SHO

What SHO does

SHO Centra voor medische diagnostiek is a Dutch first-line medical diagnostics provider headquartered in Velp, Netherlands, founded in 2000 as Stichting Huisartsenlaboratorium Oost. Acquired by Unilabs in 2021 and operating today under the Unilabs Nederland umbrella, SHO runs a network of 190+ blood collection locations (prikposten) nationwide and serves general practitioners, midwives, care groups, and patients with a comprehensive diagnostic portfolio spanning clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, allergy diagnostics (as a reference laboratory since 2001), therapeutic drug monitoring, medical imaging (ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, spirometry, fundus photography, bone density), and point-of-care testing. Its proprietary technology stack centers on Diagnostiek Online (DOL), a digital ordering and results platform integrated with GP information systems and ZorgDomein, complemented by SonoSync ultrasound livestreaming co-developed with Samsung and a Bluetooth-enabled remote glucose monitoring service for gestational diabetes delivered through the ThuisMeetApp.

The business model is a B2B/B2B2C service business: healthcare providers order tests through DOL or ZorgDomein, patients access blood collection at physical sites or via a home draw service, and SHO bills Dutch health insurers directly under the basic health insurance framework, with the patient paying only the mandatory deductible (eigen risico). SHO has contracts with all Dutch health insurers, holds ISO 15189 lab accreditation and NEN 7510/7512/7513 information security compliance, and is GDPR-compliant under the Unilabs data protection program. As a non-profit foundation-origin entity, all revenues are reinvested into diagnostic quality and innovation. Following the 2022 Medlon merger in Twente and the consolidation of laboratory activities from Velp to Utrecht, SHO operates within a four-center Unilabs Nederland structure (Hudson, Medlon, Saltro, SHO) under CEO Jan Gorissen, with SHO's laboratory director Cor van Luik leading day-to-day operations and Jeroen van Suijlen serving as interim Chairman of the Board.

Name

SHO

Legal name

SHO Groep B.V.

Website

https://sho.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SHO is a Dutch first-line medical diagnostics provider under Unilabs, operating 190+ blood collection sites and serving GPs, midwives, care groups, and patients with laboratory, imaging, and point-of-care testing billed primarily through Dutch health insurers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Diagnostic Services

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Remote Diagnostics & Point-of-Care (Connected Testing, Home Lab Devices) (HLACAPAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote Diagnostics & Home Testing Devices (Connected POC/At-Home Diagnostic Readers) (HLAHACAL), Interoperability Standards, Profiles & Implementation (HL7/FHIR/IHE) (HLACABAA), Chronic Disease Remote Monitoring (COPD/CHF/HTN, Weight & Symptom Tracking) (HLAHACAI)

Keywords

• Medical diagnostic services
• Clinical laboratory testing
• Blood collection services
• Point-of-care testing
• Diagnostic imaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Velp

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Diagnostic Testing Services (Reimbursed Care): SHO executes diagnostic tests (blood, urine, imaging, etc.) requested by healthcare providers. Most tests are reimbursed directly by Dutch health insurers under the basic health insurance (basisverzekering). SHO bills insurers directly for tests ordered by GPs or midwives. Patients are billed only when not insured, not registered, or when the test falls outside basic insurance coverage. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. POCT Equipment, Materials and Training: SHO supplies point-of-care testing equipment, consumables (test strips, materials), and related training to healthcare provider practices. Materials are ordered through the SHO webshop by GPs and other providers.
3. Diagnostic Imaging Services: Medical imaging services including ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, spirometry, fundus photography, and bone density scanning. Reimbursed through health insurance as part of diagnostic care pathways.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SHO operates a nationwide network of more than 190 diagnostic centers in the Netherlands delivering first-line medical diagnostics, primarily blood collection, laboratory testing, medical imaging (ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, fundus photography, spirometry), and point-of-care testing for general practitioners, midwives, care groups, and patients. Its Diagnostiek Online (DOL) digital platform enables healthcare providers to electronically request tests and receive validated results, including imaging, integrated with their practice information systems. All services are anchored by ISO 15189 accredited laboratories within the Unilabs Nederland group.

