The Ink Link

What The Ink Link does

The Ink Link is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901), founded in 2016 by Laure Garancher, that operates as a collective of comic book artists and editors producing illustrated communication tools — comics, booklets, guides, and training materials — for social, environmental, and humanitarian causes. The association serves institutional clients including the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, International Organization for Migration, Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Oxfam France, Médecins du Monde, Action contre la Faim, Santé Publique France, and various research institutions, with a cumulative portfolio of 130+ bespoke projects. Its core "technology" is a formalized methodology called "Relier pour agir" that combines co-creation with end beneficiaries, illustrated storytelling, and cultural adaptation, executed by a core team of approximately 5–6 staff and a network of around 60 comic artists.

The association's output formats include awareness-raising comics, training guides, crisis communication materials (e.g., the 'Faire face' COVID-19 comic, April 2021), productized training tools (e.g., K-par-Cas-2 developed with IOM and EU funding), and clinical research consent illustrations. The organization holds Qualiopi certification as of May 2024, enabling it to deliver training eligible for French CPF funding. Geographic operations span France (Paris HQ, Lyon office), Belgium, Canada, West Africa, and the Caribbean.

Revenue is generated through four mechanisms: (1) project fees from commissioned work for institutional clients, (2) Qualiopi-certified training delivery, (3) sales of published illustrated guides via HelloAsso, and (4) tax-deductible donations offering a 66% deduction to individual donors under French law. No public pricing is disclosed, and the association operates without equity capital, funding growth through operating income and grants.

Name

The Ink Link

Legal name

The Ink Link

Website

https://theinklink.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ink Link is a French non-profit association founded in 2016 that creates illustrated comics, booklets, and training tools for NGOs, multilateral organizations, and public bodies working on social, environmental, and humanitarian causes. It operates with a core team of 5–6 staff and a network of ~60 comic artists, having completed 130+ projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Illustrated Communication Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (541430), Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Graphic Design & Visual Content Production (BPAFAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Behavioral Intervention Materials (PBIS, Social Skills) (EDAGAMAE), English Learners with Disabilities (ELD/ESL Special Education) Materials (EDAGAMAL)

Keywords

• Visual storytelling services
• Illustrated communication tools
• Comic book production
• Social impact design
• Humanitarian creative services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Project fees: Revenue from creating bespoke illustrated tools, comics, guides, and training materials for client organizations. Each project is custom-developed based on client needs.
2. Training services: Revenue from training programs including psychosocial support training for social workers, scenario writing training for experts, and communication impact training. Certified Qualiopi since May 2024.
3. Guide and tool sales: Sale of printed guides such as the 'Guide à l'accompagnement psychosocial des personnes exilées' through HelloAsso platform.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations received through their HelloAsso platform, supporting the association's social mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Ink Link is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) that designs and produces bespoke illustrated communication tools—comics, illustrated guides, booklets, posters, and videos—for NGOs, international organizations, and public bodies working on social, environmental, and humanitarian causes. Its core delivery is structured around three service lines: Outil créatif (creative tools that transmit program-specific information to beneficiaries adapted to local practices), Plaidoyer (advocacy materials that inform and sensitize the general public), and Vulgarisation (simplified content that helps professionals find the right words and artistic approach for their message). Each engagement is developed via a co-creation methodology with the client organization and target audiences.

