Handisport Genève

What Handisport Genève does

Handisport Genève is a Geneva-based non-profit sports association founded on 1 August 1956 by Pastor Hubert Grivel (originally as Association Sport-Handicap Genève, renamed in 1996). Its mission is to promote and develop adapted sports for persons with physical, sensory (visual and/or auditory), and intellectual disabilities, providing access to more than 23 sporting activities organised across 18 specialised sections (wheelchair basketball, boccia, curling, equestrian, climbing, powerchair football, gymnastics, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, swimming at multiple pools, rafroball, hiking, skiing, table tennis, wheelchair tennis, tennis for intellectual disability, running/walking, and tchoukball). The association serves more than 380 children, adolescents, and adults, supported by roughly 280 paying active members, 70 trained volunteer moniteurs, and 8 paid administrative staff operating from headquarters at Route du Grand-Lancy 6 in Les Acacias, Geneva.

The underlying operating model is community- and instructor-led rather than technology-led; there is no proprietary software platform, with operations supported by a Typo3-based website, email, and event management. Activities are delivered at third-party facilities across Geneva canton (pools, sports halls, riding schools, curling clubs, the Bout-du-Monde centre). Competitive pathways are enabled through long-standing affiliations with Special Olympics Switzerland, Plusport, and the Swiss Paralympic Committee, producing athletes who compete at national and international levels (e.g., Swiss Inclusive Curling Championship winners 2025, Paralympic bronze medallist Philippe Horner in 2008).

The business model is a hybrid of recurring individual membership dues (CHF 180/year for adults, CHF 120/year for under-18s), per-activity supplements (equitation CHF 100/yr, inclusive camp CHF 250, ski weekends CHF 230, hiking weekends CHF 160), donations via Twint and bank transfer, and institutional subsidies from the Canton of Geneva (Département de la cohésion sociale – Service cantonal du sport), Plusport, Ville de Genève, and corporate sponsors including SIG, the Trafigura Foundation, Lions Club de Genève, and Kiwanis Genève Métropole. Go-to-market relies on direct enrollment via section instructors, annual open discovery days, and community referrals through schools, social services, and partner federations.

Name

Handisport Genève

Legal name

Handisport Genève

Website

https://handisport-ge.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Handisport Genève is a Geneva-based non-profit sports association, founded in 1956, that delivers more than 23 adapted sports activities across 18 sections for over 380 children, adolescents, and adults with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities. It operates through ~280 members, 70 trained moniteurs, and institutional partnerships with Plusport, Special Olympics Switzerland, and the Canton of Geneva.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adapted disability sports association services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

Keywords

• Adapted sports programs
• Disability sports association
• Wheelchair sports activities
• Special olympics programs
• Inclusive sports programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees charged per individual member regardless of number of activities: CHF 180 for adults 18+, CHF 120 for members under 18. This is the primary recurring revenue stream.
2. Activity participation fees: Additional per-activity fees for specific programs including equitation (CHF 100/year), inclusive camp (CHF 250 for members), ski weekends (CHF 230 for members), and hiking weekends (CHF 160 for members). Non-members pay higher rates for these activities.
3. Donations: Public donations solicited via the website and at events to finance projects promoting personal development, health, and social sharing for beneficiaries. Donations can be made via Twint or bank transfer.
4. Government subsidies: Funding from the Département de la cohésion sociale (DCS) - Service cantonal du sport (OCS), as well as subsidies from Plusport (sport federation for people with disabilities). These constitute institutional financial support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Handisport Genève is a non-profit sports association that delivers adapted sports programs for people with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities. It offers more than 23 sporting activities across 18 sections, serving over 380 children, adolescents, and adults through 70 trained instructors and direct enrollment at facilities throughout the Geneva canton.