Product overview

SHO Centra voor medische diagnostiek operates as a network of over 190 first-line diagnostic centers in the Netherlands, offering a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic services under the Unilabs umbrella since 2021. The core offering centers on Diagnostiek Online (DOL), a digital ordering and results platform developed by SHO, complemented by Uitslagen Online for secure result consultation. The service portfolio spans blood collection (bloedafname), laboratory diagnostics (including microbiology, allergy diagnostics as a reference laboratory), POCT for GP practices, and imaging services (ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, fundus photography, spirometry). Supporting services include home blood draw (Thuisservice), recall services (Oproepdienst) for chronic disease monitoring, self-sampling kits, and DTO consultation for optimizing testing policies. Recent innovations include Samsung SonoSync for remote ultrasound streaming and Bluetooth-enabled remote glucose monitoring for pregnant women.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Diagnostiek Online (DOL): Digital request and results system for healthcare providers to order diagnostic tests and view results including imaging materials.
• SHO Uitslagen Online

Products and services

• Diagnostiek Online (DOL) Proprietary digital platform enabling healthcare providers (GPs, midwives) to electronically request all SHO diagnostic tests and view validated results, including medical imaging, fully integrated with their HIS systems.
• Uitslagen Online Secure web-based platform that provides healthcare providers with immediate access to validated diagnostic results and medical images (fundus photos, ultrasound images, ECG strips, spirometry curves) as soon as specialists validate them.
• Point of Care Testing (POCT) On-site diagnostic testing service placed in GP practices using Afinion analyzers, covering CRP testing for acute cough, urine strip testing for urinary tract infections, and glucose monitoring, with SHO providing equipment, training, maintenance, and consumables.
• Bloedafname (Blood Collection) Walk-in and appointment-based blood collection services at 190+ locations across the Netherlands, with specific sites dedicated to procedures such as NIPT TRIDENT-2 blood collection.
• Thuisservice (Home Blood Draw Service) Home visit service where trained SHO staff visit patients at home to collect blood and perform other tests on request from the GP or midwife, available across all regions served by SHO.
• Oproepdienst (Chronic Disease Recall Service) Recall and care chain service coordinating periodic monitoring of chronic disease patients, including diabetes and cardiovascular risk management, with automated recall for check-ups in partnership with GP practices and care groups.
• Beeldvormend Onderzoek (Medical Imaging) Imaging services including ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, fundus photography, spirometry, and gynecological ultrasound, performed by qualified technicians with radiologist or cardiology review and reporting.
• Laboratoriumdiagnostiek (Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics) Comprehensive clinical laboratory diagnostics including clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, special chemistry, serology, immunology, molecular biology, and therapeutic drug monitoring, performed in SHO's ISO 15189 accredited laboratories.
• Allergiediagnostiek (Allergy Diagnostics) Reference laboratory service for allergy diagnostics since 2001, offering the complete package of allergen-specific IgE tests, allergen panels, and allergen components for laboratories throughout the Netherlands.
• Zelfafnamesets (Self-Sampling Kits) Self-sampling kits distributed to patients for home collection of samples including semen, sputum, vaginal swabs, stool, and fecal occult blood, complete with instructions, sampling materials, and safety bags for return to the SHO laboratory.
• Samsung SonoSync Livestreaming Software Livestreaming software for ultrasound examinations co-developed with Samsung, enabling radiologists to remotely monitor and consult on live ultrasound scans across 40+ SHO locations, with up to four experts able to view a single examination simultaneously.
• LCT-test (Lactose Intolerance Genotyping Test) Blood-based genotyping test for primary lactose intolerance (LCT-gen analyse) introduced in 2020, replacing the prior lactose tolerance test at SHO.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patient satisfaction score of 8.7/10, with GPs rating SHO 8/10 on quality and speed of reporting.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Radboudumc (Nijmegen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHO participates in the PRIDE (PRegnancy and Infant Development) Study conducted by Radboudumc, a large prospective cohort study following pregnant women and their children over time. SHO provides blood collection, laboratory research, temporary collection sites, materials, forms, temporary sample storage, reporting, and results throughout the studies.
• Julius Centrum (UMC Utrecht)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHO participates in various scientific studies conducted by the Julius Centrum, providing blood collection, laboratory testing, and related diagnostic support services.
• Wageningen Universiteit (Wageningen University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHO participates in scientific studies conducted by Wageningen University, providing blood collection, laboratory research, and reporting services.