Product overview

The Ink Link is a collective (association loi 1901) that creates visual storytelling tools (primarily comics and illustrated materials) for social, environmental, and humanitarian causes. Their core offerings include three service types: Outil créatif (creative tools for beneficiaries), Plaidoyer (advocacy for public awareness), and Vulgarisation (simplification for professionals). They operate a Training Toolkit (Notre boîte à outils) platform providing access to educational resources, and offer four specialized training programs: psychological first aid training, screenplay writing training, impact communication training, and K par Cas tool training. Their products span illustrated comic albums, guides, booklets, videos, and posters addressing themes including health, mental health, refugee rights, women's rights, environmental protection, and education. The organization maintains a network of over 60 comic artists and collaborates with international organizations including WHO, UNICEF, Oxfam, and the International Organization for Migration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Outil créatif (Creative tools for beneficiaries) Bespoke illustrated documents and tools designed for program beneficiaries, transmitting specific NGO information adapted to local practices, knowledge levels, and cultural contexts. Delivered through direct project engagements with NGOs and humanitarian organizations.
• Plaidoyer (Advocacy) Awareness and sensitization materials targeting the general public to inform about situations or causes, delivered through direct commissions with NGOs and advocacy organizations.
• Vulgarisation (Simplification) Professional-targeted illustrated content helping organizations find the right words and artistic approaches to attract curiosity, engage readers, and serve their message effectively.
• Notre boîte à outils (Training Toolkit platform) Resource platform providing field and advocacy workers with access to advocacy documents, tools, good practices, and examples drawn from The Ink Link's projects.
• Formation aux premiers secours psychologiques (Psychological First Aid Training) Two-day Qualiopi-certified training course for social workers on psychosocial support techniques, with optional supervision sessions at 3 and 6 months.
• Formation à l'écriture de scénario (Screenplay Writing Training) One-and-a-half-day Qualiopi-certified practical training on writing illustration and comic scripts for experts wanting to share knowledge through visual storytelling.
• Formation à la communication à impact (Impact Communication Training) One-day Qualiopi-certified training on acquiring practical basics of the "Relier pour agir" methodology for culturally adapted communication.
• Formation K par Cas (K par Cas Training) Training on using the K par Cas psychosocial tool for accompanying exiled persons, with modules on life stories, migration paths, mental health, and skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% 5-year survival rate for breast cancer detected early - demonstrating importance of screening awareness campaigns
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Action contre la faimmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated tools for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse within Action contre la faim, targeting employees and beneficiaries.
• Agence française de développement (AFD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment agency partner working on international development projects.
• Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated health guide for volunteers accompanying exiled people. JRS works with asylum seekers and refugees for dignified welcome and rights defense.
• Oxfam FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated feminist solidarity comic about development aid and gender inequality featuring six stories of women worldwide.
• Médecins du MondemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for illustrating podcast series 'La voix est libre' telling 40 years of Médecins du Monde humanitarian action.
• Organisation Internationale pour les Migrations (OIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed K-par-Cas-2 psychosocial skills toolkit for exiled people reintegration, supported by EU funding.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated 'Living with the Times' mental health toolkit for older adults during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Institut PasteurmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated illustrated consent forms for clinical trials including Hepatitis B vaccination, Shigellosis vaccine, and G6PD testing projects.
• Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on mental health and psychosocial support toolkits for essential workers during COVID-19.
• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated psychological first aid guide 'Plus forts ensemble' for Caribbean populations dealing with natural disasters.
• Université de BordeauxmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on clinical research projects including antibiotic trials for tuberculous meningitis treatment.
• Inserm MontpelliermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated illustrated materials for clinical trials improving TB/HIV co-infection treatment in Africa and Asia.
• CNRSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench national research agency partner.
• Bibliothèques sans frontièresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibraries without borders organization.
• France Terre d'AsilemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Reloref mission for psychosocial guide development for social workers.
• Expertise FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench international technical expertise agency.
• I.Care asblmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated hepatitis C awareness tools adapted to Belgian prison context.
• Apprentis d'AuteuilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated character 'Zidore' representing youth at the foundation for nearly 100 years.
• Université d'AvignonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESPACE laboratory partner for flood safety training comics.
• Le DeltaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian cultural third-place venue that hosted gender stereotypes exhibition.
• JohannitermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated code of conduct posters for 100,000 volunteers across Europe, adapted into video.
• IDsantémajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated booklets on relationship and sexuality education for parents and youth.
• AlynéaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated illustrated welcome guide for women with ALYNEA shelter.
• BioforceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian training organization.
• SolthisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational health NGO.
• SingaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting refugee integration.
• End FGM European NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork working to end female genital mutilation.
• GAMSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian group for abolition of female genital mutilation.
• FedasilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian federal agency for reception of asylum seekers.
• Surfrider Foundation EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization for ocean protection.
• Baliyo NepalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNepal-based development organization.
• CHU BordeauxmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 'Faire face' COVID-19 nursing comic book documenting hospital response.
• Fédération Laïque de Centres de Planning FamilialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation of family planning centers.
• Fondation Cognac-JayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting social innovation.
• PsycomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench mental health observatory.
• EPSM Lille-MétropoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPsychiatric hospital in Lille area.
• Association Jeunes GériatresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung geriatricians association.
• Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles GuyaneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical research center in French overseas territories.
• Collectif inter hôpitauxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInter-hospital collective.
• CarsatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench retirement insurance fund.
• IRTS ParmentierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial work training institute.
• Prader-Willi FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient association for Prader-Willi syndrome.
• Trisomie 21 FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDown syndrome association.
• GESEDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport group for Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.
• Solidarité estuaireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal solidarity organization.
• Fédération SOLIHAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation for social housing and inclusion.
• Terre & FilsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise.
• De l'or dans les mainsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization.
• Militants des savoirsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge sharing organization.
• Première Urgence InternationaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational humanitarian NGO.
• AtypicalistminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtypical communication agency.
• Association française pour la prévention des catastrophes naturelles et technologiquesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench association for natural and technological disaster prevention.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cartoon Movement: An Amsterdam-based platform that commissions and publishes comics journalism and editorial cartoons on human rights, environment, and social issues. Closely mirrors The Ink Link's intersection of professional comic artists with social/humanitarian subject matter.
• Cartooning for Peace: An international network founded in 2006 (partner of Reporters Without Borders) that uses editorial cartoons and comics to promote press freedom, democratic values, and social issues. Highly comparable to The Ink Link's model of deploying professional illustrators to communicate complex social and humanitarian topics.
• Bioforce: French humanitarian training organization (named as a partner of The Ink Link) that delivers professional training for humanitarian workers. Comparable in the training arm of The Ink Link's business and in its positioning within the French-speaking humanitarian professional ecosystem.

Others

• Information Is Beautiful: A data visualization studio and platform that translates complex topics (health, environment, society) into accessible visual formats. Comparable in mission of making complex information accessible to mass audiences, though focused on data visualization rather than comics and illustration.
• Purpose: A global social impact agency that designs and runs campaigns, movements, and creative content for progressive causes and foundations. Overlaps with The Ink Link's advocacy and public-awareness offering for NGOs, though focused on campaign strategy rather than illustrated tool creation.

Broad incumbents

• IDEO.org: A U.S.-based nonprofit design firm that applies human-centered design to social challenges in health, financial inclusion, and governance. Comparable to The Ink Link in bringing structured design methodologies to the social impact sector, though at much larger scale and with different delivery modalities.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (Creative/Comms): Large international humanitarian organization with a substantial in-house communications and creative team that produces visual storytelling, podcasts, and illustrated materials. Comparable as a producer of illustrated humanitarian communication, though operates as a major IO rather than a specialist external provider like The Ink Link.

Emerging players

• The Nib: A U.S.-based comics journalism publication that commissions illustrated essays and reported comics on politics, social issues, and culture. Overlaps with The Ink Link's mission of using sequential art to translate complex topics for general audiences, though focused on editorial rather than institutional clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theinklink.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-ink-link
• Instagraminstagram.com/theinklink

Compliance1 record

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 The Ink Link