Circolito

What Circolito does

Circolito vzw is a Belgian non-profit circus atelier (circus school) founded in January 2000 in Mechelen, Belgium, by Jeronimo Terrones. It provides structured circus education to children, teenagers, and adults across three operational locations: the main Den Hangar facility in Mechelen (Douaneplein 8, comprising three training halls of 170-255 m²), Sporthal Den Ballon in Vilvoorde, and the sister organization Circus Punt in Sint-Niklaas. Core programming consists of weekly multicircus and specialization lessons (aerial silks, trapeze, juggling, acrobatics, equilibristics, unicycling, diabolo, parkour), supplemented by vacation programs (circus weeks, summer camp, Circolitoweekend, tienerweekend, specialization stages), performance events (CircoliTOONweekend with 600+ performers, Familiedag), and on-demand services (birthday parties, school programs, corporate teambuilding, event animation, initiations, artist residency).

The business is predominantly physical-service based with no proprietary software platform. Operations rely on a small set of third-party tools: KampAdmin for class check-in, B4BIT bvba for the member/enrollment database, Mailchimp for newsletter distribution, Google for email and document storage, and Ticketgang for showcase ticketing. Revenue is generated through annual subscriptions (€190–€300 per circus year, billed once annually for ~30 weekly lessons), one-time fees for vacation and event programs, B2B on-demand services, a small equipment resale line (procurement via Circus Jojo at no markup), and a non-monetary artist residency exchange. UiTPAS / V-pas / Kansenpas holders pay 20% of standard rate, with 40% absorbed by Circolito and 40% contributed by the respective municipalities.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dieter Goossens, with operational coordination led by Sofie Van Mieghem and Lieven Leemans, supported by a team of ~30+ formally trained instructors, pedagogical and administrative staff. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the 'Mijn Circolito' online portal, with growth driven by community referrals, an annual trial-lesson week, the Familiedag open house, and the CircoliTOONweekend showcase. Circolito receives structural funding from the Flemish Government under the 2019 circus decree, channeled through Circuscentrum (the Flemish circus umbrella body), and partners with municipal sports services across at least eight surrounding municipalities.

Name

Circolito

Legal name

Circolito vzw

Website

https://circolito.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Circolito is a Belgian non-profit circus school founded in 2000 that delivers weekly multi-discipline and specialization circus lessons, vacation programs, and on-demand entertainment services to children, teenagers, and adults across three locations in Mechelen, Vilvoorde, and Sint-Niklaas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circus Arts Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAGABAL

Circus & Physical Theatre

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Theater, Broadway & Performing Arts

SECONDARYTHAJAFAH

Circus, Magic & Variety Shows

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Live Entertainment & Ticketed Events (Shows, Concerts, Sports Experiences)

Keywords

• Circus arts education
• Children circus classes
• Acrobatics juggling lessons
• Circus vacation camps
• Corporate circus teambuilding

Headquarters

HQ city

Mechelen

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Weekly circus lessons (annual subscription): Annual enrollment in weekly circus classes (multicircus and specialization lessons) running from September through July. Participants pay a one-time annual fee. Revenue is recognized over the course of the circus year (~30 lessons). This is the primary recurring revenue stream and the backbone of the organization's operating model.
2. Vacation programs (circus weeks, camps, weekend camps): Short-duration intensive programs during school holidays (summer circus weeks, summer camp, Circolitoweekend, teen weekend, specialization stages). These are one-time fees per program. Offered to both existing students and the general public.
3. On-request programs (parties, schools, teambuilding, animations): Custom circus experiences booked by third parties: birthday parties, school programs, corporate teambuilding, event animations, initiations, stilt-walking acts, and circus demonstrations. These are booked directly via the organization and represent B2B and B2C revenue.
4. Artist residency (in-kind exchange): Professional circus artists are offered free use of the training halls in exchange for a try-out performance during the CircoliTOONweekend or workshops for students. This is a non-monetary, value-exchange model that supports the organization's programming.
5. Circus material sales: Circolito sells circus equipment (diabolo, juggling balls, rings, cones, flowersticks, stilts, unicycles) sourced from Circus Jojo, at the same retail prices. This is a small ancillary retail revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Circolito is a Belgian non-profit circus school (vzw) founded in January 2000 that delivers weekly multi-discipline and specialization circus lessons (juggling, acrobatics, aerial disciplines, balance, diabolo, magic), vacation programs (Circusweken, Circuskamp, CircoliTOONweekend, Prikkelarme Circusweek), performance showcases (Circus in Scènes), and on-request services including children's parties, school programs, corporate teambuilding, and animations across three locations in Mechelen, Vilvoorde, and Sint-Niklaas.

