What Mirpuri Foundation does

The Mirpuri Foundation is a privately funded, Lisbon-headquartered non-profit organization founded by entrepreneur Paulo Mirpuri (1966–2026), whose wealth originated from investments across the air transportation industry — airlines, aircraft finance and trading, MRO, handling, and airline catering. The foundation operates six program areas: Marine Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, Performing Arts, Social Responsibility, Medical Research, and Aerospace Research. Its flagship operational platform is a principal sustainability partnership with Hi Fly airline (owned through the founder's Mirpuri Investments vehicle), which has delivered the world's first single-use plastic-free flight (2018) and full plastic-free fleet operations from January 2020, supported the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, and is slated to maiden-test the proprietary TRINITAIR retrofit wingtip solution co-developed with The Aircraft Performance Company GmbH.

The foundation also co-invests in proprietary technology and runs flagship programs including the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy, MF Racing Team (formerly Turn the Tide on Plastic in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18), the Sailing Academy at Clube Naval de Cascais (in partnership with Bluewater for drinking water stations), and the annual Conservation Forum inaugurated in 2024. It holds equity in TTxD – Trained Therapeutix Discovery, Inc., a Jean Boulle Medtech biotech commercializing a BCG-based nanobiologic immunotherapy platform (technology licensed from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Radboud University Medical Center) targeting ARDS in COVID-19 patients. Additional Core-tier partners include the European Space Agency (space applications for marine litter, aviation, and health, est. 2020), Lisbon Zoo (Persian Leopard European breeding program), AIAA (Space Architecture Best Paper Awards), The Royal Foundation / United for Wildlife, WWF, Sochi Center, IATA, WTFL, and The Explorers Club — Portugal Chapter.

Commercially, the foundation does not sell products or services; revenue derives from private philanthropy/endowment from the founder's industrial holdings, augmented by program-specific grants and partnership contributions. There are no disclosed financials, fundraising totals, or fee-based revenue lines. The organization maintains wholly-owned operational divisions — the Racing Team and Sailing Academy — and licenses its brand into events, awards (Ocean Award, Conservation Forum), and co-developed technologies (TRINITAIR), making its business model a hybrid of philanthropy-funded program delivery, equity investment in mission-aligned ventures, and IP co-development with industrial partners.

Name

Mirpuri Foundation

Legal name

MIRPURI FOUNDATION

Website

https://mirpurifoundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Mirpuri Foundation is a Lisbon-based non-profit founded by Paulo Mirpuri (1966-2026) operating six programs — Marine and Wildlife Conservation, Performing Arts, Social Responsibility, Medical Research, and Aerospace Research — through global partnerships with ESA, Hi Fly, Lisbon Zoo, Volvo Ocean Race, and Bluewater.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Conservation and Research Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation programs
• Marine wildlife protection
• Sustainable aviation research
• Non-profit foundation services
• Medical research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Mirpuri Foundation is a non-profit organization that funds and operates six program areas: Marine Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, Performing Arts, Social Responsibility, Medical Research, and Aerospace Research. It delivers impact through scientific expeditions (Caucasus, Everest, South Pole), conservation partnerships (Persian Leopard reintroduction, Ocean Race Turn the Tide on Plastic), sustainable aviation initiatives (first plastic-free flights, TRINITAIR wingtip development), medical research investments (TTxD immunotherapy platform), educational programs (Sailing Academy, Hi Fly Academy), and annual forums (Conservation Forum, Sailing Trophy).

