Berengroep
Berengroep B.V. operates an integrated Dutch accessibility platform combining sign language interpreter services, accessible telephony (KPN Teletolk), mobile apps, and translation, serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals, government ministries, and enterprises under long-cycle public contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersBilthoven, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Berengroep does
Berengroep B.V. is a Dutch private company, founded in 2003 by Pascal and Karin Ursinus and headquartered in Bilthoven, that operates an integrated accessibility platform for the deaf and hard of hearing community in the Netherlands. The company combines a technology platform (the Tolkcontact system, the Tolkcontact-app, the mijn.tolkcontact.nl self-service portal, and the Tolkcentrum call center built on the international 'total conversation' standard) with a workforce of approximately 25 core staff and 50 in-house freelance Dutch Sign Language (NGT) interpreters, plus a broader network of 700+ platform interpreters. Its services span remote and on-demand interpretation, accessible telephony (via the KPN Teletolk consortium with KPN and nWise), Parliament interpretation for the Tweede Kamer, professional NGT video and document translation, election accessibility, and a news/community platform (Doof.nl).
The business model is anchored in long-cycle Dutch government contracts. Since July 2019, Berengroep has executed the national interpreter provision (tolkvoorziening) for all three life domains under a contract with UWV on behalf of three ministries (VWS, OCW, SZW). It is also part of the KPN-led consortium that has held the government-mandated text and video mediation mandate through three consecutive 5-year tenders (2013, 2018, 2023-2028). A growing secondary stream consists of subscription-based enterprise services (Tolkcontact Teletolk zakelijk, Tolkcontact Tolk op afstand zakelijk) sold to municipalities, healthcare providers, and private organizations to make customer service accessible, alongside project-based NGT translation work. End-user services are provided free of charge to deaf and hard of hearing individuals, with the Tolkcontact-app reimbursed by Dutch health insurers and interpreter hours allocated by UWV. Revenue is therefore indirectly collected from the Dutch government, health insurers, and enterprise customers, with the company's ~8,500 allocated users, ~140,000 annual interpreter deployments, ~50,000 Tolkcentrum conversations, and ~38,000 KPN Teletolk conversations demonstrating the operational scale of these contracts.
Berengroep firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Berengroep
- Legal name
- Berengroep B.V.
- Website
- https://berengroep.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Berengroep B.V. operates an integrated Dutch accessibility platform combining sign language interpreter services, accessible telephony (KPN Teletolk), mobile apps, and translation, serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals, government ministries, and enterprises under long-cycle public contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Berengroep industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accessibility and interpretation services
- NAICS
- Translation and Interpretation Services (54193), Telephone Call Centers (56142)
- SIC
- Telegraph & Other Message Communications (4822), Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accessibility & Special-Needs Customer Support (BPAAABAM), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)
Keywords
Where Berengroep is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bilthoven
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Berengroep business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government contracts - UWV: Berengroep executes a significant portion of the Dutch interpreter provision for deaf and hard of hearing citizens as contracted by UWV, funded by three ministries (VWS, OCW, SZW)
- KPN Teletolk service execution: Execution of text and video mediation services for KPN Teletolk, a government-mandated accessibility service, as part of a consortium with KPN and nWise
- Organizational accessibility subscriptions: Subscription services for organizations to make their telephone and counter services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing customers via Tolkcontact Teletolk and remote interpreter services
- Translation services: Professional translations into Dutch Sign Language (NGT) for videos, websites, and events, billed per project or as retainer arrangements
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Others | Free for end users - reimbursed by health insurance |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Berengroep product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Berengroep provides accessible communication services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the Netherlands, operating the Tolkcontact platform that manages interpreter provision, assignment matching, and automated billing. The company runs the Tolkcentrum call center staffed exclusively by registered Dutch Sign Language interpreters, executes the KPN Teletolk text and video mediation service through a consortium, and offers the Tolkcontact-app for mobile emergency and on-demand interpreter access. Services are delivered under government contracts (UWV, ministries, Tweede Kamer) and via direct subscriptions to organizations requiring accessibility compliance.
