National Breast Cancer Research Institute

What National Breast Cancer Research Institute does

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) is an Irish registered charity (Company Limited by Guarantee, RCN 20025175) founded in 1991 by Professor Fred Given, headquartered at the Symptomatic Breast Unit, University Hospital Galway, with its research facility embedded in the Discipline of Surgery at the Lambe Institute for Translational Research, University of Galway. NBCRI funds and operates translational breast cancer research programmes spanning microRNA studies for disease prediction and recurrence forecasting, mesenchymal stem cell tumour targeting for drug delivery, biomarker detection, cancer biobanking (blood and tissue samples from consenting patients and healthy volunteers), and Wavelia microwave breast imaging technology. The organisation operates as a hybrid funder-and-translational-research entity, with seven principal investigators and a broader team of postdoctoral researchers, clinical trials nurses, and technical officers hosted within the university environment.

NBCRI's business model is community-led fundraising: revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate partnerships (anchored by a 2024-2026 national partnership with SPAR/EUROSPAR reaching 470+ retailers, plus Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and others), branded flagship events (Pink Afternoon, Race in Pink at Galway Races, Valentine's Ball), the Win a BMW raffle, marathon partnerships across international events, merchandise sales (€10-€150 unit pricing via a WooCommerce shop), corporate cause-marketing (e.g., Pink Water with €0.10 per bottle donated), and legacy bequests. Distribution is omnichannel, combining owned e-commerce, the SPAR/EUROSPAR retail network, third-party fundraising platforms (iDonate/Enthuse), and direct donations. The charity holds Triple Lock status from Charities Institute Ireland (one of 142 of 11,500 Irish charities so recognised) and is a charity partner in the Precision Oncology Ireland consortium (Phase 2: 2025-2030).

Name

National Breast Cancer Research Institute

Legal name

National Breast Cancer Research Institute CLG

Website

https://breastcancerresearch.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) is an Irish charity founded in 1991 that funds translational breast cancer research — including microRNA studies, biomarker detection, cancer biobanking, and clinical trials — at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway, supported through community fundraising, corporate partnerships, events, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Breast Cancer Research Charity

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Breast cancer research
• Cancer research funding
• Charitable fundraising
• Medical research charity
• Community fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Galway

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Voluntary donations from individuals, corporate partners, and community fundraising activities form the primary revenue source
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, socks, hats, masks, and Play in Pink products through online shop
3. Event Tickets and Registrations: Revenue from flagship events including Pink Afternoon, Valentine's Ball, Race in Pink, and various challenge events
4. Raffle and Lottery Draws: Win a BMW raffle and Easter raffle generating significant fundraising revenue through ticket sales
5. Corporate Partnership Contributions: Sponsorships and fundraising contributions from corporate partners including SPAR, EUROSPAR, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic
6. Legacy Bequests: Planned giving through wills for long-term fundraising support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

NBCRI is an Irish registered charity that funds breast cancer research at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway. It raises funds through individual donations, merchandise sales via an online shop and retail partners (e.g., SPAR), community fundraising events, and corporate sponsorship and partnership programs.

Product overview

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute operates primarily as a charity organization that funds breast cancer research at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway. Its product offerings consist entirely of merchandise and fundraising items sold through its online shop and Play in Pink online store. The merchandise portfolio includes apparel (T-shirts, pink pom pom beanies), accessories (pink ribbon socks, reusable face masks), and branded lifestyle items (keep cups, throws, scarves, notebooks, greeting cards, golf accessories, pens). All proceeds from merchandise sales directly support breast cancer research programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Play in Pink: A trademarked fundraising initiative of NBCRI, involving golf days hosted by Lady Captains at clubs across Ireland. Play in Pink has been renewed as charity partner for the KPMG Women's Irish Open.
• Walk in Pink
• Swim in Pink
• Box in Pink
• Hockey in Pink
• Race in Pink
• Charlotte's Vision
• Mayo Pink Ribbon

