Health-RI

What Health-RI does

Health-RI (Stichting Health-RI) is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in 2020 and headquartered in Utrecht that builds and operates the national health data infrastructure for the Netherlands. It serves researchers, citizens/patients, healthcare providers, data holders (hospitals, biobanks, government bodies), policymakers, and healthcare industry innovators by enabling secondary use of health and life sciences data for research, policy, and innovation. The organization is the designated national coordinator for European Health Data Space (EHDS) implementation in the Netherlands, with a regulatory compliance deadline of 26 March 2029.

Its core technology is a federated hub-and-node architecture delivering three infrastructure pillars: the Nationale Gezondheidsdatacatalogus (National Health Data Catalogue) for metadata discovery, the Data Aanvraagservice (Data Request Service) for unified multi-organization requests, and a network of Veilige Verwerkingsomgevingen (Secure Processing Environments) for pseudonymous and federated analysis. Supporting layers include the Personal Health Train federated learning concept, TraIT data anonymization tools, the Nationaal Afsprakenstelsel (National Trust Framework), the ELSI Servicedesk for ethical/legal guidance, FAIR Metroline for FAIR-principle implementation guidance, and the Health-RI Academy for training. The infrastructure integrates BBMRI-NL, EATRIS-NL, ELIXIR-NL, DTL, TraIT, and the 130+ Technology Hotels into a unified ecosystem, with all Dutch UMCs acting as regional nodes.

Health-RI's business model is a hybrid public-private mix rather than commercial SaaS. Primary funding is a €69 million Nationaal Groeifonds (National Growth Fund) grant spread over approximately seven years from 2021 to 2027, supplemented by NWO funding (€4.5M for Digital Competence Centres), EU NextGenerationEU funding for the National Health Data Catalogue, co-funding and in-kind contributions from 70+ partner organizations (UMCs, ministries, research institutions), and modest freemium-to-quote-based service fees for data request processing and high-volume storage/compute use. Go-to-market is community-led: stakeholder coordination through working groups and governance structures, regional nodes, the annual Health-RI conference, the Health-RI Academy, the ELSI Servicedesk, and dedicated channels (LinkedIn, newsletter, Vimeo, Wiki consultations). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; basic services are free while paid services operate on tailor-made quotations with annual inflation adjustments.

Name

Health-RI

Legal name

Stichting Health-RI

Website

https://health-ri.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Health-RI is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating the national federated health data infrastructure for the Netherlands, serving researchers, citizens, UMCs, and policymakers, and designated as the national coordinator for EHDS implementation ahead of the 2029 deadline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Data Infrastructure

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)

SIC

Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Real-World Data (RWD) Platforms & Clinical Data Curation (HLACAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

De-identification, Tokenization & Privacy-Preserving Data Platforms (HLACAIAK), Health Information Exchange & Public Health Data Integration (HLAJAJAD), Data Governance, Standards & Interoperability (ICD, HL7/FHIR, LOINC, SNOMED) (HLAJAJAM), Consent, Authorization & Data Sharing Governance (opt-in/opt-out, DS4P) (HLACABAG)

Keywords

• Health data infrastructure
• Data catalogue services
• Federated data analysis
• FAIR data stewardship
• Health data sharing

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding (National Growth Fund): Health-RI receives primary funding through a 69 million euro grant from the Nationaal Groeifonds (National Growth Fund) allocated over approximately 7 years (2021-2027). The funding is intended for developing the national health data infrastructure. Additional European funding from NextGenerationEU supports the National Health Data Catalogue.
2. Service Fees (Paid Services): Some Health-RI services are provided free of charge while others require payment. Fees may be charged for data request processing (by Health-RI or by the data holder), additional service assistance, data processing support, or large-scale storage use. Quotes are provided via tailor-made offers or website price confirmations. Annual price adjustments align with inflation or changes in procurement costs.
3. Co-funding from Partners: Health-RI operates as a non-profit foundation (Stichting) and receives co-funding and in-kind contributions from partner organizations including university medical centers, research institutions, and government bodies, who participate in the shared infrastructure development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Health-RI operates a federated national health data infrastructure for the Netherlands, comprising the Nationale Gezondheidsdatacatalogus (National Health Data Catalogue) for dataset discovery, the Data Aanvraagservice (Data Request Service) for unified multi-holder data requests, and a network of secure processing environments. It enables secondary use of health and life sciences data for research, policy, and innovation while keeping data at source through the Personal Health Train concept, and provides governance via the Nationaal Afsprakenstelsel (National Trust Framework).

