Impulsis

What Impulsis does

Impulsis, legally Verein Impulsis, is a non-profit association founded in 1997 and headquartered at Fabrikstrasse 50 in Zurich, Switzerland. The organization operates as a competence center for the professional integration of youth and young adults in challenging life situations across the Greater Zurich area, supporting 500–600 participants annually through a portfolio of six interconnected programs organized by phase of vocational integration: BECO (personal vocational entry coaching), SEMO EP (motivation semester with individual company placements), SEMO GP (motivation semester with group placements in in-house Grafik and Polytextil ateliers), Startbahn (intensive individual integration with modular orientation, vocational preparation, and apprenticeship accompaniment), Berufsbildung+ / Supported Education (apprenticeship matching and training accompaniment), and Arbeitstraining / Job Coaching / Supported Employment (post-training workplace integration).

The organization employs 33 staff per firmographic data, described operationally as over 40 specialists drawn from social work, social pedagogy, psychology, pedagogy, didactics, career counseling, and vocational professions. It is not a technology company; its core 'platform' is an interdisciplinary casework model delivered through cantonal performance agreements (Leistungsvereinbarungen) with the regional employment centers (RAV), social services, schools, AOZ (refugee/migrant organization), Oberjugendanwaltschaft (youth prosecution), Fachstelle Integration, and other municipal authorities.

Revenue is generated through two streams: performance agreements with public-sector bodies (the primary channel, treating Impulsis effectively as a managed services provider for cantonal labor market measures — SEMO programs are explicitly cantonal labor market instruments of the Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit) and financial support from foundations and institutional donors including Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Glückskette, Sophie und Karl Binding Stiftung, Stiftung Mercator Schweiz, Lotteriefonds des Kantons Zürich, Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit (AWA), Zürcher Kantonalbank, Migros Genossenschaft Zürich, and Migros Kulturprozent, alongside corporate sponsors (Alteo Business Systems, HP Schweiz). Programs are free for participants; SEMO participants additionally receive monthly compensation from unemployment insurance. Outcomes are documented at the program level: BECO 53% follow-on placement, SEMO EP 60% transition to apprenticeships, Startbahn 75% success (33 of 36), BB+ 100% QV pass (20 of 20). Leadership is shared between Co-Executive Directors Mirjam Schuler Bayoumi and Andrea Rüegg, with the Board actively repositioning executiveleadership toward a single Geschäftsleitung while deepening influence via board seats at IG SEMO and CYC in 2025.

Name

Impulsis

Legal name

Verein Impulsis

Website

https://impulsis.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Impulsis is a Zurich-based non-profit association that supports 500–600 youth and young adults annually in Greater Zurich through vocational integration programs — BECO, SEMO EP/GP, Startbahn, Berufsbildung+, and Job Coaching — funded primarily by cantonal performance agreements and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Integration Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vocational Evaluation & Career Assessment (Transition-Age) (EDAKANAC), Career Readiness & Employability Skills (Resume, Interview, Networking) (EDAMAKAG), Independent Living Skills Training (ADLs/IADLs) (EDAKANAG)

Keywords

• Youth vocational integration
• Career entry coaching
• Apprenticeship placement services
• Social youth services
• Labor market programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Agreements with Public Authorities: Impulsis operates under Leistungsvereinbarungen (performance agreements) with various public sector clients including RAV, Social Services, schools, youth prosecution offices, and integration offices. Revenue is generated through these institutional funding arrangements.
2. Foundation and Institutional Grants: As a non-profit organization, Impulsis receives financial support from numerous foundations including Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Glückskette, Sophie und Karl Binding Stiftung, Stiftung Mercator Schweiz, and many others. These grants support special projects and organizational development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Impulsis delivers a structured pathway of vocational integration programs for youth and young adults aged approximately 15-24 in challenging life situations in the Greater Zurich area. The portfolio covers career orientation, motivational semesters with individual or in-house atelier placements, apprenticeship matching, supported education during vocational training, and post-training job coaching. Services are free for youth participants, funded via performance agreements with public authorities and foundation grants.

Product overview

Impulsis is a not-for-profit organization (Verein) based in Zurich that serves as the professional integration center for youth and young adults in challenging life situations in the Greater Zurich area. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs organized by phase of vocational integration: BECO provides personal vocational entry coaching; SEMO EP offers individual internship placements; SEMO GP provides group-based work experience in specialized ateliers (Grafik and Polytextil); Startbahn delivers intensive individual integration support with modules for orientation, vocational preparation, and apprenticeship accompaniment; Berufsbildung+ (Supported Education) handles apprenticeship matching and training support; and Arbeitstraining und Job Coaching (Supported Employment) assists with post-training employment placement. The programs are modular and individually tailored, with 500-600 young people supported annually by over 40 professionals from social work, psychology, pedagogy, and career counseling backgrounds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BECO: Personal career entry coaching for youth and young adults
• SEMO EP
• SEMO GP
• Startbahn
• Berufsbildung+
• Arbeitstraining und Job Coaching

Products and services

• BECO (Berufseinstiegs-Coaching)

