Non-governmental organization „ALTHEA”

What Non-governmental organization „ALTHEA” does

Non-governmental organization „ALTHEA" (legal name: Udruženje građana ALTHEA) is a Serbian non-profit founded in 2006 and headquartered in Belgrade at Svetozara Markovića 7. The organization specializes in accessibility solutions for persons with disabilities, delivering physical products (tactile maps and information boards, tactile walking surfaces, induction loop audio systems, accessibility ramps) and information services (Braille printing, audio description, mobile applications, iBeacon-enabled museum navigation). Its technology stack combines certified Braille production, Bluetooth iBeacon proximity systems, and standardized mobile applications for Android and iOS, with all products engineered to comply with UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ADA, and AODA standards.

The organization serves two parallel customer bases: end-user personas (blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard-of-hearing persons) and institutional buyers who must comply with accessibility mandates. Documented institutional clients span Serbian government ministries, the City of Belgrade Administration, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, the National Theatre in Belgrade, major museums (Gallery Milan Konjović, National Museum Kragujevac, City Museum Sombor, National Library of Serbia), universities, healthcare facilities, and private-sector clients such as Erste Bank across 11 branches. Its GTM is sales-led, relying on direct engagement with government decision-makers, public tenders, and a referral network anchored by disability advocacy organizations.

Revenue is generated entirely through project-based professional services contracts funded by Serbian government ministries (Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Culture), municipal administrations, international development organizations (notably GIZ GmbH and EU IPA programs), and civil society foundations (Ana i Vlade Divac, Princess Katarina Karađorđević Foundation). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization has documented 250+ completed projects, 200+ induction system installations, and 70+ tactile signs across 30+ cities, with operational activity continuing through 2023.

Name

Non-governmental organization „ALTHEA”

Legal name

Udruženje građana ALTHEA

Website

https://althea.rs

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ALTHEA is a Belgrade-based Serbian non-profit providing physical and informational accessibility solutions — tactile maps, induction loops, Braille printing, audio description, and assistive mobile apps — primarily to government institutions, museums, transportation hubs, and cultural organizations across Serbia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Accessibility Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH), Accessibility & Special Needs Equipment (Assistive Devices, Adaptive Furniture, Sensory Rooms) (EDAEAIAM)

Keywords

• Disability accessibility solutions
• Tactile wayfinding systems
• Braille printing services
• Audio description services
• Induction loop systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Beograd

HQ country

Serbia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Project-Based Government Contracts: The organization secures contracts funded by Serbian government ministries (Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Culture), municipal governments, and city administrations for implementing accessibility solutions in public institutions.
2. International Organization Projects: Projects funded by international organizations including GIZ GmbH (German organization for international cooperation), European Union IPA programs, and various foundations.
3. NGO and Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations such as Fondacija Ana i Vlade Divac, Fondacija Nj.K.V. Princeze Katarine Karađorđević, Fond za otvoreno društvo, and other NGOs for specific accessibility projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ALTHEA delivers end-to-end accessibility solutions for persons with disabilities, combining physical installations (tactile information boards, tactile walking paths, accessibility ramps, induction loops) with information-access services (Braille printing, audio description for theater and museums) and assistive technology (iBeacon-enabled mobile applications, sign-language and Braille learning apps). Offerings are designed and installed to ADA, AODA, and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities standards for government, cultural, educational, healthcare, transport, and financial-sector clients in Serbia.

