KonnecteD

What KonnecteD does

KonnecteD is a Dutch work and learning company (werk- en leerbedrijf) and social enterprise that connects job seekers with a distance to the labor market — including people with disabilities, refugees (notably Ukrainians), the long-term unemployed, social welfare beneficiaries, and those needing supported employment — with socially conscious employers in the municipalities of Deventer and Olst-Wijhe. The organization operates through two departments: Werken & Leren (Work & Learn) and Ontwikkelen & Matchen (Develop & Match). Its core offering is the Werkleerroutes (Work Learning Routes) program, which pairs approximately three months of internal practical training with a minimum six-month external work placement across logistics, hospitality, green space, cleaning, healthcare support, and technical tracks. As of 2022 the program placed approximately 400 people annually into employment with regional employers.

Revenue mechanics rely primarily on municipal government contracts implementing the Participatiewet (Participation Act) and Wet Sociale Werkvoorziening (Social Work Act), supplemented by employer services — staffing/detachment (Inhuur Diensten), outplacement, social entrepreneurship advisory, work outsourcing (Werk Uitbesteden), and subsidy navigation (Regelingen en Subsidies) — plus a small set of adjunct commercial activities such as KonnecteD Catering and Social Sofa community bench installations priced at €6,250. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is community-led: direct employer outreach by account managers, municipal partnerships, weekly presence at Ondernemershuis Deventer, Match Events with interpreter support, and walk-in intake at the Kamperstraat office.

The underlying technology is conventional enterprise software; the only named proprietary component is Taalboost, an in-ear real-time translation device used to overcome language barriers between candidates and employers. The organization is part of the regional Werkcentrum Veluwe Stedendriehoek cooperation and maintains close ties with educational partners (Aventus, De Linde) and a diversified employer base spanning McDonald's Deventer, RataPlan, Deventer Hospital, Esdec Solar Group, Postillion Hotel Deventer, Metos, Go Ahead Eagles, Topicus, SPAR, and others. Previously known as Sallcon Diensten, KonnecteD expanded its product surface in 2024 with Het Nieuwe Veld (a work and learning nursery in Diepenveen) and in 2025 obtained FSC 22000 food safety certification. In early 2025 the organization underwent a significant governance transition when previous Director-Board member Jeroen van der Geest and the full Supervisory Board departed over strategic disagreements with municipal executives, with Liesbeth Grijsen appointed as successor Director-Board member.

Name

KonnecteD

Legal name

KonnecteD

Website

https://konnected.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

KonnecteD is a Dutch work and learning company that connects job seekers with a distance to the labor market — including people with disabilities, refugees, and welfare beneficiaries — with socially conscious employers in the municipalities of Deventer and Olst-Wijhe via Work Learning Routes, staffing, and employer advisory services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Employment Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613), Temporary Help Services (561320), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Global Contractor Engagement & Cross-Border Payments (BPACAGAI), Experiential Learning & Internships/Co-ops (EDALABAG), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Remote/Hybrid Work Readiness & Digital Collaboration (EDAAAKAL)

Keywords

• Social employment services
• Workforce development programs
• Sheltered workplace training
• Staffing and detachment
• Vocational training routes

Headquarters

HQ city

Deventer

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Government Contracts: KonnecteD operates primarily as a publicly-funded social enterprise, receiving government contracts and subsidies from municipalities Deventer and Olst-Wijhe to facilitate employment of people with a distance to the labor market. Revenue is derived from implementing the Participatiewet (Participation Act) and Social Work Act (Wet Sociale Werkvoorziening) obligations.
2. Employer Services and Detachment: KonnecteD provides services to employers including hiring support, outplacement, and detachment of workers. Employers benefit from Social Return on Investment (SROI) obligations and subsidies for hiring people with employment distance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KonnecteD is a Dutch werk- en leerbedrijf (work and learning company) that develops job seekers with a distance to the labor market through structured werkleerroutes (work-learning routes) combining internal practical training with external workplace placements across six tracks: Logistics, Hospitality, Green Space, Cleaning, Healthcare Support, and Technical. The organization provides employers with staffing/inhuur, outplacement, work outsourcing, and advisory services on social entrepreneurship including subsidies and SROI obligations. It also operates revenue-generating social products including KonnecteD Catering, Social Sofa community benches, and Het Nieuwe Veld nursery.

