Technobel
Technobel is a Belgian non-profit digital skills center in Wallonia that delivers subsidized ICT training in five core pathways (development, cybersecurity, systems administration, data analysis, business analysis) to job seekers, employers, and educators, funded primarily by Le Forem, the Walloon Region, and the EU.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersCiney, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Technobel does
Technobel (legal entity Techno.bel asbl) is a Belgian non-profit (ASBL) digital skills competence center headquartered in Ciney, Wallonia, with a secondary training academy in Louvain-La-Neuve and a MakerHUB presence at the TRAKK hub in Namur. Founded in 2001, the center delivers subsidized professional training across five core pathways — Systems Administration, Business Analysis, Cybersecurity, Software Development (.NET), and Data Analysis — plus AI and STEAM-oriented programs for educators and youth, validation of competencies services, and annual events including the MAKE IT STEAM exhibition, MAKE IT Happen job day, and the regional FIRST LEGO League robotics competition.
The technology and product stack is anchored by an active 'Be a Maker' pedagogical methodology (ETF-recognized), supported by physical maker infrastructure (MakerCube prototyping lab, FabLab equipment, 3D printers, Arduino Education Innovation Lab), proprietary digital products including the HEXAGONIA educational game (iOS, Windows, Android), and the SoEasy extranet used to administer Forem Chèque-Formation vouchers. Training delivery blends hands-on maker projects with skills validation by external juries; supplementary offerings include the ELIOT IoT catalog, Play-Zone multidisciplinary workshops, AI4EDU teacher training, the INSIDE TECHNOBEL podcast, and the EU Erasmus+ Recogn(AI)ze project.
The business model is overwhelmingly public-funded and quasi-B2G/B2B: job-seeker training is free, financed by Le Forem, Walloon Region, and EU (ERDF/FSE) subsidies; corporate upskilling flows through the Chèque-Formation voucher system at €15/hour (administered by Sodexo via SoEasy); and bespoke curricula are co-developed with corporate partners such as Proximus (jointeur training). Go-to-market combines direct website enrollment, Le Forem referral of job seekers, event-driven recruitment (MAKE IT Happen), educational-institution partnerships for FIRST LEGO League, and an alumni ambassador network that feeds candidate pipelines back into the center.
Technobel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Technobel
- Legal name
- Techno.bel
- Website
- https://technobel.be
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Technobel is a Belgian non-profit digital skills center in Wallonia that delivers subsidized ICT training in five core pathways (development, cybersecurity, systems administration, data analysis, business analysis) to job seekers, employers, and educators, funded primarily by Le Forem, the Walloon Region, and the EU.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Technobel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational IT Training
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs (BPAEANAB), Software Engineering & Application Development Training (Languages, Frameworks, Testing) (BPAEANAI), Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ)
Keywords
Where Technobel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ciney
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Technobel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Public Subsidized Training: Technobel operates as a public training center primarily funded through government subsidies from Le Forem (Walloon public employment service), European Union (ERDF/FSE funds), and the Walloon Region. Training for job seekers is largely free as it is subsidized by public funds. Companies can access training through the Forem Chèque-Formation system (training vouchers purchased at 15 euros per training hour, with the remainder subsidized).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free training for job seekers (demandeurs d'emploi) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Forem Chèque-Formation voucher system for companies |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | FIRST LEGO League participation fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Technobel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Technobel is a Belgian Centre de Compétence that delivers subsidized professional training in five IT domains — Systems Administration, Business Analysis, Cybersecurity, Software Development (.NET), and Data Analysis — primarily to job seekers referred by Le Forem and to companies using Chèque-Formation vouchers. It complements these training pathways with skills validation services, the annual MAKE IT STEAM exhibition, MAKE IT HAPPEN recruitment events, the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition, the Play-Zone multidisciplinary workshop, and the HEXAGONIA educational game.