Product overview
Berengroep operates as a platform-plus-services organization providing accessibility solutions for deaf and hard of hearing people in the Netherlands. The core Tolkcontact platform manages the Dutch interpreter provision system (tolkvoorziening), handling interpreter matching, assignments, and billing for approximately 8,500 users and 700+ interpreters. This core platform is supported by the Tolkcentrum, a unique call center with ~50 sign language interpreters. The product portfolio includes: Tolkcontact-app (mobile app for 112 calls, KPN Teletolk, and remote interpreting), KPN Teletolk (text/video phone mediation service), Tolkcontact tolk op afstand (on-demand remote interpreting), and business versions of these services for organizations (Tolkcontact Teletolk zakelijk, Tolkcontact Tolk op afstand zakelijk). Additional services include Toegankelijke organisaties (accessibility consulting), Doof.nl (news platform), MediaMasters (accessible educational games), Vertalingen (professional NGT translations), Tweede Kamer vertalingen (Parliament interpretation), and Stemmen met Tolk op Afstand (election accessibility).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Tolkcontact (interpreter provision platform) Main service platform that manages and executes the Dutch interpreter provision system (tolkvoorziening) for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, handling interpreter matching, assignment management, billing, and user support for approximately 8,500 users and 700+ interpreters.
- Tolkcontact-app Mobile, tablet, and desktop application enabling deaf and hard of hearing users to call emergency number 112, make calls via KPN Teletolk with text or sign language translation, and instantly summon a remote interpreter for unexpected situations; reimbursed by all Dutch health insurers.
- KPN Teletolk Government-mandated text and video mediation service enabling deaf and hard of hearing people to make phone calls with hearing individuals through interpreters who translate conversations into text or Dutch Sign Language. Operates 24/7 for text and 7:00-22:00 for sign language.
- Tolkcentrum Unique call center staffed exclusively by registered Dutch Sign Language interpreters that combines multiple services including KPN Teletolk and Tolkcontact tolk op afstand, with approximately 50 freelance interpreters handling over 50,000 conversations annually.
- Tolkcontact tolk op afstand (remote interpreter) On-demand remote sign language interpreter service allowing deaf and hard of hearing users to instantly summon an interpreter without advance appointment for unexpected situations such as doctor visits, shop conversations, or short work meetings; facilitates approximately 10,000 conversations per year.
- Tolkcontact Teletolk (zakelijk) Business version of the Teletolk service enabling organizations to be reachable by deaf and hard of hearing customers via text or sign language mediation without modifications to existing phone systems.
- Tolkcontact Tolk op afstand (zakelijk) Business service providing organizations instant access to online Dutch Sign Language interpreters for conversations with deaf or hard of hearing customers at the counter, in consultation rooms, or at customer service.
- Toegankelijke organisaties (accessibility consulting) Consulting and subscription services helping organizations make their customer service and communication accessible for deaf and hard of hearing people, including accessible telephony and on-site interpretation.
- Vertalingen (NGT translations) Professional Dutch Sign Language translations for videos, websites, documents, and live webinars, produced in Berengroep's own studio in Bilthoven with native deaf sign language speakers.
- Tweede Kamer vertalingen (Parliament interpretation) Live sign language interpretation services for Dutch Parliament sessions including weekly question hour, General Policy Considerations, and other debates, delivered in partnership with Nederlands Gebarencentrum.
- MediaMasters accessibility translations Annual accessible media education game for primary school students, translated into Dutch Sign Language with subtitles for deaf and hard of hearing children to participate during Media Literacy Week.
- Stemmen met Tolk op Afstand (election interpretation) Free remote sign language interpretation service for elections, enabling deaf and hard of hearing voters to communicate with polling station staff via video call with an interpreter.
Quantifiable outcome
- 38,000+ phone conversations enabled per year through KPN Teletolk
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Berengroep
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Berengroep technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability5 records
Feature4 records
Berengroep partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Nederlands GebarencentrumcorePartnership for sign language interpretation services at the Dutch Parliament (Tweede Kamer). The Gebarencentrum provides training, coaching, and quality assurance for interpreters, while Berengroep handles logistics and interpreter management. Together they translate weekly question hours and major debates.
- UWVcoreSince July 2019, Berengroep has been responsible for executing the interpreter provision for all three domains (private, education, work) for deaf and hard of hearing citizens in the Netherlands, as contracted by UWV on behalf of three ministries (VWS, OCW, SZW). This is the primary government contract and core business activity.
- Netwerk MediawijsheidminorInitiative of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Berengroep provides sign language translations for the MediaMasters media literacy game, making it accessible for deaf and hard of hearing school children.
- Koninklijke KentalisminorOrganization providing education and care for deaf and hard of hearing children. Co-funds the translation of MediaMasters into Dutch Sign Language, enabling accessibility for special education students.
