Social Enterprise NL
Social Enterprise NL is the leading Dutch national network organization for social enterprises, serving approximately 500 member organizations with learning programs, procurement platforms (Buy Social), mentorship, impact measurement, and policy advocacy to advance the Netherlands' social enterprise ecosystem.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Social Enterprise NL does
Social Enterprise NL is the leading national network organization for social enterprises in the Netherlands, founded in 2012 by Willemijn Verloop and Mark Hillen with an initial cohort of 50 entrepreneurs. The organization serves as the central connective infrastructure for the Dutch social enterprise ecosystem, supporting nearly 500 member organizations as of 2026 by providing learning programs, procurement connections, mentorship, impact measurement support, marketing assistance, and policy advocacy. Membership is open to social entrepreneurs operating on an 'impact first' basis, and the organization extends its reach to secondary stakeholder segments including government bodies, financial institutions, and knowledge institutions.
The product portfolio spans membership services, structured programs, marketplaces, and content. Core infrastructure includes the Buy Social marketplace platform (buy-social.nl) and Social Impact Market, which connect member social enterprises with public and private procurement opportunities. Specialized programs include All-in (inclusivity barriers), Futureproof (impact entrepreneurship training for ages 18-29, co-developed with Starters, Fawaka Ondernemersschool, and Social Impact Factory), Ondernemen met je Buurt (community-based impact), Grow Impact (90-day acceleration), Meet Your Mentor (expert pairing), Expeditie Impact (impact measurement), and the Influencers online course developed with Social Change Innovators and Catalyst 2030. The organization also publishes the Code Sociale Ondernemingen sector framework and runs the Butterfly Award recognition program (with Fred Foundation, awarding €12,345.67 to recipients) and the Systeem op de Schop podcast (52 episodes) hosted by Stefan Panhuijsen.
The business model combines recurring membership fees from social enterprises with partnership and sponsorship contributions. Founding partners Stichting DOEN and PwC have supported the organization since 2012, with Unive serving as general partner; historical founding partners Anton Jurgens Fonds (until 2018), CMS (until 2019), and ABN AMRO (until 2024) have rotated out. The organization operates with a small team (1-10 FTE) based at Cabralstraat 1, 1057 CD Amsterdam, in the MidWest co-working space, and is privately held with no parent entity or external investment identified.
Social Enterprise NL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Social Enterprise NL
- Legal name
- Social Enterprise NL
- Website
- https://social-enterprise.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Social Enterprise NL is the leading Dutch national network organization for social enterprises, serving approximately 500 member organizations with learning programs, procurement platforms (Buy Social), mentorship, impact measurement, and policy advocacy to advance the Netherlands' social enterprise ecosystem.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Social Enterprise NL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Enterprise Network & Impact Ecosystem Services
- NAICS
- Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Other Social Advocacy Organizations (813319)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Institutional Capacity Building & Training (Workforce/Systems Strengthening) (BPADAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)
Keywords
Where Social Enterprise NL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Social Enterprise NL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: Social Enterprise NL generates revenue through membership fees from social enterprises. Members receive support with finding financing, mapping societal impact, and marketing strategy.
- Partnership and sponsorship: Supported by founding partners (Stichting DOEN, PwC), general partner (Unive), and project partners who provide funding and resources.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Social Enterprise NL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Social Enterprise NL operates the leading Dutch national learning network for social enterprises, serving nearly 500 member organizations. It provides member support (financing guidance, impact mapping, marketing strategy sharpening), structured growth and mentorship programs (Expeditie Impact, Grow Impact, Meet Your Mentor), training initiatives (Futureproof, Influencers, All-in, Ondernemen met je Buurt), and the Buy Social / Social Impact Market procurement platforms connecting social enterprises with public and private buyers.
Product overview
Social Enterprise NL operates as the national network and accelerator for social enterprises in the Netherlands, managing a portfolio of interconnected programs and platforms. The core offering is a learning network supporting nearly 500 member organizations, complemented by specialized programs including the All-in inclusivity initiative, Influencers online course, Futureproof youth entrepreneurship training, and Ondernemen met je Buurt community program. Supporting infrastructure includes the Buy Social marketplace platform for public and private procurement, the Social Impact Market for connecting buyers with social enterprises, and the Code Sociale Ondernemingen framework providing standards for the sector. Growth support is delivered through Expeditie Impact (impact measurement training), Grow Impact (90-day acceleration), and Meet Your Mentor (expert pairing). Recognition and advocacy are supported via the Butterfly Award and the Systeem op de Schop podcast series.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Social Enterprise NL Network (Membership) The membership-based national learning network for Dutch social enterprises, providing access to financing guidance, impact measurement support, marketing strategy sharpening, masterclasses, meet-ups, and knowledge groups for nearly 500 member organizations.
- Buy Social Platform A marketplace platform (buy-social.nl) that connects member social enterprises with public and private procurement buyers, enabling purchasing of social goods and services.
- Social Impact Market An online platform connecting purchasers with social enterprises, enabling public procurement of social goods and services.
- Expeditie Impact A practical learning program in which social enterprises work on measuring their impact under professional guidance, organized around themes including labor participation.
- Grow Impact A 90-day intensive program that helps social enterprises accelerate growth and strategic decision-making with expert support.
- Meet Your Mentor A two-month mentorship program pairing social entrepreneurs with experts to address specific business challenges and questions.
- Futureproof A free training program on impact entrepreneurship for individuals aged 18-29, run jointly by Starters, Fawaka Ondernemersschool, Social Impact Factory and Social Enterprise NL.
