What Academy Het Dorp does

Academy Het Dorp (legal entity: Stichting Academy Het Dorp) is a Dutch non-profit research and advisory foundation based in Arnhem, Netherlands, founded in 2016 with 51–100 employees. The organization is a specialized 'onderzoeks- en adviesbureau' that helps care organizations in the disability care (gehandicaptenzorg) and elderly care (ouderenzorg) sectors implement technology, data, and innovation effectively. Rather than selling software, the organization provides a portfolio of services including structured implementation programs (notably the multi-year Innovatie-impuls 1 (2019–2022) and Innovatie-impuls 2 (2023–2026) supporting 26+ disability care organizations), applied research via the Academische Werkplaats ZoTeG (a multi-stakeholder academic collaboration with Tilburg University/Tranzo and Maastricht University/CAPHRI), and the four-year 'Leren Werken met Data' program focused on data and AI use in disability care. The organization operates a small number of proprietary methodologies — most notably the InnovatieRoute, a five-phase implementation framework (Need → Technology/Data selection → Implementation → Evaluation → Scaling) — and supporting tools such as PersonaPuzzel and SMART Implementation Frameworks, alongside practical guidelines for client councils and self-reliance in care.

Commercially, Academy Het Dorp is funded primarily through government subsidies rather than commercial fees. Core funding partners are the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS, Directie Langdurige Zorg) and ZonMw (the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development) under programs such as 'Goed Gebruik Hulpmiddelenzorg thuis'. Revenue model is therefore best characterized as professional services and subsidized research, with project-based and program-based engagements with individual providers (e.g., Siza, Abrona, Ipse de Bruggen, Hartekamp Groep, Viattence, DrieGasthuizengroep, Thuiszorg Groot Gelre) and regional networks (e.g., VGU, comprising 15 Utrecht-based disability care organizations). Go-to-market is consultative and relationship-driven, with thought leadership disseminated via academic publications, the Slimme Zorg Estafette conference series, webinars, ICT&Health magazine, and a newsletter. Strategic co-development partners include Vilans (national long-term care knowledge center), technology suppliers such as Tinybots, Abena, Compaan, Medido, and IQ Messenger, and academic partners including KU Leuven, Trimbos-instituut, HAN, and Zuyd Hogeschool. No revenue figure is publicly disclosed; the organization's scale signal is its sustained multi-year program portfolio and national visibility across Dutch long-term care.

Name

Academy Het Dorp

Legal name

Stichting Academy Het Dorp

Website

https://academyhetdorp.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Academy Het Dorp is a Dutch non-profit research and advisory foundation that helps disability and elderly care organizations implement care technology, data, and innovation through structured programs, applied research, and proprietary implementation methodologies, funded primarily by government subsidies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Research and Advisory Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher/OLLI-style) & Senior Academies (EDAAAMAA)

Keywords

• Healthcare technology research
• Disability care advisory
• Elderly care consulting
• Care technology implementation
• Long-term care innovation

Headquarters

HQ city

Arnhem

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research and Advisory Services: Academy Het Dorp operates as a research and advisory bureau providing consultation services to healthcare organizations on the implementation of technology and data in long-term care. They conduct research projects, provide implementation support, and offer strategic advice.
2. Subsidized Research Programs: The organization receives funding through subsidies from ZonMw (e.g., Goed Gebruik Hulpmiddelenzorg thuis program) and the Ministry of VWS (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) for specific research and implementation programs such as Innovatie-impuls.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Academy Het Dorp is a Dutch non-profit research and advisory bureau that helps healthcare organizations in the gehandicaptenzorg (disability care) and ouderenzorg (elderly care) sectors implement care technology and data-supported work sustainably. It combines care, technology, and data knowledge with practical experience and scientific research to deliver implementation programs (Innovatie-impuls), research collaborations (Academische Werkplaats ZoTeG), structured implementation methodologies (InnovatieRoute), and practical tools and guides for care professionals and client councils.

