Pacifique
A Swiss foundation operating two traditional sailing vessels (Fleur de Passion and Mauritius) that runs multidisciplinary maritime expeditions combining marine scientific research, a socio-educational program for at-risk youth, and artistic residencies, funded primarily by institutional and private supporters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersGenève , Genève, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Pacifique does
Pacifique is a Swiss foundation established in 2007 (with operational activity referenced as spanning more than twenty years), headquartered at Rue de Veyrier 9Bis in Carouge, Geneva. The organization operates two traditional sailing vessels, Fleur de Passion and Mauritius, as floating platforms for multidisciplinary maritime expeditions. It runs three integrated programs: citizen-science research missions conducted in partnership with universities; the 'Jeunes en Mer' socio-educational program that hosts vulnerable youth aged 14-18 on board for break and resettlement stays; and artistic residencies, exhibitions, and publications that translate expedition findings into public awareness content. Scientific activities leverage specialized instruments including the PlanktoScope for plankton and microplastic imaging and the EAR to the WILD smartphone application for ocean noise pollution research — the latter being a technology Mauritius was the first sailing vessel in the world to equip.
The organization's revenue model combines institutional and private philanthropic support — a 'Supporters' program funding expeditions and specific projects — with earned income from an online boutique selling publications, limited-edition art prints, and merchandise (Sillages magazine at CHF 50, silkscreen prints by Ambroise Héritier at CHF 55, postcard sets at CHF 10, the book 'Dans le miroir de Magellan' at CHF 45, and a limited-edition glass bottle at CHF 25). Its current flagship is the multi-year 'Au Cœur de Nos Racines' Mangroves Expedition (2026-2030), launched from Portimão, Portugal on May 6, 2026, with planned routes through Brazil (2026), the Panama Canal and Pacific (2027), the Coral Triangle and Asia (2028), the Indian Ocean (2029), and back through the Atlantic and Mediterranean (2030). Distribution is event-driven: maritime festivals, school workshops, photographic exhibitions (e.g., Quai Wilson in Geneva), earned media coverage in Swiss and international outlets, Instagram, and a newsletter called 'Expéditions'.
Customer relationships are anchored by deep research partnerships with the University of Geneva (F.-A. Forel Department on greenhouse gases, mangroves, microplastics; FPSE and CISA on educational sciences and youth resilience), the University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurès on youth resilience studies, and additional collaborators at Swansea University, McGill University, the GREAT Institute, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Sailowtech, and Oceaneye. A cultural partnership with CONG SA licenses the Corto Maltese intellectual property for the 2026-2030 expedition. The organization serves three primary beneficiary segments — vulnerable youth routed through Swiss and French social services, academic marine and educational science researchers, and cultural and artistic collaborators — and is governed by a foundation board under the direction of Pietro Godenzi with a lean team of approximately 11 employees.
Pacifique firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pacifique
- Legal name
- Pacifique
- Website
- https://pacifique.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- A Swiss foundation operating two traditional sailing vessels (Fleur de Passion and Mauritius) that runs multidisciplinary maritime expeditions combining marine scientific research, a socio-educational program for at-risk youth, and artistic residencies, funded primarily by institutional and private supporters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pacifique industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Expedition and Research Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Sailing, Catamaran & Day-Cruise Excursions (nature-focused) (THAAAIAG), Educational Cruises & Shipboard Learning Programs (THAKAGAM)
Keywords
Where Pacifique is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Genève , Genève
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pacifique business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Supporters Program: Direct financial and material support from institutional and private partners who fund expeditions and specific programs.
- Online Boutique: Sale of publications (Sillages magazine), limited edition merchandise, postcards, art prints, and branded accessories through the online shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Sillages publications and merchandise |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Pacifique product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pacifique is a Swiss foundation that operates two traditional sailing vessels (Fleur de Passion and Mauritius) conducting multidisciplinary maritime expeditions. The foundation delivers three core programs simultaneously during voyages: citizen science research missions on marine ecosystems and pollution, the Jeunes en Mer socio-educational program hosting vulnerable youth aged 14-18 aboard, and artistic sensibilisation through artist residencies, exhibitions, and the Sillages publication series.
Product overview
Pacifique is a Swiss foundation operating two traditional sailing ships (Fleur de Passion and Mauritius) that conducts multidisciplinary maritime expeditions combining three core programs: scientific research missions studying ocean ecosystems and climate change impacts; the 'Jeunes en Mer' socio-educational program providing youth-at-risk with transformative sailing experiences; and artistic sensitization initiatives including artist residencies, exhibitions, and publications. The organization sells related merchandise through its online boutique including Sillages publication series (magazines documenting expeditions), limited edition prints, travel notebooks, and postcards. The current flagship expedition 'Au Cœur de Nos Racines' (2026-2030) focuses on mangrove ecosystem research while the completed Arctic Expedition (2020-2025) studied greenhouse gases and microplastics in polar regions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Au Cœur de Nos Racines (Mangroves Expedition 2026-2030) Multi-year circumnavigation expedition (2026-2030) aboard Fleur de Passion combining scientific research on mangrove ecosystems, youth resilience studies through the Jeunes en Mer program, and artistic cultural activities.
- Jeunes en Mer
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 300 young people placed on sailing ships through the 'Jeunes en mer' program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Pacifique
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pacifique technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature2 records
Pacifique partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.
- University of Geneva - F.-A. Forel DepartmentcorePrimary scientific partner for mangrove research and ecosystem studies. The F.-A. Forel Department conducts research on greenhouse gases, microplastics, and mangrove ecosystems during expeditions. Researchers including Daniel McGinnis (Associate Professor), Cesar Ordonez (Postdoctoral Researcher), Anja Hajdukovic (PhD Candidate), and Mathilde Dugenne (Assistant Professor) participate in expeditions.
