Dwengo
Dwengo is a Belgian non-profit that develops free, research-based curricula, an open-source Dwenguino microcontroller, and teacher training on AI, robotics, and computational thinking for K-12 schools and teachers, primarily in Belgium.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersBrussels, Belgium
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Dwengo does
Dwengo vzw is a Belgian non-profit organization founded in 2009 by six engineers, headquartered in Antwerp with operational presence in Brussels, that develops free, research-based educational materials on artificial intelligence, robotics, and computational thinking for K-12 schools and teachers. Its primary customers are primary and secondary schools in Belgium (over 500 institutions engaged, reaching 50,000+ students cumulatively and 15,000 children annually), with secondary beneficiaries including teachers, public libraries, and university research partners. The organization operates with 1-10 employees under the chairmanship of Francis Wyffels, a Professor of Robotics and AI at UGent-imec IDLab-AIRO.
Dwengo's product portfolio centers on a proprietary open-source microcontroller called Dwenguino (Arduino-based, with buttons, LCD screen, buzzer, LEDs and motor connectors), paired with a graphical programming environment called DwenguinoBlockly and an online simulator (blockly.dwengo.org). Around this hardware/software core sits a curriculum library of 15+ thematic modules (AI basics, KIKS/AI and climate, Robotica, WeGoSTEM, AI in Agriculture, AI in Art, AI in Healthcare, Language Technology/Chatbot, Python programming, Algorithms, Computational Thinking, Physical Computing), all aligned with Belgian minimum educational objectives and licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA. Commercial extensions include the Social Robot Kit (€1,000 for five units), teacher guides, books such as 'Apples and Pears' and 'Actief computationeel denken' (the latter via publisher Van In), and the annual Social Robot Competition.
Revenue is generated through four streams: hardware kit sales, sales of educational publications, paid teacher training (€500 per half-day standard rate), and tax-deductible donations (Dwengo is officially recognized as a charity in Belgium, with 45% tax reduction on donations of €40+). Distribution combines a self-serve website channel for free materials, direct e-commerce for paid products, public-library lending in six Belgian cities for the WeGoSTEM program, and direct sales of training services to school groups. The organization is supported by institutional grants from the Vlaamse Overheid (Excellentiefonds 2024-2025), Koning Boudewijnstichting, and research collaborations with UGent and Plantentuin Meise, alongside channel partnerships with the three main Flemish education networks and iSTEM. No venture funding rounds are disclosed.
Dwengo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dwengo
- Legal name
- Dwengo vzw
- Website
- https://dwengo.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Dwengo is a Belgian non-profit that develops free, research-based curricula, an open-source Dwenguino microcontroller, and teacher training on AI, robotics, and computational thinking for K-12 schools and teachers, primarily in Belgium.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dwengo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Technology (STEM/AI/Robotics)
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Computer Training (61142)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Robotics Learning Platforms (EDAFANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG), Digital Labs, Simulations & Virtual Practicals (Non-XR) (EDAFACAF), Educational Digital Courseware & Learning Platforms (LMS-Integrated) (MPAJABAH)
Keywords
Where Dwengo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brussels
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dwengo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of Social Robot kits (€1000 for 5 kits), targeting schools primarily. Also available for sponsorship by companies/organizations.
- Educational Materials and Publications: Sale of teacher guides (€30-50), books like 'Apples and Pears' (€10) and 'Active Computational Thinking' (€29.94), and card games (€10).
- Professional Development Training: Training sessions for teachers on AI, Physical Computing, and computational thinking. Standard rate: €500 per half day excluding VAT.
- Donations: Dwengo is officially recognized as a charity (good doel) in Belgium. Donations of €40+ qualify for tax certificate (45% tax reduction).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Social Robot Kit - 5 units |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Staff Game (card game) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Book 'Apples and Pears' |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Book 'Active Computational Thinking' |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Teacher Guide KIKS |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Teacher Guide Chatbot |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Teacher Training Session |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Dwengo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dwengo is a Belgian non-profit (vzw) that develops free, research-based educational curricula and learning materials on AI, robotics, computational thinking, and physical computing for K-12 schools. It sells physical products (Dwenguino microcontroller, Social Robot Kits, books, card games, teacher guides) and provides paid teacher training sessions, complemented by free open-source software (DwenguinoBlockly programming environment) and an online simulator.
Product overview
Dwengo is a Belgian non-profit organization providing free educational materials and products for teaching AI, robotics, and computational thinking. The core offering consists of curriculum modules and learning paths organized around themes including AI basics, robotics, physical computing, and Python programming. The product portfolio includes the Dwenguino hardware platform (Arduino-based microcontroller) paired with DwenguinoBlockly graphical programming environment, various curriculum packages (AI in School, KIKS, Robotica, Computational Thinking), physical products (Social Robot Kit, Statement Games), and teacher training services. Additional offerings include books like 'Actief computationeel denken' and 'Over appels en peren', as well as the annual Social Robot Competition. All teaching materials are freely accessible and licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WeGoSTEM: Project inspiring students in third grade of primary education for technology and computer science through building and programming art robots
- AI Op School
- Dwenguino
- KIKS
- Sociale Robot
- dwengo IDE
Products and services
- Dwenguino Microcontroller Platform
- DwenguinoBlockly Programming Environment
- Social Robot Kit Classroom kit containing Dwenguino boards, expansion boards, servomotors, sensors, LEDs and assembly materials for building social robots. Sold in packs of five at €1,000 excluding VAT, targeted at schools and company/organization sponsors.
- Statement Game (Stellingenspel) – AI in Healthcare Card game helping students gain insights into the social impact of AI systems in healthcare. Priced at €10 excluding 6% VAT, free for secondary school teachers and healthcare organizations.
