Svenska Celiakiförbundet

What Svenska Celiakiförbundet does

Svenska Celiakiförbundet is Sweden's primary non-profit patient association for celiac disease, founded in 1975 by Birgitta Wickholm and headquartered in Stockholm. The organization serves the estimated 200,000 Swedes (about 2% of the population) living with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, together with their families. It operates as a federal structure of 25 regional and local celiac associations and provides membership-based services including the Cardskipper member app, the quarterly CeliakiForum magazine (which received the 2025 Publishingpriset Gold), the Glutenpodden podcast, translation cards in 40+ languages, dietitian and ombudsman access, and the Celiakipanelen consumer panel. Events such as the Mat för livet fair extend its reach into community engagement.

The association's core asset is the Crossed Grain Symbol ("Det överkorsade axet"), a certification mark for products containing less than 20 ppm gluten. The mark is licensed to more than 60 brands and supported by a public product registry, creating consumer trust infrastructure and generating royalty income. Underlying technology is essentially non-proprietary, built on commercial platforms such as Cardskipper, with no disclosed AI, machine-learning, or advanced data systems.

The business model is a typical Swedish patient-association mix: individual and family membership fees (300 SEK and 350 SEK respectively), Crossed Grain Symbol licensing royalties, partner referral income (e.g., Ecoviva meal kits), and donations routed through Celiakifonden, which holds 90-konto charity status. Operations are supported by 13 staff, indicating a small absolute scale despite the federation's national footprint.

Name

Svenska Celiakiförbundet

Legal name

Svenska Celiakiförbundet

Website

https://celiaki.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Svenska Celiakiförbundet is the Swedish national non-profit patient association for celiac disease, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Stockholm, serving approximately 200,000 Swedes with the condition through 25 regional chapters, membership services, and the licensed Crossed Grain Symbol certification mark.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient advocacy and chronic disease membership services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Gluten-Free & Allergen-Free Certification Services (AFALAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nutrition, Dietary Management & Allergen/Accommodation Services (EDALADAJ)

Keywords

• Celiac disease advocacy
• Gluten-free certification
• Patient membership services
• Food allergen licensing
• Chronic disease support

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees provide core recurring revenue. Huvudmedlemskap (primary membership) costs 300 kr/year for individuals. Familjemedlemskap (family membership) costs 350 kr/year. Members receive CeliakiForum magazine, access to ombudsman/dietist services, translation cards, and member offers.
2. Licensing of Det överkorsade axet (Crossed Grain Symbol): Food manufacturers and companies license the crossed grain symbol for use on their gluten-free products. This generates licensing revenue while providing companies with the trusted symbol certification. Products bearing this symbol are tested and guaranteed gluten-free (<20 ppm).
3. Celiakifonden (Coeliac Foundation) donations: Donations to Celiakifonden support research on coeliac disease. Swish: 123 900 2460, Bankgiro: 900-2460. The foundation has 90-konto certification from Svensk Insamlingskontroll.
4. Member offers and partnerships: Partner companies like Ecoviva offer discounts to members, generating referral or partnership revenue. Members use discount codes to access partner offers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Svenska Celiakiförbundet is a Swedish non-profit membership association that provides advocacy, information, and support services to people with coeliac disease. Members receive a quarterly CeliakiForum magazine, access to an ombudsman and dietitian via the Cardskipper app, translation cards in over 40 languages, and entry to a nationwide network of 25 regional associations. The organization also licenses its trademarked Crossed Grain Symbol (Det överkorsade axet) to food manufacturers whose products meet its gluten-free standard of less than 20 ppm, and operates the Celiakifonden research foundation.

Product overview

Svenska Celiakiförbundet is a Swedish celiac disease association offering membership services, not a technology product company. The organization provides membership with access to a member app (Cardskipper), the CeliakiForum magazine (4x/year), Glutenpodden podcast, translation cards in 40+ languages, and the Celiakipanelen for member influence. The organization licenses the Crossed Grain Symbol (Det överkorsade axet) for certified gluten-free products, maintaining a registry of licensed products. Member benefits include Ecoviva meal kit discounts and access to events like the Mat för livet and Det goda livet fairs. Celiakifonden funds celiac research annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CeliakiForum: The organization's member magazine published 4 times per year, both in print and digital formats.
• Glutenpodden
• Celiakifonden
• SCUF
• Celiakipanelen
• Det överkorsade axet

