Prins Heerlijk

What Prins Heerlijk does

Prins Heerlijk, legally Stichting Buitengewoon Leren en Werken, is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in 2008 and headquartered in Tilburg, Netherlands. The organization provides vocational training, employment, and integrated support services for young people aged 16-27 with serious learning difficulties and/or mild intellectual disabilities who cannot succeed in mainstream MBO (vocational) education. It operates an integrated "Speciaal MBO in bedrijf" methodology in which students simultaneously learn and work in real workplace environments, earning recognized MBO level 1 or 2 diplomas administered by licensed partners De Rooi Pannen and Yonder. Reported outcomes include 78% post-diploma employment and 161+ MBO diplomas issued in the Eindhoven region alone.

The foundation delivers education across three sectors — hospitality (horeca), retail (detailhandel), and care (zorg) — and supplements this with developmental day activities (Ontwikkelingsgerichte Dagbesteding), individual guidance (Individuele Begeleiding), residential guidance (Woonbegeleiding), and reintegration services. Prins Heerlijk owns and operates four hospitality venues in Tilburg and Ulvenhout (De Duynsberg, De Patroon, The Rise, and Lunchroom De Uitdaging) that function simultaneously as customer-facing restaurants and student training environments, supplemented by an e-commerce webwinkel selling gift packages. The organization's HKZ Zorg & Welzijn certification, SBB-recognized leerbedrijf status, and registration as a UWV jobcoach organization form the regulatory backbone of its operating model.

Revenue is primarily sourced from Dutch government care and education contracts — WMO and Jeugdwet via municipalities, Wajong trajectories via UWV, and WLZ funding through Zorgkantoor VGZ Midden-Brabant — with secondary revenue from restaurant transactions, event hosting, and the online webwinkel. The foundation is governed by a five-member Supervisory Board (Raad van Toezicht) chaired by Hilde Meijs; Pascale Bartels serves as executive director (Bestuurder) following the 2025 retirement of co-founders Gief van Schijndel and Ella Buijze, who were each awarded the Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau. No private equity, venture capital, or external investment ownership was identified.

Name

Prins Heerlijk

Legal name

Stichting Buitengewoon Leren en Werken – Prins Heerlijk

Website

https://prinsheerlijk.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Prins Heerlijk (Stichting Buitengewoon Leren en Werken) is a Dutch non-profit foundation providing integrated vocational training, employment, and support services for youth aged 16-27 with learning disabilities, operating across hospitality, retail, and care sectors through four owned venues in Tilburg and Ulvenhout.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Needs Vocational Education and Youth Disability Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (611710), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Special needs vocational education
• Youth disability employment
• Social enterprise hospitality
• MBO training programs
• Care and reintegration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tilburg

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded care and education contracts: Prins Heerlijk receives funding through government contracts with municipalities (WMO, Jeugdwet), UWV (Wajong), and Zorgkantoor VGZ Midden-Brabant (WLZ). These contracts fund re-integratie trajectories, job coaching, and care services for young people with disabilities.
2. Restaurant and hospitality operations: Revenue generated from operating restaurant/cafe locations including De Duynsberg, De Patroon, The Rise, and Lunchroom De Uitdaging. These establishments serve as both commercial operations and training environments for students.
3. Web shop sales: Online retail of gift packages, specialty food products, and holiday packages through the Prins Heerlijk webwinkel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Prins Heerlijk is a Dutch non-profit foundation that delivers an integrated system of vocational education (MBO level 1-2), work reintegration, residential guidance, individual coaching, and developmental day activities for young people aged 16-27 with learning difficulties or mild intellectual disabilities. It operates four hospitality venues (De Duynsberg, De Patroon, The Rise, Lunchroom De Uitdaging) that double as customer-facing restaurants and accredited learning workplaces, supplemented by training programs in hospitality, retail, and healthcare delivered in partnership with De Rooi Pannen and Yonder.

Product overview

Prins Heerlijk is a Dutch organization (Stichting Buitengewoon leren en werken) that provides an integrated system of vocational education, employment, and support services for young people aged 16-27 with learning difficulties or mild intellectual disabilities. The organization operates through four hospitality locations (De Duynsberg, De Patroon, The Rise, and Lunchroom de Uitdaging) which serve as both customer-facing businesses and learning workplaces. Education programs in hospitality, retail, and healthcare are delivered through 'Speciaal MBO in Bedrijf' partnerships with De Rooi Pannen and Yonder. Additional services include development-oriented day activities (Ontwikkelingsgerichte Dagbesteding), individual guidance, residential guidance (Woonbegeleiding), and work reintegration programs. The organization also offers event hosting and an e-commerce web shop for gift packages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KwilT: A collaborative project in Tilburg's Fatima neighborhood bringing together Prins Heerlijk, De Wever, TBV Wonen, and Fontys to promote mutual self-reliance (samenredzaamheid) among residents including elderly and youth with learning difficulties.
• Speciaal MBO in bedrijf

