What Karakter does

Karakter (legal entity: Stichting Karakter) is a Dutch academic specialist in child and youth psychiatry, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Ede, Netherlands. The organization provides specialized mental healthcare (SGGZ) to children and adolescents aged 0-18 with complex psychiatric conditions including ADHD, autism, anxiety, behavioral disorders, depression, OCD, and comorbid intellectual disabilities. Karakter serves patients across 12 physical locations in Gelderland, Overijssel, Noord-Brabant, and Limburg, with the patient base accessible nationally through referrals from general practitioners, youth doctors, medical specialists, social neighborhood teams, and certified youth protection institutions.

The service portfolio spans multiple modalities: home-based treatment (Behandeling thuis, Intensive Home Treatment), outpatient clinics (Poliklinische behandeling), part-time programs (Deeltijdbehandeling), intensive treatment centers with crisis admission (Intensief Behandelcentrum), school-based delivery (BINK), online e-health modules, and specialized units such as Centrum Jonge Kind (0-6 years), LVB en psychiatrie, and the iSense sensory processing program. Supporting infrastructure includes the Jouw Omgeving patient portal (web, iOS, Android apps), the Consultatielijn for professional phone consultations, and the Karakter Academie for accredited training. The digital stack is conventional web/mobile application technology without disclosed AI/ML capabilities, though WCAG Level AA accessibility compliance is a stated target.

Karakter operates as a foundation under Dutch law, funded through healthcare insurance reimbursements and municipal contracts (SGGZ framework), with the organization contracted regionally and nationally by all Dutch municipalities. Academic integration is centered on a deep collaboration with Radboudumc through its University Center locations, plus research partnerships with Amsterdam UMC (SENSORY-Kids) and funding from Hersenstichting. The organization holds multiple TOPGGz quality certifications, indicating compliance with stringent national standards for combining specialized clinical care with scientific research, innovation, and education. Marketing and demand generation occur primarily through a professional referral system, the Zorgdomein platform integration, professional and parent newsletters, organic social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube), podcasts, and the Karakter Academie training programs.

Name

Karakter

Legal name

Stichting Karakter

Website

https://karakter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Karakter is a Dutch academic specialist foundation providing specialized psychiatric care (SGGZ) to children and adolescents (0-18) with complex mental health conditions. It operates 12 locations across the Netherlands, delivering outpatient, home-based, school-based, intensive, and e-health treatment funded through Dutch health insurers and municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child and Youth Psychiatry Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists (621112), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Home Health Care Services (62161), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals & Units (HLAFACAB), Behavioral Health Skilled Home Health (Psychiatric Nursing) (HSABACAM), Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Therapy Platforms (ADHD/Autism/Behavioral Coaching) (HLALAEAJ)

Keywords

• Child youth psychiatry
• Mental healthcare services
• Psychiatric diagnostics treatment
• Specialized mental healthcare
• E-health patient portal

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialized Mental Healthcare Services: Karakter provides specialized mental healthcare (SGGZ) for children and adolescents with complex psychiatric problems, funded through healthcare insurance and municipal contracts. The organization is regionally and nationally contracted by all municipalities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Karakter provides specialized mental healthcare (SGGZ) for children and adolescents (0-18 years) with complex psychiatric problems across the Netherlands. Services span diagnostic assessment, multi-modal treatment (home-based, outpatient, part-time, intensive, school-based, and online/e-health), crisis care, second opinions, and professional consultations, complemented by academic research, professional training through Karakter Academie, and the Jouw Omgeving digital patient portal.

