disque foundation

What disque foundation does

Disque Foundation is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by board-certified cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Karl 'Fritz' Disque after his 2010 Haiti earthquake relief work, formally launching operations in 2012. It runs the Save a Life Initiative, a free online and in-person program that delivers advanced life-support training and certification in ACLS, PALS, BLS, CPR/First Aid/AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens to underserved populations in the US and abroad. The core technical stack is a web-based learning management system hosted in partnership with Advanced Medical Certification (AMC) and NHCPS, supplemented by the Medicode mobile app (AHA-aligned emergency decision support), a #LiveWithLauren webinar program, and an archive of 100+ training videos on YouTube. Courses are designed by board-certified physicians, adhere to ILCOR and OSHA guidelines, and are Joint Commission compliant; AMC-issued certifications carry a 98% acceptance rate in the US and up to 8 AMA Category 1 CME credits.

The business model is donation-funded freemium: all course content is free, with an optional paid upgrade to an official certification card, and all proceeds flow back to the charitable mission. Go-to-market combines product-led growth through the self-serve website, community-led expansion via a super-user model in which trained individuals train others in their hospitals and communities, and event-driven in-person training missions delivered with partner organizations such as FICCS, ICM, Health Volunteers Overseas, Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicago, CPR 4 Kids, and St. John Ambulance Malaysia. Cumulative impact reached 10 million people empowered to save a life in 185+ countries by 2025, against a stated goal of 30 million by 2030, with a small staff of 11-50 employees and no institutional investors.

Name

disque foundation

Legal name

Disque Foundation Ltd

Website

https://disquefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Disque Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free online and in-person CPR, BLS, ACLS, PALS, and BBP training and certification to underserved learners worldwide through its Save a Life Initiative, funded by donations and optional certification card purchases.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Education and Certification

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE) (EDAGANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Core Digital Curriculum & Courseware (Full Programs & Units) (EDAFACAA), Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAH), Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)

Keywords

• CPR certification training
• Life support education
• Advanced cardiac life support
• Healthcare training nonprofit
• Free medical certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Disque Foundation relies on donations to fund operations. All proceeds from optional certification card purchases go to the charitable mission of advancing healthcare education to underserved populations.
2. Optional Certification Card Upgrades: While core courses are free, users can optionally purchase official certification cards to enhance their credentials. This provides a supplementary revenue stream while maintaining free access to education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Disque Foundation provides free online life-support training and certification courses (ACLS, PALS, BLS, CPR/First Aid/AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens) through its Save a Life Initiative to underserved populations globally. Courses are ILCOR- and OSHA-compliant, created by board-certified physicians, and offer optional paid certification cards with up to 8 AMA Category 1 CME credits. The foundation supplements online learning with the Medicode mobile app, live webinars, and in-person training missions conducted through a global network of partner organizations and super-user trainers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Medicode: A life-saving mobile application that puts American Heart Association best practices for emergency situations into the palm of users' hands, designed to help doctors and nurses treat patients experiencing cardiac arrest or other emergencies.

