DDF People

What DDF People does

DDF People B.V. is a privately held Dutch startup incubator and shared-services holding company headquartered at Europa-Allee 6, 8265 VB Kampen, Netherlands. It originated from Werkis, an employment agency founded in 2008, and was formally established as DDF People in 2018 with seven initial member companies. The organization now operates as a network of 22+ wholly-owned member companies across the Human Capital (Werkis, Bureau Techniek, QOORE, Code Deta, Higher Skills, Home of Hiring, Hurde Wurkers), Growth & Strategy (Brainpink, De Positie, Meester en Meester, Green Resource Group, Iconics Management, Capital Spring, Generatie Morgen), and Digital Infrastructure (Club ICT, Creativeorange, Techstart, Etran, Licht Twee, Bildning, Shaer Group, Degave, Kinderopvangleert) sectors, plus the football-themed ventures PEC Zwolle Werkt, sc Heerenveen Werkt, and FC Utrecht Werkt, and DDF Business Support as the shared services entity. Member companies collectively employ 300+ people across 34 locations in North and Central Netherlands and have grown at a stated 23% rate.

The core service offering is DDF Business Support, a centralized service organization providing Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities, and Backoffice support to all members on a fixed per-employee monthly subscription model with optional modular add-ons (extended legal, additional IT, specialized HR consulting). New entrepreneurs receive a starter package in year one before transitioning to the base package. Beyond shared services, DDF People provides seed investment (equity stakes in successful member companies), management coaching through the DDF People Management Programma (masterclasses on strategy, innovation, leadership, plus business coaching delivered with partner Stay Future Proof since 2023), and personal development programming. The underlying technology platform is AFAS software, implemented in 2021 as the operational backbone, supplemented by Google Analytics and Hotjar for website analytics. There is no public API, no proprietary AI/ML capability, and no software product sold externally.

The go-to-market is a structured four-step process: entrepreneurs apply through ddfpeople.nl, are reviewed by experienced entrepreneurs and mentors, invited to pitch at the Kampen headquarters, and if selected are matched with relevant DDF People members and investors. Distribution is regional (North and Central Netherlands) and heavily referral-driven, reinforced by annual events (padel tournaments, beach volleyball, summer drinks, year-end celebrations) and a LinkedIn/newsletter presence. The organization has demonstrated active M&A and ecosystem buildout, with notable transactions including the 2026 acquisition of Brilliant Orange Club (integrated into De Positie), the 2025 CareforZ acquisition into healthcare, the Capital Spring + J&B Finance merger, and ongoing member additions such as Hurde Wurkers and Club ICT in 2025. CEO Erwin Ketel, who succeeded Gerben Post in 2023, brings 12.5 years of internal experience and oversees a leadership team that includes Ankie Middel (Manager DDF Business Support) and Jannika Uitslag (Head of People & Culture).

Name

DDF People

Legal name

DDF People B.V.

Website

https://ddfpeople.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubator and Shared Business Support Services

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (55), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Office Investment Platforms & Direct Investing (PE/VC/Co-Invest) (FSAAADAH)

Keywords

• Startup incubator services
• Business support services
• Shared services platform
• Entrepreneurship development
• Member company network

Headquarters

HQ city

Enschede

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. DDF Business Support fees: Member companies pay a fixed monthly fee per employee for comprehensive business support services including Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities, and Backoffice. Additional modules can be added as needed.
2. Startup investment and equity: DDF People invests in entrepreneurs' businesses by providing seed capital, enabling ideas to flourish. Returns generated through equity stakes in successful member companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DDF People is a startup incubator and shared-services organization that helps ambitious entrepreneurs grow their businesses by combining financial investment, management coaching, personal development, and a shared back-office service (DDF Business Support covering Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities, and Backoffice). Entrepreneurs apply and pitch to join the network, pay a recurring monthly fee per employee for shared services, and gain access to a community of 20+ member companies that provide referrals, mentorship, and cross-company collaboration.

Product overview

DDF People is a startup incubator/accelerator organization based in Kampen, Netherlands, founded in 2008. Rather than a unified software product, it operates as a platform of interconnected business support services. The core offerings include DDF Business Support (providing Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities and Backoffice services), Financial Support/Investment Services, Management Support, Personal Development Programs, and the DDF People Management Programma (a structured program with masterclasses and coaching). The organization supports a network of over 20 member companies across Human Capital, Growth & Strategy, and Digital Infrastructure sectors. Members benefit from shared knowledge, networks, and synergies while maintaining operational independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DDF Business Support: Service organization providing Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities and Backoffice support to DDF People Members
• DDF Management Programma
• DDF Media