Product overview

Karakter is an academic specialist in child and youth psychiatry offering a comprehensive portfolio of mental health services for children and youth (0-18 years) across the Netherlands. The organization provides treatment through multiple modalities including home-based care (Behandeling thuis), outpatient clinics (Poliklinische behandeling), part-time treatment (Deeltijdbehandeling), intensive treatment centers with crisis admission (Intensief Behandelcentrum/IBC), school-based treatment (BINK), and online/e-health services. Specialized programs include Emotie Regulatie Training (ERT), Intensive Home Treatment (IHT), parent training, and care for specific populations such as the Centrum Jonge Kind (0-6 years), LVB en psychiatrie (intellectual disability and psychiatry), and sensory processing through the iSense program. Karakter operates the Jouw Omgeving digital patient portal (web and mobile apps), provides professional consultations via the Consultatielijn, and runs the Karakter Academie for professional education. The organization serves patients across 12 locations in Gelderland, Overijssel, Noord-Brabant, and Limburg, with academic collaboration through the Universitair Centrum with Radboudumc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Denkkracht: An initiative of Karakter that conducts research and provides advice on learning, concentration, planning, and information processing difficulties.
• Jouw Omgeving
• Karakter Academie

Products and services

• Behandeling thuis (Home-based treatment) Psychiatric treatment delivered at the patient's home, enabling care in the familiar home environment. Designed for children and adolescents with complex psychiatric conditions who benefit from receiving treatment in their own living context.
• Poliklinische behandeling (Outpatient treatment) Outpatient clinic-based psychiatric treatment involving consultations and therapies delivered at one of Karakter's clinical locations. Intended for children and adolescents referred by GPs or specialists for specialized mental healthcare.
• Deeltijdbehandeling (Part-time treatment) Part-time treatment program combining day programs at a clinical facility with home-based support. Designed for children and adolescents who need structured intervention without full-time residential admission.
• Intensief Behandelcentrum (IBC) / Crisisopname Intensive treatment center that also serves as a crisis admission facility for children and youth with high-complexity psychiatric issues. Provides acute, residential intervention for severe cases.
• Behandeling op school (BINK) Treatment delivered at the child's school, integrated into the educational environment. Targets children and adolescents whose psychiatric needs intersect with school functioning.
• Online behandeling / E-health Digital treatment programs including e-health modules accessible remotely. Enables psychiatric care delivery through online platforms for children, adolescents, and families.
• Intensive Home Treatment (IHT) Intensive home-based psychiatric treatment for acute situations aimed at preventing hospitalization. Provides flexible, crisis-responsive care at the patient's home.
• Centrum Jonge Kind (Young Child Center) Specialized care center for young children aged 0-6 years with psychiatric disorders or high-risk developmental concerns. TOPGGz certified; investigates what is happening and offers appropriate treatment.
• LVB en psychiatrie Specialized treatment for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (IQ 50-85) combined with psychiatric conditions. Addresses an extra-vulnerable population.
• iSense Treatment program for young children with severe sensory processing difficulties, developed in collaboration with parents. Available online and in-person, individually and in groups.
• Second opinion Expert evaluation service for complex cases where diagnosis or treatment progress is uncertain. Provides professional second opinions on pediatric psychiatric diagnoses.
• Jouw Omgeving Online patient portal with web application and iOS/Android apps that enables patients and families to access health records, treatment information, and Karakter services.
• Consultatielijn Phone consultation line for healthcare professionals to discuss suspected psychiatric issues in children and youth and obtain expert advice on referral and care.
• Karakter Academie Academy providing accredited training and continuing education for youth and education professionals. Supports ongoing professional development in child and youth psychiatry.
• FACT Jeugd Flexible Assertive Community Treatment team for youth with complex multi-domain problems. Delivered at home through cross-organizational teams including Pro Persona and Karakter.
• Intensieve Gezinsbehandeling (IPG) Intensive family treatment in which therapists visit the home to help the family cope with the child's psychiatric problems and support the family system.
• Emotie Regulatie Training (ERT) Specialized training program targeting emotional regulation difficulties in children and adolescents.
• Dialectische gedragstherapie (DBT)

