Sos Mediterranee Switzerland

What Sos Mediterranee Switzerland does

SOS MEDITERRANEE Suisse is a Geneva-based, politically and religiously independent humanitarian association founded in 2015 as the Swiss affiliate of the broader SOS MEDITERRANEE European federation. It operates civilian search-and-rescue (SAR) activity in the central Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy, having deployed the M/V Aquarius (2016–2018) and, since 2019, the Ocean Viking, alongside the Albatross aircraft for aerial surveillance, working in coordination with maritime authorities and distress-monitoring systems under international maritime law. Since 2016 the organization has documented more than 42,978–43,078 people rescued across 453 operations (figures vary slightly across sources and reporting dates in 2026), including 10,427 minors and 661 children under five, with 80% of rescued minors reported traveling unaccompanied.

The organization's revenue model is donation-driven and diversified across individual one-time and recurring donations, an annual membership program, legacies and bequests, merchandise sales through an online boutique, event-based fundraising (concerts, festivals, exhibitions), corporate donations under CSR partnerships, and institutional partnerships. The medical partnership is held with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) since 2022; pricing takes the form of suggested donation tiers mapped to specific rescue needs (e.g., 30 CHF for a life jacket, 80 CHF for vaccinations, 130 CHF for medical supplies, 480 CHF for navigation equipment), with all donations Swiss tax-deductible. ZEWO certification, the Right Livelihood Award, Aurora Prize recognition, and IMRF acknowledgment underpin donor trust.

Go-to-market is community-led: a multi-channel mix of the Swiss website (sosmediterranee.ch) in French and German, email/newsletter, active social profiles, press and media relations, festival and venue partnerships (Visions du Réel, Bol d'Or, Alhambra Geneva, Caux Palace), testimonial publishing, and a self-serve e-commerce boutique. The organization operates through a small Geneva office, a volunteer network across Switzerland, and an alliance model with cultural institutions, foundations (e.g., Temperatio-Stiftung), and Swiss municipalities that lend institutional credibility and event reach.

Name

Sos Mediterranee Switzerland

Legal name

SOS MEDITERRANEE Suisse

Website

https://sosmediterranee.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SOS MEDITERRANEE Suisse is a Geneva-based humanitarian non-profit that operates civilian search-and-rescue missions in the central Mediterranean, primarily through the Ocean Viking vessel and Albatross aircraft, funded by individual donations, members, and institutional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: Almost exclusively funded through donations from European civil society, including individual one-time and recurring donations.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership fees for supporters who want ongoing involvement with the organization.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online boutique selling branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, books, and puzzles to supporters.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: Support concerts, festivals, exhibitions and other events that raise funds and awareness for the mission.
5. Corporate Donations: Business donations and corporate social responsibility partnerships with Swiss companies.
6. Institutional Partnerships: Partnerships with institutional funders including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as medical partner.
7. Legacies and Bequests: Testamentary donations and estate planning contributions specified in donor wills.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SOS Mediterranee Switzerland operates civilian maritime search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean Sea using the dedicated rescue vessel Ocean Viking and the Albatross aerial surveillance aircraft, rescuing migrants in distress at sea and providing humanitarian protection until they reach a safe port. The organization simultaneously conducts public awareness, advocacy for maritime law compliance, and survivor testimony documentation, while funding these operations almost exclusively through donations, membership fees, corporate partnerships, and event-based fundraising from Swiss civil society.

Product overview

SOS Mediterranee Switzerland is a humanitarian maritime association that operates rescue operations in the central Mediterranean Sea. The organization operates two primary rescue assets: the Ocean Viking (a rescue vessel) and the Albatross (an aircraft for surveillance flights). Supporting activities include an online merchandise boutique, fundraising events, newsletter subscriptions, and various partnership programs. The organization does not offer a traditional software product but provides humanitarian search and rescue services, advocacy, and public awareness programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ocean Viking: The main rescue ship operated by SOS MEDITERRANEE for sea rescue operations in the central Mediterranean.
• Albatross