Products and services

• Medlemskap (Membership) Annual membership providing access to the Cardskipper member app, quarterly CeliakiForum magazine, translation cards in over 40 languages, ombudsman and dietitian support, local activities, Celiakipanelen participation, and partner discounts. Available as Huvudmedlemskap at 300 SEK/year for individuals or Familjemedlemskap at 350 SEK/year for unlimited household members.
• Det överkorsade axet (The Crossed Grain Symbol) Licensed certification mark for gluten-free products verified at less than 20 ppm gluten, licensed to food manufacturers for use on packaging. Over 60 brands including Almondy, Fria, Garant, Wasa, Risenta, and Zeta hold licenses.
• CeliakiForum Member magazine published four times per year in print and digital formats, covering research updates, recipes, member stories, and product news. Won gold at Publishingpriset 2025 in the 'Digital Publications' category.
• Glutenpodden Regular podcast episodes covering coeliac disease topics, research developments, interviews with researchers and patients, and member stories. Distributed via YouTube and podcast platforms.
• Celiakipanelen Member panel enabling participants to take part in product testing, surveys, and influence gluten-free product development. Used by partner companies such as Saveggy to gather consumer insights for product decisions.
• Celiakifonden (Celiac Research Fund) Research foundation that distributes annual grants to coeliac disease research projects reviewed by the Scientific Council (Vetenskapliga rådet) and external reviewers. Holds 90-konto certification from Svensk Insamlingskontroll and accepts donations via Swish and Bankgiro.
• Licensed Gluten-Free Products Registry Online product database on celiaki.se listing all products licensed to use the Crossed Grain Symbol, including brand, product name, license code, weight, oat content, and verified gluten level of less than 20 ppm.
• Mat för livet Fair Sweden's largest gluten and lactose-free fair held annually in Stockholm, featuring exhibitors, tastings, lectures, and product shopping. Hosts the Årets Guldax award for the best exhibitor.
• Det goda livet Fair Southern Sweden's gluten-free fair held at Malmömässan, featuring exhibitors, tastings, lectures, and a gluten-free café.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 2% of Sweden's population (200,000 people) has coeliac disease
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SaveggyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2025Saveggy used Celiakipanelen to gather consumer insights for their edible plant-based coating for fruits and vegetables. The partnership helped inform labeling decisions and inclusion strategy for the gluten-free consumer segment.
• FullkornsFrämjandetminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership to increase knowledge about whole grains and make it easier for people with celiac disease to make healthy choices. Goal: address the challenge of getting enough whole grains on a gluten-free diet.
• ABF (Arbetarnas Bildningsförbund)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025ABF presented opportunities for celiac associations to collaborate on study circles, local cooperation, and popular education (folkbildning). Partnership aims to strengthen engagement and activities.
• MoilasminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025Finnish bakery partner that participated in the Förbundsstämma minimässa (trade fair), showcasing products to association leaders.
• SchärminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025Gluten-free food company that participated in the Förbundsstämma minimässa, showcasing products to association leaders.
• FriaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025Swedish gluten-free bakery contributing giveaways (value coupons, flour mixes, recipe booklets) to Förbundsstämma delegates.
• ViljatuoteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025Finnish gluten-free company contributing flour mixes and recipe booklets to Förbundsstämma delegates.
• FibrminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025Sponsor contributing bars and candy to Förbundsstämma delegates.
• AromaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025Sponsor contributing bars and candy to Förbundsstämma delegates.
• Zeta (Di Luca & Di Luca)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2025Italian food company specializing in gluten-free products. Won both 'Årets Utställare' and 'Årets Guldax 2025' at Mat för livet fair. Sponsors product baskets for prize drawings.
• EcovivaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEcoviva offers gluten- and lactose-free meal kits delivered to members' homes. Members receive 20% discount on their first three deliveries plus add-ons. The partnership provides value to members while Ecoviva gains access to the celiac community.
• AOECS (Association of European Coeliac Societies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational umbrella organization for European celiac societies. Svenska Celiakiförbundet is a member, participating in Coeliac Day Run events and supporting humanitarian aid for people with celiac disease in Ukraine.
• Sveriges KonsumentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSvenska Celiakiförbundet joined Sveriges Konsumenter (Swedish Consumers) to strengthen members' voices in important consumer issues. Partnership enables advocacy on food safety, labeling, and consumer rights.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coeliac UK: The UK's national coeliac charity providing membership services, gluten-free certification (Crossed Grain logo), and advocacy. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and certification-based revenue model to Svenska Celiakiförbundet.
• Beyond Celiac: US-based celiac disease non-profit focused on research acceleration and patient empowerment. Comparable mission-driven non-profit model with different geographic focus.
• Coeliac Australia: Australian national celiac organization with membership, advocacy, and a Certified Gluten Free program. Comparable in combining membership, certification, and advocacy in a single-country non-profit model.
• Celiac Disease Foundation: Leading US non-profit for celiac disease advocacy, research funding, and patient support. Comparable in mission (advocacy, research, education) but operates primarily in the US market with different certification models.

Others

• Dr. Schär: Leading European gluten-free food manufacturer and major license partner of crossed grain symbols. Adjacent rather than competitive; uses coeliac society certification for its products and is a key commercial partner.

Broad incumbents

• AOECS (Association of European Coeliac Societies): The European umbrella organization of which Svenska Celiakiförbundet is a member. Operates the international Crossed Grain licensing system across member societies; comparable as an industry-wide coordination body.
• Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO): Global gluten-free product certification program operated under the Gluten Intolerance Group. A broader incumbent competitor in the gluten-free certification space that manufacturers may choose instead of national coeliac society marks.

Regional players

• Astma- och Allergiförbundet: Swedish national non-profit for asthma and allergies, operating in adjacent dietary/allergen advocacy space. Comparable as a Swedish civic non-profit addressing related health and consumer concerns.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3NE8bpqz0y9RcsNqjCtodw
• Facebookfacebook.com/celiakiforbundet
• Instagraminstagram.com/svenskaceliakiforbundet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/svenska-celiakif%C3%B6rbundet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Svenska Celiakiförbundet