Saxion University of Applied Sciences

What Saxion University of Applied Sciences does

Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Saxion) is a public Dutch hogeschool operating campuses in Enschede, Apeldoorn, and Deventer, serving more than 26,000 full-time and part-time students with a workforce of 2,500+ staff. The institution delivers accredited higher professional education across twelve academies under a "Living Technology" positioning that links knowledge and technology to societal and environmental challenges, with five strategic research focus areas: Circular Innovation & Energy Transition, Health & Technology, Safety & Digitalisation, Key Technologies, and Social & Economic Innovation Methods.

Core offerings span three interconnected pillars: future-oriented degree programs (full-time, part-time, dual, and short-course formats), practice-based research conducted through lectorates such as Ambient Intelligence (IoT platform IECON, Explainable AI, AR/VR applications) and Applied Nanotechnology (organ-on-chip, microfluidics, quantum, photonics), and entrepreneurship support through the Saxion Centrum voor Ondernemerschap (934 student entrepreneurs, 39 staff, 32 partners). Notable specialized programs include Smart Solutions Semester (interdisciplinary industry projects), FastSwitch career transitions, Fast Forward traineeships, and sub-brands including Saxion Kunst and the new Wellness Management study route launching September 2026.

The business model is anchored in Dutch government HBO funding (statutory tuition ~€2,530/year for EU students, with block-grant enrollment funding as the primary revenue base), supplemented by corporate training delivered through Saxion Parttime School (e.g., Achmea, Moneybird, Kaak Group, Carintreggeland, Scania), competitive research grants (€8.86M via NWO GroenvermogenNL for H2Life and HELIX-West, €1M HiTex subsidy), and participation in national programs such as the NHKI nuclear knowledge hub. As a non-profit government-funded entity under Dutch public law, Saxion does not publish commercial revenue and operates for regional economic and societal benefit across East Netherlands.

Name

Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Legal name

Hogeschool Saxion

Website

https://saxion.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Saxion) is a Dutch public hogeschool operating campuses in Enschede, Apeldoorn, and Deventer, serving 26,000+ students and 2,500+ staff through accredited higher professional education, applied research lectorates, corporate training, and entrepreneurship programs across East Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Enschede

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded Education: Primary revenue stream from Dutch government funding based on student enrollment numbers for full-time and part-time educational programs
2. Corporate Training and Education Services: Customized incompany training, professional development courses, and educational programs for businesses and organizations with subsidies available (e.g., SLIM scheme)
3. Research Grants: Funded research projects under national programs such as GroenvermogenNL hydrogen transition initiative and other applied research partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Saxion University of Applied Sciences delivers full-time and part-time higher professional education (HBO) across twelve academies, practice-based research through its lectoraten (research groups) organised around five strategic themes, and entrepreneurship support through Saxion Centrum voor Ondernemerschap. It also provides customized corporate training programs via Saxion Parttime School and delivers applied-research outputs (e.g., IECON IoT platform, embedded textiles, hydrogen transition projects) to regional businesses and institutional partners.

Product overview

Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Saxion) is a higher education institution with a 'Living Technology' focus, operating across three locations in Apeldoorn, Deventer, and Enschede. The institution serves over 26,000 students and employs more than 2,500 staff. Its portfolio consists of three interconnected pillars: future-oriented education (full-time and part-time programs), practice-based research conducted through lectorates (with focus areas including Ambient Intelligence, Applied Nanotechnology, circular economy, and health technology), and entrepreneurship support through the Centrum voor Ondernemerschap. Research lectorates like Ambient Intelligence develop IoT platforms and AI applications, while Applied Nanotechnology focuses on micro/nanoscale materials. Business services include corporate training, FastSwitch career transition programs, and Smart Solutions Semester projects. The institution also maintains Saxion Kunst (arts program) and participates in regional initiatives including a nuclear knowledge hub for Eastern Netherlands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Saxion Centrum voor Ondernemerschap (SCvO): Entrepreneurship center for students, staff, and alumni offering programs, traineeships, networking, and business development support.
• Saxion Parttime School
• FastSwitch
• Smart Solutions Semester
• Werkplaats Sociaal Domein Twente
• Saxion Kunst
• Saxion Parttime School
• Nuclear Knowledge Hub Oost-Nederland

