LOI

What LOI does

LOI (Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen B.V.) is a Dutch private educational institution founded in 1923 that delivers government-recognized flexible online distance learning to adult learners and corporate clients in the Netherlands. Its portfolio spans more than 900 programs across 30+ subject areas, including MBO diplomas (Niveau 2–4), NVAO-accredited HBO Bachelor, Associate Degree, and Master programs (MBA, MSc, MFC, HRM), short vocational courses, professional certifications (Wft, SVPB, SKJ), and language training in more than 20 languages. Programs are delivered through LOI Campus, a proprietary learning management system providing 24/7 access, progress tracking, direct teacher contact, and flexible examinations at 16+ Dutch locations.

The business runs a dual go-to-market. The B2C arm targets individual working adults through loi.nl with self-service enrollment, monthly subscription tuition (typically €99–€379/module/month), optional ~3% lump-sum discount, and pass-through external examination fees. The B2B arm, LOI Zakelijk, serves employers and government organizations (including KPN, LUMC, GGZ Rivierduinen, Cordaan, Aloysius Stichting, Bender, Derec, and TriUnity) through dedicated account managers offering group enrollments, maatwerk training, EVC pathways, and side-entrance (zij-instroom) trajectories addressing labor shortages in healthcare and education. The company also operates LOI Kidzz as a wholly-owned subsidiary for children's education. Regulatory recognition is foundational: OCW recognition, NVAO accreditation, RIO registration, NRTO membership, and a positive April 2025 assessment from the Inspectie van het Onderwijs collectively form the basis for issuing legally equivalent Dutch diplomas.

Commercial performance is supported by a multi-channel marketing engine combining SEO, content marketing, study-choice tools (opleidingszoeker, beroepskeuzetest, Carrière APK), newsletters, social media, and PR-driven student testimonials. An independent 7.8/10 rating across 2,476 student reviews on Feedback Company indicates durable customer satisfaction. The company employs 501–1,000 staff, is headquartered in Leiden (Leiderdorp), Netherlands, and operates as an independent B.V. with no disclosed parent, private equity sponsor, or institutional investor.

Name

LOI

Legal name

Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen B.V.

Website

https://loi.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

LOI (Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen) is a Dutch private online education provider founded in 1923 that delivers more than 900 government-recognized MBO, HBO Bachelor, Master, course, and language programs to working adults and corporate clients via its LOI Campus platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Leiderdorp

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Course and Program Tuition: LOI generates revenue primarily from tuition fees paid by individual students for courses, programs, and full diploma programs (MBO, HBO, Master). Students pay per module/month or in a lump sum with a small discount. Pricing varies by program length and level.
2. Corporate Training (LOI Zakelijk): LOI Zakelijk provides employer-funded group enrollments, custom training programs, and maatwerk (tailored) training solutions to businesses and government organizations. Revenue is generated through employer contracts and group pricing.
3. External Examination Fees: Separate fees are charged for external certification examinations administered by partner bodies (SVPB, NIBE-SVV, NVAO, etc.), which are passed through to students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LOI (Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen) is a Dutch private educational institution that delivers over 900 government-recognized online distance-learning programs across MBO, HBO Bachelor, Associate Degree, and Master levels, plus vocational courses, language courses in 20+ languages, and professional certification tracks (Wft, SVPB, SKJ). It also operates LOI Zakelijk, a separate B2B unit providing employer-sponsored custom training, EVC pathways, and side-entrance (zij-instroom) trajectories for companies and government organizations.

Product overview

LOI (Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen) is een Nederlandse onderwijsaanbieder met meer dan 100 jaar ervaring die flexibel online onderwijs biedt. Het productportfolio omvat wettelijk erkende MBO-opleidingen (niveau 2, 3 en 4), NVAO-geaccrediteerde HBO-bacheloropleidingen, en masteropleidingen via LOI Hogeschool. Daarnaast biedt LOI een breed scala aan korte HBO-programma's en beroepsgerichte cursussen in ruim 30 vakgebieden, waaronder AI-gerelateerde cursussen (AI op het werk en prompting, Inleiding cybersecurity), financiële cursussen (Wft-opleidingen), en talencursussen in 20 talen. Het aanbod wordt geleverd via het LOI Campus online leerplatform en omvat ook VWO-HAVO-VMBO deelcertificaten, LOI Zakelijk voor bedrijfstrainingen, en subsidies zoals SLIM Scholingssubsidie en Levenlanglerenkrediet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LOI Hogeschool: Higher education division offering HBO and Master programs with NVAO accreditation
• LOI Zakelijk
• LOI Kidzz

