Portuguese MS Society

What Portuguese MS Society does

SPEM (Sociedade Portuguesa de Esclerose Múltipla) is a Portuguese non-profit patient organization founded by public deed on December 4, 1984, and recognized in 1994 as an IPSS (Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social). Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people with Multiple Sclerosis in Portugal — an estimated 8,000-person population — together with their families and caregivers. The organization delivers a multidisciplinary service portfolio spanning neurorehabilitation (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical consultations), clinical psychology and neuropsychological evaluation, social services and case management, domiciliary home support (SAD), the Centro de Atividades e Capacitação para a Inclusão (CACI), specialized CAARPD services, legal counseling, an assistive-product bank, and complementary therapies. SPEM operates a national footprint of approximately 10 regional delegations (Lisbon, Cascais, Norte/Matosinhos, Leiria, Santarém, Faro, Coimbra, Évora, Azores, Madeira) plus its Lisbon headquarters and three social businesses (Loja Social, Lavandaria, Atelier) that double as vocational training venues.

The organization's core technology is not proprietary software but rather its service delivery infrastructure, supported by digital channels including a YouTube channel (Canal SPEM, launched 2020 with Merck Portugal), the Podcast Minuto com a EM, an e-newsletter, peer-support WhatsApp channels (Espaço EMocional, launched May 2026), and hybrid programs such as NeuroAcademia, VIVA, and EM'REDE Esperança. Physical assets include the Lisbon Neurorehabilitation Unit (with Andago gait-rehabilitation equipment acquired in 2009) and the newly launched Centro de Promoção e Reabilitação da Saúde do Cérebro / Ginásio do Cérebro in Cascais, opened in 2026. Governance is vested in a Board of Directors, General Assembly, and Fiscal Council under Portuguese IPSS law.

Revenue is generated through a diversified non-profit model: individual membership fees (€30/year or €500 lifetime), individual and corporate donations, IRS/IVA tax consignation (1%), corporate mecenato under Portuguese patronage legislation, fees for social and rehabilitation services at preferential member rates, social business sales, and project-based grants from EU/national programs (Portugal 2030, Pessoas 2030) and foundations (Roche, BPI Fundação 'La Caixa', Fundação AGEAS, Fundação Oriente, INFORMA). With 29 employees and approximately 20 additional named collaborators, SPEM is staffed for a community-led, advocacy-and-service hybrid operating model rather than a technology-scaling venture.

Name

Portuguese MS Society

Legal name

SPEM - Sociedade Portuguesa de Esclerose Múltipla

Website

https://spem.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SPEM (Sociedade Portuguesa de Esclerose Múltipla) is a Portuguese non-profit founded in 1984 that delivers multidisciplinary rehabilitation, social, psychological, and advocacy services to people with Multiple Sclerosis across 10 regional delegations in Portugal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multiple Sclerosis Patient Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Care Networks, Groups & MSOs (HLAFAGAE)

Keywords

• Multiple sclerosis support
• Patient advocacy services
• Disability social services
• Nonprofit health services
• Chronic illness support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fee of 30€ (or 500€ lifetime). Members receive access to services, protocols, and community.
2. Donations and Fundraising: SPEM raises funds through individual donations, corporate donations, and tax contribution schemes (1% IRS/IVA consignation). Donors receive fiscal benefits under Portuguese law (25% deduction up to 15% of collection).
3. Corporate Mecenato (Patronage): Corporate patrons (sponsors) contribute to campaigns such as 'sEM Limites' in exchange for visibility, institutional recognition, and fiscal benefits under mecenato legislation.
4. Social Services and Rehabilitation Fees: Fees for services including psychology, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, domiciliary care, and complementary therapies — offered at preferential rates for members.
5. Social Business Operations: Social businesses including a Social Store, Laundry, and Social Atelier in Lisbon generate revenue through sales of goods and services at solidarity prices, while also providing vocational training for people with MS.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Portuguese MS Society (SPEM - Sociedade Portuguesa de Esclerose Múltipla) is a Portuguese non-profit IPSS that delivers direct support services, advocacy, and resources for people living with Multiple Sclerosis and their families. The organization operates social businesses and runs programs funded by membership fees, donations, and corporate sponsorships to sustain and expand its mission of improving quality of life for individuals affected by MS.

Product overview

The Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Society (SPEM) operates as a non-profit service organization rather than a technology product company. Its offering consists of integrated healthcare and social support services for people with Multiple Sclerosis, including neurorehabilitation (Unidade de Neuroreabilitação), occupational activities (CACI), home support, clinical psychology, and social services. The organization delivers digital engagement through newsletters, podcasts, and YouTube content, alongside specialized programs such as NeuroAcademia (capacity building), VIVA (inclusion training), EM'REDE de Esperança (youth isolation reduction with therapeutic sailing), and EM'Força (sports awareness campaign). Resource materials include practical guides and a Brain Health Diary for patient self-management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EM'Força: Sports and fundraising project that encourages people with MS to practice physical exercise and raises awareness about the challenges of living with the disease.
• NeuroAcademia
• EM'REDE Esperança
• Juventude EM'Movimento
• VIVA

Products and services

• Multiple Sclerosis Support and Advocacy Services Direct support services, advocacy, and resources for people living with Multiple Sclerosis and their families in Portugal, funded through membership fees, donations, corporate sponsorships, and social businesses.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

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.