Product overview

Health-RI is a national health data infrastructure initiative that operates as a platform of interconnected services rather than a single product. The core infrastructure consists of the Nationale Gezondheidsdatacatalogus (National Health Data Catalogue) for dataset discovery, the Data Aanvraagservice (Data Request Service) for streamlined data requests, and Veilige Verwerkingsomgevingen (Secure Processing Environments) for safe data processing. Supporting services include the ELSI Servicedesk for ethical/legal guidance, the Health-RI Academy for training, and the Nationaal Gezondheidsdataportaal as the central access portal. Additional specialized services include the Personal Health Train for federated learning, FAIR Metroline for data stewardship guidance, Technology Hotels (130+ expert facilities), and various analysis tools including Molgenis, cBioPortal, and Erasmus MC Imaging Office. The infrastructure is governed by the Nationaal Afsprakenstelsel (National Trust Framework) and is funded by the National Growth Fund and NextGenerationEU.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ELSI Servicedesk: Guidance and answers to ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of health research, including support on GDPR, patient consent, data sharing, and secondary use of health data.
• Nationale Gezondheidsdatacatalogus (National Health Data Catalogue)
• Data Aanraagservice (Data Request Service)
• Nationaal Gezondheidsdataportaal (National Health Data Portal)
• Health-RI Academy