Products and services

• MBO-opleidingen (Niveau 2, 3, 4) Fully recognized Dutch vocational education (MBO) programs at Niveau 2, 3, and 4 covering fields such as Healthcare, ICT, Administration, Pedagogy, and Security, delivered online for working adults seeking a government-recognized diploma.
• HBO-bachelor opleidingen NVAO-accredited higher professional education (HBO) bachelor programs delivered online, including Applied Psychology, Law, Social Work, Teacher Training (PABO), and Commercial Economics, for working adults pursuing a recognized Dutch HBO bachelor degree.
• Masteropleidingen (MBA, MSc) NVAO-accredited master-level programs including MBA, Master Finance & Control (MFC), Master HRM, and Master Applied Psychology, delivered online for professionals seeking an officially recognized Dutch master's degree.
• HBO-programma's en Associate degrees Shorter HBO programs composed of one or more modules from full bachelor degrees, plus 2-year HBO Associate degrees, for learners seeking a recognized credential without committing to a full bachelor track.
• Cursussen Vocational courses across 30+ subject areas including AI, cybersecurity, languages, administration, and marketing, targeted at working professionals seeking specific skills or short credentials.
• Taalcursussen Self-paced language courses in 20 languages at multiple levels from beginner to advanced, including Dutch as a Second Language (NT2), English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, and others, for individual learners and professionals.
• VWO-HAVO-VMBO Deelcertificaten Modular partial certificates (deelcertificaten) for VWO, HAVO, and VMBO tracks that allow adults to assemble a full Dutch secondary school diploma subject by subject at their own pace.
• LOI Zakelijk Separate B2B sub-brand providing employer-funded corporate training solutions including maatwerk (custom) trajectories, verkorte opleidingen (shortened programs), EVC (prior learning) certification pathways, and zij-instroom (side-entrance) trajectories for healthcare and education sector employers.
• HBO-programma Ontwikkelingspsychologie Short HBO program providing in-depth study of lifelong psychological development, accredited by the Kwaliteitsregister Jeugd (SKJ) and awarding 106.5 SKJ accreditation points toward mandatory 5-yearly re-registration for youth care professionals.
• AI op het werk en prompting Practical course teaching effective AI prompting techniques and how to apply generative AI tools in workplace settings, targeted at working professionals looking to improve productivity with AI.
• Inleiding cybersecurity Foundational cybersecurity course that teaches risk analysis and threat mitigation based on the NEN-ISO/IEC 27002 information security standard, with exams schedulable on any working day at 16+ Dutch locations.
• Wft Vermogen Course preparing financial services professionals for the official NIBE-SVV Wft Vermogen examination, covering life insurance, asset insurance, and wealth accumulation advisory topics required by the Dutch Financial Supervision Act.
• Havenbeveiliging Course preparing security personnel for the SVPB-certified Havenbeveiliger (Port Security) exam, mandatory since 2024 for individuals working in port security roles in the Netherlands.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 90% subsidy available through SLIM Scholingssubsidie for qualifying sectors (care, education, childcare, ICT)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NVAO (Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOI Hogeschool's programs are accredited by NVAO, the independent Dutch-Flemish accreditation body for higher education. This accreditation is a legal requirement for issuing recognized HBO and Master diplomas and is a fundamental component of LOI's value proposition.
• Ministerie van OCW (Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll full MBO, HBO, and Master programs of LOI are recognized by the Dutch Ministry of Education. Recognition by OCW enables LOI to issue legally recognized diplomas that carry the same status as those from public institutions.
• Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOI programs are registered in RIO (Register Instellingen en Opleidingen) administered by DUO. This registration is required for legal recognition of diplomas and enables students to access government financing schemes such as Levenlanglerenkrediet.
• NRTO (Nederlandse Raad voor Training en Opleiding)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOI is a member of NRTO, the Dutch umbrella organization for private training providers. Membership requires adherence to the NRTO code of conduct and compliance with quality and professionalism standards. Members have access to the NRTO disputes committee for conflict resolution.
• Inspectie van het OnderwijscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Education Inspectorate conducts periodic quality reviews of LOI's MBO programs. In April 2025, the Inspectorate expressed satisfaction with LOI's MBO College quality assurance system.
• NIBE-SVVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWft (Wet financieel toezicht) examinations are administered by NIBE-SVV, a CDFD-recognized examination body. NIBE-SVV offers exams at 20 locations across 18 Dutch cities. This partnership enables LOI to offer officially certified Wft programs.
• SVPB (Stichting Examinering Vakbekwaamheidsbewijzen Particuliere Beveiliging)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVPB is the certification body for the Dutch private security sector. LOI offers SVPB-recognized courses including Havenbeveiliging (Port Security) and Certificaat Beveiliging B. SVPB certification is mandatory for certain security roles.
• Branch Organizations and Exam Bodies (SVM NIVO, Associatie voor Examinering, NIRPA, BGN, NGS, NBPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOI collaborates with multiple industry bodies, professional associations, and examination organizations including SVM NIVO, Associatie voor Examinering, NIRPA, BGN (Beroepsvereniging Gewichtsconsulenten Nederland), NGS, and NBPO. These partnerships ensure that LOI's vocational courses align with industry-recognized standards and lead to branch-certified diplomas.