Product overview

KonnecteD is a work and learning company (werk- en leerbedrijf) that operates as a social enterprise connecting job seekers with a distance to the labor market with employers who want to practice social entrepreneurship. The core offering consists of Work Learning Routes (Werkleerroutes) — structured training programs combining internal practical training with external work placements in areas including Logistics, Hospitality, Green Space, Cleaning, Healthcare Support, and Technical fields. Supporting services include Inhuur Diensten (staffing), Outplacement, Social Entrepreneurship Advisory, and Job Application Support (Sollicitatiekit). Additional products include KonnecteD Catering (operated by hospitality route candidates), Social Sofa (community bench installations), Het Nieuwe Veld (work and learning nursery), and Match Events (speed-dating style employment matching with translation support). The company also provides an Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (IDO) as a public service for digital government assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Social Sofa: Community bench project created in social work environments by people with distance to labor market
• Werkleerroutes

Products and services

• Werkleerroutes (Work-Learning Routes) Structured vocational training and workplace placement programs across six tracks: Logistiek (Logistics), Horeca (Hospitality), Groenvoorziening (Green Space), Schoonmaak (Cleaning), Zorgondersteuning (Healthcare Support), and Techniek (Technical). Designed for job seekers with a distance to the labor market, including people with disabilities, refugees, and welfare recipients, funded through municipal contracts.
• Inhuur Diensten (Staffing Services) Staffing and detachment service that supplies employers with KonnecteD-trained candidates, including trial placements and direct hire arrangements. Provides employers with reduced hiring risk and access to motivated, coached workers, and supports SROI fulfillment.
• Outplacement – Loopbaanbegeleidingstraject Career transition and outplacement service providing structured support for employees transitioning out of an organization, including coaching, retraining, and placement support.
• Advies Sociaal Ondernemerschap Advisory and consulting service for employers on social entrepreneurship, subsidy utilization (subsidies, premies, regelingen), and SROI compliance.
• Werk Uitbesteden (Work Outsourcing) Work outsourcing service that allows employers to outsource complete operational work packages to KonnecteD, which assigns trained candidates supported by internal coaching staff.
• KonnecteD Catering Restaurant and catering service operating in Deventer, also functioning as a workplace training environment for candidates. Operates under FSC 22000 food safety certification.
• Social Sofa Community bench product handcrafted by KonnecteD participants, sold to municipalities and organizations at €6,250 per unit. First deployed at Hof van Adwaita.
• Het Nieuwe Veld (Werk- en Leerkwekerij) Work and learning nursery (kwekerij) combining horticultural operations with workplace learning for KonnecteD candidates. Functions as both a training environment and a revenue-generating social enterprise.
• Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (IDO) Public service information point operated by KonnecteD staff assisting Deventer residents with digital government services, including ID documents, benefits, and online procedures.
• Match Events Recruitment events organized as speed-dating style sessions where job seekers meet regional employers for direct introductions, interviews, and trial placement opportunities.
• Sollicitatiekit Service providing job seekers with practical tools and structured guidance for job applications, including CV preparation, interview practice, and application materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 400 people placed into employment annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AventuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional education center (ROC) that partners with KonnecteD for work-learning routes and diploma programs. Aventus provides theoretical education while KonnecteD provides practical workplace training. Together they developed specialized training programs such as solar panel installation in cooperation with Esdec.
• Gemeente Deventer (Municipality of Deventer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary municipal partner for implementing labor market integration policies under the Participatiewet. The municipality funds and oversees KonnecteD's activities in the Deventer region.
• Gemeente Olst-Wijhe (Municipality of Olst-Wijhe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecondary municipal partner for implementing labor market integration policies. Similar to Deventer, this municipality provides funding and oversight for KonnecteD services.
• Werkcentrum Veluwe StedendriehoekmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaboration platform of which KonnecteD is part, working together on employment initiatives across the Veluwe Stedendriehoek region.
• De Linde (special education school)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial education school for students 4-20 years with intensive support needs. Works with KonnecteD to facilitate transitions from school to work for students with disabilities.
• Coalitie POWERHOUSESmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition including Humanitas Deventer, KonnecteD, Stichting Zwerfjongeren Nederland, and Woonbedrijf ieder1 that created the HUMAN project - housing for vulnerable youth in converted garage boxes.
• Stichting IJssellandschapmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation that owns the land at Erve Nieuw Veldhuis. Partnered with KonnecteD to create Het Nieuwe Veld - a work and learning garden for people needing protected work environments.
• McDonald's DeventermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThree McDonald's locations in Deventer operated by Henk Koning have employed over 29 Ukrainian refugees through KonnecteD, with one employee advancing to manager position. Vera Linskens (HR) works closely with KonnecteD account managers.
• Bibliotheek DeventermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary partners with KonnecteD on literacy initiatives and opened a second IDO (Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid) location at KonnecteD's Kamperstraat office to help citizens with digital government services.
• RataPlan DeventermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetherlands' largest charity/thrift chain opened its 34th store in Deventer. 30 KonnecteD candidates work at RataPlan, which provides work, work experience, and internship positions for people with large distance to the labor market.
• Postillion Hotel DeventercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPostillion Hotel has employed three Ukrainian refugees through KonnecteD's Match Events program. They overcame language barriers using demonstrations, Google Translate, and eventually translated materials in Ukrainian.
• Het GroenbedrijfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen sector company that partners with KonnecteD for the Buitenruimte (Outdoor space) work-learning route. Provides training for candidates in green space maintenance, garden construction and maintenance.
• Ondernemershuis DeventermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntrepreneur center where KonnecteD is weekly present to provide support services including recruitment, transition support from self-employment to employment, and advice on social entrepreneurship.
• Taalpunt Olst-WijheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguage volunteer initiative of the library providing language support for people needing help with language, math, or digital skills. Supports KonnecteD candidates like Tekle at Boni Wijhe.
• MKB DeventerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSME business association that works with KonnecteD to help Ukrainian refugees find suitable employment in Deventer businesses.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Presikhaaf Bedrijven: Dutch social workplace (SW-bedrijf) operating in Arnhem and surrounding municipalities. Presikhaaf runs sheltered employment, detachering, and work-learning programs for people with distance to the labor market under the same Wet Sociale Werkvoorziening framework as KonnecteD, making it the closest structural peer.
• Diamant-groep: Limburg-based social employment organization providing sheltered work, training routes, and detachering under the same Dutch social-employment legislation. Comparable to KonnecteD in mission, regulatory framework, and target population (people with disabilities, refugees, long-term unemployed).
• Lycens: Dutch staffing and outplacement firm with explicit focus on people with a distance to the labor market, including SROI advisory and re-integration services. Directly comparable to KonnecteD on employer services, outplacement, and reintegration offerings.
• WSD Groep: Dutch social workplace offering training, coaching, and employment placement for people with a distance to the labor market. Operates municipal contracts analogous to KonnecteD's Deventer/Olst-Wijhe engagements and serves a comparable candidate base.

