AEFML | Students' Association of the Lisbon School of Medicine

What AEFML | Students' Association of the Lisbon School of Medicine does

AEFML (Associação de Estudantes da Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa) is a non-profit student association founded on 30 September 1914 that represents all students enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL), including those in the Integrated Master's in Medicine and the Degree in Nutritional Sciences. Headquartered on the first floor of Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon, it is the statutory, democratically elected student body, granting every enrolled FMUL student the right to participate in and stand for association roles. The association's core technology base is non-existent — it operates no proprietary products and its "offering" is a portfolio of ~27 interconnected, student-led projects rather than a unified platform.

Its portfolio spans six functional pillars: (1) community health and social action, including Natal Diferente (hospital and care-home Christmas visits running 40 years), Hospital dos Pequeninos, Corrida Saúde + Solidária, Best Buddy, Nexus, MedOnTour, and international initiatives Medicina Mais Perto in Mozambique/São Tomé and Príncipe and in Portuguese Atlantic islands; (2) academic and educational programs such as Solvin' It peer-teaching, Practical Essentials workshops, suturing workshops, imERso clinical observerships at ULS Santa Maria, and the MedEscape educational escape room; (3) cultural and arts activities including Sarau Cultural (250+ student performers), RÁDIO TERAPIA, Catarse theater, CurArte, Livroscopia, Arte no Hospital, and the RESSONÂNCIA magazine (XLII edition); (4) sports via AEFML teams in university championships; (5) international exchange via SCOPE/SCORE/PHEx programs (80+ outbound students annually) and Erasmus Buddy/Tandem; and (6) professional development through the AIMS Meeting, Europe's largest biomedical conference organized entirely by medical students (~1,000 international participants annually).

The business model is non-commercial and diversified: a €10 annual membership quota (with exemption for scholarship holders) provides baseline membership revenue; member-only access to discounted language courses (English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Czech, Portuguese as Foreign Language) generates tuition-like revenue; one-time fees are collected for individual events, congresses, and workshops; and the Nutri2Go congress pursues corporate nutrition/health-brand sponsorships across Platinum, Silver, Bronze, Logistic, and Media tiers. Marketing is executed through the aefml.pt website, a master Instagram account plus ~14 project-specific sub-brands, institutional email ([email protected], [email protected]), and on-campus outreach; distribution is direct via the FMUL campus, university facilities, hospitals, and community venues. Key institutional partners include Universidade de Lisboa, IPDJ, Ordem dos Médicos – Sul, SASUL, SIM, Hospital de Santa Maria, GAPIC, ANEM, ANE, and EMSA.

Name

AEFML | Students' Association of the Lisbon School of Medicine

Legal name

Associação de Estudantes da Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa

Website

https://aefml.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AEFML is a non-profit student association founded in 1914 that represents and serves FMUL medical and nutrition students in Lisbon through ~27 academic, cultural, sports, social-action, and international-exchange projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Association Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education, Research & Academic Congresses (THAHAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• Student association services
• Medical student representation
• Academic peer support
• Student community programs
• Student life activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership quota of 10€ charged to student members, providing access to member benefits including discounts on activities, courses, and services.
2. Language Courses: Language courses offered at accessible prices to members, with reduced rates for members versus non-members.
3. Event Participation Fees: Fees collected for participation in organized events, congresses, and workshops such as AIMS Meeting, Nutri2Go, and Practical Essentials.
4. Nutri2Go Congress Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships and partnerships with nutrition and health brands for the Nutri2Go congress, including various sponsorship tiers (Platinum, Silver, Bronze, Logistic, Media).

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AEFML is a non-profit student association founded on 30 September 1914 that represents students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL). It operates a portfolio of student-led projects spanning academic peer-teaching (Solvin' It, Practical Essentials, suturing workshops, imERso observerships), cultural programs (Sarau Cultural, Catarse theater, RÁDIO TERAPIA, Livroscopia, CurArte), community health initiatives (Hospital dos Pequeninos, Natal Diferente, MedOnTour, Medicina Mais Perto), international exchanges (Erasmus Buddy, SCOPE/SCORE/PHEx), solidarity actions (Best Buddy, Nexus, Corrida Saúde + Solidária), and large-scale congresses (AIMS Meeting, Nutri2Go).