Products and services

• Charitable Donation Program Accepts one-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals to fund breast cancer research at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway.
• Charity Merchandise Shop Sells NBCRI-branded merchandise through an online shop and retail partner locations (e.g., SPAR outlets) to raise funds for breast cancer research.
• Community Fundraising Events Organizes and hosts community-based fundraising events that engage local supporters in activities raising money for breast cancer research.
• Corporate Partnership and Sponsorship Program Partners with businesses for event sponsorship, employee fundraising initiatives, retail point-of-sale donation programs, and named corporate giving contributions supporting breast cancer research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Breast cancer makes up 22% of all cancer survivors in Ireland
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Medtronic GalwaycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2026Medtronic Galway Women's Network organised 'Walk in Pink' fundraiser resulting in €6,032.21 donation to support NBCRI breast cancer research programme at Lambe Institute, University of Galway.
• Boston Scientific GalwaycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Charity partnership with Boston Scientific Galway, a leading medical device employer. Employees participated in Peak2Peak Challenge climbing Croagh Patrick and Diamond Hill, raising €70,000 for NBCRI. Second year of partnership supporting research at Lambe Institute.
• SPAR IrelandflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024National charity partnership with SPAR and EUROSPAR (owned by BWG Foods) to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. First time both retail brands came together for one joint charity partnership. Partnership runs 2024-2026, raising €574,014 through in-store collections, product donations (e.g., Pink Water with 10c per bottle donation), and community initiatives across 470+ independent retailers.
• EUROSPAR IrelandflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Joint national charity partnership with SPAR and EUROSPAR brands owned by BWG Foods. Fundraising through in-store collections, select product donations, and nationwide store network community initiatives. Raised €574,014 to support breast cancer research programmes.
• Precision Oncology IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCRI is a charity partner of Precision Oncology Ireland consortium comprising five Irish universities, six cancer charities, and ten industry partners developing diagnostics and therapeutics for personalised cancer treatment. Co-funded by Research Ireland under Strategic Partnership Programme. Phase 2 (Precision Oncology Ireland-2) runs 2025-30, led by Prof Róisín Dwyer.
• University of GalwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership hosting NBCRI research facility in the Discipline of Surgery at Lambe Institute for Translational Research. NBCRI donated €1 million in 2011 for institute development. Research team collaborates with universities and hospitals globally.
• University Hospital GalwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partnership hosting Symptomatic Breast Unit and Lambe Institute. NBCRI was key partner in developing Symptomatic Breast Clinic (2008) and Lambe Institute (2015). Currently supporting development of fit-for-purpose Cancer Centre.
• HRB Clinical Research FacilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting clinical trials portfolio focused on surgery, chemotherapy, and survivorship at University Hospital Galway. Dedicated research nurses supported by NBCRI.
• HSE West and North WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partnership in Cancer Centre development. Joint initiative with University of Galway for Cancer Biobank. Cancer Centre accredited as OECI Cancer Centre in 2024.
• BWG FoodsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBWG Foods owns and operates SPAR and EUROSPAR brands. Partnered with NBCRI for nationwide charity partnership 2024-2026 with 470+ independent retailers. Raised €574,014 for breast cancer research.
• AICRI (All-Ireland Clinical Research Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical research partnership contributing to breast cancer research programmes. Supports PhD researchers including Abhishek Tomar under AICRIstart programme.
• KPMG Women's Irish OpencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlay in Pink renewed as charity partner for KPMG Women's Irish Open golf tournament. Joint marketing partnership raising awareness and funds through golf community.
• CÚRAM - Research Ireland Centre for Medical DevicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported NBCRI and Hewlett Packard Enterprise partnership for new scanner technology described as 'game changer' for breast cancer research.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Breast Cancer Now: UK-based charity dedicated specifically to breast cancer research and support. Direct functional peer to NBCRI — focused disease, research-funding model, community fundraising, and clinical-trial support — operating in a different geography.
• Susan G. Komen: Largest US breast cancer charity funding research, community health, and advocacy. Direct comparable to NBCRI's mission focus on breast cancer research, with a much larger fundraising infrastructure and global brand presence.
• Irish Cancer Society: Ireland's national cancer charity funding research, support, and advocacy across all cancer types. Directly comparable to NBCRI as a domestic cancer-focused fundraising charity, though larger in scope and budget, competing for the same Irish donor pool.
• Marie Keating Foundation: Irish cancer charity focused on cancer awareness, survivorship, and support. Comparable to NBCRI as a domestic Irish cancer charity competing for the same individual and corporate donors.
• Breakthrough Cancer Research: Irish charity funding cancer research with a significant focus on translational outcomes. Direct peer to NBCRI in funding Irish cancer research, often partnering with the same university hospital system and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• The V Foundation for Cancer Research: US cancer research charity funding translational research across cancer types. Comparable as a peer grantmaking cancer charity with a research-funding focus, although operating at significantly larger scale.
• Cancer Research UK: World's largest independent cancer research charity. While covering all cancer types rather than breast cancer specifically, it is the dominant UK/European incumbent in the cancer research funding space and competes for the same corporate and individual donor dollars.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Major UK cancer charity providing practical, emotional, and financial support plus funding research. Broader incumbent in the cancer charity space, comparable in its multi-channel fundraising approach (events, retail, legacies).

Regional players

• St. Baldrick's Foundation: US-based volunteer-driven charity funding childhood cancer research. Comparable in its community-led fundraising model and corporate-partner activation approach, though serving a different geography and disease focus.

Others

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: US cancer research and treatment centre. Comparable as a research institution conducting translational breast cancer research, though NBCRI funds research at the Lambe Institute rather than operating its own clinical centre.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BCResearchIre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NBCRI-Ireland
• Facebookfacebook.com/141244000241
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-breast-cancer-research-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/breastcancer_research

Compliance2 records

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 National Breast Cancer Research Institute