Broad incumbents

• Tempo-Team: Large Dutch staffing firm providing temporary and permanent placements across sectors, including social-inclusion initiatives. Overlaps with KonnecteD's staffing and detachering offerings but lacks the deep municipal-contracted social-employment core.
• ManpowerGroup Nederland: Global staffing and workforce-solutions firm with Dutch operations and dedicated diversity/inclusion programs (e.g., 'Pathway to the Future'). Competes for the same employer hiring mandates but as a multinational incumbent rather than a regional social enterprise.
• UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen): Dutch public employment service agency administering unemployment benefits and running Werkbedrijf, the national public employment-matching platform. UWV competes with KonnecteD on the same employer and job-seeker segments at national scale, but as a government body rather than a regional social enterprise.
• Adecco Nederland: Major multinational staffing firm active in the Netherlands with social-employment and refugee-integration programs (e.g., Adecco's 'Pathway2Work'). Competes with KonnecteD for employer SROI hiring mandates but as a broad incumbent rather than a regional social enterprise.
• Randstad Nederland: Largest staffing firm in the Netherlands with dedicated diversity, inclusion, and SROI programs serving the same employers as KonnecteD. Overlaps with KonnecteD's Inhuur Diensten staffing business but operates at much greater scale and with proprietary matching technology.

Emerging players

• Goodwill Industries International: International nonprofit operating mission-driven employment programs for people facing barriers to work, including people with disabilities and other disadvantages. Comparable to KonnecteD in mission and social-employment model, though operating in a different geography (US-led) and with a different funding mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KonnecteD_Dvntr
• Facebookfacebook.com/Konnected.Deventer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/konnected
• Instagraminstagram.com/KonnecteD_Deventer

Compliance1 record

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 KonnecteD