What Léman hope does

Fondation Léman hope is a Swiss nonprofit foundation (Canton of Vaud) founded in 2011 by Esteban Garcia and reconstituted around its current mission in 2020. It operates a therapeutic sailing cruise program that provides free 5-day voyages on Lake Geneva and, from 2026, Lake Constance, for young cancer survivors aged 8–21 in Switzerland and neighboring France. Cruises are organized in groups of four participants per 8–10 meter cruising sailboat, accompanied by a professional skipper and a specially trained monitor who has personally experienced cancer, with medical teams present at boarding and in evening ports of call. The core operational methodology combines sailing initiation, life-skills activities, and group dynamics as therapeutic tools, refined since 2020 with training curricula covering pediatric cancer, child protection, and emotional management.

The foundation's commercial activity is concentrated around two revenue-raising mechanisms: Swim4Lémanhope, an annual corporate relay swimming challenge held on Lake Geneva (since 2022) and Lake Zurich (since 2024) that mobilizes 50+ Swiss companies to fund at least one cruise per participant organization; and a self-serve fundraising platform at donate.lemanhope.ch launched in 2024 that supports personal campaigns, charity partnerships with sporting events (20km de Lausanne, Lausanne Marathon, 24 Heures de Natation), and individual donations. All services to beneficiaries are provided entirely free of charge, with the program funded 100% by donations from individuals, companies, and event fundraising. The foundation is recognized as being in the public interest with tax exemption, supervised by the Vaud cantonal foundation authority, and audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Beneficiary inflow is generated through a healthcare partner network spanning six Swiss university hospitals (CHUV, HUG, Inselspital, Basel, Zurich, KSA) and ARFEC, supplemented by direct family sign-up via the foundation's website. A sibling program has reserved dedicated places since 2023. Cumulative scale as of 2025 includes 278 cruise places offered since 2020, 71 young people plus siblings served across 18 sailboats in the 2025 season, and 1,000+ swimmers from 52 companies in the 2026 Swim4Lémanhope. The foundation has set an explicit target of 300 beneficiaries per year by 2030.

Name

Léman hope

Legal name

Fondation Léman hope

Website

https://lemanhope.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Léman hope is a Swiss nonprofit foundation that provides free 5-day therapeutic sailing cruises on Lake Geneva and Lake Constance for young cancer survivors aged 8–21, funded entirely by donations and an annual corporate relay swimming fundraiser (Swim4Lémanhope) involving 50+ Swiss companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Sailing Cruises for Pediatric Cancer Survivors

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB)

Keywords

• Therapeutic sailing cruises
• Pediatric cancer support
• Youth cancer remission
• Charity sailing foundation
• Corporate fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: General public donations via the foundation's website donation portal (donate.lemanhope.ch). Individuals can make one-time or recurring monetary contributions to fund therapeutic cruise spots for young beneficiaries. The service provided to beneficiaries is entirely free, funded 100% by donations.
2. Corporate Fundraising Events (Swim4Lémanhope): Companies pay participation fees to join the Swim4Lémanhope relay swimming event and/or create fundraising pages. Each participating company commits to funding at least one therapeutic cruise for a child. The event has grown from 30 companies (2023) to 46 (2025) to 52 (2026), with 920 swimmers (2025) and 1,000+ swimmers (2026).
3. Event Sponsorship & Charity Partnerships: Partnerships with sporting events (Lausanne Marathon, 20km de Lausanne, 24 Heures de Natation) where Léman hope is the designated charity partner. These events donate per kilometer/participation or set up fundraising pages. Corporate sponsors and ambassadors (e.g., Jessica Horn as ambassador for 20km de Lausanne) amplify reach and donations.
4. Personalized Fundraising Pages: Individuals and teams can create custom fundraising pages on the Léman hope platform for personal challenges (trekking, cycling, running, birthdays, weddings) to raise money. Each franc raised is dedicated directly to young beneficiaries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Léman hope is a Swiss nonprofit foundation that provides free 5-day, 4-night therapeutic sailing cruises on Lake Geneva and Lake Constance for young people aged 8–21 in cancer remission, along with places reserved for their siblings. Groups of 4 young people per sailboat are supervised by a professional skipper and a specially trained monitor with personal experience of cancer, with medical teams on standby at boarding and in every port of call. The program is funded 100% by individual donations, corporate fundraising (notably the Swim4Lémanhope annual relay-swimming event), and personal fundraising pages on the foundation's online donation platform.

