TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH

What TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH does

TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH is a German non-profit foundation headquartered in Heidelberg (Handschuhsheimer Landstr. 44; registered Philosophenweg 11), founded in December 2021 by entrepreneur Heinz-Peter Schmidt as a gGmbH under commercial register Amtsgericht Mannheim HRB 742208. The foundation's mission is to enable people with physical, intellectual, or social disadvantages to achieve personal turning points ("Wendepunkte") toward greater self-confidence, courage, and self-efficacy through inclusive sailing. It serves three primary counterparties: disadvantaged individuals (especially children and youth), German sailing clubs that want to integrate inclusion into their programming, and charitable/social institutions such as Caritas and PARITÄTISCHER that refer participants.

The foundation operates a structured portfolio of five programs under the WENDEANGEBOTE umbrella: WENDEKURS (multi-day introductory sailing courses for up to 50 participants at host clubs using SONAR boats, the former Paralympic class); WENDESTART (personnel, advisory, and training support for sailing clubs implementing inclusive activities); WENDEFÖRDERUNG (financial grants for accessible infrastructure, boat adaptations, and program costs); WENDEAKADEMIE (off-season exchange, expert training, and networking for inclusive sailing coaches); and WENDETRAINING (ongoing post-course sailing practice for sustained engagement). Delivery is on-site at partner sailing clubs distributed across Germany, with the foundation bringing its own SONAR fleet and trained personnel to each location. Since 2022, the foundation has cumulatively enabled more than 1,600 disadvantaged people to experience sailing, trained 100+ club members in inclusion know-how, and delivered 11+ WENDEKURSE at clubs including Segelclub Prien Chiemsee, Club Nautic Flensburg, Yacht Club Berlin-Grünau, Yachtclub Möhnesee, Segelklub Bayer Uerdingen, Hamburger Segel-Club, and Nürnberger Yacht-Club.

TURNING POINT is funded entirely through donations, charitable grants, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind contributions (boats, equipment, safety gear), with donation processing via Sparkasse Heidelberg and the betterplace.org platform. It is governed by a Supervisory Board chaired by founder Heinz-Peter Schmidt, with Erika Ziegler and Torsten Steinhaus as board members and Jens Kroker — a three-time Paralympic medalist — as Managing Director. The foundation is an official partner of the Deutscher Segler-Verband (German Sailing Association) and conducts scientific outcome monitoring with Universität Hamburg and Europa-Universität Flensburg, validating measurable improvements in participant self-efficacy. It carries no proprietary technology, no AI capabilities, no API, and no software product; its technology footprint is limited to Matomo analytics, Microsoft Forms-based registration, and Betterplace donation processing.

Name

TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH

Legal name

TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH

Website

https://turningpoint-stiftung.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH is a Heidelberg-based German non-profit foundation founded in 2021 that uses inclusive sailing programs (WENDEKURS, WENDESTART, WENDEFÖRDERUNG, WENDEAKADEMIE, WENDETRAINING) to enable disadvantaged people, sailing clubs, and charitable institutions across Germany to build self-efficacy through sport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services — Inclusive Sailing Programs

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

Keywords

• Inclusive sailing programs
• Charitable foundation services
• Social inclusion sports
• Disability sailing support
• Non-profit sailing clubs

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidelberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Funding: The foundation is funded through donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and charitable grants. A donation account is maintained at Sparkasse Heidelberg (IBAN DE63 6725 0020 0009 3332 82). Donations can also be made through the betterplace.org platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH is a non-profit foundation that delivers structured sailing programs (WENDEKURS, WENDESTART, WENDEFÖRDERUNG, WENDEAKADEMIE) to enable people with physical, intellectual, or social disadvantages to experience a personal turning point through sailing. The foundation partners with sailing clubs, sailing schools, and charitable institutions across Germany, providing trained coaches, SONAR boats, financial grants, and ongoing club support to embed inclusive sailing activities sustainably.