Product overview

Circolito is a circus atelier (school) offering a comprehensive portfolio of circus education and performance programs primarily in Mechelen, with additional locations in Vilvoorde and through its sister organization Circus Punt in Sint-Niklaas. The core offerings include weekly multi-discipline lessons and specialized technique classes for all ages, complemented by vacation programs (circus weeks, camps), performance events (CircoliTOONweekend, Familiedag), and on-demand services (birthday parties, school programs, team building, artist residencies). The organization also operates production groups for dedicated performers and provides event animation services. The programs are structured around circus as a pedagogical tool emphasizing creativity, inclusivity, and personal growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multicircuslessen (Multi-discipline Circus Lessons) Weekly multi-discipline circus lessons teaching juggling, acrobatics, aerial techniques, and balance to children and adults across the school year. Targeted at families and individuals across Mechelen, Vilvoorde, and Sint-Niklaas.
• Specialisatielessen (Specialization Lessons) Specialization circus lessons focused on a single chosen discipline (e.g., Mast, Duo-doek aerial fabric, Diabolo, Combat/Club Volley, Juggling Beginners 16+). For members who want deeper skill development in a specific circus art.
• Circusweken (Circus Weeks) Multi-day themed circus immersion programs held during school holidays. Includes specialty editions such as Circus & Percussie Summer Week and Prikkelarme Circusweek (a sensory-friendly edition for children with sensory sensitivities).
• Circuskamp (Circus Camp) Intensive multi-day circus camp offering immersive training across multiple circus disciplines during school holidays, targeted at children.
• CircoliTOONweekend Weekend-format circus program for children, combining multiple circus activities into a themed weekend experience.
• Circus in Scènes (Performance Showcase) Annual performance showcase event where circus students perform in front of an audience to demonstrate their learned skills.
• Circusfeestjes (Circus Parties) On-request circus-themed children's birthday party packages delivered at the venue or on location.
• Scholen (School Programs) School-based circus programs delivered on location for primary and secondary schools, supplemented by teacher support through the Circusclub offering.
• Teambuilding Corporate team-building events built around circus disciplines (acrobatics, juggling, balance) for company groups seeking experiential team development.
• Animatie & Initiaties (Animations and Taster Sessions) On-location circus animations and introductory taster sessions delivered at events, festivals, and partner venues.
• Productiegroepen (Production Groups) Long-form training program where committed members collaboratively develop and perform a circus production, often through the Residentie partnership with festivals and venues.
• Familiedag (Family Day) Annual open family day event bringing together members, families, and the broader community for shared circus activities.
• Circus Punt On-site retail point selling a small selection of circus materials such as juggling balls, diabolos, and poi to members and visitors.
• Circusclub (Teacher Support Program) Teacher support program assisting teachers running circus initiatives in primary and secondary schools, with curricular guidance and ongoing mentoring.
• Residentie (Residency Program) Residency partnership program with festivals and venues where production groups develop and present work in collaboration with professional partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ performers in the annual CircoliTOONweekend showcase, drawing hundreds of audience members per day across 9 performance blocks