Product overview

Léman hope is a charitable foundation offering therapeutic sailing experiences for young cancer survivors. Its core offering is the therapeutic sailing cruise program (Croisières) — 5-day voyages on Lake Geneva and Lake Constance where participants aged 8-21 learn navigation, build confidence, and connect with peers. The Foundation also organizes Swim4Lémanhope, an annual corporate swimming relay challenge that raises funds for the cruises. A fundraising platform enables direct donations and personalized campaigns. Volunteer programs support both sailing operations and fundraising events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Sailing Cruises (Croisières) 5-day, 4-night therapeutic sailing trips aboard 8–10 meter cruise sailboats on Lake Geneva and Lake Constance for young cancer survivors aged 8–21 (and their siblings). Each boat carries 4 young people grouped by age (±3 years) and language, supervised by a professional skipper and a specially trained monitor with personal cancer experience, with medical teams on standby at boarding and every port. Participants learn navigation, engage in water activities, develop teamwork and life skills, and build confidence in a safe, supportive environment. The cruises are provided entirely free of charge to beneficiaries.
• Swim4Lémanhope Annual charitable relay-swimming challenge held on Lake Geneva (Geneva to Villeneuve/Chillon) and Lake Zurich (Zurich to Rapperswil) where corporate teams swim to raise funds for the therapeutic cruises. Each participating company commits to funding at least one therapeutic cruise for a child. The event has grown from 30 companies in 2023 to 52 companies with 1,000+ swimmers in 2026, and serves as both the primary annual fundraising mechanism and a corporate team-building experience.
• Personal Fundraising Platform (donate.lemanhope.ch) Online donation and fundraising platform hosted at donate.lemanhope.ch that enables individuals, teams, and supporters to create personalized fundraising pages for personal challenges, sporting events, and life moments. Every franc raised is dedicated directly to funding therapeutic cruise places for young cancer survivors.
• Lake Constance Therapeutic Cruises New 2026 edition of the Léman hope therapeutic sailing cruise program operated on Lake Constance (Bodensee), in parallel with the Lake Geneva cruises, to make the experience accessible to families in German-speaking Switzerland. Delivered under the same free, medically supervised, 5-day therapeutic sailing cruise format as the original Lake Geneva program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 278 places offered on Léman hope boats since 2020
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SpinlockcoreTechnology or IntegrationSpinlock is a technical sailing equipment manufacturer providing safety and lifesaving gear for the Léman hope sailboats. Listed as a technical partner on the foundation's website, Spinlock contributes essential safety equipment for the therapeutic sailing cruises.
• MustocoreTechnology or IntegrationMusto is a technical sailing clothing brand listed as a technical partner providing sailing gear for Léman hope participants and crew. The partnership ensures participants have proper waterproof jackets, pants, and UV-protective clothing.
• Bucher-WaltcoreTechnology or IntegrationBucher-Walt is listed as a technical partner on the Léman hope website, providing sailing equipment or maritime support for the therapeutic cruises.
• CHUV (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHUV is one of Switzerland's major university hospitals with a pediatric oncology department. Listed as a healthcare partner, CHUV refers young cancer patients in remission to Léman hope and provides medical oversight for the program. Medical teams from CHUV are present during cruise boarding and in ports of call.
• HUG (Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUG is the Geneva University Hospitals, a major pediatric oncology center. Listed as a healthcare partner, HUG refers young cancer survivors to the program and provides medical support during cruises.
• Inselspital (Bern University Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInselspital in Bern is one of Switzerland's leading pediatric oncology centers. Listed as a healthcare partner, it refers young patients to Léman hope cruises.
• Universitätsspital BaselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Hospital of Basel is listed as a healthcare partner, referring young cancer survivors from the Basel region to participate in Léman hope cruises.
• Universitätsspital Zürich (University Hospital of Zurich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Hospital of Zurich is listed as a healthcare partner, supporting the foundation's expansion into German-speaking Switzerland and referring young patients to the program.
• KSA (Kantonsspital Aarau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKantonsspital Aarau is listed as a healthcare partner, contributing to the referral network for young cancer survivors in German-speaking Switzerland.
