# Jacobs Foundation

Jacobs Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Zurich, Switzerland
- **Region:** Europe
- **Address:** Seefeldquai 17 P.O.Box CH-8034, Zurich, Switzerland
- **Founded:** 1989
- **Assets under management:** 7.3B (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** jacobsfoundation.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://ch.linkedin.com/company/jacobs-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Klaus J. Jacobs created the Jacobs Foundation in 1989. The foundation focuses on child development and evidence-based education. It has given more than CHF 1 billion since inception, including EUR 200 million to Jacobs University Bremen. The foundation invests in research, teacher training programs, and national policy work. It holds positions in Cognita, Colosseum Dental Group, Portman Dentalcare, and agribusiness assets in the UK and Argentina through Jacobs Holding AG. It also maintains a 50.1% stake in Barry Callebaut AG. Geographic reach covers Switzerland, Germany, the UK, and additional countries in Europe and beyond. Asset classes include direct operating-company ownership, listed equities, and real estate. The foundation employs no disclosed investment professionals beyond its board. It maintains Marbach Castle in Germany as a conference venue and Jacobs Haus in Zurich as headquarters and home to the Johann Jacobs Museum. A 2025 restructuring separated the foundation from Jacobs Holding AG. In May 2024 the foundation sponsored its annual conference at Marbach Castle on embedding evidence in education. The foundation operates through a board of trustees rather than a traditional investment committee. Lavinia Jacobs serves as chair. This governance model keeps decision-making within the founding family while maintaining separate legal entities for commercial and philanthropic activities.

## Sectors

- Education
- EdTech

## People

- Lavinia Jacobs — Chair of the Board of Trustees
- Nicolas Jacobs — Co-chair of Jacobs Holding AG
- Philippe Jacobs — Co-chair of Jacobs Holding AG

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Jacobs Foundation?

The board of trustees, chaired by Lavinia Jacobs, oversees allocations. Commercial holdings sit under Jacobs Holding AG, co-chaired by Nicolas Jacobs and Philippe Jacobs.

### Does Jacobs Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation holds direct ownership in operating companies such as Cognita and Colosseum Dental Group through Jacobs Holding AG. It also maintains a listed equity position in Barry Callebaut AG.

### What investment stages does Jacobs Foundation typically target?

Recorded strategies include venture capital, early-stage seed and start-up investments, and expansion or late-stage opportunities.

### How is Jacobs Foundation related to Jacobs Holding AG?

Jacobs Holding AG historically managed commercial assets linked to the foundation. The two entities underwent a restructuring in 2025.

### What is Jacobs Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

No public information details co-investment activity with external managers.

## Related profiles

- [Solvay Ventures](https://altss.com/profile/solvay-ventures)
- [Mabel Pew Myrin Trust](https://altss.com/profile/mabel-pew-myrin-trust)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/jacobs-foundation

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