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CircuscentrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Circuscentrum (Flemish Circus Center) is the umbrella organization for circus in Flanders. It supports Circolito through structural funding, pedagogical resources, instructor training programs (Begeleider in de Circuskunsten, circus youth animator course), and advocacy for circus as a recognized art form in Belgium.
• Vlaanderen (Flemish Government)coreOthersThe Flemish Government provides structural support to circus ateliers under the circus decree (2019). This funding enables Circolito to maintain its educational programming and accessibility initiatives.
• Youth in Action (European Union)minorOthersA European youth project supporting international volunteer exchanges. Through this program, Circolito received international volunteers (e.g., Naomi from Italy in 2013–2014) and organized international exchanges (such as Cir'Change in 2013).
• Mechelen KinderstadminorOthersA collaboration of organizations and the city of Mechelen to make the city child-friendly. Circolito contributes through activities such as Grabbelpas (holiday activities), reception of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas), and play day events.
• Municipal Sports Services (Mechelen, Vilvoorde, Bonheiden, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Willebroek, Londerzeel, Boechout, Heist-op-den-Berg)minorOthersSports departments of municipalities that collaborate with Circolito to organize annual circus-sport weeks during school holidays. These partnerships enable access to facilities and co-promotion.
• B4BIT bvbacoreTechnology or IntegrationB4BIT bvba provides and manages the online member database for Circolito's enrollment and participant management. They guarantee data security and have signed a data processing agreement with Circolito.
• The Rocket Science Group LLC (Mailchimp)coreTechnology or IntegrationMailchimp handles Circolito's newsletter distribution, storing subscriber email addresses in US-based data centers. Mailchimp confirms compliance with European privacy laws (GDPR). A data processing agreement is in place.
• Google (Alphabet Inc.)coreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle provides cloud-based email (Gmail) and document storage for Circolito's operations. Services are hosted on servers within the European Union. A data processing agreement is in place.
• Made By DesignminorOthersA design agency from Mechelen that built Circolito's current website. The website redesign took approximately seven months and was launched in May 2022.
• Ethias (insurance)coreOthersEthias is Circolito's insurance provider for accident and civil liability coverage for all enrolled participants in weekly lessons, circus weeks, camp, circus club, and specialization stages. Circolito directs participants to Ethias for claims after mutual reimbursement.
• Circus JojominorOthersCircolito purchases circus equipment (diabolo, juggling props, flowersticks, stilts, unicycles) from Circus Jojo and resells at the same retail prices as a service to participants. No markup or commission described.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• ESAC – École Supérieure des Arts du Cirque: Brussels-based higher-education institution for circus arts operating in the same Belgian ecosystem as Circolito but focused on professional training rather than community/children's instruction.

Others

• Circuscentrum: Flemish circus sector federation that provides structural funding, pedagogical resources, and instructor training programs to Circolito and other Flemish ateliers; an enabling/ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Aloft Circus Arts: Madison, Wisconsin-based community circus school offering aerial, acrobatics, and juggling classes for all ages plus performance opportunities; a comparable small-scale community circus school model.
• FLIC Scuola di Circo: Turin-based Italian circus school offering multi-discipline weekly classes for children through adults plus performance showcases; structurally similar to Circolito's multicircus and specialization model.
• École Nationale de Cirque: Montreal-based circus school providing both recreational and pre-professional programs for children, youth, and adults; comparable to Circolito in combining community instruction with structured progression pathways and showcase events.
• San Francisco Circus Center: US circus school providing recreational and professional training across juggling, aerial, and acrobatics disciplines with regular showcase performances; comparable in scope and pedagogical structure.
• Circus Smirkus: Vermont-based youth circus education organization running summer camps, classes, and an annual touring circus performance — analogous to Circolito's youth focus plus the CircoliTOONweekend showcase.
• National Centre for Circus Arts: London-based circus school offering weekly recreational classes for all ages alongside professional training and showcase performances; the closest analogue to Circolito's community-school-plus-showcase model outside Belgium.
• Greentop Circus School: Sheffield-based community circus school offering classes for all ages and abilities with an explicit inclusion philosophy; mirrors Circolito's accessibility commitment and community-led growth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQKQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/circolito.be
• Instagraminstagram.com/circolito

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Circolito