Product overview

AEFML is a non-profit student association representing students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon. Rather than a unified technology product, its offering consists of a diverse portfolio of student-led projects and services spanning: (1) Community health initiatives including Hospital dos Pequeninos, Natal Diferente, Corrida Saúde+Solidária, and international projects like Medicina Mais Perto (Mz|STP and Ilhas); (2) Cultural activities including Sarau Cultural, theater group Catarse, music group RÁDIO TERAPIA, literature group Livroscopia, visual arts group CurArte, and the RESSONÂNCIA magazine; (3) Academic/educational programs including Solvin' It peer-teaching, Practical Essentials workshops, suturing workshops, imERso clinical observerships, and MedEscape gamification; (4) Sports including team competitions and national university championships; (5) International programs including Erasmus Buddy, exchanges (SCOPE/SCORE/PHEx), and Twinning projects; (6) Social action through Best Buddy, Nexus tutoring, and Arte no Hospital artistic interventions. The association operates as a platform of interconnected projects rather than a single product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIMS Meeting: Annual International (bio)Medical Students Meeting - the largest biomedical conference in Europe entirely organized by medical students.
• Hospital dos Pequeninos
• Natal Diferente
• Corrida Saúde + Solidária
• Nutri2Go
• Medicina Mais Perto
• RESSONÂNCIA
• Sarau Cultural
• Solvin' It
• Arte no Hospital
• Radio Terapia
• Catarse
• CurArte
• Livroscopia
• Best Buddy
• Nexus
• MedEscape
• imERso
• Practical Essentials
• ContraCorrente

Products and services

• Annual AEFML Membership (Sócio da AEFML) An annual student membership at €10 per year providing enrolled FMUL students with democratic participation in association life, discounts on Sala de Alunos meals, language courses, workshops, sports representation, and event activities. Scholarship holders (bolseiros) are exempt from the fee upon documentation.
• Cursos de Línguas AEFML (Language Courses) Subscription-based language courses offered in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Czech and Portuguese as a Foreign Language, priced at reduced rates for members and standard rates for non-members.
• AIMS Meeting (Annual International Medical Students Meeting) Paid annual biomedical conference held by AEFML, attracting approximately 1,000 international participants and offering scientific sessions, workshops and networking for medical and biomedical students.
• Nutri2Go Congress A paid nutrition congress featuring lectures and practical workshops by health professionals, currently in its VI edition, with corporate sponsorship packages available to nutrition and health brands.
• Practical Essentials Workshop Series A paid practical workshop series (XV edition, 452 participants) covering essential medical and nutrition skills such as laparoscopy, bariatric nutrition, stroke management and other clinical procedures.
• Workshop de Suturas (Suturing Workshops) Paid surgical suturing training for medical students combining theoretical fundamentals and hands-on practice of basic, advanced, cardiac, ophthalmic, vascular sutures and tenorrhaphy.
• Corrida Saúde + Solidária A paid solidarity running event combining a 10km race, 5km walk/run and children's race to promote sports and health while raising funds for charitable institutions, having raised €112,725 for 41 institutions across 12 editions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,732 patients and 1,922 healthcare professionals reached through Christmas visits
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and secondary.