• MSIF (International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies / Federação Internacional da Esclerose Múltipla)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPEM has been a member since 1985, providing international representation for Portugal. MSIF coordinates global MS advocacy, research, and awareness campaigns worldwide.
• EMSP (European MS Platform / Plataforma Europeia da Esclerose Múltipla)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPEM became a full member in 1991 and has hosted the EMSP annual meeting in 2000. SPEM participates in pan-European studies such as IMSS promoted by EMSP with 24 associations from 22 countries.
• International Progressive MS AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPEM became a member in 2023, joining 19 other organizations in combating progressive MS through research collaboration and advocacy.
• RD-Portugal (União de Associações de Doenças Raras)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPEM is a founding member of RD-Portugal, formalized in May 2021, uniting rare disease associations in Portugal.
• Roche PortugalcoreOthersRoche Portugal has partnered with SPEM on multiple projects including the 'Guias Práticos Viver Melhor com Esclerose Múltipla' guides, the 'EM Ação & Diário de Saúde Cerebral' publication, and has provided Roche Citizenship Grants ('Futuro Feliz' 2020, 'Cuidar, Apoiar e Domiciliar' 2022). Also supported the EM'Casa during COVID-19.
• Merck PortugalcoreOthersMerck Portugal supported the launch of SPEM's YouTube channel (Canal SPEM) in 2020 and the art exhibition 'Arte e Vida: Enfrentar a Esclerose Múltipla' in 2024.
• Associação SalvadorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation Salvador is a partner in the VIVA project (Vida Inclusiva, Valorização da Autonomia), led by SPEM, focused on empowerment of people with disabilities.
• Universidade de ÉvoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Active & Mindful project (2024) alongside AFAEM Spain, developing a mind-body exercise program for people with MS.
• RD Portugal – União das Associações de Doenças RarasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the EM'REDE ESPERANÇA project, providing a platform for collaboration on rare neurological diseases.
• Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação (INR)coreOthersSPEM has been part of the Health Monitoring Committee of the INR (formerly SNR) since 2000, representing disability interests in national rehabilitation policy.
• Segurança Social (Instituto da Segurança Social)coreOthersGovernment social security body that recognizes and oversees SPEM as an IPSS, providing regulatory framework and potential co-funding for social services.
• Macedo Vitorino & AssociadosminorOthersLaw firm providing voluntary legal advice to SPEM members through the legal counseling service.
• AFAEM (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish MS association partnered with SPEM and Universidade de Évora on the Active & Mindful project (2024), a mind-body exercise program for people with MS.
• BiogenminorOthersListed as a corporate partner on the SPEM partners page.
• NovartisminorOthersListed as a corporate partner on the SPEM partners page.
• BayerminorOthersListed as a corporate partner on the SPEM partners page.
• Sociedade Portuguesa de Literacia em SaúdeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the SPEM Coimbra project 'Compreender a Esclerose Múltipla: 10 meses, 10 temas' (2024) in partnership with ULS de Coimbra.
• Grupo de Estudos da Esclerose Múltipla (GEM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner listed on SPEM's partners page, representing Portuguese MS researchers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Liga Portuguesa Contra as Doenças Reumáticas (LPCDR): Portuguese patient organization for rheumatic diseases, structurally similar to SPEM as a Portuguese IPSS providing advocacy, social services, and patient support. Useful domestic peer for benchmarking Portuguese IPSS operations and funding mix.

Direct peers

• Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF): International umbrella organization of which SPEM is a member since 1985. MSIF coordinates global MS research, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, serving as the natural peer at the international federation level.
• MS Society UK: Leading UK MS charity providing research funding, information, and support services for people with MS. Comparable to SPEM in its single-disease focus, regional structure, and combination of advocacy, service delivery, and grantmaking.
• Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (AISM): Italian MS Society, a long-established patient organization providing rehabilitation, social services, and advocacy for people with MS in Italy. Closest direct peer to SPEM in terms of scope, multidisciplinary service model, and Mediterranean healthcare system context.
• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA): US-based national MS organization focused on direct service delivery including equipment distribution, MRI funding, and cooling programs. Comparable to SPEM in its service-orientation rather than research-funding focus.
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS): The largest MS patient organization in the United States, providing research funding, advocacy, and direct services to people with MS. Direct operational peer to SPEM with the same disease focus, multidisciplinary service model, and member-based structure.
• Associação Salvador: Portuguese disability-focused NGO that partners with SPEM on the VIVA project. Comparable to SPEM as a Portuguese disability NGO providing empowerment, employment support, and inclusion programs, with similar funding mix of corporate partnerships and project grants.
• Deutsche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft (DMSG): German MS Society, the national patient organization for MS in Germany with a federal structure of regional chapters. Comparable to SPEM in its national federation model and provision of rehabilitation, social support, and advocacy services.
• European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP): European umbrella platform for MS patient organizations, of which SPEM has been a full member since 1991. Direct peer as the European-level coordination body for MS patient advocacy.
• Asociación Española de Esclerosis Múltiple (AEDEM-COCEMFE): Spanish MS patient organization federated under COCEMFE. Direct peer to SPEM as a neighboring Iberian MS patient association with similar service scope; SPEM has collaborated with AFAEM (related Spanish entity) on the Active & Mindful project.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MsSPEM/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/spem.portugal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spemportugal
• Instagraminstagram.com/spem.portugal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Portuguese MS Society