- University of Geneva - FPSE & CISAcoreEducational sciences and psychology research partners studying resilience mechanisms and skills development among youth in the Jeunes en Mer program. Researchers include Céline Girardet (Lecturer and Researcher), Lucie Mottier Lopez (Full Professor), and Didier Maurice Grandjean (Full Professor).
- University of Toulouse Jean-JaurèscoreResearch partner contributing expertise in educational sciences and psychology for the study of youth resilience and skills development during the Jeunes en Mer program. Professor Dominique Broussal represents the university.
- CONG SA (Corto Maltese)keyLicensing partner for Corto Maltese intellectual property. Patrizia Zanotti (Director) leads the partnership. The legendary sailor serves as 'spiritual captain' for the 2026-2030 expedition. Writer Marco Steiner and Patrizia Zanotti develop new novels for Rizzoli updating Hugo Pratt's legacy.
- SailowtechkeyAssociation developing low-tech scientific measuring devices. Partnership for the Arvor expedition testing devices aboard Mauritius to characterize nano-plastics concentration, CO2 flow analysis, and bioacoustic studies on cetaceans.
- OceaneyesupportingOrganization conducting microplastic pollution mapping. Collaborated on Arctic expeditions for microplastics research.
- Polytechnic University of CataloniasupportingTechnical partner for the EAR to the WILD application - innovative smartphone-based marine life listening technology that Mauritius was first to equip.
- Swiss Press ClubsupportingPartnership for press conference launching the 2026-2030 expedition on March 3, 2026.
- GREAT InstitutesupportingResearch partner for the 'Sailing for Mangroves' expedition in Gambia, leading student training programs for greenhouse gas sampling.
- Swansea UniversitysupportingAcademic partner contributing expertise in marine science, particularly for Gambian research expeditions on greenhouse gases.
- McGill UniversitysupportingAcademic research partner contributing to scientific programs aboard expeditions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pacifique competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tara Expeditions Foundation: French foundation operating the schooner Tara on multi-year ocean research expeditions focused on climate, biodiversity, and plastic pollution. Directly comparable to Pacifique in mission, vessel-based science model, and European non-profit foundation structure.
- Sea Education Association (SEA Semester): US-based non-profit operating the SSV Corwith Cramer and SSV Robert C. Seamans for undergraduate ocean science and sustainability education. Comparable tall-ship-based combination of research, education, and experiential learning.
- Class Afloat: Canadian school-at-sea program operating the tall ship Sørlandet for high school and university credit combined with sailing. Comparable tall-ship educational program model combining academics with maritime experiential learning.
- Jubilee Sailing Trust: UK charity operating tall ships Lord Nelson and Tenacious for inclusive sail training voyages with mixed-ability and disadvantaged crews. Comparable youth-focused tall ship sailing charity with social inclusion mission.
- Adventure Under Sail: UK charity operating sail training voyages on the schooner Margaret Todd for youth development. Direct peer in the youth-development tall-ship sailing category serving similar age cohorts and personal development outcomes.
- Pangaea Explorations: UK-based sailing expedition organization running citizen science, diving, and marine conservation voyages. Comparable in combining citizen science, sailing-based expeditions, and youth participation in marine research.
- Tall Ships Youth Trust: UK youth development charity offering sailing voyages aboard STS Young Endeavour and other vessels for personal development of 12-25 year olds. Direct peer in youth sail training with personal development outcomes similar to Jeunes en Mer.
- Sail Training International: International non-profit network coordinating sail training vessels for youth personal development across Europe. Direct peer in the tall-ship youth development category that Pacifique's 'Jeunes en Mer' program operates within.
Emerging players
- Fairtransport / Tres Hombres: Dutch sailing cargo and education venture operating the brigantine Tres Hombres for transatlantic zero-emission shipping combined with sail training. Comparable small-team sailing organization using traditional vessels for mission-driven activity, with adjacent educational component.
Broad incumbents
- Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle Alliance): Broader ocean conservation organization supporting a global network of Hope Spots for marine protected areas. Comparable ocean conservation mission and citizen-science ethos, but operates at a much larger, non-vessel-based scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pacifique social profiles
Digital presencePacifique financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pacifique leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Pacifique funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pacifique M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pacifique
What does Pacifique do?
Pacifique is a Swiss foundation that operates two traditional sailing vessels (Fleur de Passion and Mauritius) conducting multidisciplinary maritime expeditions. The foundation delivers three core programs simultaneously during voyages: citizen science research missions on marine ecosystems and pollution, the Jeunes en Mer socio-educational program hosting vulnerable youth aged 14-18 aboard, and artistic sensibilisation through artist residencies, exhibitions, and the Sillages publication series.
Is Pacifique a public or private company?
Pacifique is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pacifique founded?
Pacifique was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pacifique based?
Pacifique is headquartered in Genève , Genève, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Pacifique make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Supporters Program is the primary driver. The others are online Boutique.
Who are Pacifique's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tara Expeditions Foundation, Sea Education Association (SEA Semester), Class Afloat, Jubilee Sailing Trust, Adventure Under Sail, Pangaea Explorations, Tall Ships Youth Trust and Sail Training International. Fairtransport / Tres Hombres is listed as an emerging player. Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle Alliance) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Pacifique have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pacifique.
What industry is Pacifique in?
Pacifique's product category is Maritime Expedition and Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAIAH, Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks), with a secondary code of BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 4883 and its SIC code is 4400.