Products and services

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Course Free online ACLS certification course created and maintained by board-certified medical professionals, covering advanced cardiac life support protocols. Eligible for up to 8 AMA Category 1 CME credits and includes handbook plus completion certificate.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Course Free online PALS certification course covering pediatric emergency assessment, resuscitation, and treatment protocols for healthcare providers treating infants and children.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Course Free online BLS certification course teaching CPR, AED use, and basic life support techniques for healthcare professionals and the general public.
• CPR, First Aid & AED Course Free online CPR, AED, and First Aid certification course for individuals seeking life-saving skills training, with completion certificate upon passing.
• Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Course Free online Bloodborne Pathogens certification course covering exposure control, OSHA guidelines, and prevention procedures for healthcare workers.
• Medicode Mobile App Mobile application that puts American Heart Association emergency protocols and algorithms into users' hands, enabling quick reference for cardiac arrest and other emergency response situations. Built in partnership with National Health Care Provider Solutions.
• Live Webinar CPR Training Free live online CPR and First Aid training webinars conducted by medical educators, including interactive demonstrations and Q&A sessions with certified instructors. Archive of 100+ webinars available on YouTube.
• Save a Life Initiative Overarching initiative providing free advanced healthcare education to underserved populations in the U.S. and worldwide through a first-of-its-kind online training platform. Stated goal is to empower 30 million people by 2030.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 million people empowered to save lives as of 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Advanced Medical Certification (AMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Disque Foundation and Advanced Medical Certification to deliver the Save a Life Initiative. AMC hosts the online courses while Disque Foundation provides the mission and educational content. Together they achieved the 1 million people empowered goal ahead of schedule.
• National Healthcare Provider Solutions (NHCPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing online medical certification through the Save a Life Initiative. NHCPS is described as the most trusted name in online medical certification.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly contributions and activities supporting families with hospitalized children at the Chicago chapter. Disque Foundation assists in leading contributions and activities in support of RMHC's mission.
• Global Foundation for International Cardiac and Community Services (FICCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for international training missions. Joint trips to Kenya conducting CPR, BLS, and ACLS training for healthcare workers. Donated cardiac equipment to hospitals.
• Health Volunteers OverseascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for Dr. Disque's work in Ethiopia teaching nurse anesthetists. Health Volunteers Overseas is a similar nonprofit organization focused on improving healthcare in developing countries.
• International Care Ministries (ICM)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for training missions in Dumaguete, Philippines. ICM focuses on ultrapoor communities.
• St. John Ambulance MalaysiaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership coordinated for CPR training presentation and hands-on training to faculty and students in Malaysia.
• Fundacion Internacional Buen Samaritano Paul Martel (FIBUSPAM)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for Ecuador training mission in Riobamba. FIBUSPAM helped enable training for healthcare providers and community members.
• Partners for Andean Community Health (PACH)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for Ecuador training mission. PACH is an organization focused on community health in the Andean region.
• CPR 4 KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for CPR training to school-aged children. Disque Foundation assisted CPR 4 Kids in training 5th graders at Lunalilo Elementary School in Hawaii.
• Nawaloka InstituteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for life-saving skills training program. Disque Foundation partnered with Nawaloka Institute for community empowerment through CPR training.
• MedSwipeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization helping set up trainings across Kenya. MedSwipe aims to empower local healthcare workers with knowledge and tools for better patient care.
• UdemyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as Education Partner on the Disque Foundation website. Provides additional distribution channel for courses.
• Boxgirls KenyaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNonprofit teaching women boxing and life skills. Disque Foundation trained Boxgirls Kenya members in CPR and AED during training mission.
• Compassionate Hands for the DisabledminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRehabilitation and rescue center in Nairobi, Kenya for abandoned children with disabilities. Disque Foundation conducted training and support visits.
• Medicode (NHCPS)coreTechnology or IntegrationLife-saving mobile app containing American Heart Association best practices for emergency situations. User experience testing conducted in Nairobi, Kenya with Disque Foundation support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Major online learning platform partnering with universities and organizations to deliver healthcare and professional development courses. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the online lifelong learning category where Disque also operates.
• HealthStream: Commercial healthcare workforce training and credentialing platform serving hospitals and health systems. Comparable as an established incumbent in healthcare professional education, though focused on enterprise paid subscriptions rather than free individual certification.
• Udemy: Global online learning marketplace and Disque Foundation's listed Education Partner. Comparable as a broad incumbent platform hosting creator-led courses, including NHCPS/Disque content, with a freemium course monetization model.
• Relias: Large healthcare-focused online training and compliance platform for clinical staff and caregivers. Comparable in the healthcare e-learning category, but operates on a paid SaaS model serving organizations rather than free individual learners.

Others

• Laerdal Medical: Global provider of medical simulation and CPR training equipment, including manikins and resuscitation tools used in life-support training. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant whose training products complement CPR education delivery models like Disque's.

Direct peers

• National CPR Foundation: Online provider of CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification for individuals and healthcare professionals. Comparable as a direct competitor offering similar remote certifications with paid certification cards that Disque provides for free.
• American Red Cross: Major provider of CPR, AED, and First Aid training and certification to both healthcare professionals and the general public. Comparable as a direct competitor in life-safety training with broad community reach and a paid certification model that Disque's free offering disrupts.
• ProTrainings: Online CPR, BLS, and first aid certification provider with video-based courses accepted nationally. Comparable as a direct competitor in the online life-safety certification category, monetizing through paid course and card bundles.
• American Heart Association: Sets the clinical guidelines and issues the most widely accepted CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications in the US. Directly comparable as the dominant standard-bearer whose protocols and authority Disque Foundation's courses follow and whose certifications Disque effectively competes against via the free Save a Life Initiative.

Regional players

• St. John Ambulance: International humanitarian organization delivering first aid and CPR training with strong UK and Commonwealth country presence. Comparable in mission and training offerings, but operates paid training programs and is more regionally concentrated.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/disquefoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DisqueFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/DisqueFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disque-foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about disque foundation