SYNTRA Brussel

What SYNTRA Brussel does

SYNTRA Brussel VZW is a non-profit vocational training institution headquartered at the Tour & Taxis campus in Brussels, Belgium, operating a second site in Ukkel. Founded in 2003, the organization delivers government-recognized training programs to aspiring entrepreneurs, current self-employed professionals, young people aged 15-25 entering the workforce, adults seeking career changes, and corporate clients. The institution serves the Brussels-Capital Region exclusively and is part of the broader SYNTRA network while operating as a separate legal entity.

The core product is a multi-format training platform offering 220+ courses across six sectors: Beauty, Sport & Gezondheid; Bouw & Techniek; Creatief; Diensten; Horeca & Voeding; and Taal, Media & ICT. Delivery modes include dual learning (4 days workplace + 1 day campus), full-time day courses, day courses, evening and Saturday courses, short refresher courses, and customized corporate training. The flagship "Start Me Up" entrepreneurship program leads to an official Flemish government diploma. The technology backbone is the MySyntra learning portal, which supports virtual classroom, livestreaming, e-learning modules, and a blended learning approach combining campus instruction, work-based learning, internships, and flipped classroom methods.

The business model is built on per-course registration fees paid by individuals, with material cost relief available through the KMO-portefeuille subsidy (up to 30% for self-employed and SMEs) and training cheques (up to 50% for employees, capped at EUR 250/year, issued by Edenred). Go-to-market is primarily direct: online and on-campus enrollment for individuals, complemented by VDAB referrals, an annual Syntra'ctive info day, and direct B2B sales of customized corporate training. Headcount is 11-50 employees, and the dual learning program reports a 90% graduate employment rate. As a VZW, SYNTRA Brussel is member-governed and structurally dependent on Flemish government recognition and subsidy frameworks for its economic model.

Name

SYNTRA Brussel

Legal name

SYNTRA BRUSSEL VZW

Website

https://syntrabrussel.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SYNTRA Brussel VZW is a Brussels-based non-profit vocational training institution delivering 220+ Flemish government-recognized courses across six sectors and multiple formats to aspiring entrepreneurs, young learners, career changers, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussel

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SYNTRA Brussel delivers government-recognized vocational and entrepreneurship training across six sectors (Beauty/Sport/Health, Construction/Engineering, Creative, Services, Hospitality/Food, and Language/Media/ICT) in six delivery formats: dual learning, full-time day, day, evening/Saturday, short/refresher, and customized corporate training. Programs lead to official Flemish-government diplomas or certificates, combining campus lessons, virtual classroom, livestreaming, work-based learning, and e-modules.

Product overview

SYNTRA Brussel is a vocational training institution offering a multi-format educational platform with six distinct training delivery modes (dual, full-time day, day, evening/Saturday, short/refresher, and customized training). The institution provides sector-specific programs across six main categories: Beauty/Sport/Health, Construction/Engineering, Creative, Services, Hospitality/Food, and Language/Media/ICT. Programs range from short professional courses to multi-year diploma tracks, with offerings for both employed individuals and career changers. The flagship Start Me Up entrepreneurship program leads to an official Flemish government diploma. All programs are recognized by the Flemish government and include certification pathways through VDAB and KMO-portefeuille subsidies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Duale opleidingen (Dual Training) Vocational training combining workplace learning with campus-based education for learners aged 15-25, with a training allowance paid during the program and an official diploma or certificate upon completion of each grade.
• Voltijdse Dagopleidingen (Full-time Day Training) Intensive practical training program of approximately 2.5-3 days of classes per week, typically lasting 1 year, aimed at adults aged 18-26 seeking quick career entry, with child benefit retention eligibility.
• Dagopleidingen (Day Courses) Career-focused daytime training programs in multiple sectors including fashion design, electrical work, graphic design, and real estate, taught by industry professionals and leading to official diplomas or certificates.
• Avond- & Zaterdagopleidingen (Evening & Saturday Courses) Flexible part-time programs for career changers or upskillers who continue working, ranging from 1-4 years across creative, technical, and business subjects.
• Korte opleidingen & Bijscholingen (Short Courses & Refresher Training) Short, focused programs teaching current techniques and industry expertise, many leading to recognized certifications that strengthen professional credentials for quick skill acquisition or career retraining.
• Opleidingen op maat (Customized Training) Tailored training programs developed in partnership with businesses for employees and executives in management, IT, technical, and language fields, with content, methods, and trainers customized to specific organizational needs.
• Start Me Up - Ondernemerschap (Entrepreneurship Program) Comprehensive entrepreneurship training program leading to an official diploma from the Flemish government, covering business planning, market analysis, financial management, and practical skills for starting and running a business.
• Sectors: Beauty, Sport & Gezondheid (Beauty, Sport & Health) Training programs in the beauty, wellness, and sports sectors, including makeup artistry, hairdressing, skincare, and fitness instruction.
• Sectors: Bouw & Techniek (Construction & Engineering) Technical and construction training including electrical installation, building & energy, woodwork, vehicles & metalwork, and renovation coordination.
• Sectors: Creatief (Creative) Creative arts and design programs including fashion & textiles, floristry, interior styling, jewelry & art dealing, and craft techniques.
• Sectors: Diensten (Services) Business and professional services training covering administration, business management, marketing & sales, real estate, and management/finance/HRM.
• Sectors: Horeca & Voeding (Hospitality & Food) Food service and hospitality training including cooking, restaurant management, cheese specialization, and sommelier certification.
• Sectors: Taal, Media & ICT (Language, Media & ICT) Technology and language programs including IT, graphic & audiovisual techniques, media & editing, and language courses including Dutch for entrepreneurs.
• Nederlands voor Ondernemers (Dutch for Entrepreneurs) Partnered program with CVO Lethas Brussel combining SYNTRA's practical entrepreneurship training with Lethas's Dutch-language expertise for entrepreneurs, priced at EUR 40 or EUR 88 depending on trajectory and residence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% employment rate for dual learning graduates

