FRAGILE Suisse

What FRAGILE Suisse does

FRAGILE Suisse is a Swiss nonprofit association (Schweizerische Vereinigung für Menschen mit Hirnverletzung) founded in 1990, dedicated 100% to supporting people with acquired brain injuries (stroke, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury) and their relatives across Switzerland. It is the only nationwide organization in the country focused exclusively on this population, addressing an addressable base of approximately 130,000 affected individuals. The organization delivers a federated portfolio of core services through 11 regional associations: individual counseling, a free 0800 256 256 helpline, the LOTSE long-term accompaniment program, Begleitetes Wohnen (in-home assisted living), a course program for affected individuals and families, self-help groups, peer counseling, professional meeting points, and continuing education for healthcare professionals delivered in cooperation with Careum Weiterbildung.

The service portfolio is supported by approximately 200 employees and volunteers (with 35 listed in core firmographics), roughly 5,400 paying members of the regional associations, and a tiered revenue model comprising individual and corporate donations, membership fees (CHF 30–50/year), course fees (CHF 320–600 depending on member status and Kulturlegi eligibility), professional training fees, and project grants from charitable foundations. The organization holds a performance agreement with the Federal Social Insurance Office (BSV) that enables data collection and program delivery for IV-eligible individuals. Distribution is multi-channel — regional associations, helpline, online/phone counseling, in-home visits, courses at external venues, and an annual Fachtagung specialist conference — with marketing spanning a multilingual website (DE/FR/IT/EN), the quarterly FRAGILE Magazin, newsletter, social media, press relations, and political advocacy including the Inclusion Initiative.

The business model is fundamentally that of a federated social-services nonprofit: there is no proprietary technology product, no AI/ML capabilities, and no commercial software footprint. The underlying 'platform' is human expertise — clinical content, peer experience, and a regional delivery network — built over more than two decades and codified through publications, curricula, and partnerships with Swiss rehabilitation providers (REHAB Basel, REHAB Zihlschlacht, Clinique Valmont, ZBA, Viv, Institution de Lavigny). Leadership comprises President Elisabeth Tribaldos and Director Priska Fritsche, with a board that includes Gabriela Riemer-Kafka. Strategic posture emphasizes advocacy (Inclusion Initiative, political manifesto) and deepening professional training revenues alongside traditional donation fundraising.

Name

FRAGILE Suisse

Legal name

FRAGILE Suisse, Schweizerische Vereinigung für Menschen mit Hirnverletzung

Website

https://fragile.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FRAGILE Suisse is the sole Swiss nonprofit dedicated 100% to people with acquired brain injuries and their relatives, delivering counseling, helpline, assisted living, courses, and professional training through 11 regional associations to an estimated 130,000 affected individuals nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Brain Injury Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

Keywords

• Brain injury support services
• Nonprofit social services
• Disability counseling
• Assisted living support
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: FRAGILE Suisse relies heavily on donations from private individuals, companies, and institutions to fund its services. The organization runs donation campaigns and accepts one-time, event-based, memorial, and legacy donations.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees ranging from CHF 30 to CHF 50 depending on the regional association. Members receive benefits including magazine subscription, event invitations, and discounts on courses and activities.
3. Course Fees: Educational courses for affected individuals and family members are offered at tiered pricing: CHF 400 for members, CHF 320 for members with Kulturlegi, CHF 600 for non-members. Some courses include accommodation and meals.
4. Professional Training: Continuing education programs for professionals working with brain-injured individuals, offered in cooperation with partners like Careum Weiterbildung and in-house.
5. Foundation Funding: Project funding from charitable foundations that support specific initiatives for people with brain injuries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FRAGILE Suisse provides a comprehensive nationwide service portfolio for people with acquired brain injuries (stroke, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury) and their families in Switzerland. Core offerings include professional counseling, a free helpline (0800 256 256), long-term accompaniment (LOTSE), assisted living support (Begleitetes Wohnen), self-help groups, peer counseling, educational courses, and continuing education programs for healthcare and social service professionals. The organization operates as a non-profit membership association with 11 regional associations.

Product overview

FRAGILE Suisse is a Swiss non-profit organization providing a comprehensive service portfolio for people with brain injuries (caused by stroke, brain tumor, or traumatic brain injury) and their relatives. The organization offers a unified platform of interconnected services including counseling (Beratung), a free helpline (0800 256 256), long-term accompaniment (LOTSE), and assisted living (Begleitetes Wohnen). These core services are complemented by educational offerings such as a course program (Kursprogramm), continuing education for professionals (Weiterbildungen), and coaching services. The organization also provides peer support through self-help groups (Selbsthilfe), peer counseling (Peer-Beratung), and community meeting points (Treffpunkte). Educational content is disseminated through the FRAGILE Magazin, brochures (Broschüren), and thematic content series (Fokusthemen). The services span across 11 regional associations throughout Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LOTSE: A long-term accompaniment program ensuring people with brain injuries receive ongoing support after discharge from hospital and rehabilitation.
• Peer-Beratung
• FRAGILE Magazin

