De Zorgambassade

What De Zorgambassade does

De Zorgambassade is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting de Zorgambassade) headquartered in Bussum, Netherlands, operating since 2019 as the country's national healthcare think-and-do tank. Founded in November 2018 by Felice Verduyn-van Weegen of LSP and granted ANBI (public benefit) status on June 22, 2021, the organization runs annual "editions" — year-long structured programs that bring together 15-18 carefully selected mid-career healthcare professionals to develop concrete, scalable solutions for pressing Dutch healthcare challenges. Editie 2026 features 18 participants focused on the responsible scaling of AI in healthcare, while prior editions addressed nursing staff retention (Verbind & Versterk), pharmaceutical sustainability (Waterwijs, Startgids Duurzamer Voorschrijven, Voorraad op Maat), shared decision-making and Advance Care Planning (Keuzekoffer, Samen Beslissen), informal caregiver support (MantelSuite), and lifestyle intervention accessibility (Fitkompas). Participants are sourced through nominations, partner referrals, and a two-stage selection process (paper review and interview), and attend the program free of charge.

The organization operates with no proprietary technology and produces initiative-based outputs rather than commercial software. Solutions are developed using structured methodology supported by consulting partners, notably BCG (since founding) and Gupta Strategists (2026). The foundation's distribution model relies on a cross-sector partner ecosystem including health insurers (Zilveren Kruis via Fonds SGS, VGZ, ONVZ), pharmaceutical companies (Takeda, Johnson & Johnson), medical technology firms (Philips, ZorgDomein), hospital groups (Santeon, UMC Utrecht, Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep), strategy consultancies (BCG, Gupta Strategists, Strategy&), banks (ABN AMRO), venture capital (Thuja Capital, NN Ventures, Invest-NL), and healthcare data firms (IQVIA, Pacmed). The core operating team is small (Director Marie-Lise van Veenstra, ex-McKinsey and ex-ProRail; Event Manager Skip Kagie), supported by a 7-member board and an Acceleration Council of 14+ senior industry leaders.

The business model is non-commercial: program participation is free, the foundation has no profit motive, and revenue (in the form of partner contributions) flows from the diversified funding coalition. The foundation asserts editorial independence from its funders. Outreach is community-led via website content, the Ambassadenieuws newsletter, LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram presence, partner networks, and a formal nomination program. Knowledge is amplified through a knowledge network of 30+ organizations, alumni events, and conference participation (e.g., IQVIA National AI in Healthcare Congress).

Name

De Zorgambassade

Legal name

Stichting de Zorgambassade

Website

https://zorgambassade.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

De Zorgambassade is a Dutch non-profit foundation running annual think-and-do tank programs in which 15-18 mid-career healthcare professionals develop scalable solutions to Dutch healthcare challenges, funded by a diversified cross-sector partner coalition of insurers, pharma, medtech, hospitals, consultancies, and VCs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Innovation Think Tank

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Workforce Development & Capacity-Building (HLAJAKAM)

Keywords

• Healthcare think tank
• Healthcare innovation program
• Healthcare collaboration network
• Healthcare professional development
• Healthcare policy solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partner Funding: Stichting de Zorgambassade is funded by multiple public and private partners from across the Dutch healthcare landscape. Partners include healthcare insurers, pharmaceutical companies, medical technology firms, hospitals, and healthcare organizations. The foundation operates independently and has no profit motive.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

De Zorgambassade is a Dutch non-profit foundation that operates an annual "think-and-do tank" program (Editie) for 15-18 mid-career healthcare professionals. Each year-long cohort works on a single concrete healthcare challenge (e.g., AI in healthcare, nursing staff retention, sustainable prescribing) to develop implementable and scalable solutions. The foundation also produces standalone healthcare initiatives and tools (e.g., Verbind & Versterk, Keuzekoffer, Waterwijs, Share2Care) and maintains an alumni network supported by an Acceleration Council of senior healthcare leaders.

Product overview

De Zorgambassade is a Dutch national healthcare think-and-do tank that organizes annual programs (editions) bringing together mid-career healthcare professionals to develop concrete, scalable solutions for pressing healthcare challenges. Rather than a commercial software product company, it produces initiative-based solutions and programs. Each edition focuses on a specific theme (e.g., AI implementation, medication sustainability, nursing shortages, shared decision-making) and produces practical tools and approaches. The organization functions as a collaborative healthcare innovation network, not as a vendor of software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zorgambassade Annual Program (Editie) A year-long think-and-do tank program for 15-18 carefully selected mid-career healthcare professionals who develop concrete, scalable solutions to a defined Dutch healthcare challenge. Participation is free and selected through a two-stage selection process (paper review and interview).
• Verbind & Versterk A practical approach developed during Editie 2024 for strengthening the voice and influence of nursing staff and the facilitating role of supervisors. Consists of three steps: gathering information, conducting a facilitated workshop, and executing agreed actions.
• Keuzekoffer (Choice Toolkit) A practical toolkit developed during Editie 2023 for Advance Care Planning, containing a card game, script, teaching materials, and conversation starter to organize informal gatherings where elderly and medical students discuss end-of-life preferences.
• Waterwijs