Product overview

TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH operates as a charitable foundation focused on inclusive sailing programs in Germany. Rather than a traditional software product company, it offers a portfolio of social programs centered around inclusive sailing for disadvantaged people. The core offerings consist of WENDEKURS (introductory sailing courses), WENDESTART (club support services), WENDEFÖRDERUNG (financial grants), WENDEAKADEMIE (professional development and networking), and WENDETRAINING (ongoing sailing practice). These programs are designed to enable people with physical, mental, or social disadvantages to achieve personal turning points through sailing, with sustainability ensured by training sailing club members in inclusive practices. The foundation does not offer a technical product, API, or software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WENDEANGEBOTE: Program offerings including WENDEKURS (turning courses), WENDESTART (starting support), WENDEFÖRDERUNG (financial support), and WENDEAKADEMIE (academy for exchange and networking)
• TURNING STARTERS
• TURNING COURSES
• TURNING SUPPORT

Products and services

• WENDEKURS (TURNING COURSES) Multi-day introductory sailing courses (four days, including a workshop day) delivered at sailing clubs across Germany for up to 50 disadvantaged participants per course, especially children and youth. Uses SONAR boats and trained coaches; free of charge to participants and clubs.
• WENDESTART (TURNING STARTERS) Personnel support, advisory, and training services for sailing clubs implementing or expanding inclusive sailing activities. Provides on-site assistance before, during, and after inclusive events.
• WENDEFÖRDERUNG (TURNING SUPPORT) Financial support program for inclusive sailing projects. Funds expense allowances, barrier-free infrastructure modifications, boat adaptations, and grants enabling social institutions and clubs to organize sailing activities.
• WENDEAKADEMIE (TURNING ACADEMY) Off-season networking, expert training, and knowledge-sharing platform for sailing clubs and inclusion coaches, supporting community building and continuing education on inclusive sailing.
• WENDETRAINING (TURNING TRAINING)

Quantifiable outcome

• TURNING COURSES have significantly positive effects on the perceived experience of self-efficacy among participants, as evaluated by the Universities of Hamburg and Flensburg.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Deutscher Segler-Verband e.V. (German Sailing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner of the German Sailing Association. The DSV promotes the TURNING POINT Foundation on its inclusive sailing pages and at industry events (e.g., boot Düsseldorf). The partnership includes cooperation on the official launch of WENDEKURS events (e.g., Lake Cospuden with DSV reporting).
• Universität HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing scientific monitoring and evaluation of TURNING COURSES. Together with Europa-Universität Flensburg, conducts research on the effects of inclusive sailing on self-efficacy and other outcomes.
• Europa-Universität FlensburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing scientific monitoring and evaluation of TURNING COURSES. Together with Universität Hamburg, conducts research on the effects of inclusive sailing on self-efficacy and other outcomes.
• Special Olympics DeutschlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner at national level. Athletes from partner sailing clubs compete in Special Olympics events. Special Olympics Bayern supported the WENDEKURS at the Nuremberg Yacht Club.
• Special Olympics BayernmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Special Olympics branch that supported the WENDEKURS at the Nuremberg Yacht Club (May 2026).
• Special Olympics Baden-WürttembergmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Special Olympics branch listed as a cooperation partner.
• Rotary Club FriedrichshafenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated €5,000 to TURNING POINT Stiftung to support the expansion of inclusion projects at the Württembergischer Yacht-Club.
• Berliner Yacht-Club e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING STARTER partner sailing club providing introductory inclusive sailing activities.
• Cospudener Yacht Club Markkleeberg e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING STARTER partner sailing club providing introductory inclusive sailing activities.
• Münchner Yacht-Club e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING STARTER partner sailing club providing introductory inclusive sailing activities.
• Segel-Club Münster e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING STARTER partner sailing club providing introductory inclusive sailing activities.
• Segelclub Prien Chiemsee e.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoth TURNING STARTER and TURNING COURSE partner. Hosted first WENDEKURS in May 2022. Has an inclusive club coach (Christian Bittner) working on-site.
• Stuttgarter Segel Club e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING STARTER partner sailing club providing introductory inclusive sailing activities.
• Segel Club Friedrichstadt e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING STARTER partner sailing club providing introductory inclusive sailing activities.
• Club Nautic e.V. (Flensburg)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting courses in August 2022 and 2023. Anja Düvel manages the youth and inclusion sector at this club.
• Hamburger Segel-Club e.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting a course in July 2023. Lennart Grambow is active in the Hamburg Sailing Association.
• Schweriner Segler-Verein von 1894 e.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting course in September 2024. Notably helped participant Zaid secure an apprenticeship through holistic inclusion support.
• Segeberger Segel-Club e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting a course in July 2024.
• Surf- und Segelclub Wald e.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting course in June 2024. Club members competed at Special Olympics National Games 2026 and won gold. Close cooperation with Special Olympics Bayern.
• Württembergischer Yacht-Club e.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting course in June 2024. Supported by Rotary Club Friedrichshafen with €5,000 donation for inclusion projects.
• Yacht Club Berlin-Grünau e.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting a course in July 2022.
• Yachtclub Möhnesee e.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting course in May 2023. Peter Schablowski is active as inclusion coach at this club.
• Segelklub Bayer Uerdingen e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting a course in June 2023.
• 1. Wassersportverein Lausitzer Seenland e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING COURSE partner hosting a course in August 2023.
• Nuremberg Yacht Club e.V. (Yacht-Club Nürnberg)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTURNING STARTER and TURNING COURSE partner. Hosted WENDEKURS in May 2026 at Großer Brombachsee with Special Olympics Bayern support. Conducting ongoing WENDETRAINING sessions.
• Caritasverband Heidelberg e.V.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTURNING SUPPORT social institution partner connecting disadvantaged people with sailing opportunities.
• PARITÄTISCHER Wohlfahrtsverband Schleswig-Holstein e.V.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTURNING SUPPORT partner social welfare organization in Schleswig-Holstein.
• Entenwerder Elbpiraten e.V.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTURNING SUPPORT social institution partner.
• Hamburger Segel-Verband e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFurther cooperation partner sailing association.
• Segler-Verband Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFurther cooperation partner sailing association.
• Landesverband Saarländischer Segler e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFurther cooperation partner sailing association.
• LIROS GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSailing equipment manufacturer listed as further cooperation partner.
• F2 ECOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as further cooperation partner.
• Peter Frisch GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as further cooperation partner.
• TRIGEMA W. Grupp KGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed as further cooperation partner.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Caritas Deutschland: Germany's largest Catholic welfare organization and an existing TURNING SUPPORT partner. Caritas provides the social-institution referral channel for disadvantaged participants and represents a complementary ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.
• SOS-Kinderdorf Deutschland: Large German charity supporting disadvantaged children and youth through residential and family-support services. While not a sport-focused organization, it represents the type of social-welfare institution that serves as a participant-referral source for TURNING POINT and a peer in the broader German social-impact ecosystem.
• European Disabled Sailing Association (EDSA): European-level coordinating body for disabled sailing, connecting national programs across Europe. Relevant as the institutional layer above TURNING POINT that could enable international expansion and standardisation of inclusive sailing practices.