- Teacher Training (Nascholingen) Professional development training sessions on AI, Physical Computing, and Computational Thinking for teachers. Standard rate €500 per half day excluding VAT, with customized offers for school groups.
- Teacher Guide KIKS Printed teacher manual supporting the KIKS STEM project on AI and climate change for secondary education. Priced at €50 excluding VAT.
- Teacher Guide Chatbot Printed teacher manual supporting the Language Technology (Chatbot) curriculum on NLP and sentiment analysis for secondary schools. Priced at €30 excluding VAT.
- Book 'Apples and Pears' (Over appels en peren) Introductory book about AI aimed at general readers, co-authored by Francis Wyffels and Natacha Gesquière. Distributed through Standaard Boekhandel at €10 including 6% VAT.
- Book 'Active Computational Thinking' (Actief computationeel denken) Educational book on computational thinking co-authored by Francis Wyffels and Natacha Gesquière, published by Van In, priced at €29.94.
- Social Robot Competition (Sociale Robot Wedstrijd) Annual competition for first- and second-grade secondary school teams of 2-4 students to design, build, and program social robots that address societal challenges, with a finale at De Krook in Ghent.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 50,000 students reached across 500 schools with teaching materials
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Dwengo
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Dwengo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature3 records
Dwengo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- UGent (IDLab-AIRO)coreCollaboration with UGent's AI & Robotics lab for AI in School project. Research collaboration with ongoing scientific research at UGent and Plantentuin Meise for the KIKS project on AI and climate change.
- ComonflagshipPartnership with Comon (Gent) for organizing the Social Robot competition. Comon provides special prize for 'opvoedrobot' and hosts events at De Krook library.
- iSTEM (cel iSTEM inkleuren)coreCollaboration on STEM education initiatives. Dwengo contributes to iSTEM studiedagen and nocturnes. iSTEM provides lending services for electronics and educational support.
- Provinciaal Onderwijs VlaanderencoreProvides free electronics lending for schools participating in Social Robot competition.
- Katholiek Onderwijs VlaanderencoreProvides free electronics lending for schools in their network for Social Robot competition.
- GO! onderwijs van de Vlaamse GemeenschapcoreProvides free electronics lending for schools in their network for Social Robot competition.
- Plantentuin MeisecoreCollaboration on KIKS project - scientific research on plant stomata and climate change provides authentic context for AI education materials.
- TechnopoliscorePartner for teacher training events and workshops. Host of iSTEM studiedagen for STEM education.
- Van IncorePublisher/distributor for the book 'Actief Computationeel Denken' by Francis Wyffels and Natacha Gesquière.
- Public Libraries (Belgium)coreWeGoSTEM materials distributed through libraries in Hasselt, Leuven, Brussels, Kortrijk, Gent, and Brugge for free borrowing by schools.
- Standaard BoekhandelminorBookstore distribution for 'Apples and Pears' book about AI.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Dwengo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- LEGO Education: Established provider of robotics/STEM kits (WeDo, SPIKE, Mindstorms) and full curriculum packages for schools. Larger incumbent with broader portfolio but similar hands-on STEM learning focus.
- Code.org: Major non-profit providing free K-12 computer science curriculum and Hour of Code activities. Overlaps with Dwengo's free curriculum model and focus on computational thinking, but at much larger global scale.
Direct peers
- Tynker: Block-based coding platform with curriculum and teacher tools for K-12 STEM/CS education. Competes on programming environment and lesson content; differs by being software-only without microcontroller hardware.
- Raspberry Pi Foundation: Delivers low-cost computing hardware, free digital curriculum, and teacher training programs for schools worldwide. Comparable mission and EdTech offering targeting K-12 STEM educators.
- Micro:bit Educational Foundation: Provides the BBC micro:bit microcontroller, block-based programming environment, and free lesson plans for primary/secondary schools. Competes directly with Dwenguino in European STEM classrooms.
- Arduino Education: Offers Arduino-based microcontroller kits and curriculum for K-12 STEM classrooms globally. Closest competitor to Dwengo's Dwenguino platform given shared hardware foundation and target audience.
Others
- Khan Academy: Non-profit offering free online learning content across many subjects including computer science. Shares Dwengo's free, mission-driven educational model and broad teacher/student reach.
Regional players
- STEM Learning Ltd: UK-based STEM education provider offering resources, teacher CPD, and school programs. Comparable mission and teacher training focus but operating in a different (UK) geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Dwengo social profiles
Digital presenceDwengo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dwengo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Dwengo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dwengo 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 Dwengo
What does Dwengo do?
Dwengo is a Belgian non-profit (vzw) that develops free, research-based educational curricula and learning materials on AI, robotics, computational thinking, and physical computing for K-12 schools. It sells physical products (Dwenguino microcontroller, Social Robot Kits, books, card games, teacher guides) and provides paid teacher training sessions, complemented by free open-source software (DwenguinoBlockly programming environment) and an online simulator.
Is Dwengo a public or private company?
Dwengo is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Dwengo founded?
Dwengo was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Dwengo based?
Dwengo is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Dwengo make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are educational Materials and Publications, professional Development Training and donations.
Who are Dwengo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are LEGO Education and Code.org. Direct peers are Tynker, Raspberry Pi Foundation, Micro:bit Educational Foundation and Arduino Education. Khan Academy is listed as an others. STEM Learning Ltd is listed as a regional player.
Does Dwengo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dwengo.
What industry is Dwengo in?
Dwengo's product category is Educational Technology (STEM/AI/Robotics). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFANAB, Robotics Learning Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAJAMAG, Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms). Its NAICS code is 611710.