Product overview
Technobel is a professional training center (Centre de Compétence) in Wallonia, Belgium, specializing in digital skills training. The organization operates a platform-plus-modules architecture with core training programs in five key areas: Administration des Systèmes, Business Analyse, Cybersécurité, Développement, and Data Analyse. Supporting offerings include skills validation services leading to recognized competence titles, annual events (MAKE IT, MAKE IT HAPPEN Job Day), FIRST LEGO League robotics competitions, and the Play-Zone multidisciplinary workshop. The center has developed branded initiatives including the We Are Makers pedagogy, Hexagonia educational game, AI4EDU teacher training, and the MakerCube maker laboratory. Additional projects include the European Recogn(AI)ze initiative and the INSIDE TECHNOBEL podcast series.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- We Are Makers: Innovative vocational training program in the digital sector combining cooperative and sustainable dimensions
- MakerCube
- Hexagonia
- MAKE IT
- MAKE IT HAPPEN
- FIRST LEGO League
- Play-Zone
- ELIOT
Products and services
- Formation Parcours - Administration des Systèmes
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 200 certifications issued in 2019 alone
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Technobel
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Technobel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
Technobel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Le ForemcorePrimary public employment partner. Le Forem directs job seekers to Technobel training programs, manages the Chèque-Formation voucher system used by companies for subsidized training, and co-organizes MAKE IT Happen job day recruitment events. Collaboration is central to Technobel's operations as a Forem-recognized training center.
- European Training Foundation (ETF)coreAwarded Technobel the 'Committed to Vocational Excellence' label, the first organization in Wallonia to receive this European recognition. ETF collaboration supports Technobel's international development and benchmarking against European vocational training standards.
- EVTA (European Vocational Training Association)majorTechnobel elected Member of the Year 2024 by EVTA, one of the main European organizations dedicated to vocational training. Active membership since September 2020. EVTA provides network access, best practice sharing, and European recognition.
- FormaNammajorDevelopment partner for HEXAGONIA educational game. FormaNam, a training organization, collaborated with Technobel, HEAJ, and Henallux to create the strategic game promoting STEAM careers, funded by Plan de Relance de la Wallonie.
- HEAJ (Haute Ecole Animations et Techniques)majorHigher education partner in HEXAGONIA game development project. HEAJ contributed pedagogical and technical expertise to the educational game, leveraging their experience in media and technology education.
- HenalluxmajorHigher education partner in HEXAGONIA game development project. Henallux (Haute Ecole de Namur-Luxembourg) contributed engineering and technology expertise to the educational game development.
- UNamurmajorLong-standing partnership including joint SENSIT'IT sustainable IT day, participation in Play-Zone multidisciplinary projects, collaboration on STEAMULI initiative, and co-location at TRAKK hub créatif namurois. UNamur engineering students regularly participate in Technobel training projects.
- ProximusmajorMajor sponsor and partner for MAKE IT events. Jointly developed unique training pathway for jointeurs (fiber optic installers) with Technobel providing specialized curriculum for Proximus workforce needs.
- Infopole Cluster TICcoreWalloon ICT business cluster partner for MAKE IT events. Infopole supports job day recruitment events and connects Technobel with member companies seeking IT talent.
- Ciney ExpominorEvent venue partner for MAKE IT Happen job days and MAKE IT STEAM exhibitions. Ciney Expo provides exhibition space for large-scale public events.
- SodexominorVoucher management services for Forem Chèque-Formation system. Sodexo processes and manages training voucher purchases and redemptions as third-party administrator.
- Haute Ecole Albert JacquardmajorHigher education partner for Ateliers Créatifs Numériques (Creative Digital Workshops) targeting youth aged 12-16. Free 3-day maker workshops held at Technobel in Ciney, combining Technobel's maker facilities with the Haute Ecole's pedagogical expertise.
- ArduinomajorArduino Education Innovation Lab partnership. Technobel became a key partner for Arduino, receiving first European recognition for its maker education facilities. Provides access to Arduino prototyping platforms and educational resources for STEAM training.
