially assistive technology items. Members of 'Freundinnen und Freunde' receive a 10% discount on the shop assortment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Mathilde Escher Foundation provides integrated residential care, schooling, vocational training, nursing, and therapy for people with Muscular Dystrophy Duchenne and other neuromuscular diseases. Operating from its Zurich campus since 1865, it is Switzerland's only institution specializing in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, offering 24/7 care, palliative support, and an in-house graphic design workshop (création handicap) that employs people with muscular diseases to produce commercial graphic and web design products.

Product overview

Mathilde Escher Foundation operates as an integrated care and support platform for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases. The foundation offers a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected services organized around the 'création handicap' (disability art) philosophy, including educational programs (school and vocational training), residential housing with nursing care, therapeutic services (physiotherapy and occupational therapy), psychological support, and creative workshops. The graphic workshop serves as a central vocational and artistic hub, while housing, care, and therapy services provide the foundational support structure. Leisure and sports activities complement the holistic approach, enabling social engagement and quality of life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• création handicap: Graphic workshop of the Mathilde Escher Foundation offering graphic design and web design services, employing approximately 40 people with muscular diseases
• Freundinnen und Freunde der Mathilde Escher Stiftung

Products and services

• Housing (Wohnen) Residential care services providing supported living arrangements for adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, including 24/7 nursing support, daily living assistance, social integration, and end-of-life palliative care.
• School (Schule) Primary and secondary educational classes tailored for children and adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other physical disabilities, providing academic instruction with integrated therapeutic and nursing support. 11-13 school places available.
• Vocational Training (PrA INSOS Mediamatik) Two-year practical vocational education program in media technology and graphic design (PrA INSOS Mediamatik), recognized by INSOS Switzerland and Swiss disability insurance, preparing individuals with muscular diseases for qualified employment. Includes external one-day-per-week internships.
• Nursing Care (Pflege) Professional 24/7 nursing and medical care services specialized for individuals with progressive muscular diseases, including respiratory support, contracture management, and palliative care delivery.
• Therapy Services (Physio- and Ergotherapy) Physical and occupational therapy programs including respiratory and contracture therapies, Facial-Oral-Tract-Therapy (FOTT), ergonomic adaptations, mobility aids, and individualized equipment modifications designed to maintain mobility and independence for people with muscular dystrophy.
• Graphic Workshop (Grafikwerkstatt / création handicap) An in-house graphic design workshop staffed by people with muscular diseases, producing greeting cards, print materials, websites, and digital content for private individuals, associations, and companies. Each product is individually handled and credited to the employee who created it.
• Psychological Support and Advice Services Counseling and psychological assistance services for residents and their families, including child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy, plus expert guidance and consulting for families and caregivers of individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
• Leisure and Sports Activities Recreational programs and sports activities including Powerchair Hockey (Iron-Cats club) promoting physical well-being and social engagement for people with muscular diseases.
• Online Shop (creation-handicap.ch) E-commerce shop selling graphic design products (greeting cards, notebooks, flyers, business cards, promotional items, brochures) created by the in-house Grafikwerkstatt, with 10% discount for 'Freundinnen und Freunde' members.