Products and services

• Ocean Viking Maritime Rescue Operations A civilian maritime search and rescue service delivered through the Ocean Viking vessel operating in international waters between Italy and Libya in the central Mediterranean. The service locates vessels in distress, rescues migrants, and provides humanitarian protection and medical care (via the IFRC medical partner since 2022) until rescued individuals reach a safe port.
• Albatross Aerial Surveillance Service An aerial surveillance and reconnaissance service using the Albatross aircraft to monitor the central Mediterranean migration route, locate vessels in distress, and provide real-time information that supports rescue coordination and the Ocean Viking operations.
• Online Merchandise Boutique An online store at boutique.sosmediterranee.ch selling branded merchandise to supporters of the organization, including t-shirts (from 45 CHF), sweatshirts (60 CHF), tote bags (20 CHF), notebooks (20 CHF), puzzles (30 CHF), comics (32 CHF), commemorative socks (25 CHF), and flags (10 CHF). Sales generate funding for rescue missions and raise public visibility.
• Fundraising Events and Cultural Partnerships A program of concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and theatrical performances — including the '1000 milles d'espérance' concert series and partnerships with Visions du Réel, Bol d'Or, Black Movie, Art4Rescue, and various Swiss theatres — that raises funds and public awareness for sea rescue operations.
• Annual Membership Program A subscription-based annual membership offering for supporters who want ongoing involvement with the organization, providing recurring membership fees that fund maritime rescue operations and offer supporters continued engagement with the mission.
• Corporate Donation and Partnership Program A structured offering for Swiss businesses to make corporate donations and enter CSR or cause-marketing partnerships with SOS MEDITERRANEE Suisse, supporting humanitarian sea rescue missions and providing reputational and employee engagement benefits to corporate partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43,078+ people rescued since 2016
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Since 2022, IFRC serves as medical partner on the Ocean Viking, providing both financial support and medical personnel for rescue operations. This partnership replaced the earlier arrangement with Médecins Sans Frontières.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUntil June 2020, MSF was the medical partner covering monthly operational costs of first the Aquarius and then the Ocean Viking, and equipped the medical team aboard. Partnership ended in June 2020.
• Société Nautique de Genève (Bol d'Or)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSOS MEDITERRANEE is the 'Partenaire de Cœur' (Heart Partner) for the third consecutive year of the Bol d'Or sailing race, a major Swiss nautical event.
• Visions du Réel FestivalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partnership with the documentary film festival in Nyon, offering solidarity-priced tickets and accepting glass deposits to support rescue missions.
• Caux Palace / Fondation de CauxsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for the '1000 milles d'espérance' concert series, providing concert space for fundraising events.
• Swiss Hotel Management SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for Caux Palace events.
• Alhambra GenevaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConcert venue for September 2025 solidarity concert with Aliose, Stéphane and Marie Jay.
• Theatre Le Reflet and Theatre Benno BessonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss theatres supporting SOS MEDITERRANEE through performances and events.
• Black Movie FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGeneva festival partnering for humanitarian film screenings.
• Art4Rescue FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZurich arts festival dedicated to raising funds for sea rescue operations.
• Théâtre Populaire Romand and Cinéma ABCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheatre and cinema partnership in La Chaux-de-Fonds for solidarity performances.
• Beatrice BerrutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPianist performing at '1000 milles d'espérance' concert to support rescue mission.
• Quatuor Sine NomineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerString quartet performing at Caux Palace benefit concerts.
• Jens RulandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPercussionist performing at solidarity concerts.
• Théo RossierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerComposer and musician contributing 'Boat's timbres' world premiere for sea rescue benefit.
• Various Swiss MunicipalitiessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple Swiss towns and cities providing support including Geneva, Montreux, Nyon, Lausanne, Vevey, Zürich, and others shown in logos section.
• Pilotes Volontaires (Colibri Aircraft)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization operating the Colibri aircraft that provides aerial surveillance support for search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean.
• Alarm PhonesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatch The Med project operating emergency hotline for people in distress at sea, coordinating with rescue centers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/sosmediterranee.ch
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2deZE_YGmtgiifGISQffdg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/sosmedsuisse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sos-mediterranee-switzerland
• Instagraminstagram.com/sosmediterranee_switzerland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Sos Mediterranee Switzerland