Sesame Autisme Rhone Alpes

What Sesame Autisme Rhone Alpes does

Sésame Autisme Rhône-Alpes (SARA) is a non-profit association founded in 1980 (or 1976 per firmographic summary) by parents of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (TSA) and headquartered at 16 rue Pizay, Lyon, France. Recognized as being of general interest and charitable purpose, it operates 10 medical-social establishments across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, providing lifetime support to children, adolescents, adults, and aging adults with autism through residential care (EAM, FAM, MAS), day care, vocational training (IMPro Le Clos de Sésame), and diagnostic and therapeutic services (DAJA, PCPE Petit Prince). The association employs approximately 40-50 staff members and serves 400+ beneficiaries using evidence-based therapeutic approaches including ABA, ABA/VB, TEACCH, and PECS.

SARA's revenue model is multi-source and largely non-commercial: it is funded primarily through per-diem allocations from the ARS (Agence Régionale de Santé) and Departmental Councils for medical-social establishment operations, supplemented by tax-deductible donations, membership fees, and apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage) channeled through the SOLTÉA platform for the habilitated IMPro. The organization has no direct user pricing; services are funded through public social-security and departmental allocations. Marketing is community-led via social media, a newsletter (La Lettre de SARA), annual general assemblies, and donation campaigns.

The organization is actively expanding its footprint with three concurrent infrastructure projects: a €1.8 million ENI extension at Village de Sésame opening November 2025 (8 additional places for aging adults), the Résidence Guichon construction at Les Marches scheduled for 2027 (replacing MAS l'Orée de Sésame), and the GRAINES DE SÉSAME inclusive colocation project in Isère for 6 adults. These projects are supported by strategic partnerships with Habitat et Humanisme and AG2R La Mondiale, and SARA participates in the Sésame Autisme Federation.

Name

Sesame Autisme Rhone Alpes

Legal name

SESAME AUTISME Rhone-Alpes (SARA)

Website

https://sesame-autisme-aura.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Sésame Autisme Rhône-Alpes (SARA) is a French non-profit association operating 10 medical-social establishments across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, providing lifetime residential, day-care, vocational, and diagnostic services to children, adults, and aging adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical-Social Services for Autism

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

ABA Therapy Providers (Clinic-Based) (EDAKAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Medical-social services
• Autism care
• Residential facilities
• Vocational training
• Diagnostic support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Social Security/ARS Funding: Government funding through ARS (Agence Régionale de Santé) and Departmental Council for operation of medical-social establishments
2. Donations: Donations from individuals to support association projects. Donations are 66% tax-deductible for income tax, 60% for corporate tax, 75% for IFI
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees with optional subscription to the Sésame Federation magazine (4 issues at 35 euros)
4. Apprentissage Tax ( Apprenticeship Tax): Companies can allocate a portion of their apprenticeship tax to habilitated establishments like IMPro Le Clos de Sésame

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SARA delivers lifetime support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (TSA) through a network of 10 medical-social establishments (EAM, FAM, MAS, IMPro, DAJA) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Core offerings include residential care, day care, vocational training, diagnostic services, social skills training, and family support, applying evidence-based methodologies (ABA, TEACCH, PECS). Services are publicly funded and provided at no direct cost to beneficiaries.