• ARFEC (Association Romande des Familles d'Enfants atteints d'un Cancer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARFEC is the French-speaking Swiss association for families of children with cancer. Listed as a healthcare partner, ARFEC connects affected families with the Léman hope program and provides expertise on pediatric oncology support.
• Swiss Paddle VeveycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Paddle Vevey is listed as a partner at heart, providing paddle board support during the Swim4Lémanhope events and volunteer training for paddlers. Supports paddler recruitment and training for the annual swimming relay event.
• WakesharingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWakesharing is listed as a partner at heart, supporting the Léman hope mission through in-kind contributions or volunteer support.
• Realteam SailingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe professional sailing team Realteam Sailing inaugurated sails in Léman hope colors at the TF35 Trophy opening grand prix in Nyon in April 2021, raising visibility for the foundation. This partnership was announced on April 30, 2021.
• Alexandra and Rémi DucheminminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe entrepreneur couple created 'The Greatest' exhibition featuring 38 portraits of legendary sports champions, auctioned in November 2022 to benefit Léman hope. An artistic charitable initiative supporting the foundation.
• Jessica Horn (Ambassador)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerJessica Horn, daughter of explorer Mike Horn, served as ambassador for Léman hope at the 20km de Lausanne in 2024, wearing Léman hope colors and promoting the foundation's values of solidarity, resilience, and hope.
• 20km de LausannecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLéman hope was the official charity partner for the 20km de Lausanne 2024. Each participant could donate to support young cancer survivors' therapeutic cruises. Ambassador Jessica Horn ran under Léman hope colors.
• Lausanne MarathonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLéman hope was charity partner for the Lausanne Marathon (30th edition, October 2023), with participants able to fundraise for the foundation through a dedicated Givengain page.
• Lausanne Aquatique (24 Heures de Natation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLausanne Aquatique organized the 24 Heures de Natation charity swimming event for the second consecutive year in favor of Léman hope, donating CHF 1 per kilometer swum during the 24-hour event.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jubilee Sailing Trust: Jubilee Sailing Trust operates tall ship voyages designed to be accessible to people of all physical abilities, including those with disabilities and serious health conditions. Closest peer in sailing-vessel modality and inclusive therapeutic positioning, though based in the UK.
• SeriousFun Children's Network: Founded by Paul Newman, SeriousFun operates a global network of residential camps providing life-changing experiences for children with serious illnesses. Closest peer in mission (transformative experiences for sick children) and program model (multi-day residential therapeutic programs free of charge, donor-funded).
• SailAbility Foundation: SailAbility is an international federation supporting adaptive sailing programs for people with disabilities and health conditions. Highly comparable modality — sailing as the primary therapeutic/empowerment tool — and shared target population of people navigating physical and emotional health challenges.
• First Descents: First Descents provides free outdoor adventure experiences (kayaking, surfing, climbing) for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Most directly comparable peer — same target audience (young cancer survivors/adults in remission), same adventure-based therapeutic modality, and similar free, donor-funded model.
• Camp Trillium (Rainbow Lake / Camp Make-a-Dream): Camp Trillium (and similar childhood-cancer camp operators like Camp Make-a-Dream) provides residential summer programs for children with cancer and their families. Directly comparable in mission (therapeutic camp experiences for pediatric cancer patients/survivors), though residential rather than sailing-based; primarily serves Canada vs Switzerland.

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Make-A-Wish grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses globally. Comparable in mission (transformative experiences for critically ill children) and overlapping beneficiary population, though operating at vastly larger scale, with wish-granting rather than recurring residential programs — does not specialize in sailing.
• Swiss Cancer League (Ligue suisse contre le cancer): The Swiss Cancer League is the umbrella nonprofit organization providing support, information, and advocacy for cancer patients and their families across Switzerland. Comparable as a Swiss charitable organization serving the same beneficiary population, but operates at much larger scale and broader scope, without a sailing-specific therapeutic offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=MWj2rBNXNd0
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lemanhope

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Léman hope