Product overview

The Mirpuri Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by entrepreneur Paulo Mirpuri, operating across six main programs: Marine Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, Performing Arts, Social Responsibility, Medical Research, and Aerospace Research. The foundation also runs complementary initiatives including the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy (annual sailing competition), MF Racing Team (professional sailing team), Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Academy (youth sailing training), and the Mirpuri Foundation Conservation Forum (annual dialogue on conservation). The foundation acts as principal sustainability partner to airline Hi Fly and supports scientific expeditions, research programs, and awareness campaigns focused on environmental protection, sustainability, and conservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Conservation Program Conservation program focused on protecting ocean ecosystems and marine life, including scientific expeditions, ocean summits, and partnerships addressing ocean pollution. For global marine ecosystems and public beneficiaries.
• Wildlife Conservation Program Conservation program addressing threats to wildlife including global warming, illegal hunting, pollution, and deforestation; supports reintroduction of endangered species such as the Persian Leopard. For wildlife populations, conservation NGOs, and partner zoos.
• Performing Arts Program Cultural initiative supporting artistic endeavors, education through the arts, and preservation of cultural heritage. For artists, cultural institutions, and public audiences.
• Social Responsibility Program Program focused on supporting children, young people, the elderly, and migrants to help them develop their potential. For vulnerable populations and community organizations.
• Medical Research Program Research program supporting medical science development and healthcare delivery to populations in need; includes studies on plastic effects on human health, aerospace medicine, and anti-aging research. For medical researchers, biotech companies, and underserved patient populations.
• Aerospace Research Program Program supporting aviation research, sustainability innovation, and new talent development in aviation fields; includes the plastic-free flights initiative, wingtip technology, and partnerships with ESA and AIAA. For aviation industry stakeholders, regulators, and research institutions.
• Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy Annual sailing competition held in Cascais, Portugal, featuring multiple classes of racing. For competitive sailors and sailing audiences.
• MF Racing Team Professional sailing team competing in international regattas, including The Ocean Race (Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18) under the Turn the Tide on Plastic platform.
• Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Academy Sailing training academy located at Clube Naval de Cascais, promoting sailing education and water safety among youth, with on-site water purification station.
• Mirpuri Foundation Conservation Forum Annual high-level dialogue forum on conservation topics, first held in 2024, bringing together global leaders to discuss tourism, aviation, and conservation.
• Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award Annual award recognizing excellence in coral conservation and ocean innovation, presented at the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350 kg of single-use plastic prevented per return long-haul flight
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Hi FlyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs principal sustainability partner, Hi Fly works closely with the Mirpuri Foundation on sustainable aviation initiatives. In 2018, they launched the world's first plastic-free flight, and from January 2020, all Hi Fly flights operate without single-use plastics. The partnership also includes sustainability training for cabin crew and environmental campaigns.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished partnership in 2020 to leverage space applications for capacity building, education, marine and wildlife conservation, aviation, and health. Initial cooperation included environmental inputs for post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery feasibility study and an initiative to assess space-based applications for reducing marine litter.
• Lisbon ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Persian Leopard conservation and reintroduction program. The foundation sponsors the leopard at Lisbon Zoo, contributed to birth of three cubs in 2019 (Kiamaky, Noah, Amir), and funded Caucasus expeditions to document habitat and study reintroduction possibilities.
• Volvo Ocean Race / The Ocean RaceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal sustainability partner of Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18. Mirpuri Foundation was founding partner of the Turn the Tide on Plastic boat, supporting ocean conservation messaging throughout the round-the-world race. The partnership included science program for microplastics research and Ocean Summits at each stopover.
• BluewatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative to install drinking water station at Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Academy (Clube Naval de Cascais). Partnership promotes health, raises awareness of drinking water free of chemical pollutants, and drives the need to discard single-use plastic bottles. Bluewater supplies water stations that remove up to 99% of impurities including microplastics.
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsorship of AIAA Space Architecture Technical Committee Research Paper Awards starting in 2020. The foundation provides grants for best annual professional and student published research papers in space architecture. First sponsored Space Architecture Best Paper Award in the world.
