What Pacifique does

Pacifique is a Geneva-based Swiss non-profit foundation founded in 2003 that operates a fleet of traditional sailing vessels — primarily Fleur de Passion (a former 1941 German Navy vessel) and the 30m schooner Mauritius — to run multidisciplinary maritime expeditions. The foundation structures its work around three interconnected programs: 'Jeunes en mer', which hosts vulnerable youth aged 14-18 on socio-educational break voyages; 'Sciences citoyennes', which provides researchers from institutions such as the University of Geneva (F.-A. Forel Department), FPSE/UNIGE, University of Toulouse, Swansea University, and McGill with access to remote marine environments for studies on greenhouse gases, microplastics, and mangrove ecosystems; and 'Art et sensibilisation', which places artists in residence aboard ships and produces exhibitions, publications, and press materials to drive public awareness of ocean issues.

Underlying technology is anchored on purpose-equipped sailing platforms supplemented by instruments such as PlanktoScope for automated imaging of plankton and microplastics, with citizen-science participants in the Jeunes en Mer program contributing validated primary data to scientific archives. The foundation has accumulated 20+ years of operational output, including +300 young people placed on vessels, +20 research projects conducted aboard, and +30 artists participating in residencies and exhibitions. Current flagship is the 'Au Cœur de Nos Racines' Expedition 2026-2030, a circumnavigation through the world's tropical belt with mangrove research as its scientific anchor and a Corto Maltese-themed cultural program (a flagship partnership with CONG SA and writer Marco Steiner developing a new Rizzoli novel).

Revenue is generated through three streams: donations and membership (the largest, supported by Fond Gandur, Loterie Romande, Ville de Genève, and Cargill SA), e-commerce boutique sales of branded merchandise and publications such as Sillages magazine (shipped exclusively within Switzerland via Swiss Post with pricing in CHF), and 'Places à bord' fees from participants joining voyages as crew members (special rates available for last-minute bookings, full pricing not publicly disclosed). Go-to-market is event-driven and earned-media-led, with quarterly 'Expéditions' newsletters, regular coverage in Swiss press (RTS, Le Temps, TDG, Léman Bleu), and participation in maritime festivals such as Brest and SailGP Geneva. The organization employs 1-10 staff and is led by Director Pietro Godenzi.

Name

Pacifique

Legal name

Pacifique

Website

https://pacifique.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pacifique is a Geneva-based Swiss non-profit foundation operating traditional sailing vessels (Fleur de Passion, Mauritius) to run multidisciplinary maritime expeditions combining socio-educational voyages for at-risk youth, citizen-science research for universities, and artistic residencies, funded primarily through donations, institutional grants, and a Switzerland-only merchandise boutique.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Maritime Expedition Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing, Catamaran & Day-Cruise Excursions (nature-focused) (THAAAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Educational Cruises & Shipboard Learning Programs (THAKAGAM)

Keywords

• Maritime expeditions
• Youth socio-education
• Citizen science research
• Ocean conservation programs
• Artistic residencies

Headquarters

HQ city

Carouge

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. E-commerce boutique sales: Sale of branded merchandise including publications (Sillages magazine), postcards, books, prints, and accessories through the online shop
2. Places à bord (On-board experiences): Revenue from participants joining voyages as crew members on sailing expeditions, with special rates available for last-minute bookings
3. Donations and membership: Voluntary donations and membership program to support scientific, socio-educational and artistic missions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pacifique is a Swiss non-profit foundation that operates traditional sailing boats (Fleur de Passion and Mauritius) to run multidisciplinary maritime expeditions combining three programs: socio-educational voyages for vulnerable youth (Jeunes en mer), citizen science research on ocean ecosystems (Sciences citoyennes), and artistic residencies and public awareness initiatives (Art et sensibilisation). The foundation generates supporting revenue through an e-commerce boutique selling branded merchandise (publications, postcards, prints) and a Places à bord program where individuals join voyages as crew members.

