What ISBW Education & Training does

ISBW Education & Training (legal name: Hogeschool ISBW) is a Dutch private educational institution founded in 1930 through the merger of the Instituut voor Sociale Wetenschappen and the Instituut voor Bedrijfswetenschappen. Headquartered in Hilversum, Netherlands, with 51-100 employees, ISBW delivers practice-oriented management and leadership education to working professionals and corporate clients across the Netherlands through 216+ accredited courses spanning MBO, HBO, Post HBO, and Master levels. Its portfolio is organized into nine specialized sub-brands covering Business Administration, Coaching/Psychology/Communication, Finance/Data/Risk Management, HRM, Logistics/Facility Management, Management & Leadership, Marketing/Sales, Project/Process/Lean Management, and Strategy/Change/Innovation, plus dedicated verticals for healthcare management and government/non-profit management.

ISBW's core technology is a proprietary online learning environment called e-Connect (mijn-econnect.nl), which supports three delivery modalities: classroom-based learning at 20+ locations, virtual classroom, and self-paced e-learning. The company's pedagogical differentiator is the Action Learning Method, which continuously aligns knowledge, skills, and current work practice through practical assignments based on real organizational challenges, taught by freelance instructors who are practicing managers. The company holds OCW-erkenning from the Dutch Ministry of Education, NVAO accreditation for HBO Bachelor programs, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, and the Cedeo quality mark (80%+ student satisfaction).

ISBW generates revenue through four primary streams: (1) open enrollment programs for individual students across the 216+ course catalog, with per-course or per-module tuition and access to the Levenlanglerenkrediet (LLLK) government loan; (2) customized incompany and maatwerk training for enterprises, priced per engagement and delivered on-site; (3) accredited HBO Bachelor and Associate Degree programs on a subscription/annual billing basis; and (4) Master programs delivered in partnership with NCOI, with revenue shared via commission. Go-to-market combines a consultative inside-sales motion (educational advisors via phone, WhatsApp, email, open evenings, personal study consultations) with a field sales motion targeting the top 500 Dutch employers. ISBW operates as part of Salta Group, one of the largest educational groups in the Netherlands.

Name

ISBW Education & Training

Legal name

Hogeschool ISBW

Website

https://isbw.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ISBW Education & Training is a Netherlands-based private educational institution, founded in 1930, offering accredited modular management and leadership programs (MBO to Master) to working professionals and corporate clients via classroom, virtual, and e-learning modalities, operating under the Salta Group umbrella.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Professional Education & Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC)

Keywords

• Professional education services
• Management training programs
• Corporate training services
• Adult higher education
• Vocational management courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Hilversum

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Open Enrollment Programs (Particulieren): ISBW generates revenue from individual students enrolling in its catalog of 216+ courses spanning MBO, HBO, Post HBO, and Master levels. Students pay tuition for modular programs, individual modules, vakopleidingen, and short training courses. Revenue is recognized on a per-course or per-module basis, with flexible payment options including the Levenlanglerenkrediet (lifelong learning credit) government loan scheme.
2. Incompany & Maatwerk Training: ISBW provides customized corporate training delivered at the client's premises or a location of choice. Revenue is generated through bespoke program fees negotiated per organization, based on group size, program customization, and delivery location. This stream targets enterprise clients and government organizations across the Netherlands.
3. HBO Bachelor & Associate Degree Programs: Full-time working professionals enroll in accredited 2-year Associate Degree or 4-year Bachelor programs on a part-time/deeltijd basis. Tuition is charged per academic year or module, with recognized accreditation enabling government financing support (LLLK / Levenlanglerenkrediet).
4. Master Programs (via NCOI partnership): ISBW partners with NCOI to deliver accredited Master programs (MBA, MBA for Zorg en Welzijn, Master MCC) on a part-time basis. NCOI administers the programs while ISBW facilitates enrollment and provides local delivery. Revenue is shared or commissioned-based through this partnership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ISBW Education & Training delivers practice-oriented management and leadership education for working professionals in the Netherlands. It offers 216+ accredited programs ranging from MBO and HBO Bachelor degrees to Post HBO diplomas and Master programs (delivered via partner NCOI), supplemented by short management training courses and custom incompany corporate training. Courses are delivered through classroom sessions at 20+ locations, virtual classroom, and self-paced e-learning via its proprietary e-Connect platform, with a pedagogical model built around the Action Learning Method.