Products and services

• De Duynsberg (Café Restaurant & Shop) Café restaurant at Indigolaan 100, Tilburg, serving daily meals (day dish €10.35) and groceries. Operates Monday-Sunday as both a customer-facing restaurant and an accredited learning workplace for Prins Heerlijk students.
• De Patroon (Care Neighborhood House) Zorgbuurthuis and activity center at Wethouderslaan 9, Tilburg, offering food, drinks, and activities for neighborhood residents. Functions as a learning workplace for students and a community hub inside a care center.
• The Rise (Restaurant & Meeting Facilities) Restaurant and meeting venue at Dr Hub van Doorneweg 195, Tilburg. Offers a lunch buffet and meeting facilities for up to 50 persons; serves as a learning workplace for facility-services students.
• Lunchroom De Uitdaging Lunchroom at Dorpstraat 40, Ulvenhout, offering sandwiches, homemade soups, English High Tea (€26.50 p.p.), and seasonal menus. Functions as a learning workplace for people with disabilities.
• Speciaal MBO in Bedrijf – Horeca Opleidingen Hospitality vocational training at MBO level 1-2 for youth with learning difficulties. Programs include Horeca-assistent, Medewerker fastservice, Kok, and Gastheer/gastvrouw.
• Speciaal MBO in Bedrijf – Detailhandel Opleidingen Retail vocational training at MBO level 1-2 for youth with learning difficulties. Programs include Aankomend verkoopmedewerker and Verkoopmedewerker.
• Speciaal MBO in Bedrijf – Zorg Opleidingen Healthcare vocational training at MBO level 1-2 for youth with learning difficulties. Programs include Assistent dienstverlening, Helpende zorg en welzijn, and Medewerker facilitaire dienstverlening.
• Ontwikkelingsgerichte Dagbesteding Day activities for youth aged 16-27 with learning difficulties or mild intellectual disabilities, focused on personal growth, confidence building, portfolio-based learning, and helper certificates. Includes specialized Horeca & Detailhandel day activities.
• Hulpkracht Ouderenzorg Entry-level program for youth who cannot yet follow formal MBO training but want to work in elderly care. Provides a pathway to Horeca Hulpkracht or elderly care helper roles.
• Woonbegeleiding Residential guidance for youth (16-27) in Prins Heerlijk housing in Tilburg. Provides supervised living with tailored support to develop practical, personal, and social skills. Rooms approximately €375/month; independent apartments €700-730/month.
• Individuele Begeleiding Individual coaching covering planning, household tasks, emotional management, communication, confidence building, leisure activities, and independent transit use. Funded through WLZ, Jeugdwet, or WMO.
• Re-integratie en Participatie Work reintegration programs for youth aged 16-27 with learning difficulties, combining work experience with vocational training in hospitality, retail, or healthcare to enable societal participation.
• Vergaderen en Feestjes (Meetings and Parties) Meeting and party hosting at The Rise (up to 50 persons) and De Uitdaging. Includes catering for birthdays, jubilees, baby showers, and corporate events.
• Prins Heerlijk Webwinkel Online retail of gift packages, specialty beers, tapenades, nuts, and other delicacies, suitable as Christmas or holiday gifts. Products are sourced from the organization's own production.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78% of MBO diploma graduates find employment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Vitalis Woonzorg GroepcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Over 9 years of collaboration providing valuable work places for young people. In 2022 started with education center at Vitalis location Wilgenhof. In 2025 expanded with hulpkrachtenteam starting February 2025.
• Park ZuiderhoutmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024New partnership starting September 2024. 6-8 young people from the hulpkrachtenteam will provide support with daily tasks at Park Zuiderhout in Teteringen.
• De EftelingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Since 2021, De Efteling and Prins Heerlijk work together to provide a structural and dignified training location. Young people start in the staff restaurant with daily guidance from experienced mentors. New 3-year contract signed to continue cooperation.
• YondercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership started in 2020 for guiding young people with functional limitations toward MBO diploma level 1 or 2 at Yonder Entree opleidingen. Approximately 100 students enroll annually. Partnership renewed in February 2025 for continued cooperation.
• De Rooi PannencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for horeca and detailhandel sectors. Administers exams for Prins Heerlijk students in these vocational areas.
• KwilT Consortium (De Wever, TBV Wonen, Gemeente Tilburg, Fontys)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKwilT project promotes self-reliance and meaningful contacts in Tilburg Fatima-Oost neighborhood. Prins Heerlijk works with De Wever, TBV Wonen, Gemeente Tilburg, and Fontys Centre of Expertise Health. Project received 2nd place ZorgSaamWonenAward 2023.
• Gemeenten (municipalities)coreOthersMunicipalities contract Prins Heerlijk for WMO and Jeugdwet services for young people needing support.
