DebatUnie

What DebatUnie does

DebatUnie is a Dutch debate education organization founded in 2009 by Rob Honig and Sander van der Stok, operating through a dual-entity structure consisting of DebatUnie B.V. (a private limited company handling commercial training services) and Stichting DebatUnie (a foundation managing the Benelux Debatcompetitie and serving the public-interest mission of advancing argumentation and debate skills in the Dutch-language region). The company is headquartered in Utrecht (Mariahoek 16-17) and operates across the Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders), Luxembourg, the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Suriname), and South Africa. Following the 2022 departure of co-founder Sander van der Stok, the organization is led by Rob Honig and Alexander Schinkel alongside a team of program leaders, education advisors, trainers, and day-chairpersons, with board oversight provided by Stichting DebatUnie directors Shemara Lindveld, Roel Becker, and Irem Erdogan.

The organization delivers structured debate training and methodology across the full educational spectrum — primary education (PO), secondary education (VO), vocational education (MBO), higher professional education (HBO), and university (WO). Core offerings include half-day debate workshops (€350 per group), full-day debate sessions (€650 per group), teacher training programs (€725 per program), national teacher training days (€195–€295 per attendee), and tournament participation. Beyond education, DebatUnie also trains municipal council members (€995 all-in for basic political skills training, with custom pricing available for observation-plus-deepening programs) and provides professional day-chairperson services (€600–€1,300 per half-day). The proprietary "Leerlijn Debatteren" (Debate Learning Pathway) curriculum is co-financed by the European Union and made available free of charge to schools, while structured debate formats such as the "Arena debatvorm" form the basis of competitive tournaments.

DebatUnie's go-to-market combines direct outreach to schools and municipalities with event-driven demand generation: flagship events like the Nationaal MBO-Debat (national MBO debate, with the 2026 finale planned at Curio Breda), the Benelux Debatcompetitie, and the Twents, Amersfoorts, Rotterdams, and Leids regional tournaments serve as both service delivery vehicles and marketing channels. The organization partners with JOB MBO (the Dutch MBO student interest organization), V-fonds (social initiative funder), MDT (Maatschappelijke Diensttijd), municipalities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Leiden, and Arnhem, and higher education institutions such as Universiteit Leiden's ICLON and Hogeschool Leiden. Marketing is conducted via the company website, email ([email protected]), direct partnerships, and the CJP Cultuurkaart payment system for school programs. The organization maintains a volunteer jury network and trains teachers to deliver debate education independently, creating a multiplier effect within the education sector. No external institutional investors, private equity, or parent company controlling interest have been identified in the source data.

Name

DebatUnie

Legal name

DebatUnie B.V.

Website

https://debatunie.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DebatUnie is a Dutch debate education specialist delivering workshops, teacher training, tournaments, and municipal council training across all education levels (PO-VO-MBO-HBO-WO), headquartered in Utrecht and operating across the Benelux and broader Dutch-language region since 2009.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Debate Education Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Debate Academies & Speech Coaching Centers (EDAMAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Debate Curriculum, Lesson Plans & Instructional Materials Publishers (EDAMAOAM), Debate (Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Parliamentary, Public Forum) (EDAMAGAA), After-School Public Speaking & Debate Clubs (EDAMAOAB)

Keywords

• Debate education
• Teacher training
• Educational workshops
• Civic engagement training
• Debate tournaments

Headquarters

HQ city

Leiden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Debatworkshops and Debatdagen: Training services delivered to schools and educational institutions. Pricing is per group per session, with workshop format (€350 half-day) and full-day debate format (€650).
2. Docententraining (Teacher Training): Training programs for teachers in PO, VO, MBO, HBO, and WO. Priced at €725 per program, delivered over 1-4 sessions with groups of 4-14 participants.
3. Dagvoorzitterschap (Event Moderation): Providing professional debate moderators and chairpersons for events. Price range €600-1300 per half-day session.
4. Jury Services: Providing trained jury members for debate events who evaluate participants and provide feedback on argumentation, presentation, strategy, and teamwork.
5. Debattoernooi Participation Fees: Tournament participation fees. Twents Debattoernooi charges €50 per team.
6. Gemeenteraad Training Services: Training services for municipal councils including basic political skills training (€995 all-in) and observation with deepening training (price on request).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DebatUnie provides debate education services including on-site debate workshops, multi-day debate intensives, teacher training programs, professional debate moderation, and organization of national and international debate tournaments. The organization serves all education levels (primary, secondary, vocational, higher education) plus municipal councils, with a proprietary curriculum (Leerlijn Debatteren) and standardized pricing per session or group.

