The Klosters Forum
The Klosters Forum is a Swiss nonprofit founded in 2018 that convenes world-class environmental leaders through an invitation-only annual forum in Klosters, Switzerland, capped at 80 participants, complemented by public TKF Talks across European cities, podcasts, and digital content.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersKlosters, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Klosters Forum does
The Klosters Forum (TKF) is a Swiss nonprofit organization (Verein) founded in 2018 by a group of international female professionals to convene world-class leaders for transformative dialogue on urgent environmental challenges. Its core product is an annual invitation-only forum held over 2.5 days in Klosters, Switzerland, capped at 80 participants selected for their expertise and stake in a specific environmental issue. The forum rotates its focus biannually across topics including Plastic Pollution, Biodiversity & Food Systems, the Built Environment, Urban Resilience, and the upcoming Cultural Turn cycle (TKF26/27). TKF complements the private forum with the public TKF Talk Series of panel discussions across European cities, a podcast hosted by Hannah MacInnes, video archives, and downloadable forum reports, distributed through its website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels.
The organization operates with a lean team of approximately 10 professionals and generates revenue through three streams: registration fees for the annual forum (pricing varies by participant category), donations from TKF Friends and Patrons, and partnership sponsorships from institutional supporters such as the Mercator Foundation. It is governed by a Board of Trustees co-chaired by co-founders Stephanie von Meiss (Executive Director) and Camilla ter Haar (Chair), with additional directors, a Treasurer, and a Head of Research and Head of Events. TKF has no proprietary technology platform and relies on standard event management tools and conventional digital media channels. Its go-to-market is event-driven and curation-led, with participation determined by invitation rather than open registration, and audience growth driven by word-of-mouth, newsletter, and social media engagement.
Key strategic partners include the Mercator Foundation (Switzerland), Extreme Hangout (COP coproductions), YPO, Christie's London, and topic-specific collaborators such as Common Seas, XPRIZE, Blue Horizon, Pictet Group, and Laudes Foundation. The organization has co-hosted events at COP28 (Dubai), COP29 (Baku), and across European venues including London, Istanbul, Gstaad, Davos, and Zurich, signaling steady geographic expansion of its public convening program while keeping the flagship annual forum intentionally small and intimate.
The Klosters Forum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Klosters Forum
- Legal name
- The Klosters Forum
- Website
- https://theklostersforum.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Klosters Forum is a Swiss nonprofit founded in 2018 that convenes world-class environmental leaders through an invitation-only annual forum in Klosters, Switzerland, capped at 80 participants, complemented by public TKF Talks across European cities, podcasts, and digital content.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Klosters Forum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Forum Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)
Keywords
Where The Klosters Forum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Klosters
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Klosters Forum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Forum Registration Fees: Revenue generated from registration fees for the annual TKF Forum. The fee differs based on participant category and covers workshops, panel discussions, lunches, and dinners. Travel and accommodation are not included.
- TKF Friends and Patrons Donations: Donations from TKF Friends and Patrons who support the organization's mission. Friends join the TKF Programme and meet with leaders. Patrons receive additional benefits including exclusive dinner access during World Economic Forum and invitations to all TKF Talks.
- Partnership Sponsorships: Support from organizational partners such as Mercator Foundation Switzerland who provide funding to sustain operations and support change makers who could not otherwise attend.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Annual Forum Registration |
| Subscription | Annual | TKF Friends Donation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Klosters Forum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Klosters Forum convenes world-class environmental experts and thought leaders through an invitation-only annual 2.5-day forum in Klosters, Switzerland, capped at 80 participants, focused on a specific environmental topic that rotates biannually. Complementing the annual forum, the organization delivers the TKF Talk Series of public panel discussions across European cities, the TKF Podcast hosted by Hannah MacInnes, video archives, downloadable forum reports, and the TKF Friends and Patrons supporter membership programs. All offerings center on enabling cross-sector dialogue, collaboration, and tangible action on urgent environmental challenges such as plastic pollution, biodiversity, the built environment, and urban resilience.