Products and services

• Full-time and Part-time HBO Programs (Voltijd en Deeltijd Onderwijs) Full-time, part-time and dual higher professional education programs across multiple academies (including Hotel Management, Mechatronica, and others) for prospective HBO students, MBO graduates and working professionals. Enrolls more than 26,000 students; tuition is government-regulated (approximately €2,530/year for EU/EEA students).
• Practice-Based Research (Lectoraten) Research group (lectoraten) portfolio addressing societal and business questions across five strategic themes: Circular Innovation & Energy Transition, Health & Technology, Safety & Digitalisation, Key Technologies, and Social & Economic Innovation Methods. Includes the Ambient Intelligence and Applied Nanotechnology lectoraten.
• Ambient Intelligence Lectoraat Research group developing technology for a 'smart world' including sensor technology, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Focus areas: Connected Embedded Systems, Applied Data Science, and Augmented Interaction. Owns the proprietary IECON IoT platform for data acquisition, sensor fusion and distributed-systems experimentation.
• Applied Nanotechnology Lectoraat Research group focused on micro- and nanoscale materials, bringing together physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. Research lines include Circularity, More than Moore (quantum, photonics, MEMS), Molecular Sensor Technology, Lab-on-a-Chip, Nano4Crime, and Functional Surfaces.
• Saxion Centrum voor Ondernemerschap (SCvO) Entrepreneurship centre offering the Startup Entrepreneur minor, Scale-up Entrepreneur minor, Fast Forward Traineeship, LevelUp business coaching, startup financing services, networking and facilities. Supports 934 student entrepreneurs with 39 staff and 32 partners.
• Fast Forward Traineeship Traineeship connecting talented HBO and WO graduates with leading companies in Eastern Netherlands for professional development and career guidance.
• FastSwitch Career Switching Program Career-switching program for employers and professionals delivered through Saxion Parttime School, supporting lateral career transitions.
• Smart Solutions Semester Interdisciplinary project program in which students from different programs collaborate on real business challenges submitted by partner companies, providing companies with innovative solutions while offering students practical learning experiences.
• Bedrijfsopleidingen (Corporate Training) Customised corporate training and professional development programs delivered through Saxion Parttime School, including in-company courses, maatwerktrajecten (custom programs), and assistance with government training subsidies such as SLIM.
• Saxion Parttime School Part-time education division offering flexible, modular programs for working professionals, including FastSwitch career transition programs, custom trajectories and standalone courses.
• HiTex-project (Embedded Textiles) Four-year smart-textiles research project combining textile and electronic elements to develop functional textiles with integrated electronic systems (embedded textiles). Involves 14 educational institutions, textile companies and electronics companies, with €1M subsidy awarded.
• Regionale Nucleaire Kennishub Oost-Nederland Regional nuclear knowledge hub for Eastern Netherlands focusing on knowledge development, practice-based research, and talent development for industrial decarbonization, hydrogen conversion and nuclear energy integration.
• Saxion Kunst Arts initiative connecting art with education and research, including the Artist in Residence program, Saxion Kunstprijs (art prize for young artists) and Saxion Kunstcollectie (approximately 640 artworks across campus buildings, with exhibition spaces in Enschede F1.25 and Deventer D0.07).
• Smart Connected Bikes Research Research project developing technology to make cycling safer and more enjoyable using sensor technology and AI.
• Wellness Management Study Route New study route within the Hotel Management program, designed for professionals in the hospitality sector, with curriculum covering HR modules with preventive focus and collaboration with regional wellness facilities.
• Centrum voor Digitalisering (with StartupLab Apeldoorn) Digitalization centre supporting business and organizational digital transformation, integrated with the StartupLab Apeldoorn initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26,000+ students educated annually with broad perspective on professional practice
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 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