Product overview

Pacifique operates a fleet of three traditional sailing vessels (Fleur de Passion, Mauritius, and Que Sera) to conduct multidisciplinary maritime expeditions. The organization offers three interconnected programs: (1) Jeunes en mer - a socio-educational program for vulnerable youth aged 14-18 in social/educational disruption, providing transformative sea voyages; (2) Sciences citoyennes - citizen science programs enabling researchers to conduct studies on greenhouse gases, microplastics, and marine ecosystems aboard the vessels; and (3) Art et sensibilisation - artistic and awareness programs with resident artists creating exhibitions and publications. The product portfolio also includes merchandise publications (Sillages magazine editions, books, art prints, postcards, travel notebooks) available through their e-commerce boutique. Current flagship expedition is the 2026-2030 'Au Coeur de Nos Racines' around-the-world voyage focusing on mangrove research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jeunes en mer A socio-educational program that welcomes vulnerable young people aged 14-18 in social or educational disruption for transformative sea voyages aboard the foundation's sailing vessels, providing a structured environment for skill development and resilience building.
• Sciences citoyennes A citizen science program that enables researchers and institutions to conduct long-term or ad-hoc studies aboard Pacifique's sailing vessels, covering topics such as greenhouse gases, microplastics, and marine ecosystems.
• Art et sensibilisation An artistic and public awareness program that sensitizes the general public to ocean and environmental issues through events, exhibitions, and publications, with resident artists creating works documenting the expeditions.
• Places à bord An experiential program that allows individuals to join Pacifique's voyages as crew members aboard the sailing vessels, supporting the foundation's missions while experiencing a maritime adventure; special rates are offered for last-minute bookings.
• Sillages (Publications) Magazine publication documenting Pacifique's expeditions with scientific findings and artistic content. Editions include Sillages n°3, n°4 (CHF 50.00), and n°5.
• Dans le miroir de Magellan Book publication documenting Pacifique's Magellan expedition, sold for CHF 45.00 in the online boutique.
• Sérigraphie Ambroise Héritier Limited edition silk-screen print (60x80cm) by artist Ambroise Héritier, sold as part of the collectible merchandise line for CHF 55.00.
• Lot de 10 cartes postales SILLAGES Set of 10 postcards featuring SILLAGES expedition imagery and artwork, sold for CHF 10.00 in the online boutique.
• Carnet A5 de voyage Travel notebook merchandise sold through the online boutique for documenting expedition experiences.
• Bouteille verre Pacifique (Série limitée) Limited edition glass water bottle merchandise featuring Pacifique branding, sold for CHF 25.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• +300 young people placed through youth programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• F.-A. Forel Department, University of GenevacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaboration for ocean research, greenhouse gas monitoring, and mangrove ecosystem studies. Part of the Expedition 2026-2030 focusing on mangrove conservation.
• FPSE, UNIGE & University of ToulousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on youth resilience and skills development mechanisms through the Jeunes en Mer program. Includes educational sciences, psychology, and affective sciences research.
• OceaneyecoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on microplastic pollution mapping as part of Arctic Expedition scientific programs.
• CONG SA (Corto Maltese)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partnership for Expedition 2026-2030 featuring Corto Maltese as 'spiritual captain'. Writer Marco Steiner developing new novel for Rizzoli updating Hugo Pratt's legacy.
• SailowtechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLow-tech scientific measurement device testing and Arvor expedition collaboration aboard Mauritius.
• Swansea UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Prof. Kam Tang for greenhouse gas research in African waters.
• McGill UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research collaboration for scientific missions.
• Swiss Post (Poste Suisse SA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShipping and delivery services for online boutique orders within Switzerland.
• Club Suisse de la PresseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPress club partnership for Expedition 2026-2030 launch conference.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Cousteau Society: International non-profit dedicated to ocean exploration and public awareness, continuing the legacy of Jacques Cousteau. Comparable to Pacifique's Art et sensibilisation program through its focus on media-driven ocean literacy and expedition storytelling.
• Greenpeace: Global environmental organization operating sailing vessels (e.g., Rainbow Warrior) for ocean advocacy campaigns. Comparable to Pacifique through its use of traditional sailing ships as platforms for environmental activism and public awareness.
• National Geographic Pristine Seas: Large-scale ocean exploration and conservation initiative conducting deep-sea expeditions to support marine protected areas. Comparable to Pacifique's expedition-driven ocean advocacy model but with vastly larger funding and media reach.

Emerging players

• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Private foundation operating the research vessel Falkor for ocean science expeditions. Comparable to Pacifique's Sciences citoyennes program in funding and hosting marine research missions on dedicated platforms, though at significantly larger scale.
• OceansWatch: International non-profit connecting sailing yachts with marine conservation projects. Comparable to Pacifique's citizen science model by mobilizing vessel-based volunteers for ocean research, though with a more distributed fleet approach.

Direct peers

• Sea Education Association: US non-profit offering shore-based and sailing-based oceanographic and maritime studies programs for undergraduates and high schoolers. Comparable to Pacifique in combining sailing vessels with formal research and educational programming.
• Tara Expeditions Foundation: French non-profit foundation operating the schooner Tara for global ocean research expeditions, citizen science, and public awareness. The closest structural analog to Pacifique: sailing research platform, multi-stakeholder programs, and a long-horizon expedition model combining science, education, and advocacy.
• Jubilee Sailing Trust: UK charity operating tall ships for mixed-ability voyages, including disadvantaged and vulnerable youth. Closely comparable to Pacifique's Jeunes en mer program in using traditional sailing vessels for socio-educational transformation of vulnerable populations.
• Sail Training International: UK-based international charity federation coordinating sail training vessels worldwide for youth development. Directly comparable to Pacifique's 'Jeunes en mer' program in mission, vessel-based youth transformation approach, and non-profit operating model.
• Class Afloat (Westfield International): Canadian educational organization operating a tall ship as a floating school for high school and university students. Comparable to Pacifique in delivering structured educational and life-skills experiences aboard traditional sailing vessels for young people.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/pacifique
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacifique-ch

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 Pacifique