Product overview
The Klosters Forum is an environmental forum organization, not a traditional software product. It operates as a living laboratory for transformative dialogue, convening world-class leaders to confront environmental challenges. The core offering consists of an annual invitation-only forum in the Swiss Alps (capped at 80 participants), the TKF Talk Series of public panel discussions across European cities, a Podcast Series hosted by Hannah MacInnes, video content, and downloadable forum reports. The organization also offers TKF Friends and TKF Patrons membership programs for supporters. These offerings are delivered through in-person events, digital media, and publications rather than a software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Annual Forum An invitation-only 2.5-day forum in Klosters, Switzerland, capped at 80 subject matter experts, providing intimate workshops, panel discussions, and working groups focused on a specific biannual environmental topic (Plastic Pollution, Biodiversity & Food Systems, Built Environment, Urban Resilience, Cultural Turn). Registration fee varies by participant category.
- TKF Talk Series Public panel discussions held across multiple European cities including London, Istanbul, Gstaad, Davos, Zurich, and online, featuring distinguished subject matter experts to inspire, educate, and motivate audiences toward positive environmental action.
- TKF Podcast Series Podcast series hosted by broadcaster Hannah MacInnes featuring insights from environmental trailblazers and pioneers discussing challenges surrounding TKF Topics, distributed via standard podcast platforms.
- TKF Video Content Video recordings from TKF Annual Forums and Talk Series, including panel discussions, presentations, and event summaries shared to increase awareness of environmental issues.
- TKF Forum Reports Annual reports produced following each forum, containing summaries of talks, workshops, and discussions. Available as downloadable PDFs for TKF 2022-2025.
- TKF Friends Community of supporters who play a key role in advancing the mission of The Klosters Forum through recurring donations. Friends receive monthly newsletters and invitations to TKF events.
- TKF Patrons Key advocates for the environment and The Klosters Forum who receive exclusive benefits including invitations to private dinners during the World Economic Forum in Klosters and access to all TKF Talks throughout the year.
Companies that use The Klosters Forum
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Klosters Forum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Klosters Forum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Mercator StiftungcoreCo-organizer of March 2026 TKF Talk in Zurich on Climate & Sustainability in Complex Times with Dr. Kirsten Dunlop and Rob Hopkins as speakers, in collaboration with European Forum Alpbach.
- Extreme HangoutminorCo-organizer of TKF Talk at COP29 in Baku on New Means of Urban Resilience, bringing together Sheela Patel, Lewis Akenji, and Victoria Burrows.
- Extreme HangoutminorCo-organizer of COP28 TKF Talk on Habitat for Earth with panel chaired by Paul King of Built by Nature.
- Young Presidents' Organization (YPO)minorCo-operated TKF Talk in May 2023 featuring film screening and conversation with Craig Leeson and Prof. Jérôme Chappellaz.
- Christie's LondonminorCo-operated November 2022 TKF Talk on What Can We Learn From Plants & Fungi featuring Dr. Merlin Sheldrake and Sir Tim Smit.
- Gstaad Yacht ClubminorCollaborated on February 2020 event The Charms and Challenges of the Ocean focused on deep sea through art and science.
- Think Beyond PlasticminorCo-hosted January 2019 event on Beyond the Plasticine with ConsenSys sponsorship, featuring Joseph Lubin, Michael Goltzman, and Saskia Bruysten.
- Common SeasminorPartner organization focused on plastic pollution solutions, appearing on the Plastic Pollution topic page of TKF website.
- XPRIZEminorPartner organization in plastic pollution topic area, shown on TKF plastic pollution page alongside Common Seas.
- Blue HorizonminorInvestment firm focused on game-changing sustainable food companies, mentioned as partner for Biodiversity & Food Systems topic forums.
- Pictet GroupminorAsset management firm supporting TKF events and topics, particularly around biodiversity and food systems. Gillian Diesen from Pictet Asset Management is listed as a participant.
- Laudes FoundationminorFoundation focused on built environment transition, partnered with TKF for Habitat for Earth topic. James Drinkwater, Head of Built Environment at Laudes Foundation, serves on the Built Environment Curatorial Committee.
