Sheltersuit Foundation

Name

Sheltersuit Foundation

Legal name

Sheltersuit Foundation

Website

https://sheltersuit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sheltersuit Foundation is a Dutch non-profit founded in 2014 that designs and manufactures upcycled, multifunctional protective garments—jackets with zip-on sleeping bags and summer-weight Shelterbags—and distributes them free to homeless individuals and refugees worldwide through a 100+ partner NGO network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Protective Apparel & Shelter Products

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, NFIs & Winterization for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cold-Weather & Thermal Protective Workwear (CRAAALAJ)

Keywords

• Protective outerwear products
• Homeless shelter products
• Refugee aid apparel
• Upcycled textile manufacturing
• Social factory production

Headquarters

HQ city

Enschede

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, companies, and foundations who donate money to fund production and distribution of Sheltersuits and Shelterbags. Products are provided free to beneficiaries.
2. Social Factory Production Services: Revenue generated by the Sheltersuit Factory producing third-party clothing, bags, promotional gifts, and fashion accessories for clients such as municipalities, schools, and companies. This commercial revenue helps sustain and expand Sheltersuit production.
3. Product Sales: Direct sales of Sheltersuit merchandise including Shelterbags through the online webshop at store.sheltersuit.com.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships and partnerships with companies who provide materials, funding, or other support in exchange for association with the social mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Sheltersuit Foundation designs and manufactures multifunctional protective apparel — the Sheltersuit (a water- and windproof jacket with an attachable zip-on sleeping bag) and the Shelterbag (a lighter summer version combining mat, sleeping bag with hood, and mini tent) — from upcycled materials, and distributes these products free of charge to people experiencing homelessness and refugees through a network of 100+ partner NGOs across Europe, the USA, South Africa, and South America.

Product overview

Sheltersuit Foundation operates as a social enterprise producing two core protective product lines: the Sheltersuit (a water- and windproof jacket with zip-on sleeping bag) designed for cold weather, and the Shelterbag (a lighter summer version with mat, sleeping bag, and mini tent configuration) for warm climates. Both products are manufactured at the Sheltersuit Factory, the organization's social clothing production facility that also fulfills third-party couture orders. The portfolio is unified by its mission to provide immediate shelter while creating employment opportunities for refugees and people with distance to the labor market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Sheltersuit A multifunctional water- and windproof jacket combined with a zip-on sleeping bag that provides immediate shelter and warmth to people experiencing homelessness or refugees in harsh weather conditions. Designed as an emergency protective garment rather than a permanent housing solution.
• The Shelterbag A summer-weight version of the Sheltersuit that can be rolled out as a mat and sleeping bag with hood, with a mini tent zipped around it. Designed for warm climates and rough sleepers in summer months, and producible by one person at one sewing station.
• Sheltersuit Factory production services Social factory production services producing custom clothing, bags, promotional gifts, and fashion accessories for corporate clients, municipalities, schools, and organizations. Revenue from this service line helps sustain and expand charitable Sheltersuit production.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33,641 Sheltersuits and Shelterbags distributed globally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Dropbox (Dropbox for Good)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 May 2020Technology company providing free Dropbox Business license for 20 staff members through social program Dropbox for Good. Account Executive Lukas Borsboom also organized personal fundraiser raising over 400 euros.
• Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor distribution partner distributing Sheltersuits and Shelterbags to homeless people across the Netherlands, including Rotterdam location. Field workers like Bob from the Salvation Army provide direct outreach and distribution to beneficiaries.
• HVO-QueridocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmsterdam-based organization conducting street outreach to homeless populations. Partners for night distributions and awareness events.
• Movement on the GroundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation started by Johnny de Mol focused on improving living conditions for refugees on Lesbos. Ensured proper distribution of Sheltersuits and WakaWakas during joint campaigns.
• WakaWaka FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing solar-powered WakaWaka products (lights and power banks) alongside Sheltersuits for refugee distribution on Lesbos. Combined campaign provided warmth, light, and power.
• UNICEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for distributing 879 children's Sheltersuits to vulnerable child refugees in the Safe Zone of Moria camp and on Samos.
• TenCate Outdoor FabricscoreOthersMaterial supplier providing high-quality outdoor fabrics for the exterior of Sheltersuit products since foundation. Long-term supporter through thick and thin.
• AupingminorOthersDonated discarded duvets and blankets from hospitals which are washed and processed into new Sheltersuits. Also sponsoring Shelterbags.
• Utopia 56coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis-based organization working with homeless populations. Partner for evening distributions and community events at city hall.
• Johanniter Humanitarian GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman humanitarian organization distributing Sheltersuits to vulnerable populations in Germany.
• La BulleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrussels-based organization supporting people experiencing homelessness. Meaningful partnership for distribution in Belgium.
• Caritas Berlin (Arztmobil Team)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical outreach team in Berlin providing healthcare to homeless populations. Partner for distribution in Frankfurt.
• Part of the Solution (POTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity center in Bronx, NY providing help and hope to unsheltered individuals. First US distribution partner, providing warmth to 250 unsheltered people in pilot program.
• ChloéminorOthersFashion brand collaborating with Sheltersuit on design and brand exposure. Logo appears in partner materials.
• SecridminorOthersDutch company supporting Sheltersuit. Logo appears in partner materials.
• MaerskminorOthersShipping company supporting Sheltersuit with logistics and transport of products.
• Nomad Outdoor BrandminorOthersOutdoor brand donating materials and partnering with Sheltersuit for social impact.
• Unibail Rodamco WestfieldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopping center operator partnering with Sheltersuit for visibility and distribution events.
• RobitexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnschede-based promotional gifts company establishing social partnership with Sheltersuit Factory.
• Municipality of EnschedeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government client for Sheltersuit Factory production of custom clothing and accessories.
• ROC van TwenteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational college client for Sheltersuit Factory production and potentially student apprenticeships.
• Design IndabaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign platform ordering hundreds of Shelterbags and providing international exposure for Sheltersuit products.
• LiffinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany creating social impact through partnership with Sheltersuit.
• Hotel Management School LeeuwardenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational institution supporting Sheltersuit through donations and awareness campaigns.
• Intero IntegrityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany partnering with Sheltersuit for social impact and innovation, including distribution in Lyon.
• IsoGroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany supporting Sheltersuit through partnership and donations.
• Bas KostersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch fashion designer who designed special Sheltersuit prints and 'one-of-a-kind' pieces for auction during Dutch Design Week, launching Lesbos campaign.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• GiveDirectly: Donation-funded nonprofit using direct cash transfers to support people in extreme poverty. Comparable only at the funding-and-distribution-model layer (donor-funded relief targeting vulnerable end beneficiaries via simple logistics); offers a useful benchmark on cost-efficient aid distribution.
• UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency): The UN agency mandated to lead refugee protection and emergency shelter provision globally, and a primary institutional buyer of shelter-related NFIs. Comparable as a potential procurement partner for any displaced-population product, but operates as a much larger intergovernmental body.