Product overview

ALTHEA is a non-governmental, non-profit organization providing accessibility solutions for persons with disabilities. Their product portfolio consists of physical accessibility products (tactile tables, tactile paths/guidance strips, induction loops) and information accessibility services (Braille printing, audio description, assistive technology including beacons and mobile applications). The core offering centers on removing architectural and informational barriers in public spaces, with mobile applications and beacon technology representing modern additions that enable museum and cultural accessibility. The organization has completed over 250 projects and installed more than 200 induction systems according to their published statistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tactile Information Boards and Plaques (Taktilne table i pločice) Tactile information boards and plaques with Braille text designed to help blind and visually impaired persons navigate spaces independently; includes architectural plans and room layouts with Braille labeling, built to ADA, AODA and UN CRPD standards with durable materials.
• Tactile Walking Surfaces (Taktilne staze / tifo staze) Relief-elevated walking surfaces for easier orientation of blind and visually impaired persons; includes guidance paths for directional navigation and warning fields indicating potential hazards (stairs, traffic, bus stops). Suitable for indoor and outdoor installation, resistant to mechanical damage and weather.
• Induction Loop Systems (Indukcioni sistemi / indukcione petlje) Audio induction loop systems enabling hearing-impaired persons using hearing aids or cochlear implants to hear speech and sounds more clearly without background interference, via electromagnetic wave transmission through an installed loop.
• Braille Printing Services (Štampa na Brajevom pismu) Printing on Braille paper for blind persons, including business cards, flyers, brochures, publications, guides, timetables, and books; enlarged-print versions also produced for visually impaired users.
• Audio Description (Audio Deskripcija) Narrative translation of visual content into spoken language for blind and visually impaired persons, enabling equal access to theater, opera, dance, film, museums, galleries, and sporting events via infrared two-channel audio.
• Accessibility Ramps (Asistivna tehnologija – Rampe) Expert evaluation, design (slope, platform, width, fixed/mobile options), material selection, and construction of ramps to overcome height differences between pedestrian surfaces and building entrances, following ADA/AODA and Serbian standards.
• iBeacon Museum Navigation (Asistivna tehnologija – iBeacon/Bikoni) Bluetooth iBeacon devices that identify nearby mobile devices and deliver text or audio feedback, used in museums and cultural venues to increase independence of visitors with disabilities.
• Accessibility Mobile Applications (Asistivna tehnologija – Mobilne aplikacije) Android and iOS accessibility applications including sign-language learning guides (Serbian and International Sign), Braille alphabet tutorials, sign-language law information apps, accessible parking info for Belgrade, and museum/cultural access apps integrated with iBeacons.
• Accessibility Expertise Consulting (Ekspertiza pristupačnosti) Consulting service identifying architectural and informational barriers, specifying required adaptations, and providing comprehensive accessibility solutions compliant with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Serbian Constitution, and applicable building regulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ projects successfully completed
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fondacija Nj.K.V. Princeze Katarine KarađorđevićcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2017Foundation donated large induction loop for ceremonial hall of school for hearing-impaired children 'Stefan Dečanski'. Partnership focuses on making educational facilities accessible to children with disabilities.
• Fondacija Ana i Vlade DivaccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2013Partnership for projects including 'Moja prava' (My Rights) Android application for accessibility and equal rights, and 'Stvarno važna promena' contest projects. Foundation recognized ALTHEA's work with commendation for successful project implementation.
• Savez slepih Srbije (Association of Blind of Serbia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2008ALTHEA was certified by the Association of Blind of Serbia as a firm authorized to produce tactile boards with Braille. This partnership provides official recognition of ALTHEA's expertise and quality standards for accessibility products serving blind and visually impaired persons.
• Savez COSI – Centar za osobe sa invaliditetomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on multiple accessibility projects including installation of induction loops in Belgrade municipality service centers (Voždovac, Surčin, Zvezdara) and joint initiatives for inclusive environments.
• GIZ GmbH – Nemačka organizacija za međunarodnu saradnjucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge-scale project for National Employment Service involving 41 branch offices with tactile paths, Braille plates, and induction loops. GIZ also supported project printing over 90,000 pages in Braille for employment service publications.
• Erste Bank AD Novi SadcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInstalled induction loops in numerous Erste Bank branches across Serbia including Kragujevac, Temerin, Sombor, Vršac, Pančevo, Niš, Beograd, Inđija, Nova Pazova, Mladenovac, and Bačka Palanka for accessibility of banking services.
• Železnice SrbijecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership since 2008 to print railway timetables in Braille and install tactile information boards at railway stations across Serbia (Belograd, Novi Sad, Niš, Subotica, Čačak, Kraljevo) and tactile paths at station platforms.
• Narodno pozorište u BeograducoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2010, ALTHEA provides monthly audio description for performances in both theater halls. Partnership includes providing 20 free tickets monthly for blind persons and implementing induction loop and audio description systems.
• Poverenik za zaštitu ravnopravnosticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive partnership including printing Braille business cards for all employees, creating audio books, printing discrimination protection handbook, and installing tactile signs in offices.
• CIP – Centar za integralno planiranjeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on railway station accessibility projects including installation of tactile walking and warning paths on platforms of 7 railway stations (Altina, Batajnica, Kamendin, Zemun, Zemunsko polje, Nova Pazova, Stara Pazova) and New Belgrade railway station.
• British CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Braille printing projects and cultural accessibility initiatives.
• Turistička organizacija BeogradaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on 'Beograd za sve' (Belgrade for All) accessibility tourism initiative, presenting at Tourism Fair and developing accessible tourism materials.
• Savez gluvih i nagluvih SrbijecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on hearing accessibility projects including installation of 5 induction loops in Smederevo through project 'Da vas i mi čujemo' (We Hear You Too) supported by Ministry of Labor.
• Udruženje studenata sa hendikepom (USH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on educational accessibility including printing Braille business cards and supporting student accessibility initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ViewPlus: ViewPlus manufactures Braille embossers and tactile graphics printers, technology used to produce the type of Braille materials and tactile art reproductions that ALTHEA produces for institutions like museums and government offices.
• Index Braille: Index Braille is a Swedish manufacturer of Braille embossers and printers, which underpin institutional Braille printing services like those ALTHEA provides (e.g., 90,000+ pages for the National Employment Service).
• Humanware: Humanware is a global assistive technology company producing Braille devices, low-vision aids, and GPS for blind users. The overlap is on Braille products and mobile accessibility tools that ALTHEA also develops/distributes for the Serbian market.
• Contacta Systems: Contacta is a US/UK provider of assistive listening solutions including induction loops, large-area loops, and window intercoms for public service counters. Their direct overlap with ALTHEA's induction loop offerings makes them a close product-line peer.
• Ampetronic: Ampetronic is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of hearing loop (induction loop) systems used in public venues, transport, and government buildings. ALTHEA installs induction loops in Serbian institutions and is highly comparable on the hearing-accessibility product line.

Regional players

• RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People): RNIB is a UK disability NGO that provides services, products, and policy advocacy for blind and partially sighted people. It is highly comparable to ALTHEA in mission and scope but operates in a different geographic and regulatory environment.
• Tiflo Centar Zagreb: Tiflo Centar is a Croatian organization providing assistive technology and accessibility services for blind persons in the Western Balkans. It is the most direct regional peer to ALTHEA in terms of products and institutional engagement model.

Emerging players

• OrCam Technologies: OrCam is an Israeli assistive technology company producing wearable AI devices for blind and visually impaired users (text reading, facial recognition). It represents a technology-driven adjacent solution to ALTHEA's mobile app and Braille ecosystem.
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): APH is a major US nonprofit producing Braille, large-print, and educational materials for the blind. While geographically distant, it shares ALTHEA's mission of providing accessible reading materials and Braille production at scale.

Others

• Savez slepih Srbije (Association of Blind of Serbia): The Association of Blind of Serbia is a disability advocacy organization that certifies ALTHEA's tactile board production. It is a critical ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but operates in the same Serbian accessibility space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/althea-rs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Non-governmental organization „ALTHEA”