Product overview

ISBW Education & Training (Kennis waar je meer mee kunt) is a Dutch educational institution with over 90 years of experience offering practice-oriented management and leadership education for working professionals. The company provides a comprehensive modular education platform with multiple product levels: full Master programs (in partnership with NCOI), Post HBO programs, HBO Bachelor degrees, HBO programs/modules, MBO programs, and short management training courses. The portfolio is organized across specialized sub-brands covering Business Administration, Coaching/Psychology/Communication, Finance/Data/Risk Management, HRM, Logistics/Facility Management, Management & Leadership, Marketing/Sales, Project/Process/Lean Management, and Strategy/Change/Innovation. ISBW's unique approach centers on the Action Learning Method and the ManagersOntwikkelModel (MOM), emphasizing practical, applicable knowledge through instructors who are active managers themselves. The platform supports flexible learning through classroom, virtual classroom, and e-learning modalities, with incompany and custom training options for organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HBO Bachelor Opleidingen (HBO Bachelor Programs) Legally accredited four-year HBO Bachelor degrees (240 EC study points), including specializations such as Bedrijfskunde and Management in de Zorg. Delivered part-time to working professionals, with tuition accessible via the Levenlanglerenkrediet (LLLK) government loan for eligible adults.
• Masteropleidingen (Master Programs) Legally accredited Master programs with a 2-year nominal duration, awarding official Master degrees. Includes MBA, MBA for Healthcare (MBA voor Zorg en Welzijn), and Master Management, Culture and Change (Master MCC). Delivered in partnership with NCOI, which administers accreditation and certification while ISBW facilitates enrollment and local delivery.
• Post HBO Opleidingen (Post-Bachelor Programs) Professional development programs between HBO and Master level for deepening knowledge in specific fields. Duration ranges from 3 months to 1 year, focused on practical application rather than formal examination or extensive final thesis. Modular billing per program with individual modules available; LLLK government credit applicable for eligible students.
• MBO Opleidingen (MBO Programs) Programs built from modules of accredited MBO qualifications for professional growth at MBO level, aimed at working professionals seeking vocational credentials.
• HBO Programma's (HBO Programs) Programs built from individual modules of accredited HBO programs, enabling students to deepen or broaden knowledge at HBO level with potential exemptions toward further study.
• Managementtrainingen (Management Trainings) Short, targeted skills training programs lasting 1 to 5 days focused on specific management and soft skills, awarding a certificate upon completion. Suitable for working professionals and teams seeking rapid, applied skill development.
• Incompany & Maatwerk (Custom Corporate Training) Customized corporate training solutions delivered at the client's premises or a location of choice, with flexible scheduling, tailored programs, and integration of the organization's own practice cases. Targeted at Dutch enterprises and government organizations, often financed through O&O/A&O sector funds or IReK.
• Modulair Onderwijs (Modular Education) Flexible modular education system that allows students to build credentials step-by-step through individual 3-month modules, with credits accumulating toward larger programs, full degrees, or certificates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million professionals educated in nearly 90 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NCOIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOI serves as ISBW's business partner for delivering accredited Master programs (MBA, MBA voor Zorg en Welzijn, Master Management Cultuur en Verandering). NCOI administers the programs including accreditation, certification, and ongoing curriculum updates, while ISBW handles local enrollment and student services. This is a long-standing partnership covering the highest-tier academic programs in ISBW's portfolio.
• Salta GroupcoreOthersISBW is a member of the Salta Group, one of the largest educational groups in the Netherlands. Salta Group operates multiple educational brands including NCOI, and provides shared services including HR (recruitment of trainers/teachers), technology infrastructure, and marketing. ISBW's careers page redirects to Salta Group's vacancy platform (careers.saltagroup.com).
• O&O Fonds (Sector Education and Development Funds)minorOthersO&O and A&O Funds are sector-based education and development funds in the Netherlands through which employers can obtain subsidies for employee training. ISBW accepts subsidies from these funds, making its programs more financially accessible for employees in specific sectors.
• Individuele Re-integratieovereenkomst (IReK)minorOthersThe Individual Reintegration Agreement (IReK) is a Dutch government scheme that funds retraining and reintegration programs. ISBW's programs may be financed through this mechanism for eligible individuals, particularly those returning to the labor market or transitioning between roles.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Coursera: Coursera is a global online learning platform partnering with universities and companies to deliver professional certificates, specializations, and management courses. Comparable as an alternative channel for management upskilling, increasingly adopted by Dutch employers as part of broader L&D portfolios, particularly for self-paced and lower-cost segments where ISBW also competes.
• LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning is a subscription-based digital learning library integrated with LinkedIn's professional network, offering management, leadership, and business courses. Comparable as an enterprise-friendly, self-paced alternative for professional development, increasingly bundled into corporate L&D contracts alongside traditional Dutch training providers like ISBW.