Product overview

DebatUnie is een educatieve organisatie gespecialiseerd in debatonderwijs en debatevenementen. Het kernproduct bestaat uit debatworkshops, debatdagen en docententrainingen voor alle onderwijslagen (po, vo, mbo, hbo, wo). Daarnaast organiseert DebatUnie grote nationale evenementen zoals het Nationaal MBO-Debat en werkt zij samen met Stichting DebatUnie voor de Benelux Debatcompetitie. Het aanbod omvat ook Masterclass Debat & Jurering, Landelijke Studiedagen voor Docenten, Dagvoorzitter-diensten, de Leerlijn Debatteren (gratis lesmaterialen), Trainingen voor Gemeenteraden, en gespecialiseerde programma's zoals het Debatprogramma Gemeenteraadsverkiezingen en het Albeda Project Taalkracht.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Debatworkshops Accessible debate workshops for students and pupils from all education levels (primary, secondary, vocational, higher education) where participants, guided by experienced debaters, get introduced to debating and practice presentation and argumentation skills. Priced at €350 per half-day session per group (up to 24 persons).
• Debatdagen Intensive full-day debate sessions where students or pupils are simultaneously trained through a crash course with emphasis on oral language proficiency or critical thinking. Priced at €650 per full day per group (4-6 hours, 10-25 persons).
• Docententraining Training programs for teachers in primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education to support them in delivering debate education and developing their own debate skills. Priced at €725 per program, delivered over 1-4 half-day sessions with groups of 4-14 participants.
• Landelijke Studiedagen voor Docenten National study days where teachers personally practice debate and working methods, covering topics such as starting with debate, learning pathways, argumentation quality, preventing speaking anxiety, and basics of note-taking and assessment. Individual registration €295 per person, group rate €195 per person.
• Dagvoorzitter (Event Moderation Service) Professional debate moderators, day chairs, and debate leaders for meetings and debate events with more than ten years of experience. Priced at €600-1300 per half-day session, includes travel allowance, VAT exempt.
• Nationaal MBO-Debat National vocational education (MBO) debate competition where teams from across the Netherlands debate societal, political, and educational topics. The 2026 finale is scheduled for 10 June 2026 at Curio Breda, in partnership with JOB MBO and V-fonds.
• Benelux Debatcompetitie Annual debate competition for the Benelux region, organized by Stichting DebatUnie (established 2016), with final days and tournaments held domestically and internationally.
• Masterclass Debat & Jurering Free program for self-development in debate and political skills, featuring deepening evenings, societal activities, visits to government levels of the Netherlands, and participation as jury member at tournaments. Part of the MDT (Maatschappelijke Diensttijd) government program with participant allowances.
• Leerlijn Debatteren Continuous debate learning pathway for secondary education, developed by DebatUnie in collaboration with Dutch and Flemish schools and co-financed by the European Union. Includes structured techniques and tips for gradual, accessible buildup of speaking and debate skills. Available as free downloadable teacher reader and student workbook.
• Trainingen voor Gemeenteraden Training programs for municipal councils focused on strengthening speaking skills, argumentation, and critical thinking. Includes basic political skills training (€995 all-in) and observation of council meetings with deepening training (price on request). 6-15 participants per trainer, 3 hours duration.
• Debatprogramma Gemeenteraadsverkiezingen School program for municipal council elections where young people (VO and MBO students) practically work on speaking and debate skills and learn substantive information about how the municipal council works. Priced at €405 per half-day group session or €705 per full-day group session. CJP-budget accepted.
• Albeda Project Taalkracht Project for first-year CEO students (multilingual learners, students with language difficulties, Level 2 students) offering two free workshops of 2 lessons each: introduction to debating and debate structure and practice. Partnered with Albeda CEO.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ students reached in single Amsterdam event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stichting DebatUniecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Stichting DebatUnie works alongside DebatUnie B.V. to organize the Benelux Debatcompetitie annually. The foundation focuses on the general interest goal of stimulating argumentation and debate skills among youth in the Dutch language region.