Quantifiable outcome

• 53% of BECO participants found follow-on solutions (apprenticeship EBA, EFZ or pre-apprenticeship)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RAV (Regionale Arbeitsvermittlungszentren) NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional employment centers are the primary intake channel for SEMO motivational semester programs. Multiple RAV locations (Fehraltorf, Regensdorf, Rüti, Thalwil, Winterthur, Zürich Lagerstrasse, Zürich Nansenstrasse, Zürich Schärenmoosstrasse, Zürich Vulkanstrasse) refer youth participants to Impulsis programs.
• AOZ (AOZ Zürich, AOZ Schlieren)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAOZ (Ausländerinnen- und Ausländerorganisation Zürich) refers refugees and migrants to BECO integration coaching programs.
• Various Secondary SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor28 schools including Schulhaus Aemtler B, Albisriederplatz, Buhnrain, Feld, Friedrichstrasse, Herzogenmühle, Leutschenbach, Stettbach, and others in Zürich and surrounding municipalities refer students to BECO.
• Sozialämter (Social Services)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSocial services of various municipalities including Sozialamt Dielsdorf, Sozialberatung Opfikon, Soziales Illnau-Effretikon, and Sozialzentrum Dorflinde refer clients to Impulsis programs.
• 38 Partner CompaniescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor38 companies across various industries provide practical work experience placements for SEMO EP participants, allowing youth to gain insights into different professional fields.
• SVA/IV (Socialversicherungsanstalt/Invalidenversicherung)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentral success factor for BB+ (Berufsbildung+). Positive quality reporting and regular inquiries confirm trust in Impulsis's training accompaniment services.
• Amt für Arbeit des Kantons ZürichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCantonal labor office provides performance agreements and accreditation for SEMO motivational semester programs. Mid-December 2024, both SEMO programs submitted joint new program concept, successfully completed awarding process in April 2025.
• Fachstelle Integration des Kantons ZürichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCantonal integration office maintains accreditation for Startbahn program, particularly focused on integration of refugees and temporarily admitted youth.
• Oberjugendanwaltschaft des Kantons ZürichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCantonal youth prosecution office maintains accreditation for Startbahn program.
• Soziale Dienste der Stadt ZürichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCity of Zurich social services maintain accreditation for Startbahn program.
• BDO AarauminorOthersExternal audit firm serving as Impulsis's auditing body and revision office.
• Alteo Business Systems GmbHminorOthersSponsor of Impulsis.
• HP Schweiz GmbHminorOthersTechnology sponsor providing equipment support to Impulsis.
• Berufsberatung Kanton ZürichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCantonal career counseling service cooperates with Impulsis on youth integration.
• Schule für Förderkurse (SFK)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool for support courses in Zürich cooperates with Impulsis as referral and partner institution.
• IG SEMO (Interessensgemeinschaft SEMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterest group for SEMO programs within Arbeitsintegration Schweiz (Work Integration Switzerland), Section Zürich. Impulsis Managing Director Mirjam Schuler Bayoumi was elected to the board and as group leader.
• Arbeitsintegration SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization for work integration. Impulsis maintains active involvement through board positions and leadership roles.
• CYC (Competent Youth Coaching)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpulsis Managing Director Mirjam Schuler Bayoumi was elected to the board of CYC.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AOZ (Asyl-Organisation Zürich): Zurich-based non-profit that provides integration and refugee support services. It is both a referral partner to Impulsis and a direct provider of comparable vocational integration programs for refugees and migrants in the same canton.
• Profil – Arbeit & Handicap: Swiss non-profit providing vocational integration, supported employment, and apprenticeship accompaniment services. Operates comparable Berufsbildung+ and Job Coaching-style services under similar cantonal accreditation frameworks.
• Stiftung WBM: Swiss foundation providing vocational integration and supported employment services for people with disabilities or psychosocial challenges, operating under IV/SVA frameworks analogous to Impulsis's Berufsbildung+ programs.
• Stiftung Brückendach: Swiss non-profit operating supported employment and vocational integration programs for at-risk youth and young adults, structurally similar to Impulsis's BECO, Startbahn, and Job Coaching offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Pro Juventute: Swiss national foundation supporting youth wellbeing, with vocational orientation and apprenticeship support services that overlap with Impulsis's BECO and Startbahn programs.
• HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelisch-reformierten Kirche Schweiz): National Swiss social services organization providing vocational integration, supported employment, and refugee programs at scale across multiple cantons, competing for similar public contracts.
• Caritas Zürich: Larger regional Caritas organization offering a wider portfolio of social services including employment programs, vocational integration, and refugee support, overlapping materially with Impulsis's mandate.

Regional players

• Sozialwerk Pfarrer Sieber: Zurich-based social services non-profit offering employment integration and supported work programs for vulnerable populations, structurally similar to Impulsis's SEMO and Job Coaching offerings but focused on broader demographics.

Emerging players

• Year Up: US-based international non-profit providing intensive vocational training and employment placement for low-income young adults. Comparable in mission, target demographic, and outcome-driven employer-partnership model, though operating in different geographies.
• Generation You Employed (Generation Switzerland): Global employment non-profit running vocational training programs targeting unemployed youth into jobs. Operates programs in Switzerland with similar mentorship, employer partnership, and outcome-tracking models to Impulsis's SEMO/BECO structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/impulsis-berufsintegration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Impulsis