• Universidade de LisboacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership with the parent university. ULisboa provides academic framework and institutional support for AEFML activities and student representation.
• Instituto Português do Desporto e da Juventude (IPDJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sports and youth institute providing institutional support and potentially funding for student sports and youth development activities.
• Ordem dos Médicos - SulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional branch of the Portuguese Medical Association providing professional development support and collaboration for medical student activities.
• Serviços de Ação Social da Universidade de Lisboa (SASUL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity social services providing facilities (Cantina Velha, student residences) and social support services for student members.
• SIM - Sindicato Independent MédicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent Medical Union partnership supporting medical student interests and professional representation.
• Tejo - SegurosminorOthersInsurance company providing coverage services for association activities and events.
• Associação de Estudantes da NOVA Medical School (AENMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2016 for the Natal Diferente project, combining efforts for Christmas hospital visits and solidarity activities.
• Associação de Estudantes da Escola Superior de Enfermagem de LisboasecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaboration on Natal Diferente project for broader healthcare student participation.
• Associação de Estudantes da Faculdade de Farmácia de LisboasecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaboration on Natal Diferente project expanding healthcare student network.
• Student Union da Católica Medical SchoolsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for Natal Diferente expanding reach across Lisbon medical schools.
• Associação Académica da AtlânticasecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaboration for Natal Diferente project covering additional healthcare education institutions.
• European Medical Students Association (EMSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean umbrella organization. AEFML hosts and participates in EMSA projects including Hospital dos Pequeninos and Best Buddy. EMSA coordinates international student exchanges and conferences.
• Various Nutrition and Health BrandssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors for Nutri2Go congress including Platinum, Silver, Bronze, Logistic, and Media sponsors in the nutrition and health sectors.
• Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa (FMUL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent faculty providing academic framework, facilities, and institutional support for AEFML activities and student representation.
• GAPIC - Gabinete de Apoio à Investigação CientíficacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative for Dia da Investigação (Research Day), supporting student research and scientific development.
• Hospital de Santa MariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain clinical teaching hospital for FMUL, providing facilities for student activities, AEFML headquarters, and clinical training support.
• Associação Nacional de Estudantes de Medicina (ANEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational medical student association providing representation at national level and coordination for exchanges and congresses.
• Associação Nacional de Estudantes (ANE)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational student union representing broader student interests at national level.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• AENMS – Associação de Estudantes da NOVA Medical School: Student association of NOVA Medical School in Lisbon, already an AEFML partner on the Natal Diferente project. Direct peer: same medical-student representation mission, similar project portfolio, and overlapping catchment in the Lisbon medical-student market.
• Associação de Estudantes da Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa: Student association of the Lisbon School of Nursing, also an AEFML partner on Natal Diferente. Direct peer: similar healthcare-student representation purpose and overlapping Lisbon catchment.
• ANEM – Associação Nacional de Estudantes de Medicina: Portuguese national federation of medical student associations; AEFML is a member. Direct peer at the umbrella level: comparable mission of national representation, congress coordination and policy advocacy for medical students.
• Associação Académica da Atlântica: Academic association of Universidade Atlântica, a Lisbon private university, and an existing AEFML partner on Natal Diferente. Direct peer: comparable student-association structure and shared participation in Lisbon healthcare-student initiatives.
• AAC – Medicina (Coimbra Medical School student section, Associação Académica de Coimbra): The medicine section of Coimbra's century-old Associação Académica de Coimbra represents medical students at the University of Coimbra. Direct peer: comparable portfolio of congresses, exchanges and social projects, and competing for national student-association visibility.
• Associação de Estudantes da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa (AEFFUL): Student association of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon and an existing AEFML partner on the Natal Diferente project. Direct peer: same host university ecosystem, similar activity mix, and same EMSA-aligned student representation role.
• AEFMUP – Associação de Estudantes da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto: The official student association of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto. It is the most direct Portuguese counterpart to AEFML: same purpose (representing medical students), same activity mix (academic, cultural, sports, social), and competing for the same national-level visibility and EMSA/IFMSA partnerships.

Regional players

• Student Union da Católica Medical School: Student union of the Católica Medical School in Lisbon, already an AEFML partner on the Natal Diferente project. Regional/peer player: directly comparable medical-student representation function within the same Lisbon geography but serving a different, private medical school.

Broad incumbents

• IFMSA – International Federation of Medical Students' Associations: Global federation representing medical students across 100+ countries. Broader incumbent in the same mission space (international medical-student exchanges, public health, human rights) but operates at global federation level rather than local student services.
• EMSA – European Medical Students' Association: Europe-wide federation of medical student associations; AEFML is an active member and host of EMSA-originated projects (Hospital dos Pequeninos, Best Buddy). Broader incumbent: same mission space at European scale, but does not deliver local student services in Lisbon.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/artenohospital
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aefml

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 AEFML | Students' Association of the Lisbon School of Medicine