Emerging players

• Choose Love (Help Refugees): Charity that distributes essentials including clothing, tents, and sleeping bags to refugees via donations and a 'shop' model. Comparable donation-funded model distributing winter/sleeping items to displaced people through partner NGOs.

Direct peers

• One Warm Coat: US-based nonprofit that coordinates coat drives providing warm outerwear free to those in need, distributed through partner organizations. Closely comparable mission (warm clothing for vulnerable populations), donation-driven funding, and NGO channel model.
• Better Shelter: Swedish social enterprise (originally backed by the IKEA Foundation) designing modular emergency shelters for refugees and displaced families. Direct peer in designing and mass-distributing purpose-built shelter products via humanitarian agencies.
• ShelterBox: A disaster-relief charity that provides emergency shelter (tents, kits) to families displaced by conflict and natural disasters worldwide. Directly comparable: donation-funded NGO that distributes physical shelter products free of charge to end beneficiaries through partner distribution networks.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee: Major humanitarian NGO providing emergency aid, shelter, and resettlement services to refugees and crisis-affected populations globally. Comparable buyer/partner profile for shelter products distributed to displaced populations.
• Habitat for Humanity: International nonprofit focused on housing for low-income and disaster-affected families. Comparable in addressing homelessness/shelter needs through mission-driven operations, though its emphasis is long-term construction rather than emergency apparel.
• Mercy Corps: Large global humanitarian organization delivering emergency relief, shelter support, and recovery programs in fragile and crisis-affected countries. Overlaps in distribution of relief items to displaced populations but operates at far larger scale and broader scope.
• Doctors Without Borders (MSF): International medical-humanitarian organization providing emergency healthcare and relief to populations in crisis zones. Comparable as a large established humanitarian organization distributing material aid to refugee and disaster-victim segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Sheltersuitfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheltersuit-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sheltersuit.foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Sheltersuit Foundation