• Kwaliteitsregister Jeugd (SKJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOI's youth care programs are accredited by SKJ, enabling graduates and participants to earn official SKJ accreditation points required for 5-yearly re-registration. Programs such as HBO-programma Ontwikkelingspsychologie carry SKJ accreditation (e.g., accreditation number SKJ218054, granting 106.5 points).
• GGZ RivierduinencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGGZ Rivierduinen partnered with LOI Zakelijk to create a side-entrance (zij-instroom) training trajectory for people wanting to transition into mental healthcare. The program includes a learning-work placement, salary, and guaranteed employment upon completion.
• KPNcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKPN uses LOI Zakelijk for employee training programs and has won a global award for talent development. KPN is a reference customer for LOI's corporate training services.
• LUMC (Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLUMC uses LOI Zakelijk for customized training solutions for its staff. LUMC Head of Training Brigit Zwartendijk is quoted praising LOI's flexibility and rapid adaptation capabilities.
• TriUnityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTriUnity, a foundation supporting autistic youth with normal to high intelligence, uses LOI Zakelijk for custom-made education programs tailored to its target group.
• CordaancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCordaan, a Dutch healthcare organization, partnered with LOI Zakelijk to create specialized upskilling trajectories for care workers, enabling them to expand their roles within the organization.
• Aloysius StichtingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Aloysius Stichting (special education foundation) uses LOI Zakelijk's EVC-trajecten to efficiently certify staff members as qualified teachers.
• Bender (Healthcare Detachment Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBender partnered with LOI Zakelijk to offer MBO-to-HBO upskilling pathways for detached care professionals, enabling career progression from MBO-verpleegkundige to HBO level.
• Derec (Education Recruitment/Detachment Agency)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDerec uses LOI Zakelijk to train non-education professionals to become qualified teachers through custom PABO trajectories, addressing the national teacher shortage.
• EVC Nederland, Bureau STERK, LibereauxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOI accepts EVC (Ervaringscertificaten) certificates only from three approved EVC bureaus: EVC Nederland, Bureau STERK, and Libereaux. These EVC certificates can be used to apply for exemptions for parts of LOI programs.
• Erasmus+ STEPS4EU ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOI Hogeschool's lector Gilbert Silvius is involved in the international Erasmus+ STEPS4EU project, connecting LOI with European educational institutions and international research collaboration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NHA Opleidingen: NHA (Nederlandse Handels-Academie) is one of the closest direct competitors to LOI in the Dutch distance learning market, offering comparable MBO, HBO, and short courses via online/self-paced formats to working adults. Operates on the same D2C subscription-style pricing model with overlapping subject areas.
• Laudius: Laudius is a Dutch private distance learning institution offering accredited MBO, HBO, and short courses to working adults, directly competing with LOI on price, content breadth, and online delivery. Targets the same working-adult segment seeking flexible recognized credentials.
• NTI: NTI (Nederlands Talen Instituut) is a Dutch online education provider offering MBO, HBO, and short courses with a similar self-paced model to LOI. Directly competes for working-adult learners seeking government-recognized credentials through flexible online study.
• Capabel Onderwijs: Capabel Onderwijs is a Dutch vocational distance learning provider focused on healthcare, education, and social work MBO programs—overlapping directly with several of LOI's strongest corporate training segments (GGZ, Cordaan-style care worker pathways).
• Schouten & Nelissen: Schouten & Nelissen is a major Dutch corporate training and personal development provider, competing with LOI Zakelijk for the B2B L&D budget of Dutch employers. Offers comparable accredited training programs and maatwerk solutions to enterprise clients.
• ISBW: ISBW is a Dutch private business school offering HBO and short courses in business, management, and entrepreneurship via distance learning—directly competing with LOI's commercial/economics HBO programs for working professionals seeking flexible credentials.

Broad incumbents

• Open Universiteit: The Open Universiteit is the Dutch public distance-learning university offering accredited HBO and Master programs to working adults. As a publicly funded institution, it competes with LOI Hogeschool's HBO/Master offerings but with a different cost structure and broader academic positioning.
• Coursera: Coursera is a global online learning platform partnering with universities and companies to offer courses, certificates, and degrees. While not directly competing in Dutch-recognized MBO/HBO programs, it competes for the same working-adult learner's attention and discretionary learning spend, particularly in IT and business categories.
• Udemy Business: Udemy Business is a global online learning marketplace with a strong B2B channel (LOI Zakelijk's competitive set) selling curated course libraries to enterprises for employee development. Represents international price competition for non-accredited short-course segments.

Others

• Springest: Springest is a Dutch training marketplace and comparison platform where corporate L&D buyers discover training providers including LOI Zakelijk. Functions as an indirect channel/competitor shaping B2B buyer awareness in the Dutch training market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LOIonderwijs
• Facebookfacebook.com/LOI.opleidingen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/loi
• Instagraminstagram.com/leidseonderwijsinstellingen
• TikToktiktok.com/@loi_nl

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 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 LOI