Named customers1 record

Segments3 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RadboudumccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep collaboration between Karakter's University Center locations (Arnhem, Doetinchem, Nijmegen, Tiel, Uden, Venlo) and Radboudumc. This partnership combines academic research with clinical care in child and youth psychiatry.
• Amsterdam UMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership led by Prof. Dr. Hilgo Bruining of Amsterdam UMC in the SENSORY-Kids national research project on sensory processing problems in children. Karakter's Dr. Martine van Dongen-Boomsma serves as co-lead investigator.
• Hersenstichting (Brain Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hersenstichting invested nearly 3 million euros in the SENSORY-Kids national research project that Karakter participates in, focusing on overprikkeling (sensory processing) in children.
• Harreveld (part of iHub)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration where Karakter's clinical psychologist Rint de Jong was detached for 1.5 years to build bridges to youth care. Together they developed treatment and guidance toward more custom-fit care for youth.
• Kenniscentrum KJP (Knowledge Center Child and Youth Psychiatry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKarakter is a member of the Knowledge Center for Child and Youth Psychiatry, contributing to knowledge development and sharing in the field.
• Kenniscentrum LVB (Knowledge Center Intellectual Disabilities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKarakter participates in the Knowledge Center for Intellectual Disabilities, contributing expertise on the intersection of LVB and psychiatry.
• KiECON (Kinderexpertisecentrum Oost Nederland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKarakter Enschede and Hengelo participate in KiECON, coordinating diagnostics for children 0-7 years from one central point in East Netherlands, involving multiple care institutions.
• FACT Jeugd TeamsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative teams including Pro Persona and Karakter for youth with complex problems across multiple life domains. FACT teams work with the best professionals with one goal: real change in clients' lives.
• DenkkrachtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn initiative of Karakter that conducts research and provides advice for children with learning, concentration, planning, or information processing problems.
• AccareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Accare for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for youth aged 13-18 with emotion regulation problems and/or borderline personality disorder characteristics.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Youz (Parnassia Groep): Youz is Parnassia's youth mental health brand, providing specialized GGZ for children and adolescents across the Randstad. Overlaps directly with Karakter in patient segments (ADHD, autism, anxiety, trauma) and treatment modalities.
• Accare: Accare is a Dutch academic center for child and youth psychiatry based in the north of the Netherlands, offering comparable diagnostic, treatment and crisis services. Karakter and Accare are co-collaborators on DBT for adolescents, indicating direct overlap in clinical model and target population.
• De Jutters (Parnassia Groep): De Jutters is the child and youth psychiatry provider for the Haaglanden region under Parnassia, offering diagnostics, treatment and crisis care for children and adolescents. Same clinical scope and Dutch SGGZ funding model as Karakter.
• Curium – LUMC Academische Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie: Curium is the academic center for child and youth psychiatry affiliated with Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Comparable to Karakter's Radboudumc-linked University Center in combining research, education and complex clinical care.
• Levvel: Levvel is an Amsterdam-based specialist in child and youth mental health and youth protection, combining GGZ with social services. Comparable in offering integrated, multidisciplinary care for complex pediatric psychiatric cases in a Dutch urban context.
• Lucertis (Parnassia Groep): Lucertis is the specialized child and youth psychiatry division of Parnassia Groep, operating across multiple Dutch regions with a similar mix of outpatient, inpatient and crisis services. Closest direct competitor in terms of academic positioning and nationwide SGGZ contracting.

Broad incumbents

• Emergis: Emergis is a regional Dutch GGZ provider in Zeeland with a youth mental health portfolio. Comparable services in SGGZ-funded child psychiatry but smaller geographic footprint and less academic specialization.
• GGZ inGeest: GGZ inGeest is a large Dutch mental health provider (VUmc affiliated) offering both adult and youth GGZ services. Comparable in the pediatric segment but a broader, less specialized player in youth psychiatry.
• Dimence Groep: Dimence is a Dutch GGZ provider offering mental health services across multiple age groups, including a youth division. Broader incumbent with overlapping pediatric psychiatry services but less academic-specialist positioning than Karakter.

Regional players

• Fivoor (voorheen De Kijvelanden): Fivoor is a Dutch GGZ provider with a youth division offering forensic and complex psychiatric care for young people. Partial overlap in complex pediatric psychiatry, particularly high-intensity and crisis cases, though with a stronger forensic tilt than Karakter.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/karakterkjp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLcYZWxfoxcEVYmD2sdey3w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/karakter-kinder--en-jeugdpsychiatrie
• Instagraminstagram.com/wijzijnkarakter
• Facebookfacebook.com/karakterkjp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Karakter