Direct peers

• Schouten & Nelissen: Schouten & Nelissen is a long-standing Dutch training provider specializing in management, leadership, and personal effectiveness programs for professionals and organizations. Directly comparable to ISBW because both deliver accredited and non-accredited management training via classroom and incompany formats across the Netherlands.
• Nyenrode Business Universiteit: Nyenrode is a prestigious Dutch private business university offering accredited Bachelor, Master, MBA, and executive education programs for working professionals. Directly comparable as a Netherlands-based provider of management and leadership education serving the same enterprise and professional segments, though with a more elite/selective positioning.
• LOI (Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen): LOI is a long-established Dutch distance-learning provider offering MBO, HBO, and Post HBO programs including management and business administration tracks. Directly comparable as a Netherlands-focused provider of accredited, flexible professional education competing for the same working-professional and adult-learner segments as ISBW.
• NHA (Nederlandse Handels Academie): NHA is one of the largest Dutch home-study institutions, offering vocational and management training programs. Directly comparable as a Dutch private education provider offering accredited professional courses, including management tracks, to working adults through flexible self-study and supported learning modalities.
• TIAS School for Business and Society: TIAS is a Dutch business school offering part-time MBA, Master, and executive education programs, affiliated with Tilburg University. Directly comparable to ISBW because both target working professionals with accredited, practice-oriented management and leadership programs delivered in modular formats across the Netherlands.
• NCOI: NCOI is ISBW's sister brand within Salta Group and the largest private professional education provider in the Netherlands, offering HBO, Post HBO, and Master programs. Directly comparable because both serve working professionals with accredited part-time management/leadership curricula delivered via classroom, virtual, and e-learning modalities, and NCOI administers ISBW's Master programs.

Broad incumbents

• Saxion Next (Saxion University of Applied Sciences): Saxion is a large Dutch hogeschool offering professional Bachelor and Post HBO programs including management and business administration, with a continuing-education arm (Saxion Next) targeting working professionals. Comparable as a Dutch higher-education institution offering accredited management training in overlapping subject areas.
• Hogeschool Tio: Tio is a Dutch private higher education institution offering HBO Bachelor and Master programs, including business and management tracks. Comparable as a Dutch hogeschool competing for the same working-professional and full-time student segments, with broader higher-education scope than ISBW's professional development focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/isbw
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@isbw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISBWopleiding
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isbw-opleidingen

Compliance5 records

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 ISBW Education & Training