- nWisecoreTechnology partner for the remote interpreter service (Tolkcontact tolk op afstand), providing the platform that enables on-demand video connection to sign language interpreters.
- KPNcoreKPN is the main contractor for the government-mandated text and video mediation service (KPN Teletolk). Berengroep provides the execution of services through their Tolkcentrum. The consortium won the tender in 2013 and was re-selected in 2018 and 2023 for 5-year periods.
- nWisecoreSwedish software company providing the call center software platform for KPN Teletolk services. Part of the consortium executing the government accessibility mandate.
- DIRECT KlantcontactminorCall center partner supporting KPN Teletolk services during nights and weekends with approximately 30 text mediation staff.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Berengroep competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Ava: Real-time AI captioning platform for meetings and conversations, used by deaf/HoH individuals and accessibility-focused enterprises. Relevant adjacency as a tech-led substitute/competing modality for live human interpretation services.
- RogerVoice: French mobile app that provides real-time transcription and operator-assisted calls for deaf and hard of hearing users. Comparable as a technology-driven accessibility communications app competing in the same 'accessible telephony' category as Tolkcontact-app.
Others
- KPN: Dutch telecom incumbent and primary contractor in the KPN Teletolk consortium, providing network and customer access while Berengroep delivers interpreter execution. Ecosystem/partner rather than a direct service competitor, but adjacent in the same accessibility communications value chain.
Broad incumbents
- LanguageLine Solutions: Largest global interpretation and translation services company, offering phone, video, and on-demand interpretation across many languages. A broad incumbent overlap on the B2B interpretation/accessibility subscription side of Berengroep's zakelijk business.
- Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD): US non-profit providing a portfolio of deaf and hard of hearing services including relay, interpreting, and social programs. Comparable as an established multi-service accessibility provider in another regulated, government-funded deaf-services market.
Direct peers
- Sorenson Communications: US-based provider of video relay services (VRS) and on-demand sign language interpretation, including the ipRelay and ntouch product lines. Closest functional analog to Berengroep's KPN Teletolk and Tolkcontact-app offering, scaled to the US deaf/HoH market.
- Convo: US on-demand Video Relay and VRI service for deaf and hard of hearing users, providing on-demand ASL interpreters by video — directly comparable to Berengroep's Tolkcontact tolk op afstand on-demand remote interpretation product.
- Purple Communications: US Video Relay Service (VRS) provider offering 24/7 ASL interpretation for phone calls. Functionally comparable to the KPN Teletolk and Tolkcontact Teletolk text/video mediation product lines.
- SignVideo (InterpreterNow): UK-based provider of on-demand British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation services via video for businesses and public sector. Closest cross-border comparable to Tolkcontact tolk op afstand, applying the same on-demand BSL/Deaf accessibility model in the UK.
- nWise: Swedish Total Conversation platform provider that supplies the call center software used by Berengroep for KPN Teletolk and Tolkcontact tolk op afstand. Direct comparable as a real-time sign language/text/video mediation technology vendor in the same accessibility vertical.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Berengroep social profiles
Digital presenceBerengroep compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Berengroep financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Berengroep leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Berengroep funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Berengroep M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Berengroep
What does Berengroep do?
Berengroep provides accessible communication services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the Netherlands, operating the Tolkcontact platform that manages interpreter provision, assignment matching, and automated billing. The company runs the Tolkcentrum call center staffed exclusively by registered Dutch Sign Language interpreters, executes the KPN Teletolk text and video mediation service through a consortium, and offers the Tolkcontact-app for mobile emergency and on-demand interpreter access. Services are delivered under government contracts (UWV, ministries, Tweede Kamer) and via direct subscriptions to organizations requiring accessibility compliance.
Is Berengroep a public or private company?
Berengroep is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Berengroep founded?
Berengroep was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Berengroep based?
Berengroep is headquartered in Bilthoven, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Berengroep make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government contracts - UWV is the primary driver. The others are KPN Teletolk service execution, organizational accessibility subscriptions and translation services.
Who are Berengroep's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Ava and RogerVoice. KPN is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are LanguageLine Solutions and Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). Direct peers are Sorenson Communications, Convo, Purple Communications, SignVideo (InterpreterNow) and nWise.
Does Berengroep have an API?
No public API is recorded for Berengroep.
What industry is Berengroep in?
Berengroep's product category is Accessibility and interpretation services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAGAD, Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services, with a secondary code of BPAAABAM, Accessibility & Special-Needs Customer Support. Its NAICS code is 54193 and its SIC code is 4822.