Quantifiable outcome

• School provides 11–13 places for children with physical disabilities in integrated primary and secondary classes.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Assistive Technology Challenge is a collaborative program where ETH students develop innovative assistive technology solutions (e.g., jacket-dressing aids, drinking devices, wheelchair laptop tables, arm-support devices) for residents of the Mathilde Escher Foundation. Prototypes are tested with foundation clients.
• Claire & George (Stiftung für barrierefreien Tourismus)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation collaborated with Claire & George on the 'Accessible Tour of Switzerland' initiative. Residents of the foundation developed the Zurich city walking tour for the project, enabling barrier-free tourism experiences for wheelchair users in Swiss cities.
• Universitätsklinik BalgristcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing close collaboration with Balgrist University Clinic in orthopaedic treatment and care. The clinic is located in the same neighborhood as the foundation. Balgristtec (affiliated with Balgrist) provides orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology support.
• Kinderspital Zürich (University Children's Hospital Zurich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation works closely with the Children's Hospital Zurich for optimal medical basic, acute, and orthopaedic treatment of residents.
• Universitätsspital Zürich (Zurich University Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with the Pneumology department for respiratory/ventilation care, and with Zurich University Clinics for specialized medical treatment.
• Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich (Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation has access to a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist, and collaborates with the outpatient clinic of the Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich for psychiatric and psychological counseling.
• INSOS SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSOS Switzerland is the national industry association for institutions for people with disabilities. The foundation's PrA INSOS Mediamatik vocational training program is recognized by INSOS, and the association connects the foundation with the broader disability employment sector.
• Duchenne-SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA platform by affected individuals for affected individuals and all interested parties. The foundation collaborates on the Duchenne Conference and shares expertise in Duchenne care.
• Progena / Swiss Duchenne FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA non-profit Swiss foundation supporting families and affected individuals with information about Duchenne. Progena organized three German-language Duchenne conferences in Switzerland (2016–2022). It produces podcasts about living with Duchenne that feature foundation residents and staff.
• World Duchenne Organization (WDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn international federation of national patient organizations for Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy. The foundation participates in World Duchenne Awareness Day (September 7) coordinated by the WDO.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Muskelkranke (DGM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman muscular disease society providing explanatory videos about Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which are featured on the foundation's website.
• ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ZHAW is conducting the Care-NMD-CH study on the care situation of people with neuromuscular diseases in Switzerland. The foundation is involved through Stiftungsrätin Prof. Dr. Veronika Waldboth who contributes to the project and presents on DMD care in Switzerland.
• External Internship Host CompaniesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompanies across various sectors host one-day-per-week internships for PrA INSOS Mediamatik trainees. Partner companies include Allware, Muskelgesellschaft, AXA, FC Zurich, HfH, Nebelspalter, Dell Technologies, Schulthess Klinik, Kinderspitex, Nosag, Balgristtec, Immopro, Universal-Job, ZHAW, and others.
• Redi AG TreuhandminorOthersExternal audit firm overseeing the foundation's financial statements as part of the external supervisory review.
• Swiss Powerchair Hockey Federation (SPV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation has been central to the development of Powerchair Hockey in Switzerland since 1990, when its senior class became the Swiss national team. The Swiss Powerchair Hockey team, including foundation residents and staff, won the World Championship in Finland (May 2026).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): Largest US non-profit covering multiple neuromuscular diseases, funding research, care centers, and summer camp programs — overlaps with MES in neuromuscular disease expertise but serves a far broader disease portfolio.
• Pro Infirmis: Leading Swiss disability advocacy and service organization offering consultation, housing support, and accessibility programs nationwide — comparable Swiss non-profit disability services peer, though not focused on neuromuscular disease specifically.
• AFM-Téléthon: French neuromuscular disease foundation running the annual Téléthon telethon and funding rare-disease research and care — broader neuromuscular portfolio than MES, but operates an internationally recognized model combining donations, research, and patient services.

Direct peers

• Stiftung Wagerenhof: Swiss residential and vocational care foundation for people with disabilities near Zurich, offering housing, work, and therapy services — directly comparable operating model to MES's residential + vocational integration, though not specialized in Duchenne.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Muskelkranke (DGM): German muscular disease society providing patient information, care guidance, and conferences for neuromuscular conditions including Duchenne — explicitly named as an MES partner; operates a comparable patient-support and awareness role in the German-speaking region.
• Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD): US-based non-profit focused exclusively on Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, funding research, care, and advocacy — most direct disease-specific peer to MES, though operating in a different regulatory and funding environment.
• Duchenne Schweiz: Swiss patient-led platform by and for people affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their families — already an MES partner; provides community, information, and conference programming complementary to MES's direct-care mission.
• Stiftung Säntisblick: Swiss foundation providing residential, day, and work programs for people with physical disabilities — comparable residential/vocational integration model to MES, though serving a broader disability population in Eastern Switzerland.

Others

• Universitätsklinik Balgrist: Zurich university orthopedic clinic and long-standing MES clinical partner providing orthopedic treatment and rehabilitation technology — not a direct competitor but a strategic ecosystem player essential to MES's specialized clinical care delivery.

Emerging players

• Duchenne UK: UK-based Duchenne muscular dystrophy charity funding research and patient programs — focused on the same disease as MES, with a research-funding rather than direct-care model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mathilde.escher.stiftung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mathilde-escher-stiftung
• Instagraminstagram.com/mathilde_escher_stiftung

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mathilde Escher Foundation