Products and services

• Nationale Gezondheidsdatacatalogus (National Health Data Catalogue) A centralized catalog where data holders publish metadata about their datasets, enabling data users (researchers, policymakers, innovators) to search and filter datasets for research reuse and to support EHDS compliance.
• Data Aanvraagservice (Data Request Service) A unified service allowing data users to submit a single application request for multiple datasets across different data holders, streamlining the previously complex multi-organization request process.
• Veilige Verwerkingsomgevingen (Secure Processing Environments) A network of secure processing environments where datasets are linked, pseudonymized, or anonymized and made available to approved researchers, ensuring sensitive health data is protected.
• ELSI Servicedesk A helpdesk providing guidance to researchers and institutions on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of health research, including consent procedures, data protection, GDPR compliance, and patient participation frameworks.
• Nationaal Gezondheidsdataportaal (National Health Data Portal) A central web portal providing access to Health-RI services including the data catalogue, data request service, Academy training, and Servicedesk support.
• Health-RI Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% lung cancer survival prediction accuracy using Personal Health Train models
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BBMRI.nlcoreTechnology or IntegrationBBMRI.nl (Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Netherlands) is the Dutch national node of the European research infrastructure for biobanking. Health-RI has integrated BBMRI.nl as part of its consolidated ecosystem, contributing expertise in biobank collections, sample management, and related metadata standards to the national health data infrastructure.
• EATRIS-NLcoreTechnology or IntegrationEATRIS-NL (European Research Infrastructure for Translational Medicine — Netherlands node) focuses on translational medicine capabilities. Health-RI incorporates EATRIS-NL expertise and services into its infrastructure offering, particularly in the life sciences domain.
• ELIXIR-NLcoreTechnology or IntegrationELIXIR-NL is the Dutch node of the European infrastructure for life sciences data. Health-RI integrates ELIXIR-NL's data standards, interoperability frameworks, and bioinformatics expertise into the national health data infrastructure.
• EOSC (European Open Science Cloud)coreTechnology or IntegrationEOSC is the European framework for open science data sharing. Health-RI participates in EOSC initiatives to ensure the Dutch health data infrastructure aligns with and contributes to European open science objectives and data sharing standards.
• DTL (Dutch Techonomy for Life Sciences)coreTechnology or IntegrationDTL coordinates life sciences research infrastructure and technology in the Netherlands, managing the Technology Hotels network of 130+ expert facilities. Health-RI integrates DTL services including the Technology Hotels catalogue and training programs into its service portfolio.
• Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI)coreTechnology or IntegrationGDI is a European initiative to enable cross-border access to genomic data across EU member states. Health-RI participates in GDI to ensure Dutch genomic data is integrated into the European genomic data landscape under EHDS.
• NictizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNictiz is the Dutch expertise center for electronic health information exchange. Health-RI collaborates with Nictiz to align national health data infrastructure standards with existing healthcare information exchange frameworks and eHealth standards.
• Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (VWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is a key government partner, providing policy alignment, co-funding, and regulatory coordination for the national health data infrastructure. Health-RI works with VWS on EHDS implementation, patient information tools (Gegevens Verbeteren Levens), and health data governance.
• Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat (EZK) and Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap (OCW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEZK and OCW, alongside VWS, signed a joint agreement with Health-RI for structurally improving the reuse of health data. These ministries provide cross-governmental coordination and funding alignment for the national health data infrastructure.
• COREONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOREON is the Dutch foundation for responsible life sciences research. Health-RI and COREON work closely together on the revised Code of Conduct for Health Research, with COREON supporting the ethical framework and ELSI guidance embedded in Health-RI services.
• Nederlandse Universitair Medische Centra (UMC's)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll Dutch university medical centers are founding partners of Health-RI, providing clinical data, biobank samples, research expertise, and governance participation. UMC's serve as regional nodes in the federated infrastructure and have collectively developed the COVID data portal as a proof of concept.
• RIVM (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIVM holds national public health data and participates in the health data ecosystem coordinated by Health-RI, contributing datasets to the national catalogue for secondary use in research and policy.
• CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatistics Netherlands holds socio-economic, environmental, and demographic data that can be linked to health data in pilot projects (e.g., diabetes research with Personal Health Train) to enable holistic health research combining clinical and population-level data.
• ZonMwminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZonMw is a Dutch health research funding organization that co-published a joint declaration with Health-RI recognizing the necessity of cooperation around a strong national health data infrastructure for FAIR data reuse.
• KWF and Health~HollandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society) and Health~Holland (Dutch Life Sciences & Health top sector) co-published a joint declaration with Health-RI and ZonMw on cooperation around the national health data infrastructure.
• InformatieberaadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Informatieberaad is a Dutch coordination body for healthcare information exchange standards. Health-RI collaborates with the Informatieberaad on shared themes including care standards, data exchange, and patient information and consent.
• Maatschappelijke Adviesraad (Public and Patient Advisory Committee)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth-RI's Public and Patient Advisory Committee ensures citizen and patient voices are represented in the design and governance of the health data infrastructure, providing recommendations on patient participation, information transparency, and community involvement.
• TraIT (Translational Research IT)coreTechnology or IntegrationTraIT, now an integral part of Health-RI, provides data anonymization tools (automatically removing patient names and ages from medical images such as CT and MRI scans) and data standardization tools that support researchers in making data FAIR.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Findata (Finnish Social and Health Data Permit Authority): Finland's national health and social data permit authority, operating as the designated gatekeeper for secondary use of health data under similar EHDS-aligned mandates. Both Health-RI and Findata function as national coordinators for healthcare data discoverability, request processing, and ELSI compliance for research.
• Danish Health Data Authority (Sundhedsdatastyrelsen): Denmark's national authority for health data infrastructure, providing centralized health registries, data access services, and cross-border secondary-use interfaces. Directly comparable as a national health data coordinator for secondary research use in a similarly-sized EU member state.
• Health Data Research UK (HDR UK): UK's national institute for health data science, coordinating federated data infrastructure, researcher access, and innovation partnerships across the country's health datasets. Comparable in mission, scale, and GTM as a public-funded national health data research platform outside the EU EHDS.
• Medical Informatics Initiative Germany (MII): German federal initiative developing data integration centers at university hospitals and a national federated health data infrastructure for research. Closely comparable architecture (federated nodes, university medical centers as hubs) and EHDS-readiness mandate.
• Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN): Swiss initiative coordinating health data interoperability and secondary-use infrastructure across university hospitals for personalized health research. Analogous mission, federated model, and ELSI/governance focus to Health-RI's mandate in the Netherlands.
• TEHDAS / European Health Data Space Coordination: EU-level joint action designing the implementation rules and secondary-use governance framework for EHDS, of which Health-RI is the Dutch national coordinator. Directly comparable as the supra-national layer that Health-RI's national infrastructure will plug into.

Broad incumbents

• ELIXIR: Pan-European research infrastructure for life-science data with national nodes in each country (ELIXIR-NL is one of Health-RI's core integrated partners). Comparable as a federated life-science data coordination body, though broader in scope than clinical health data.
• BBMRI-ERIC: European biobanking research infrastructure with extensive samples, data, and metadata across member states. BBMRI-NL is integrated into Health-RI as a Core partner, making BBMRI-ERIC a parent-of-partner with comparable governance and discovery functions for biomedical resources.

Emerging players

• Genomics England: UK-based genomics data infrastructure providing curated, consented genomic and clinical datasets for research. Comparable as a national-scale federated genomics platform aligned with EU's Genomic Data Infrastructure initiative, which Health-RI participates in.

Regional players

• Sciensano: Belgian public research and reference institute for animal and human health, which also coordinates health data and population health research initiatives including the Belgian EHDS pilot. Comparable as a neighboring national public health and data coordination body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Health-RI