• The Aircraft Performance Company GmbH (The APC)coreTechnology or IntegrationJoint development of TRINITAIR wingtip solution - a multi-fingered Plug&Fly Retrofit Wingtip Solution capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 2%. Hi Fly, with Mirpuri Foundation support, will conduct maiden test flight on A330. The partnership aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of in-service aircraft.
• United for WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMirpuri Foundation is active part of United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce as principal sustainability partner of Hi Fly (joined 2019). Taskforce develops solutions to wildlife trafficking through awareness, reporting and enforcement. The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth up to US$23 billion annually.
• The Royal Foundation (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, which is run by The Royal Foundation. The Duke of Cambridge chairs United for Wildlife Taskforces. Mirpuri Foundation joined meeting invited by HRH The Duke of Cambridge to discuss impact of COVID-19 on illegal wildlife trade.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Sustainable Cabin Forum 2019 organized by Hi Fly and Mirpuri Foundation. IATA participated as key partner for the ground-breaking forum bringing together airline and airport operators with regulators to tackle single-use plastic and catering waste challenges in aviation.
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal collaboration for Caucasus Ecoregion expeditions to photograph Persian Leopard habitat. The region is recognized as one of the richest in biodiversity and cultural diversity, and is an implementation area for WWF conservation plans.
• Sochi CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Persian Leopard breeding and reintroduction program. In 2012, under the ongoing program to reintroduce the species into the Caucasus, the first breeding pair of Persian Leopards originally from zoos departed from Lisbon for Russia. Their offspring were re-introduced into the Caucasus Nature Reserve in 2016.
• Hi Fly AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMirpuri Foundation is main partner of Hi Fly Academy which employs EASA Certified Flight and Cabin Instructors. Foundation provides financial aid program for students with high potential and low financial resources for pilot, flight attendant, engineer, ground operations officer, and flight dispatcher training.
• World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through ESA Space for Tourism initiative focused on sustainable tourism. Ana Agostinho from Mirpuri Foundation participated as key speaker alongside representatives from WTFL, WWF, and Global Himalayan Expedition.
• The Explorers Club - Portugal ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for inaugural Mirpuri Foundation Conservation Forum in 2024. The Explorers Club is a professional society for scientific exploration and field study.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Re:wild: Re:wild protects and restores biodiversity through species conservation partnerships. Comparable as a smaller conservation NGO pursuing species protection and habitat restoration, similar to Mirpuri's wildlife and Persian Leopard programs.
• 5 Gyres Institute: 5 Gyres is a nonprofit focused on plastic pollution research and education, including microplastics science. Comparable as a smaller mission-aligned NGO addressing the same plastic-in-ocean issue Mirpuri Foundation tackles through Volvo Ocean Race and Hi Fly work.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is one of the largest environmental nonprofits globally, working on land and water conservation. Comparable as a broad-incumbent conservation NGO operating across marine and wildlife ecosystems with science-based programs.
• Conservation International: Conservation International focuses on biodiversity, oceans, and climate through science-based partnerships. Directly comparable as a similarly structured global conservation NGO with a partnership-driven operating model.
• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): WWF is the world's largest independent conservation organization, operating across marine, wildlife, and habitat preservation. Directly comparable as a global environmental NGO; Mirpuri Foundation already partners with WWF on Caucasus ecoregion work.

Direct peers

• Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is a US-based nonprofit focused on ocean health, marine debris, and policy advocacy. Most comparable as a marine conservation NGO pursuing plastic-pollution reduction and ocean summit programming similar to Mirpuri Foundation's marine program.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: WCS operates zoos and conservation programs globally, including wildlife reintroduction efforts similar to Mirpuri's Persian Leopard program. Strongly comparable as a zoo-affiliated conservation NGO pursuing species recovery.
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organization focused on ocean ecosystem protection. Comparable as a marine wildlife NGO that combines direct action, expeditions, and advocacy similar to Mirpuri Foundation's marine and Caucasus expeditions.
• Plastic Pollution Coalition: Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance working to end plastic pollution. Directly comparable as a smaller NGO focused specifically on single-use plastic reduction, the same core issue Mirpuri Foundation tackles through its Hi Fly partnership.

Others

• European Space Agency Foundation (related NGOs): ESA itself is a partner rather than peer, but adjacent organizations like the International Astronautical Federation and space-focused research consortia share Mirpuri's aerospace research focus through similar institutional partnerships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mirpuri_org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkpE2_hq43twcE2FAvuwPDg
• Facebookfacebook.com/mirpurifoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/mirpurifoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mirpuri-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mirpuri Foundation