- Transnational Giving Europe NetworkminorTKF is a member of this network allowing donors to make tax-efficient donations to TKF across European countries.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Klosters Forum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Forum for the Future: International nonprofit that works globally with partners to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. Highly comparable to TKF as a mission-driven sustainability convener that brings together business, government, and civil society leaders around systemic environmental challenges.
- European Forum Alpbach: Austrian interdisciplinary platform that hosts an annual conference bringing together science, politics, business, and civil society. Directly comparable convening model to TKF, and is itself a documented TKF co-marketing partner for the March 2026 Zurich TKF Talk.
- Climate Group: International nonprofit working with business and government to accelerate climate action, organizer of Climate Week NYC. Comparable as a mission-driven climate convener that operates signature events and engages leaders across sectors, similar to TKF's urban resilience and climate forums.
- Sustainable Brands: Community and conference business focused on brand sustainability and ESG. Comparable as a sustainability-focused convening and content platform that brings together corporate, NGO, and policy leaders around environmental and social challenges.
- GreenBiz Group: Media and events organization focused on sustainable business, producing conferences (GreenBiz) and a content platform. Comparable as a sustainability-focused community that combines curated events with year-round content and audiences similar to TKF's forum-plus-podcast model.
- Bioneers: US-based nonprofit that hosts an annual conference and produces media on breakthrough solutions for the world's most pressing environmental and social challenges. Comparable as a niche, curated environmental gathering with a content/media extension strategy similar to TKF's podcast and reports.
Broad incumbents
- Skoll Foundation: Foundation that supports social entrepreneurs and convenes the annual Skoll World Forum on the social enterprise ecosystem. Comparable nonprofit convening model with a global community of leaders, though focused on social entrepreneurship rather than environment specifically.
- Aspen Institute: Educational and policy studies organization that convenes leaders across sectors through seminars, policy programs, and events. Comparable to TKF as a high-profile convening model that brings together diverse stakeholders for dialogue on major societal issues, though TKF is environmentally focused and much smaller.
- World Economic Forum: International organization for public-private cooperation that hosts the annual Davos meeting. Comparable convening model and relationship with TKF, since TKF Patrons receive exclusive WEF dinner access; WEF is dramatically larger and broader in scope but anchors the same global elite convening ecosystem.
Emerging players
- TED (TED Countdown): Media organization that hosts TED conferences and the TED Countdown initiative focused on climate action. Comparable as a high-profile convening/idea-distribution platform with a major climate vertical, though TED is globally scaled and TKF is intentionally boutique.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Klosters Forum social profiles
Digital presenceThe Klosters Forum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Klosters Forum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
The Klosters Forum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Klosters Forum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Klosters Forum
What does The Klosters Forum do?
The Klosters Forum convenes world-class environmental experts and thought leaders through an invitation-only annual 2.5-day forum in Klosters, Switzerland, capped at 80 participants, focused on a specific environmental topic that rotates biannually. Complementing the annual forum, the organization delivers the TKF Talk Series of public panel discussions across European cities, the TKF Podcast hosted by Hannah MacInnes, video archives, downloadable forum reports, and the TKF Friends and Patrons supporter membership programs. All offerings center on enabling cross-sector dialogue, collaboration, and tangible action on urgent environmental challenges such as plastic pollution, biodiversity, the built environment, and urban resilience.
Is The Klosters Forum a public or private company?
The Klosters Forum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Klosters Forum founded?
The Klosters Forum was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Klosters Forum based?
The Klosters Forum is headquartered in Klosters, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does The Klosters Forum make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Forum Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are TKF Friends and Patrons Donations and partnership Sponsorships.
Who are The Klosters Forum's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Forum for the Future, European Forum Alpbach, Climate Group, Sustainable Brands, GreenBiz Group and Bioneers. Broad incumbents are Skoll Foundation, Aspen Institute and World Economic Forum. TED (TED Countdown) is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Klosters Forum have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Klosters Forum.
What industry is The Klosters Forum in?
The Klosters Forum's product category is Environmental Forum Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.