Product overview

Handisport Genève is a non-profit sports association founded in 1956 that provides adapted sports programs for people with physical, sensory (visual and/or auditory), and intellectual disabilities. The organization offers over 23 sports activities across its portfolio, including wheelchair basketball, basketball for intellectual disability, boccia, curling, equestrian, climbing, wheelchair football, gymnastics, martial arts (judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu), swimming at multiple locations, rafroball, hiking, skiing, table tennis, tennis (wheelchair and intellectual disability variants), running/walking, and tchoukball. The portfolio includes programs for children, adolescents, and adults, with both recreational and competitive tracks leading to participation in Special Olympics and national championships. Core programs are organized into specialized sections with certified instructors, supported by annual membership fees and supplementary activity costs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair basketball sessions for all, with separate competition-level team training, held at Salle CFPT. Designed for individuals with physical disabilities, including wheelchair users, and open to non-disabled participants.
• Basketball for Intellectual Disability Weekly basketball sessions for individuals with intellectual disability, with teams competing in Special Olympics Switzerland championships. R'Geneva 2 won gold at the Adliswil final on 17 May 2025.
• Boccia Precision sport for people with reduced mobility, played with soft leather balls on an indoor court, held at EPI La Combe.
• Adapted Swimming (Multiple Locations) Swimming programs for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities at multiple Geneva pools including Beau-Séjour, Lignon, Vernets, and La Combe.
• Curling Inclusive curling program including competition-level training, with the team winning the Swiss Championship in 2025.
• Equestrian (Adapted Horseback Riding) Adapted horseback riding at Manège des Hauts de Corsinge, with therapeutic benefits and competition preparation. Members pay a CHF 100/year supplement.
• Ski Weekends (Intellectual Disability) Ski weekends from January to March in Champéry for adults with intellectual disability who can already ski. Member supplement CHF 230 per weekend; non-members CHF 280.
• Tennis (Wheelchair and Intellectual Disability) Tennis sessions for wheelchair users and individuals with intellectual disability, with competition training available.
• Table Tennis (Ping-Pong) Accessible table tennis (ping-pong) sessions open to all levels and abilities.
• Rafroball Team sport combining elements of basketball, football, and handball with adaptive rules for players with and without disabilities.
• Climbing Indoor climbing sessions for children, adolescents, and adults at Cycle d'orientation de Montbrillant.
• Powerchair Football Adapted football for electric wheelchair users, played with specialized wheelchairs to control and kick the ball.
• Tchoukball Non-contact team sport emphasizing cooperation, respect, and play, open to participants with and without disabilities.
• Hiking / Randonnée Day hikes of approximately 3 hours and overnight weekend trips on Swiss mountain trails and Geneva countryside paths.
• Judo Judo sessions for children with mental, physical, and sensory disabilities at Judo Club Meyrin.
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Adapted Brazilian jiu-jitsu developing physical condition, movement perception, and personal identity.
• Gymnastics & Movement Adapted fitness sessions improving strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination for adults.
• Ball Games for Children and Adolescents Ball games and physical conditioning sessions for children and adolescents ages 6-18 with various disabilities.
• Physical Conditioning for Children and Adolescents Physical conditioning and movement forms sessions for young people ages 6-18 with various disabilities.
• Running / Walking Running and walking sessions improving endurance, mobility, and well-being, adapted for all fitness levels.
• Inclusive Summer Camp Multi-sport inclusive camps for youth ages 12-25 with and without disabilities, featuring adapted sports, excursions, swimming, and evening activities. Member supplement CHF 250; non-member CHF 300.
• Annual Sport and Discovery Day (Journée du sport et de la découverte) Open-to-all annual event at Centre sportif du Bout-du-Monde where prospective members can try multiple sports and engage with monitors; free access.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 380 children, adolescents and adults participate in adapted sports activities
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PlusportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlusport is the Swiss federation for sport for people with disabilities. Handisport Genève is affiliated with Plusport and is subject to their requirements for instructor qualifications and standards.
• Special Olympics SwitzerlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandisport Genève is registered with Special Olympics Switzerland, enabling athletes to participate in national and international Special Olympics competitions in basketball, tennis, swimming, skiing, and other sports.
• FC ServetteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn 12 February, M16 footballers from FC Servette participated in a joint wheelchair basketball session with Handisport Genève athletes, fostering inclusion and awareness.
• ARGT (Association Régionale Genevoise de Tennis)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARGT lent equipment and a meeting room for Handisport Genève's tennis day at the Bois-des-Frères hall on 23 March 2025.
• Swiss Paralympic CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandisport Genève is linked to Swiss Paralympic through athlete pathways (e.g., Philippe Horner's Paralympic participation in 2008 Beijing).
• Balexert Shopping CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Handisport Genève's 70th anniversary public engagement event (28 April – 2 May 2026), featuring sports demonstrations and interactive activities in the mall.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fédération Française Handisport: France's national disability sports federation, operating a near-identical model: membership-based association delivering adapted sports across multiple sections for physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Comparable in scope, mission, and federated structure.
• WheelPower: UK-based charity providing accessible sports opportunities primarily for wheelchair users, offering introductory programs, coaching, and competitive pathways. Comparable in mission, beneficiary focus, and non-profit membership-driven delivery model.
• Deutscher Behindertensportverband (DBS): Germany's national disability sports association, the largest in Europe, providing adapted and Paralympic sports across hundreds of sections nationwide. Directly comparable federation model serving the same beneficiary base with similar multi-sport, multi-disability programming.
• Move United: US national community-based adaptive sports organization (formerly National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association), delivering year-round adapted sports programs across chapters for people with disabilities. Operates the same combination of recreational and competitive pathways under a federated non-profit structure.
• National Ability Center: US adaptive sports center providing year-round recreational and competitive programming across skiing, cycling, equestrian, water sports, and more for individuals with disabilities. Comparable in offering 20+ activity portfolio and combining recreational with competitive pathways.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics International: Global movement offering year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Handisport Genève is registered with the Swiss affiliate; comparable beneficiary overlap on the intellectual disability segment but operating at global scale rather than local cantonal scope.
• International Paralympic Committee: Global governing body of the Paralympic Movement and elite Paralympic sports, with which Handisport Genève is connected via athlete pathways (e.g., Philippe Horner, Beijing 2008). Operates as a federation/umbrella rather than a direct service provider to local beneficiaries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/handisportgeneve

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Handisport Genève