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Regionale Nucleaire Kennishub Oost-NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026National nuclear knowledge hub established by Saxion in East Netherlands, focusing on knowledge development, practice-based research, and talent development for industrial sustainability, hydrogen conversion, and nuclear energy integration. Part of NHKI program.
• H2Life (Green Hydrogen Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026NWO-funded project receiving €4.41 million for Eastern Netherlands to develop regional hydrogen innovation ecosystem and workforce development for green hydrogen transition.
• HELIX-West (Green Hydrogen Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026NWO-funded project receiving €4.45 million for Western Netherlands to develop regional hydrogen innovation ecosystem addressing projected shortfall of nearly 38,000 skilled professionals.
• LiviominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Healthcare organization partnering with Saxion Parttime School on work-study trajectories for lateral entrants in home care and elderly care.
• TriviumMeulenbeltZorgminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Healthcare organization partnering with Saxion Parttime School on lateral entry training programs in healthcare sector.
• MKB-bedrijven (SME Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaxion collaborates with small and medium enterprises on practice-based research, providing practical solutions while giving students real-world project experience. Partnerships cover various sectors including healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.
• Healthcare InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with healthcare organizations for practice-based research and workforce development programs, including lateral entry training for healthcare professionals.
• Smart Solutions Semester PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompanies and organizations that submit real business challenges for student project teams from different programs to solve collaboratively during Smart Solutions Semester.
• Werkplaats Sociaal Domein TwenteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform for social domain challenges where students and researchers work on societal issues in partnership with local organizations.
• O2Lab GelderlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional innovation lab partnership supporting entrepreneurship and business development activities.
• Onderwijsinnovatie HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational innovation partnership bringing together educational institutions to develop future-proof education approaches.
• HiTex Consortium (14 Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-year collaborative project involving 14 educational institutions, textile companies, and electronics companies working on functional textiles with integrated electronic systems (embedded textiles). Saxion received €1M subsidy for this project.
• Scania Production ZwolleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership with Scania's manufacturing facility focused on maintenance practices and workforce development using practical-oriented research.
• Ambient Intelligence Research Lectern PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustrial partners collaborating with the Ambient Intelligence research group on IoT, AI, and smart systems development. Partners include manufacturing companies and technology firms.
• Applied Nanotechnology Research PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborations with businesses, societal organizations, and universities on nanotechnology research including circularity, quantum technology, photonics, and biomedical applications.
• Lokale Overheden (Local Governments)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with local governments in East Netherlands to address regional societal challenges and contribute to economic vitality and livability.
• Onderwijsinstellingen Regio (Regional Educational Institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with other educational institutions in the region to work together on regional challenges and strengthen the educational ecosystem.
• NHL StendenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NHL Stenden on international hospitality education initiatives including EuroCHRIE conferences and international accreditation.
• Regieorgaan SIAcoreOthersResearch funding organization coordinating the Nuclear HBO Knowledge Infrastructure (NHKI) program on behalf of Ministry of Economic Affairs, supporting Saxion's nuclear knowledge hub development.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Avans University of Applied Sciences: Large Dutch hogeschool (Breda/Tilburg) with comparable practice-oriented programs and applied research centers serving regional SMEs and corporate clients.
• NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences: Dutch hogeschool explicitly partnered with Saxion on international hospitality education (EuroCHRIE conferences and joint accreditation). Comparable in size, scope, and government-funded applied research model, making it the closest direct counterpart.
• Hanze University of Applied Sciences: One of the largest Dutch hogescholen, also multi-campus, also publicly funded, also active in practice-based research and corporate training. Highly comparable in operating model and target segments.
• Fontys University of Applied Sciences: Major Dutch hogeschool based in Eindhoven with similar applied-research and part-time/corporate training portfolio. Competes for similar student demographics and applied-research grants.
• HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht: Large multi-campus Dutch hogeschool with comparable full-time/part-time programs and corporate training business under the publicly funded hogeschool model.
• Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences: Urban Dutch hogeschool with similar enrollment scale (~40k students), practice-based research groups, and corporate training offerings. Differentiated mainly by geography (Randstad vs. East Netherlands).
• Zuyd University of Applied Sciences: Mid-sized Dutch hogeschool (Heerlen/Maastricht) operating under similar publicly funded applied-research and corporate training model. Comparable scale and regional-anchor positioning.
• The Hague University of Applied Sciences: Another large Dutch hogeschool with comparable multi-faculty structure, applied research groups, and corporate training operations under the publicly funded model.
• Windesheim University of Applied Sciences: Zwolle-based Dutch hogeschool competing with Saxion for the same East Netherlands recruitment catchment and applied-research funding. Similar part-time and corporate training portfolio.

Regional players

• University of Twente: Research university in Enschede (Saxion's home city) with stronger focus on technical research. While a WO institution rather than HBO, it shares East Netherlands geography and competes for applied-research grants and industry partnerships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SaxionHogescholen
• Facebookfacebook.com/Saxion.NL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saxion-hogescholen
• Instagraminstagram.com/saxionnl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Saxion University of Applied Sciences