Product overview

Academy Het Dorp is a research and advisory bureau specializing in technology implementation in long-term care (disability care and elderly care). Rather than offering a single software product, they provide a portfolio of research programs, implementation methodologies, and practical tools. Their core offerings include the InnovatieRoute (a structured implementation framework), the Academische Werkplaats ZoTeG (academic research collaboration on care technology), the Leren Werken met Data program (data-supported work in disability care), and the Innovatie-impuls 2 program (inspiring organizations to implement and scale technology). They also conduct research on specific technologies including smart continence care, Robot Tessa for daily structure, and sensor technology. Their work is advisory and knowledge-based, helping care organizations make technology integration practical and meaningful.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• InnovatieRoute (Innovation Route) A structured, evidence-based implementation methodology with practical tools and experiences that enables healthcare organizations in disability and elderly care to sustainably implement and scale care technology through five phases: Need, Technology/Data selection, Implementation, Evaluation, and Scaling.
• Academische Werkplaats ZoTeG (Academic Workshop ZorgTechnologie in de Gehandicaptenzorg) An academic collaboration platform with Tilburg University (Tranzo) and other partners that conducts practice-oriented research on the implementation and effects of care technology in Dutch disability care, including smart continence care, robot Tessa, and sensor technology.
• Leren Werken met Data (Learning to Work with Data) A four-year program that helps care organizations in Dutch disability care work effectively with data, including data pilots and knowledge development on optimal use of data and AI in long-term care.
• Innovatie-impuls 2 (Innovation Impulse 2) An implementation program (2023-2026) that inspires and supports Dutch disability care organizations to implement, sustain, and scale technology independently, with focus on client self-reliance and quality of life.
• Innovatie-impuls 1 (Innovation Impulse 1) An implementation program (2019-2022) that supported 26 Dutch disability care organizations with tailored technology implementation across thematic networks including sleep, self-reliance, daily structure, and safety.
• Fellowship Single Case Experimental Designs A ZonMw-funded research fellowship focused on developing and sharing knowledge about single case experimental designs for evaluating the effectiveness of technology in Dutch disability care.
• Tech-NAH-logie Campaign A campaign created with patient association Hersenletsel.nl to raise awareness and direct usage of technology by people with acquired brain injury (NAH) in the chronic phase, using personas and experience sharing.
• Handreiking Zelfredzaamheid (Self-Reliance Guide) A practical guide that describes four dimensions of self-reliance and support questions for people with physical disabilities, developed as part of the Innovatie-impuls program.
• Handreiking Cliëntenraden (Client Council Guide) A practical guide helping client and resident councils in care organizations participate and decide on technology implementation, available in standard and easy-language versions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Technology usage increased from 5% to 10% of district nursing clients receiving digital care by end of 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VilanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Vilans is a key strategic partner in the Innovatie-impuls programs (Innovatie-impuls 1 and 2) supporting technology implementation in disability care organizations across the Netherlands. Vilans is the knowledge center for long-term care in the Netherlands.
• Tranzo (Tilburg University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for the Academische Werkplaats ZoTeG (ZorgTechnologie in de Gehandicaptenzorg) and co-supervisor for PhD research projects including robot Tessa and smart continence care studies.
• Universiteit Maastricht CAPHRIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner providing expertise in health economic evaluations for technology implementation studies, including economic analysis of robot Tessa.
• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing methodology expertise in Single Case Experimental Design (SCED) research for the robot Tessa effectiveness study.
• Trimbos-instituutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner providing methodology advice for implementation research, including Single Case Experimental Design expertise.
• LSR (Landelijk Steunpunt Medezeggenschap)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for developing guidelines and tools for client councils and family councils to participate in technology decisions in healthcare.
• Hersenletsel.nl (Patient Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with patient association for the Tech-NAH-logie campaign to raise awareness about technology for people with acquired brain injury (NAH) living at home.
• Disability Studies in NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for training co-researchers (client experts) in research projects, ensuring inclusive research practices.
• Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen (HAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of applied sciences partner in the healthcare innovation ecosystem, listed among partners and collaborators.
• Zuyd HogeschoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of applied sciences partner in the healthcare innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Nictiz: Dutch knowledge center for digital information exchange in healthcare. Overlaps with Academy Het Dorp in promoting technology adoption, though Nictiz focuses more on information standards and exchange rather than direct care-technology implementation.
• Vintura: Dutch consultancy specialized in healthcare strategy and transformation. Comparable in providing strategic advisory to healthcare organizations, though more commercially oriented than the non-profit Academy Het Dorp.
• BeBright: Dutch healthcare innovation consultancy supporting care organizations with strategy and implementation of innovations. Comparable advisory function focused on healthcare transformation, though more commercially oriented than Academy Het Dorp.
• Pharos: Dutch knowledge center for health equity and vulnerable populations. Comparable as a knowledge organization providing research and implementation support, though focused on health disparities rather than care-technology implementation.

Direct peers

• CBO (Dutch Institute for Healthcare Quality Improvement): Dutch organization supporting healthcare providers with evidence-based quality improvement and implementation methods. Comparable advisory/research model targeting healthcare provider organizations.
• Nivel (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research): Dutch applied research institute studying healthcare delivery and providing evidence-based insights to providers and policymakers. Highly comparable in mission, academic rigor, and government-funded research-to-practice model.
• Vilans: Dutch national knowledge center for long-term care. Both organizations conduct research and provide implementation support for care technology in disability and elderly care; Vilans is also a core strategic partner of Academy Het Dorp, making it the closest direct comparator.
• Movisie: Dutch knowledge institute for social care and welfare. Comparable as a knowledge organization providing research, advice, and implementation support for vulnerable populations, with a similar non-profit and government-funded model.
• IQ healthcare (Radboudumc): Scientific center for quality and safety in healthcare at Radboud University Medical Center. Conducts implementation research and quality improvement in healthcare, with a comparable research-to-practice orientation and academic ties.

Broad incumbents

• TNO: Dutch applied research organization with a broad healthcare research and innovation mandate. Overlaps with Academy Het Dorp in applied care-technology research, but at much larger scale and wider scope across multiple industries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/academyhetdorp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC EXAMPLE
• Facebookfacebook.com/academyhetdorp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-academy-het-dorp
• Instagraminstagram.com/academyhetdorparnhem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Academy Het Dorp