Zdravotní klaun

What Zdravotní klaun does

Zdravotní klaun (Health Clown) is a Czech public benefit company (o.p.s.) founded in 2001 that delivers therapeutic medical clown visits to hospitalized and institutionalized populations across the Czech Republic. Its service portfolio spans four program pillars — pediatric visits, senior programs, palliative care, and seminars for healthcare workers — complemented by three media extensions: Cirkus Paciento (children's psychiatric department program), Kutálka (children's media content), and Rádio Klaun (podcast). The organization employs 94 trained professional medical clowns, distinguishing itself from volunteer-driven models, and serves 76 healthcare facilities covering approximately 300 bed departments. In 2025 the organization conducted a record 5,115 visits, including 1,280 specialized visits for children.

The "product" is fundamentally human-delivered artistic interaction — therapeutic clowning performed by salaried, professionally trained artists — and the organization operates no proprietary technology platform. Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels: individual donations at suggested tiers of 480/660/1,250 CZK, a Club of Friends recurring donor membership, corporate sponsorships (notably Škoda Auto, which donated three vehicles in 2026, and MONETA Money Bank), and government grants (including a 2026 Ministry of Culture grant for Cirkus Paciento). The organization is a member of RED NOSES INTERNATIONAL, the European medical clowning network, and EFHCO (European Federation of Hospital Clown Organizations), giving it access to cross-border methodology and peer training. Leadership comprises director Kateřina Slámová Kubešová and finance director Vendula Čulíková, with founder Gary Alven Edwards credited as the originator of the Czech operation.

Name

Zdravotní klaun

Legal name

Zdravotní klaun, o.p.s.

Website

https://zdravotniklaun.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Zdravotní klaun is a Czech nonprofit that deploys 94 trained medical clowns to deliver therapeutic visits across 76 hospitals and care facilities, serving children, seniors, and palliative patients in the Czech Republic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Praha

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. The organization offers suggested donation tiers (480 Kč, 1250 Kč, 660 Kč) with options for one-time or monthly contributions. Individual donors can join the Club of Friends (Klub přátel Zdravotních klaunů) for ongoing engagement.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partners support the organization through donations and sponsorship programs. Support options include financial contributions, vehicle donations (e.g., Škoda Auto donated 3 vehicles), and employee engagement programs.
3. Government Grants: The organization receives government funding including grants from the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. The Cirkus Paciento program for children's psychiatric departments received Ministry of Culture funding in 2026.
4. Klub přátel (Club of Friends Membership): Annual membership fees from supporters who join the Club of Friends. Members receive regular updates about organizational activities in exchange for financial support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Zdravotní klaun is a Czech nonprofit public benefit company (o.p.s.) that sends specially trained medical clowns to visit hospitalized children, geriatric patients, palliative care recipients, and disabled children in hospitals, hospices, rehabilitation centers, and senior care homes across the Czech Republic. The clowns deliver therapeutic humor and improvisational theater interventions to reduce patient anxiety, fear, and isolation, while also offering educational seminars for healthcare workers and awareness events such as the annual International Day of Smile.

Product overview

Zdravotní klaun is a non-profit organization providing therapeutic clown visits and humor programs primarily in Czech healthcare facilities. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including Programs for Children (delivering laughter therapy to hospitalized children), Programs for Seniors (visiting geriatric patients and nursing homes), and Palliative Programs (supporting patients in end-of-life care). Supporting offerings include Cirkus Paciento (circus programs for children), Kutálka (visits to disabled children), Seminars for Healthcare Workers (training in humor-based interventions), and the annual Mezinárodní den úsměvu (International Day of Smile) awareness event. The organization also produces content including the Rádio Klaun podcast and the Mocný zvuk documentary about music therapy. Core statistics: 94 medical clowns, 76 facilities, 25 years of experience, 5,115 visits in 2025, serving 300 bed wards and 1,280 special children visits annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cirkus Paciento: A circus program for children in healthcare settings, including children's psychiatric departments
• Kutálka
• Rádio Klaun

Products and services

• Programs for Children (Programy pro děti) Hospital clown visits bringing joy, laughter, and hope to hospitalized children to help improve their psychological and overall health condition. Targeted at children in pediatric wards, oncology units, and rehabilitation centers.
• Programs for Seniors (Programy pro seniory) Clown visits to geriatric patients, nursing homes, and senior facilities to bring humor, social stimulation, and improved quality of life for elderly recipients.
• Palliative Programs (Paliativní programy) Specialized clown visits for children and adults in palliative care, providing emotional support and moments of joy during difficult end-of-life situations.
• Seminars for Healthcare Workers (Semináře pro zdravotníky)

Quantifiable outcome

• 5115 visits conducted in 2025, with 1280 special visits for children specifically
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• RED NOSES INTERNATIONALflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerZdravotní klaun is the Czech member of RED NOSES INTERNATIONAL, the global network of medical clown organizations. This partnership provides access to international best practices, research collaboration, training methodologies, and participation in global initiatives like RNI Camp. The organization is listed as a 'Partner of RED NOSES International' on their website.
• EFHCO (European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZdravotní klaun is a member of EFHCO, the European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organizations, which coordinates and supports medical clown initiatives across Europe.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Gesundheitsclowns Deutschland: German medical clown organization running hospital visits for children and seniors. Comparable therapeutic approach but operates exclusively in Germany, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.
• Payasos Hospitalarios Spain: Spanish medical clown organization delivering therapeutic clown visits to pediatric and geriatric patients. Comparable mission and methods but geographically separate from Zdravotní klaun's Czech operations.

Direct peers

• Le Rire Médecin: France's leading medical clown charity, sending trained clowns into pediatric wards. Comparable in mission, operating model (donor-funded, hospital-visit delivery), and target patient population.
• Theodora Foundation: Swiss-based foundation operating 'Giggle Doctors' who visit hospitalized children across multiple countries. Similar therapeutic entertainment model with structured hospital visitation programs.
• RED NOSES International: Parent global network of medical clown organizations. Zdravotní klaun is the Czech member, sharing training methodologies, research, and best practices with the broader federation of national clown organizations.
• The Humour Foundation: Australian charity operating 'Clown Doctors' programs in children's hospitals and 'Elder Clowns' in aged care facilities. Direct overlap with both Zdravotní klaun's children's and seniors programs.
• Hearts & Minds: UK/Scottish charity providing therapeutic clown visits (Clowndoctors) to hospitalized children, older people with dementia, and adults with learning disabilities — overlapping directly with Zdravotní klaun's pediatric and geriatric programs.
• Operação Nariz Vermelho: Portuguese medical clown non-profit sending 'Doutores Palhaços' into pediatric hospitals. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and operational delivery to Zdravotní klaun.

Others

• EFHCO (European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organizations): Industry federation of which Zdravotní klaun is a member. Coordinates standards, advocacy, and research across European medical clown organizations — not a competitor but a structural peer/industry body.

Broad incumbents

• Clowns ohne Grenzen (Clowns Without Borders): International organization that uses clown performance for humanitarian relief and trauma contexts rather than hospital visits. Adjacent space — same craft of therapeutic clowning but a different service model and beneficiary set.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Zdravotniklaunvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/zdravotniklaun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zdravotniklaun/mycompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/zdravotniklaun

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zdravotní klaun