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• VDAB (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDAB (Flemish Employment Service) partners with SYNTRA Brussel to direct job seekers toward vocational training opportunities. The partnership supports unemployed individuals in gaining practical skills for the job market.
• VLAIO (Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) supports SYNTRA Brussel through policy direction and quality assurance for entrepreneurship training. The partnership includes financial support and recognition for training programs.
• VGC (Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVGC (Flemish Community Commission) provides support for Dutch-language education initiatives in Brussels, partnering with SYNTRA on language and vocational training programs.
• CVO Lethas BrusselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYNTRA Brussel partners with CVO Lethas Brussel to deliver the 'Nederlands voor Ondernemers' (Dutch for Entrepreneurs) program, combining SYNTRA's practical entrepreneurship training with Lethas's language expertise.
• EdenredcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdenred issues digital training cheques (opleidingscheques) that employees can use to pay for SYNTRA Brussel courses at reduced cost. The government subsidy covers 50% of course fees.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• BeCode: BeCode is a Belgian non-profit coding bootcamp offering free, intensive ICT training to job seekers with government and corporate sponsorship. Competes with SYNTRA Brussel's ICT training offerings and serves a similar reskilling audience, though focused exclusively on tech.
• Hogeschool Gent / Erasmushogeschool Brussel: Erasmushogeschool Brussel is a Brussels-based university of applied sciences offering vocational bachelor degrees and continuing education. Overlaps with SYNTRA's dual learning and professional training offerings, though at degree-granting level.
• GO4IT (Volta Ventures portfolio): GO4IT is a Belgian ICT training provider focused on digital skills, similar to SYNTRA's ICT sector offerings. Targets both B2B and reskilling learners in Belgium, representing an emerging tech-focused competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Global Knowledge Belgium: Global Knowledge is a major international IT and professional training provider operating in Belgium. Overlaps with SYNTRA's IT training under the Language/Media/ICT sector and competes for corporate training budgets, though at a larger international scale.
• VDAB (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling): VDAB is the Flemish public employment service that both refers candidates to SYNTRA Brussel and offers its own training programs. Comparable in vocational training delivery and government mandate, but operates at much larger scale across all of Flanders and is a strategic partner rather than a pure competitor.
• Cevora: Cevora is the joint training center of Belgian employers' organizations (FEB/VBO), providing corporate training across sectors. Comparable in B2B customized training focus and Belgian market scope, but backed by larger employer federation membership.

Direct peers

• SYNTRA Vlaanderen: SYNTRA Vlaanderen is the parent network of which SYNTRA Brussel is a member, operating the same vocational and entrepreneurship training model across Flanders. Directly comparable in course catalog, government recognition, and dual learning approach, serving the same Flemish government-recognized training ecosystem.
• CVO Lethas Brussel: CVO Lethas Brussel is a Brussels-based adult education center (Centrum voor Volwassenenonderwijs) that partners with SYNTRA Brussel on the Dutch for Entrepreneurs program. Offers overlapping adult education and vocational courses to a similar demographic in the Brussels region.

Others

• Mezure: Mezure is a content partner that delivers management and professional development courses through SYNTRA Brussel, including change management and project management. Indirect relationship as a partner/white-label content provider.

Regional players

• Solvay Executive Education: Solvay Executive Education (part of ULB) offers premium management and professional development programs in Brussels. Competes with SYNTRA's management and Diensten training for the same Brussels-based adult learner and corporate client base, with a higher-price positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 SYNTRA Brussel