Product overview

Sésame Autisme Rhône-Alpes (SARA) is a non-profit association operating as a network of 10 medical-social establishments across the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, providing comprehensive lifetime support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (TSA). The portfolio centers on residential facilities (Établissements d'Accueil Médicalisé - EAM, Foyers d'Accueil Médicalisé - FAM, Maison d'Accueil Spécialisée - MAS) offering 24/7 care, complemented by the IMPro (Institut Médico-Professionnel) for vocational training and the DAJA (Dispositif d'Aide aux Jeunes Autistes) for diagnostic and therapeutic services. Key establishments include Village de Sésame (36+4 places for aging adults), Le Vallon de Sésame (33 places), Le Volcan (26 places), and Le Clos de Sésame (IMPro with vocational workshops). Emerging projects include the Village de Sésame Extension (ENI, 8 additional places), Résidence Guichon (new construction for 2027), and GRAINES DE SÉSAME inclusive colocation project for 6 adults.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Le Village de Sésame (EAM) Établissement d'Accueil Médicalisé (EAM) in Messimy for aging adults with autism (45+ years), offering 36 residential places plus 4 temporary places on an 8,000 m² plot with 4 residential houses and a central square.
• Le Vallon de Sésame (FAM) Foyer d'Accueil Médicalisé (FAM) for 33 adult residents with autism spectrum disorder and reduced autonomy requiring permanent specific support, located in Crêts en Belledonne, 20km from Grenoble and Chambéry. Uses ABA, ABA/VB, TEACCH, and PECS methods for individualized structured support.
• Le Volcan (EAM) Établissement d'Accueil Médicalisé (EAM) for adults aged 20-45 with autism spectrum disorder, located in Yssingeaux with 26 residents across two family-sized living units, plus 9 day care places. Offers social support, educational teaching, and therapeutic care.
• DAJA (Dispositif d'Aide aux Jeunes Autistes) Diagnostic, individual and group educational and psychological follow-up services for children and young adults with autism in Lyon. Includes Social Skills Groups for up to 30 youths aged 6-19, adult support groups, and diagnostic services through a CRA convention.
• IMPro Le Clos de Sésame Institut Médico-Professionnel for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder, developing autonomy, social competencies, and professional skills through adapted activities, workshops, and work experience placements. Eligible for apprenticeship tax funding via SOLTÉA platform.
• Le Carré Sésame Urban-located establishment with new premises in Lyon 8th arrondissement, part of SARA's network of 10 medical-social establishments.
• Foyer Bellecombe Semi-rural establishment located in Chaponost near Lyon, part of SARA's network of 10 medical-social establishments serving people with autism.
• La Maison de Sésame One of 10 medical-social establishments managed by SARA in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region serving people with autism.
• L'Orée de Sésame (MAS) Maison d'Accueil Spécialisée currently located in Saint-Baldoph, planned for replacement as Résidence Guichon at Les Marches (73).
• Les Perrières One of 10 medical-social establishments managed by SARA in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region serving people with autism.
• Ferme de Belle Chambre One of 10 medical-social establishments managed by SARA in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region serving people with autism.
• Social Skills Groups (Habiletés Sociales) Training groups (max 6 participants) for children through young adults (DAJA). Held every Wednesday, focusing on emotions, relationships with others, and communication through outings, workshops, learning activities, and games. Includes 3 follow-up sessions (phone or in-person) for post-diagnostic needs including MDPH paperwork, employment, and support.
• IMPro Professional Workshops (Le Clos de Sésame) Professional workshops at IMPro Le Clos de Sésame including animal mediation, laundry, sewing, conditioning, cooking, and music. Prepares young people with autism for professional integration through practical skills development.
• PCPE Petit Prince Dispositif (PCPE - Pôles de Compétences et de Prestations Externalisées) named Petit Prince, part of SARA's dispositifs for autism support in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Named customers5 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Habitat et Humanisme IsèrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Partnership for the GRAINES DE SÉSAME inclusive colocation project in Isère. Habitat et Humanisme Isère handles building and amenity management with adapted rents eligible for APL housing assistance.
• Habitat et Humanisme (Foncière EHD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SARA partnered with Habitat et Humanisme to have the foncière (real estate foundation) 'Entreprendre pour Humaniser la Dépendance' (EHD) carry the construction of the new Résidence Bernard Guichon at Les Marches.
• CRA (Centre de Ressources Autisme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARA has signed a convention with CRA that 'labels' the ability to establish diagnostic procedures for autism spectrum disorders.
• Fédération Sésame AutismecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARA is part of the Sésame Autisme Federation, a federation of parent organizations for people with autism.
• Ferme pédagogique Une main tendueminorOthersAnnual year-end visit for young people in IMPro mediation animal sessions to a pedagogical farm in Mornant.
• SOLTéA PlatformminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompanies can designate IMPro Le Clos de Sésame via the SOLTéA platform (code UAI: 0693967M) to allocate their apprenticeship tax contributions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ADAPEI du Rhône: Departmental parent association in the same Rhône geography operating med-social establishments for people with intellectual disabilities, including autism. Most direct regional comparable.
• Les Papillons Blancs: Network of French regional parent associations serving people with intellectual disabilities. Operates med-social establishments using similar association-led, ABA-informed approaches.
• Office Vosgien d'Éducation (OVE): French non-profit operating multiple med-social establishments (IME, MECS, foyers) for children and adults with disabilities. Comparable multi-establishment service-delivery structure.
• AFG Autisme: French association managing autism-specific med-social establishments (FAM, MAS) and support services. Directly comparable facility-based delivery model.
• Autisme France: National association dedicated specifically to autism advocacy, family support, and services. Comparable mission of lifetime support for people with ASD and their families across France.
• Fondation John Bost: Major French non-profit operating residential and care facilities (maisons d'accueil spécialisées, foyers) for people with disabilities, including autism. Comparable scale and therapeutic methodology.
• UNAPEI: National federation of French associations serving people with intellectual disabilities including autism. Comparable parent-association governance model and med-social establishment footprint across France.

Broad incumbents

• Emeis (formerly Orpea): Large commercial operator of clinics, nursing homes, and specialized care facilities across France and Europe. Overlaps on residential care delivery but operates at very different scale and via for-profit model.
• Croix-Rouge française: Large national humanitarian organization operating med-social facilities including for people with disabilities and autism. Broader portfolio but overlapping in residential and day care for ASD populations.

Others

• Fédération Sésame Autisme: National federation of parent associations to which SARA belongs. A sister organization rather than a competitor, providing advocacy, governance framework, and shared publication.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWbMGcQET1w_G4Kx7pIM4pQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/sesame.autisme.rhone.alpes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/10238561
• Instagraminstagram.com/sesame.autisme.aura

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sesame Autisme Rhone Alpes