• Coöperatieve Verloskundigen Nijmegen (CVN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHO and CVN partnered with FocusCura to pilot remote glucose monitoring for pregnant women at risk for gestational diabetes. Pregnant women use a Bluetooth-enabled glucose meter transmitting values to the ThuisMeetApp, with automatic alerts to midwives when medically necessary.
• FocusCuracoreTechnology or IntegrationFocusCura partnered with SHO and the Coöperatieve Verloskundigen Nijmegen to enable remote monitoring of glucose levels in high-risk pregnant women using Bluetooth-enabled glucose meters and the ThuisMeetApp. SHO and FocusCura intend to expand remote diagnostics offerings in the future.
• Samsung (Medical Imaging)coreTechnology or IntegrationSHO partnered with Samsung to co-develop SonoSync, a livestreaming software for ultrasound examinations. SHO was the first in the Netherlands to deploy this technology. Samsung and SHO livestreamed SonoSync at the European Society of Radiology congress in Vienna. The software enables radiologists to remotely monitor and consult on ultrasound scans across 40+ SHO locations.
• HartKliniek NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHO collaborates with HartKliniek for first-line echocardiography in the Nijmegen region. HartKliniek's qualified sonographers perform scans; SHO radiologists review and authorize results. For routine cases, reports are returned to the GP. Cardiologists consult directly with the GP when serious abnormalities are found. HartKliniek cardiologists also interpret exercise ECG results.
• Cardion (ZGT, Twente)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHO partners with Cardion at ZGT (Ziekenhuis Groep Twente) for first-line echocardiography in the Twente region. Cardion's cardiology department sonographers perform scans; Cardion cardiologists review and authorize results. Cardiologists consult with the referring GP when serious abnormalities are found.
• Gelre Ziekenhuizen (Zutphen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaatschap Radiologie Gelre Ziekenhuizen in Zutphen provides radiology review and authorization for SHO ultrasound examinations. Dr. C.M.P. Ziedses des Plantes also serves as an independent radiologist reviewer for SHO ultrasound scans.
• UnilabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHO became part of Unilabs Nederland in 2021. Unilabs is a leading European diagnostic services company operating in 17 countries with 250 laboratories and 150 imaging centers. Under Unilabs, SHO benefits from expanded innovation and research capabilities and has consolidated laboratory operations into the Unilabs facility in Utrecht. The Medlon (Twente) operation was also merged into the same Unilabs entity in July 2022.
• ZorgDomeincoreTechnology or IntegrationSHO is integrated into ZorgDomein, the dominant Dutch e-health platform for GP referrals and diagnostic test ordering. GP practices can request SHO diagnostic tests directly through ZorgDomein, with results automatically flowing back to the GP's HIS.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cerba Healthcare: European leader in clinical pathology and medical diagnostics, serving hospitals, GPs and industry clients. Comparable as a multi-country diagnostics group combining routine lab testing with specialty reference lab offerings.
• Quest Diagnostics: One of the largest clinical laboratory networks globally, offering routine and advanced diagnostics to providers and patients. Comparable as a scaled diagnostics operator with strong digital ordering and patient service infrastructure.
• Sonic Healthcare: Global medical diagnostics group operating laboratory and radiology networks in Europe, Australia and the US. Comparable as a large-scale, multi-modality diagnostics platform with GP-facing operations.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global laboratory services group with a medical diagnostics arm that owns Dutch first-line lab Star-shl. Comparable as the incumbent parent of one of SHO's chief Dutch competitors with deep laboratory operations.
• SYNLAB: One of Europe's largest medical diagnostics providers with broad laboratory and imaging services. Comparable as a pan-European incumbent pursuing similar scale, lab consolidation, and digital ordering strategies to Unilabs.
• Unilabs: SHO's pan-European parent operating 250 laboratories and 150 imaging centers across 17 countries. Comparable as the broader incumbent group whose strategy, capital allocation, and brand architecture determine SHO's trajectory.

Direct peers

• Atal Medial: Dutch medical diagnostic laboratory providing routine and specialized testing to GPs, hospitals and care institutions in the Amsterdam region. Closely comparable to SHO as a regional first-line lab serving primary care providers.
• Saltro: Direct Dutch first-line diagnostics peer offering laboratory, imaging and POCT services to GPs. Now consolidated under the same Unilabs Nederland umbrella as SHO, but historically the closest head-to-head competitor in the Utrecht region with a near-identical service portfolio.
• Medlon: Historical direct competitor in Twente offering first-line laboratory and blood collection services to GPs and midwives. Now merged with SHO under Unilabs Nederland (July 2022), but remains a directly comparable first-line diagnostics operating model.
• Star-shl (Eurofins Medische Diagnostiek): Direct competitor in Dutch first-line diagnostics, part of Eurofins' medical diagnostics network. Offers laboratory testing, preventive screening (e.g., cervical, breast) and population screening programs to GPs, midwives and care groups across the Netherlands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sho_diagnostiek

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 SHO