Direct peers

• Special Olympics Deutschland: Germany's national organization for inclusion sports for people with intellectual disabilities, and an existing cooperation partner of TURNING POINT. Both organizations operate inclusion-through-sport programs in Germany and channel participants from social institutions into sporting pathways.
• Jubilee Sailing Trust: UK charity that uses tall ships to enable people of all abilities to sail together, sharing TURNING POINT's mission of using sailing as a vehicle for inclusion. Operates its own vessel fleet (akin to TURNING POINT's SONAR boats) and runs structured short-course sailing programs for disadvantaged groups.
• Deutscher Behindertensportverband (DBS): National umbrella organization for disabled sport in Germany, with which TURNING POINT coaches (e.g., Christian Bittner) are directly affiliated. DBS provides the institutional framework for Paralympic sport in Germany, and its overlap with TURNING POINT in inclusive sailing training and competition pathways makes it a direct organizational peer.
• SailAbility Australia: Australian charity providing sailing programs for people with disability across multiple club sites — a near-identical operating model to TURNING POINT in a different geography. Both organizations train club volunteers and offer subsidized or free sailing access for participants with disabilities.
• Sailability UK: The UK's leading charity enabling disabled people to take up sailing through a national network of affiliated sailing clubs. Highly comparable: operates the same hub-and-spoke model of club-based inclusive sailing programs, free participation, and trained-volunteer delivery — making it the closest international analogue to TURNING POINT's WENDEKURS / WENDESTART structure.

Broad incumbents

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest private social inclusion funder, supporting projects for people with disabilities and disadvantaged children/youth across sport, education, and participation. Aktion Mensch is a comparable but broader-scope incumbent — relevant both as a potential institutional funder and as a benchmark for how large-scale German inclusion charities operate.
• Deutscher Segler-Verband (DSV): Germany's national sailing federation and an official partner of TURNING POINT. While not focused exclusively on inclusion, DSV sets the institutional framework for inclusive sailing in Germany, promotes TURNING POINT at industry events, and effectively functions as the federation counterpart to TURNING POINT's grassroots delivery role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/turning-point-stiftung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 TURNING POINT Stiftung gGmbH