- RcarréminorTechnology company that donated cybersecurity equipment to Technobel to strengthen cybersecurity training programs. Generous act of support enhances practical training capabilities for cybersecurity students.
- CEFORAmajorSectoral training fund partner for organizing Mini Job Day recruitment events. CEFORA supported organization of developer recruitment event combining .NET training graduates with hiring companies.
- TRAKK (Hub Créatif Namurois)majorCreative hub partnership at UNamur's former sports hall. Technobel provides training space and Be a Maker methodology within the FabLab environment, strengthening digital presence in Namur capital and connecting with regional innovation ecosystem.
- WorldSkills Belgium Training CentermajorTechnobel hosts Summer Camp for WorldSkills Belgium Training Center competitors in Network and Systems Administration (Startech's Days). Provides facilities and resources to prepare competitors for international skills competitions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Technobel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Cefora: Belgian sectoral training fund collaborating with Technobel on mini job day recruitment events. Comparable funding ecosystem participant rather than a direct training competitor.
- WorldSkills Belgium: Belgian vocational excellence organization that hosts Technobel-supported training for Network and Systems Administration competitors. Adjacent ecosystem participant in vocational training standards and recognition.
Direct peers
- Le Wagon: Global coding bootcamp present in Belgium offering full-stack web development and data science bootcamps to career changers. Comparable training format and learner profile even though privately funded.
- Simplon.co: French non-profit network of digital training centers for under-represented job seekers, operating in France and internationally on subsidized, employer-aligned reskilling programs. Comparable mission and pedagogy-driven, public-funded vocational IT model.
- Technifutur: Belgian competence centre based in Liège offering subsidized digital and technical training pathways to job seekers and companies. Closely comparable to Technobel on public-employment-service funding model, regional scope, and multi-pathway training catalog.
- BeCode: Belgian non-profit providing free digital training and reskilling for job seekers through bootcamps in web development, data and cybersecurity. Direct peer on free-to-learner model, employer placement focus, and FOREM-adjacent positioning.
- Cepegra: Walloon multimedia and digital training center operating with regional subsidies on similar territory to Technobel. Direct regional peer in subsidized digital skills training.
- Interface3: Brussels-based non-profit IT training center targeting women and career changers into digital roles. Comparable vocational IT training mission with public funding exposure and Belgian scope.
Broad incumbents
- Ironhack: Global for-profit tech bootcamp with multiple European campuses offering web development, data, UX and cybersecurity bootcamps. Overlaps with Technobel's reskilling mission across a broader geographies.
- OpenClassrooms: Online education platform offering mentored diploma and certification pathways in development, data, cybersecurity and IT. Addresses the same employer upskilling demand as Technobel's corporate training side.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Technobel social profiles
Digital presenceTechnobel compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Technobel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Technobel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Technobel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Technobel 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 Technobel
What does Technobel do?
Technobel is a Belgian Centre de Compétence that delivers subsidized professional training in five IT domains — Systems Administration, Business Analysis, Cybersecurity, Software Development (.NET), and Data Analysis — primarily to job seekers referred by Le Forem and to companies using Chèque-Formation vouchers. It complements these training pathways with skills validation services, the annual MAKE IT STEAM exhibition, MAKE IT HAPPEN recruitment events, the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition, the Play-Zone multidisciplinary workshop, and the HEXAGONIA educational game.
Is Technobel a public or private company?
Technobel is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Technobel founded?
Technobel was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Technobel based?
Technobel is headquartered in Ciney, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Technobel make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Subsidized Training.
Who are Technobel's main competitors?
Others on record are Cefora and WorldSkills Belgium. Direct peers are Le Wagon, Simplon.co, Technifutur, BeCode, Cepegra and Interface3. Broad incumbents are Ironhack and OpenClassrooms.
Does Technobel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Technobel.
What industry is Technobel in?
Technobel's product category is Vocational IT Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEANAE, Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time), with a secondary code of BPAEANAB, Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs. Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 8200.