Products and services

• DDF Business Support A comprehensive shared service organization that supports DDF People member companies on the front of Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities, and Backoffice. Offered as a starter package in the entrepreneur's first year, transitioning to a base package with modular add-ons (extended legal, additional IT, specialized HR consulting) thereafter.
• Financial Support / Investment Services Provides startup capital and equity investment for entrepreneurs joining the DDF People network; DDF People can invest in businesses to give ideas room to flourish and shares in the returns of successful member companies.
• DDF People Management Programma A structured management program developed and delivered with Stay Future Proof to help DDF People Members stay in development and create value. Distinguishes between startup, scale-up, and grown-up phases through masterclasses and one-on-one business coaching from experienced top entrepreneurs.
• DDF People Startup Incubator Services A startup incubator for entrepreneurial professionals with an ambitious business plan; combines investments, a management program, a strong member network, and DDF Business Support to give members space to pioneer, grow, and make a difference. The admission flow follows a four-step process: Apply, Pitch, Meet members, and Start with mentor and investor team.
• DDF People Members (Member Network) A network of more than 20 companies across Human Capital, Growth & Strategy, and Digital Infrastructure sectors, including Werkis, Bureau Techniek, Brainpink, Green Resource Group, Generatie Morgen, Iconics Management, De Positie, and others. Members support each other through shared knowledge, networks, and cross-company collaboration and referrals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 startups successfully launched from within DDF People ecosystem
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stay Future ProofcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Stay Future Proof, led by Eefje Jonker, developed and delivers the DDF People Management Program including masterclasses on strategy, innovation, and leadership, plus business coaching from experienced entrepreneurs.
• ZuidbergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Zuidberg, a family business producing transmission and front hitch systems for agricultural and industrial markets, has partnered with multiple DDF People Members including Werkis for recruitment, Bureau Techniek, Code Deta, Capital Spring, and Brainpink for various business services. The partnership leverages DDF People's comprehensive network of specialized companies.
• PEC Zwolle WerktcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012First collaboration with a professional football organization, marking DDF People's entry into sports sector partnerships. Later expanded to include sc Heerenveen Werkt and FC Utrecht Werkt under Bureau Techniek.
• Stichting Present ZwolleminorOthersDDF People Members collaborate with Stichting Present Zwolle for meaningful volunteer work, supporting people in need through practical tasks like gardening, painting, and home repairs. Medewerkers krijgen een vrije dag voor vrijwilligerswerk.
• AFAScoreTechnology or IntegrationDDF People implemented AFAS software as the foundation for optimized business support. This software platform provides a reliable basis for member company operations and enables efficient collaboration across the organization.
• FC Utrecht WerktcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnder Bureau Techniek, FC Utrecht Werkt provides access to skyboxes for business networking and client entertainment. Iconics Management uses these facilities when inviting foreign club scouts to football matches.
• sc Heerenveen WerktcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnder Bureau Techniek, sc Heerenveen Werkt provides skybox access for business networking. Iconics Management uses these facilities when inviting scouts from foreign clubs to matches.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Founder Institute: Global pre-seed accelerator operating in over 100 cities including the Netherlands. Founder Institute runs structured programs to help founders launch and supports them with mentorship and shared resources, mirroring DDF People's incubation approach.
• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network with Dutch roots that runs 3-month programs providing capital, mentorship, and corporate partner access. Comparable to DDF People in offering structured support to early-stage companies in return for equity.
• Antler: Global pre-seed startup generator with a strong Netherlands presence. Antler invests capital in early-stage founders and provides mentorship and operational support — closely paralleling DDF People's equity + shared services model, though Antler is sector-agnostic and global.
• Rockstart: Amsterdam-based accelerator running programs in energy, agri-food, and health. Rockstart provides accelerator cohorts, seed capital, and an ecosystem network, making it a directly comparable Dutch operating model to DDF People.

Others

• EIT Digital: European digital innovation initiative running accelerator programs and providing funding to European deep-tech startups. Thematically related to DDF People's startup support activities, with a pan-European rather than regional footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network with multiple programs including in the Netherlands. Provides seed funding, mentorship, and an alumni network — analogous to DDF People's network effects but at much larger global scale.
• Plug and Play: Global innovation platform connecting startups with corporate partners, providing accelerator programs and capital. Analogous to DDF People in its platform-based startup support model but at a much larger scale and with corporate sponsorship focus.

Emerging players

• Yes!Delft: TU Delft-affiliated tech incubator supporting deep-tech and software startups in the Netherlands. Similar incubator + mentor + capital model, but focused on tech verticals rather than DDF People's broader multi-sector approach.
• HighTechXL: Eindhoven-based deep-tech accelerator that builds ventures around corporate IP. Compares to DDF People as a Dutch regional accelerator combining capital, talent, and shared infrastructure, though narrower in sector focus.
• NLC Health: Dutch venture builder that creates and scales healthtech companies, providing capital and operational support in exchange for equity. Comparable to DDF People's equity-for-support model, though narrowly focused on healthcare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries27 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 DDF People