• UWVcoreOthersUWV contracts Prins Heerlijk for Wajong trajectories and job coaching services.
• Zorgkantoor VGZ Midden-BrabantcoreOthersZorgkantoor provides WLZ funding for Prins Heerlijk's care services.
• Albert HeijnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal workplace for students in retail training programs.
• Bonheur Horeca Groep (BHG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple BHG locations including Auberge du Bonheur, Esplanade, Faculty Club, Grotto, Prise d'eau, and Willem 2 stadion serve as training workplaces for hospitality students.
• Van der Valk Hotel TilburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal workplace for hospitality training.
• McDonald's (Ulvenhout/Goirle)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal workplace for hospitality training.
• De WevermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple locations including Padua, Reyshoeve, Satijnhof, De Bijsterstede, Den Herdgang, and others serve as training workplaces in care sector.
• AmarantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKDC Kobalt and Serviceteam Hilvarenbeek locations serve as training workplaces.
• BrabantZorgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocations including Wilberthof, Zonnelied, and Aatrium serve as training workplaces.
• Vitalis (multiple locations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Vitalis locations including Engelsbergen, Fakkellaan, Berckelhof, Wissehaege, Wilgenhof, Cascade, Het Lint, and Peppelrode serve as training workplaces.
• Het LaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService center and training location for Prins Heerlijk students in care sector.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kentalis: Royal Dutch Kentalis delivers special education, audiological services, and vocational preparation for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth, including transition-to-work pathways. Comparable to Prins Heerlijk in delivering MBO-level vocational training and employer placement for youth with disabilities in the Netherlands.
• Bartiméus: Specialized Dutch organization supporting people with visual impairments and blindness through education, work-integration, and care services. Comparable to Prins Heerlijk as a non-profit delivering integrated learning-and-working programs with employer partnerships for youth with sensory/cognitive disabilities.
• Heliomare: Dutch organization providing rehabilitation, special education, and work-integration programs for youth and adults with disabilities. Directly comparable to Prins Heerlijk as both operate integrated education-employment-care models with employer partnerships and recognized MBO-equivalent vocational training for special-needs populations.
• Specialisterren: Dutch social enterprise that employs and trains people with autism in IT, testing, and consultancy services. Highly comparable to Prins Heerlijk as a Dutch non-profit social enterprise combining workplace learning with structured employment pathways for a specific disability cohort.
• Stichting Special Heroes Nederland: Dutch foundation that organizes sports and movement programs for children and youth with disabilities, including partnerships with schools and care organizations. Comparable to Prins Heerlijk as a Dutch non-profit enabling meaningful participation for youth with disabilities through structured programs and employer/community partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• ASVZ: Dutch care organization providing support, housing, and day activities for people with intellectual disabilities, with regional branches across the Randstad and Brabant. Comparable to Prins Heerlijk in delivering daybesteding, woonbegeleiding, and work-integration services, but at substantially larger scale.
• Pluryn: Dutch youth care and disability services organization offering specialized education, residential care, and work-integration programs for young people with complex needs. Comparable to Prins Heerlijk in serving the 16-27 transition-age cohort with intellectual/developmental disabilities through integrated support pathways.
• Philadelphia Zorg: Major Dutch care provider supporting people with intellectual disabilities through housing, day activities, and work programs nationwide. Comparable in mission and service mix to Prins Heerlijk's woonbegeleiding and dagbesteding offerings, with overlapping employer-network models.
• 's Heeren Loo: One of the largest Dutch care providers for people with intellectual disabilities, offering supported living, day activities, and work integration across many regions. Comparable to Prins Heerlijk in mission and service portfolio, but operates at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
• Reinaerde: Dutch care organization supporting children, youth, and adults with disabilities across housing, education, and work-integration domains. Comparable to Prins Heerlijk in mission and integrated support model, with similar reliance on municipal/regionale contracting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC85g7ho5YuBw8NR9lnQoffg
• Facebookfacebook.com/prinsheerlijktilburg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prins-heerlijk-tilburg
• Instagraminstagram.com/prinsheerlijktilburg

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Prins Heerlijk