Products and services

• Beratung (Counseling)
• Helpline (0800 256 256)
• LOTSE (Long-term Accompaniment)
• Begleitetes Wohnen (Assisted Living)
• Kursprogramm (Course Program)
• Selbsthilfe (Self-Help Groups and Forum)
• Peer-Beratung (Peer Counseling)
• Weiterbildungen (Continuing Education)
• Coaching für Fachpersonen (Coaching for Professionals)
• Careum Grundkurs (Basic Course)
• Careum Vertiefungskurse (Advanced Courses)
• FRAGILE Magazin

Quantifiable outcome

• Comprehensive nationwide support network covering all of Switzerland through 11 regional associations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• REHAB BaselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation clinic partnership. FRAGILE Suisse collaborates with REHAB Basel on rehabilitation and care coordination for brain-injured individuals.
• REHAB ZihlschlachtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation clinic partnership. FRAGILE Suisse works with REHAB Zihlschlacht, hosting joint events like the 'Soirée Purée' for affected individuals.
• Centre RencontresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-hospital rehabilitation structure that collaborates with FRAGILE Suisse on care pathways for brain-injured individuals.
• Clinique ValmontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation clinic specializing in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation, partnered with FRAGILE Suisse for patient referrals and expertise sharing.
• rehapunkt.chminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation and professional insertion center for people with traumatic brain injuries, working with FRAGILE Suisse on vocational reintegration.
• VivminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetence center for people with physical disabilities or brain injuries in Western Switzerland, partnered for regional service delivery.
• Institution de LavignyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined school, protected workshops, hospital, and housing facilities for people with disabilities. FRAGILE Suisse co-hosted a public conference on invisible and psychological consequences of brain injury.
• Careum WeiterbildungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor educational partner offering foundational and advanced courses for professionals. Annual specialist conference (Fachtagung) co-organized with FRAGILE Suisse.
• Zentrum für berufliche Abklärung (ZBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized vocational assessment center for people with brain injuries, supporting return-to-work processes. FRAGILE Suisse refers clients and collaborates on professional reintegration.
• Inclusion HandicapcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization for disability advocacy in Switzerland. FRAGILE Suisse participates in initiatives like the 'Reporter:innen ohne Barrieren' project to increase visibility of people with disabilities.
• Inclusion InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative demanding constitutional changes for equal rights for people with disabilities. FRAGILE Suisse and its regional associations participated in signature collection, gathering over 108,000 valid signatures.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Pro Infirmis: Pro Infirmis is a major Swiss disability organization providing services and advocacy for people with disabilities nationally. It competes for donor dollars and political influence in overlapping areas of disability support within Switzerland.
• Inclusion Handicap: Inclusion Handicap is the Swiss umbrella organization for disability advocacy, unifying multiple disability groups including FRAGILE Suisse. It is a strategic partner and also a competitor for policy influence and member engagement in Switzerland.
• Parkinson Schweiz: Parkinson Schweiz is a national Swiss health nonprofit serving people with Parkinson's disease and their families, offering counseling, courses, and self-help groups. Comparable as a condition-specific Swiss health charity with a similar service portfolio.
• Schweizerische Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft: Swiss MS Society is a national health nonprofit supporting people with multiple sclerosis and their families, operating through regional groups with similar service offerings (counseling, courses, advocacy). Directly comparable organizational model in the Swiss nonprofit sector.
• Schweizerische Herzstiftung: Swiss Heart Foundation is a national health nonprofit focused on cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention. It overlaps with FRAGILE Suisse on stroke-related brain injury and competes for similar donor and member audiences in Switzerland.

Direct peers

• Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA): BIAA is the largest brain injury advocacy and support organization in the US, providing information, resources, and a state-chapter network. It mirrors FRAGILE Suisse's mission and structure, though at a much larger scale.
• Headway UK: Headway is the UK's leading brain injury charity, offering helpline, counseling, rehabilitation support, and advocacy for people with brain injuries and their families. It is the most direct international peer, operating a federated regional model comparable to FRAGILE Suisse's 11 regional associations.
• Synapse (Australia): Synapse is Australia's leading brain injury organization, providing information, advocacy, and support services for people with acquired brain injury. Its service model and advocacy focus are closely aligned with FRAGILE Suisse's offering.

Emerging players

• Spitex Schweiz: Spitex is the Swiss national association for home care services, providing nursing and support in clients' homes. FRAGILE Suisse's 'Begleitetes Wohnen' (assisted living) service is adjacent to Spitex's home care model, with potential overlap or partnership opportunities.
• Curaviva Schweiz: Curaviva is the Swiss association of care institutions and home care providers. It represents nursing homes and similar facilities, contrasting with FRAGILE Suisse's home-based 'Begleitetes Wohnen' model that aims to keep patients out of institutional care.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fragile-suisse

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 FRAGILE Suisse