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple initiatives have been implemented and are in active use, such as the 'Samen Beslissen' solution for patient choice and the 'Verbind & Versterk' approach for nursing staff retention
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Gupta StrategistscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Healthcare-focused strategy consultancy guiding participants in editie 2026 on responsible scaling of AI in healthcare. Provides expertise in pharmaceutical value chain and healthcare sustainability.
• IQVIAsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Healthcare data and technology company that hosted Zorgambassadeurs at the National AI in Healthcare Congress, facilitating dialogue on scaling AI in healthcare.
• NN Group / NN VenturessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hosted the 2025 AI in Healthcare Alumni Event. NN Ventures, part of NN Group, is a healthcare innovation investor and partner supporting the Zorgambassade community.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019BCG provides strategic consulting support and methodology guidance for participants. Consultants help teams develop and refine their solutions for healthcare challenges. BCG partners have been involved since the founding of the organization.
• Online DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Digital agency partner supporting the Zorgambassade with events, campaigns, and digital presence. Has hosted kick-off events and provides ongoing operational support.
• Philips BeneluxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Medical technology company supporting the Zorgambassade. CEO Henk Valk has endorsed the initiative as a platform for bringing together different perspectives to improve Dutch healthcare.
• Coöperatie VGZcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Health insurer VGZ supports the Zorgambassade. Division chairman Marjo Vissers-Kuijpers has emphasized the importance of healthcare professionals driving improvements from within the sector.
• ONVZsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Health insurer ONVZ partners with Zorgambassade. Chairman Jean-Paul van Haarlem emphasizes patient choice and quality transparency as key healthcare priorities.
• SanteoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration of seven top clinical hospitals working to improve medical care through continuous innovation. Director Pieter de Bey supports the Zorgambassade's focus on implementation and scaling.
• ZorgDomeinsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Digital healthcare platform facilitating over 14 million patient movements annually. CEO Dick Gorris supports the initiative for bringing together diverse healthcare perspectives.
• Thuja CapitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups developing new medicines or medical technologies. Board member Lisanne Blauw represents Thuja Capital.
• TakedasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Pharmaceutical company. Board member Laura Brinkman serves as Omnichannel Engagement & Innovation Lead at Takeda.
• Johnson & JohnsonsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Healthcare company. Board chair Tess Korthout works as Early Innovation Lead at Johnson & Johnson.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• RAND Health: RAND Health is a US-based division of the RAND Corporation conducting independent health research and policy analysis to inform decision-making across providers, payers, and government. It is comparable to Zorgambassade as an independent research-driven health organization that produces actionable insights and convenes senior stakeholders.
• Commonwealth Fund: The Commonwealth Fund is a US private foundation that promotes a high-performing, equitable US health system through independent research, policy analysis, and international comparisons. It mirrors Zorgambassade's combination of independent foundation status, healthcare research focus, and convening of senior healthcare leaders.
• Nuffield Trust: Nuffield Trust is an independent UK health research and policy think tank producing evidence-based analysis and convening healthcare leaders to improve care delivery. It parallels Zorgambassade's positioning as an independent, evidence-driven convener of senior healthcare stakeholders, though it operates in the UK rather than the Netherlands.
• The King's Fund: The King's Fund is an independent UK health think tank that influences health policy through research, analysis, leadership development, and convening senior NHS leaders. It shares Zorgambassade's model of an independent non-profit think-and-do-tank that produces both analysis and implementable programs with healthcare leaders.

Direct peers

• Vilans: Vilans is the Dutch national knowledge center for long-term care, focused on quality improvement, innovation, and implementation support across the Dutch care sector. It is directly comparable to De Zorgambassade as a Dutch non-profit knowledge organization that develops, disseminates, and supports implementation of healthcare innovations.
• Nictiz: Nictiz is the Dutch national knowledge center for digitalization and information exchange in healthcare, producing standards, research, and implementation guidance. It is comparable to De Zorgambassade as a Dutch non-profit healthcare knowledge organization that convenes stakeholders and produces widely adopted healthcare solutions.
• Instituut voor Positieve Gezondheid: The Institute for Positive Health (iPH) is a Dutch foundation that develops and disseminates the 'Positive Health' concept across the Dutch healthcare system through networks, education, and toolkits. It is comparable to Zorgambassade as a Dutch non-profit that promotes a specific healthcare innovation through cross-sector stakeholder engagement.
• NIVEL (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research): NIVEL is the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, conducting applied scientific research on healthcare systems, workforce, and quality in the Dutch context. It is directly comparable to Zorgambassade as a Dutch non-profit that produces evidence and insights to improve the Dutch healthcare system.
• Health-Holland (Top Sector Life Sciences & Health): Health-Holland is the Dutch public-private partnership and top sector organization for Life Sciences & Health, convening companies, knowledge institutes, and government to drive healthcare innovation. It shares Zorgambassade's cross-sector convening role in the Dutch healthcare innovation ecosystem and is listed in Zorgambassade's own knowledge network.
• CBO (Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement): CBO is the Dutch quality institute for healthcare focused on guideline development, quality improvement, and implementation of best practices across the Dutch healthcare system. It mirrors Zorgambassade's mission of converting healthcare knowledge into actionable improvements, and serves a similar stakeholder community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zorgambassade
• Facebookfacebook.com/zorgambassade
• Instagraminstagram.com/zorgambassade
• Xx.com/zorgambassade

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about De Zorgambassade