• JOB MBOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJOB MBO (Jongerenorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs) is the interest organization for MBO students that partners with DebatUnie for election debates and the Nationaal MBO-debat, providing information about their role as advocates.
• V-fondscoreOthersV-fonds is a Dutch fund that supports social initiatives. They are listed as a partner for the Nationaal MBO-debat.
• MBO UtrechtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBO Utrecht co-organized the Utrechts MBO/HBO debattoernooi with DebatUnie.
• Het NoordikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHet Noordik school co-organized the Twents Debattoernooi 2022 with DebatUnie at their Almelo location.
• BplusCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBplusC is a cultural institution in Leiden that partners with DebatUnie for literature workshops combined with debate training in primary schools.
• Iedereen DebatteertminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIedereen Debatteert is a partner organization that helps guide the program and jury members for Almelo's Basisschooldebat.
• Gemeente ArnhemminorOthersGemeente Arnhem partnered with DebatUnie and Rijn IJssel for the Rijn IJssel Verkiezingsdebat 2022.
• Gemeente AmsterdamminorOthersGemeente Amsterdam partnered with DebatUnie and JOB MBO for the Amsterdams Studentendebat 2022.
• Universiteit Leiden (ICLON)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICLON (Institute for Teaching and Teacher Training) at Leiden University partnered for the Leidse Wetenschap en Debatdag 2024.
• Gemeente LeidenminorOthersGemeente Leiden is a partner for the Leidse Wetenschap en Debatdag 2024.
• Hogeschool LeidenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHogeschool Leiden hosted the Leidse Wetenschap en Debatdag 2024 as venue and partner.
• DNAinbeeldminorOthersDNAinbeeld is a partner for the Leidse Wetenschap en Debatdag 2024 focusing on DNA-related ethical topics.
• MDT (Maatschappelijke Diensttijd)coreOthersMDT is a Dutch program that provides compensation for youth participants. DebatUnie's Masterclass debat & jurering program is part of MDT and participants can receive allowances through MDT.
• Albeda CEOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlbeda CEO partnered with DebatUnie for the Taalkracht project, bringing debate workshops to first-year CEO students.
• European Union (co-financing)coreOthersThe Leerlijn Debatteren curriculum is co-financed by the European Union. Views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Debate Education Association (IDEA): Global non-profit promoting debate and critical thinking education, with curriculum, teacher training, and international tournaments. Direct comparable in mission, content library, and educator-training flywheel.
• National Speech & Debate Association: U.S.-based non-profit running the largest middle and high school speech and debate tournament circuit in the world. Closely comparable business model combining curriculum, teacher training, tournaments, and judging — directly parallel to DebatUnie's core offering.

Others

• European Universities Debating Championship (EUDC) organisation: Organizer of the principal European university-level debating circuit. Comparable as an event and tournament organizer for the same activity type, though focused on university rather than secondary/vocational education.
• Stichting Lezen & Schrijven: Dutch national foundation focused on language skills and basic communication. Indirectly comparable as a public-benefit organization delivering language and communication programming in Dutch schools, with overlapping teacher-training channels.

Broad incumbents

• Toastmasters International: Global non-profit offering public speaking and communication training through a member-club model. Comparable as a competitor for adult and student public speaking education, though much broader in scope than DebatUnie's debate-specialist focus.
• English-Speaking Union: International educational charity running public speaking and debating competitions and teacher programs in multiple countries. Comparable as a broader-scope incumbent offering speech and debate education with an institutional and event-driven model.

Regional players

• Debatte e.V. (Debating Society of Germany): German debating association running school debate programs, teacher training, and national tournaments. Closely comparable curriculum-and-tournament model in a neighboring linguistic market with potential crossover relevance for Flemish expansion.

Emerging players

• Stichting Spraakmakers: Dutch organization offering speech and presentation training to youth and professionals. Adjacent competitor for speaking-skills programming within the same Dutch-speaking target schools.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/debatunie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 DebatUnie