- Influencers Project A free online course developed in collaboration with Social Change Innovators (SCI) and Catalyst 2030 to help social entrepreneurs develop their influence and impact capabilities.
- All-in Program An initiative aimed at making the social enterprise movement more inclusive by addressing barriers faced by potential social entrepreneurs.
- Ondernemen met je Buurt A national program that helps neighborhood residents create societal and sustainable impact, sharing knowledge and supporting community-based initiatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Network grown from 50 founding members in 2012 to nearly 500 social enterprises in 2026
Companies that use Social Enterprise NL
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Social Enterprise NL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Social Enterprise NL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PwCcoreFounding partner contributing solutions to societal challenges. Has provided knowledge and expertise for social enterprise sector since 2012.
- CMSminorSupported Social Enterprise NL as founding partner until 2019. Provided legal support including model articles of association.
- FutureproofcoreFree training program for impact entrepreneurship for people aged 18-29, established by Starters, Fawaka Ondernemersschool, Social Impact Factory and Social Enterprise NL.
- LSA BewonersminorNetwork of resident groups, community centers, Resident Companies and cooperatives supporting local initiatives.
- Schuttelaar LawminorLegal advisors supporting companies committed to a better world. Provides services to Social Enterprise NL members.
- Grant ThorntonminorImpact experts translating societal goals into tangible results. Supports social entrepreneurs, NGOs and government bodies.
- BoardCompanionscoreNetwork of experienced executives providing pro bono support to social enterprises on growth, transition, impact, strategy, financing and performance questions. Active at 15 Social Enterprise NL members.
- Social Impact FactoryminorNetwork partner supporting social enterprises through workspace and programs.
- Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF)minorInternational network partner connecting to global social enterprise movement.
- Impact Hub AmsterdamminorNetwork partner providing co-working and acceleration services for impact entrepreneurs.
- Social Enterprise UKminorUK network partner for social enterprises, enabling cross-border knowledge exchange.
- Erasmus University RotterdamminorAcademic network partner contributing research and education to social enterprise ecosystem.
- Utrecht UniversityminorAcademic network partner, home to first chair in Social Entrepreneurship in Netherlands.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Social Enterprise NL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Yunus Social Business: Organization supporting social businesses globally through funding and advisory. Comparable mission of advancing impact-first enterprises; differs by being more funding-driven than community-driven.
- B Lab (B Corporation): Global nonprofit certifying B Corps and building a community of purpose-driven businesses. Comparable through a community-and-standards model (akin to Code Sociale Ondernemingen) applied to a broader business audience.
Regional players
- MVO Nederland: Dutch network and knowledge organization for sustainable and socially responsible business. Operates in the same Dutch market with overlapping themes (CSR, responsible procurement) and partially overlapping membership base.
- Social Impact Factory: Dutch organization providing workspace and acceleration programs for social enterprises. Direct local peer in the Netherlands and an existing partner of SENL.
Direct peers
- Impact Hub Network: Global network of impact-focused co-working spaces and accelerators for social entrepreneurs. Directly comparable as a community/network organization supporting social enterprises with programs and partnerships, and even operates Impact Hub Amsterdam in the same Dutch market.
- Social Enterprise UK: The UK's national membership network for social enterprises — operates the most direct functional analogue to Social Enterprise NL, providing member services, policy advocacy, and a Buy Social-style procurement platform.
- Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF): International social-enterprise network and conference organizer. SENL is an existing partner; SEWF serves the same membership of social entrepreneurs globally and competes for partner mindshare and visibility.
- Euclid Network: European network for social enterprise support organizations. Operates at the same layer as SENL — a network of national social-enterprise intermediaries — making it a direct institutional peer.
Broad incumbents
- Ashoka: Global organization supporting leading social entrepreneurs through fellowships and a worldwide network. Operates at greater scale and broader geographic scope, but serves an overlapping population of social entrepreneurs.
- Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship: World Economic Forum-affiliated foundation that curates a community of social entrepreneurs and engages corporate and government stakeholders. Comparable mission of advancing social enterprise ecosystems.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Social Enterprise NL social profiles
Digital presenceSocial Enterprise NL compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Social Enterprise NL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Social Enterprise NL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Social Enterprise NL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Social Enterprise NL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Social Enterprise NL
What does Social Enterprise NL do?
Social Enterprise NL operates the leading Dutch national learning network for social enterprises, serving nearly 500 member organizations. It provides member support (financing guidance, impact mapping, marketing strategy sharpening), structured growth and mentorship programs (Expeditie Impact, Grow Impact, Meet Your Mentor), training initiatives (Futureproof, Influencers, All-in, Ondernemen met je Buurt), and the Buy Social / Social Impact Market procurement platforms connecting social enterprises with public and private buyers.
Is Social Enterprise NL a public or private company?
Social Enterprise NL is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Social Enterprise NL founded?
Social Enterprise NL was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Social Enterprise NL based?
Social Enterprise NL is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Social Enterprise NL make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership fees are the primary driver. The others are partnership and sponsorship.
Who are Social Enterprise NL's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Yunus Social Business and B Lab (B Corporation). Regional players are MVO Nederland and Social Impact Factory. Direct peers are Impact Hub Network, Social Enterprise UK, Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and Euclid Network. Broad incumbents are Ashoka and Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
Does Social Enterprise NL have an API?
No public API is recorded for Social Enterprise NL.
What industry is Social Enterprise NL in?
Social Enterprise NL's product category is Social Enterprise Network & Impact Ecosystem Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAC, Institutional Capacity Building & Training (Workforce/Systems Strengthening), with a secondary code of BPADANAB, Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels. Its NAICS code is 8139 and its SIC code is 8600.