Stimular
Stichting Stimular is a Rotterdam-based sustainability advisory foundation that helps Dutch SMEs, branch associations, governments, and healthcare organizations measure CO2 footprints, achieve climate-neutral operations, and complete sustainability certifications via the Milieubarometer tool, training, and bespoke consulting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersRotterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Stimular does
Stichting Stimular, founded in 1990 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is a non-profit foundation (stichting) that operates as a sustainability advisory and knowledge-sharing organization for Dutch SMEs, branch associations, governments, and healthcare institutions. Its commercial activity spans four revenue streams: (i) bespoke advisory engagements (CO2-footprinting, climate-neutral planning, energy audits, biodiversity scans, waste prevention, scope 3 analysis, sustainability reporting) priced on a quote basis; (ii) CRKBO-registered training and courses on CO2-Prestatieladder, LCA, MVO measurement, and climate-neutral operations at €195/individual or €380 per company (1–5 participants); (iii) subscription access to the Milieubarometer online environmental-management tool, often subsidized through municipal and branch-association partnerships; and (iv) knowledge development through publications commissioned by sector bodies. The organization is governed by a Supervisory Board with SME and government representation and is funded entirely through market-rate fees — no subsidies — with reserves reinvested into maintaining its tools and producing new instruments.
The technical core is a curated measurement-and-guidance stack rather than a software platform in the venture sense. The Milieubarometer is a self-service online instrument for CO2-footprint calculation and monitoring; CO2emissiefactoren.nl is a national emission-factors database for which Stimular runs the helpdesk; the Stimular-Maatregelen database is a searchable, sector-tagged library of sustainability measures; and an LCA Quickscan methodology uses third-party SimaPro software with environmental databases to map lifecycle impacts. Distribution blends direct advisory sales, scheduled and in-company training, a self-serve online tool, and channel partnerships in which Stimular advisors are embedded as contracted sustainability coaches for municipalities (e.g., Provincie Zuid-Holland's Ontzorgingsprogramma, serving 49 real-estate organizations) and branch associations (e.g., Bouwend Nederland, Milieuplatform Zorgsector). Combined, more than 10 expert advisors serve thousands of cumulative clients across 35 years, anchored by recognizable Dutch enterprises (TomTom, VPRO, Verstegen Spices & Sauces, Koninklijke Vezet) and a public-sector book that includes Waterschap Rivierenland, Gemeente Leiden, and multiple healthcare institutions.
Stimular firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stimular
- Legal name
- Stichting Stimular
- Website
- https://stimular.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Stichting Stimular is a Rotterdam-based sustainability advisory foundation that helps Dutch SMEs, branch associations, governments, and healthcare organizations measure CO2 footprints, achieve climate-neutral operations, and complete sustainability certifications via the Milieubarometer tool, training, and bespoke consulting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stimular industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental & Sustainability Consulting
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)
Keywords
Where Stimular is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rotterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Stimular business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Advisory Services: Consulting and advisory projects for companies and organizations on sustainability topics including CO2-footprints, climate-neutral plans, energy audits, waste prevention plans, biodiversity scans, and sustainability reporting. Market-conform rates applied.
- Training and Courses: Practical introductory courses and training programs on climate-neutral operations, LCA, CO2-Prestatieladder, and sustainability measurement. Stimular is CRKBO registered making course costs VAT-exempt. Pricing at €380 per company (1-5 participants) or €195 per individual.
- Online Tools and Subscriptions: The Milieubarometer is offered as a paid online instrument for CO2 and environmental management. Many municipalities and branch organizations offer free starter subscriptions to businesses in their region or sector.
- Knowledge Development: Stimular develops practical publications on sustainability for businesses and organizations, often in collaboration with branch associations. Knowledge dissemination is supported by own reserves invested in maintaining tools and developing new instruments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | LCA Training - Company Rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | LCA Training - Individual Rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | In-Company Training |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Climate-Neutral Advisory |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Stimular product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stimular is a Dutch foundation that helps companies and organizations make their operations more sustainable. It offers advisory services (CO2-footprint analysis, climate-neutral planning, energy audits, biodiversity scans, waste prevention, sustainability reporting), training courses (LCA, CO2-Prestatieladder), and proprietary online tools including the Milieubarometer (an online CO2-footprint and environmental management instrument) and the Stimular-Maatregelen database of sustainability measures.
Product overview
Stimular is a foundation (Stichting) that operates as a sustainability advisory and knowledge-sharing organization. The company offers a portfolio of digital tools and advisory services. The core digital products are the Milieubarometer (an online environmental measurement instrument for CO2 footprints and sustainability monitoring) and the Stimular-Maatregelen database (a searchable collection of sustainability measures by sector). Self-service Wegwijzers (guides) provide step-by-step sustainability pathways. The service offerings include advisory on CO2 footprints, climate neutrality, energy audits, biodiversity scans, waste prevention plans, scope 3 analyses, and transport research, as well as training courses on LCA, CO2 Performance Ladder, and MVO measurement. All services are oriented toward helping Dutch SMEs, branch associations, government organizations, and healthcare institutions accelerate sustainable business practices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Milieubarometer
Quantifiable outcome
- CO2-footprint reductions of 10-30% achieved within first year for clients following advisory programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Stimular
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Stimular technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Stimular partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Milieuplatform Zorgsector (MPZ)coreOngoing collaboration with MPZ on sustainability for healthcare organizations. Jointly developed publications including draaiboeken (manuals) for waste, sustainable mobility, and sustainability reporting in healthcare. Also co-developed De Groene Z website for sustainable healthcare choices.
- Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO)coreCommissioned research on climate impact of care institutions. RVO funded the study that identified five categories with the largest climate impact in healthcare: electricity, gas, food, housing, and commuting.
- Expertisecentrum Verduurzaming Zorg (EVZ)coreCollaborated with EVZ to develop a roadmap for shared incentives in healthcare real estate decarbonization. Created step-by-step plan for landlords and healthcare tenants to jointly invest in building sustainability.
- Bouwend NederlandcoreCommissioned Stimular to develop 'Handvat duurzaam materiaalgebruik' (sustainable material use guide) for construction and civil engineering companies. Covers legislation, tips per construction phase, calculation tools, and practical examples.
- SKAO (Stichting Klimaatvriendelijk Aanbesteden & Ondernemen)coreRegular contact with SKAO (CO2-Prestatieladder administrator) and certification bodies regarding certification practice. Collaborates on advisor training for the CO2-Prestatieladder.
- Provincie Zuid-HollandcoreStimular helps real estate owners in Zuid-Holland with roadmap development and implementation of sustainability measures under the Ontzorgingsprogramma Verduurzaming Maatschappelijk Vastgoed program.
- Gemeente Voorne aan ZeecoreStimular serves as sustainability coach for businesses in the municipality, helping with energy measures, renewable energy, mobility, circularity, and greening. Supported subsidy applications and business terrace greening projects.
- Klimaatverbond NederlandminorCollaborated in 2017 to develop the 'Routekaart Klimaatneutrale gemeentelijke organisatie' (Roadmap Climate-Neutral Municipal Organization).
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Stimular competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Arcadis: Global design, engineering and consultancy firm with dedicated sustainability, climate and ESG advisory services. Competes for the same Dutch enterprise and government mandates that Stimular pursues.
- Royal HaskoningDHV: Large Dutch engineering and project management consultancy with a substantial sustainability, energy and environmental advisory practice. Overlapping capability set but much broader portfolio and global footprint.
- DNV (sustainability assurance): Global certification body with CO2-Prestatieladder and ISO 14001/50001 assurance services. Overlaps with Stimular on the certification-adjacent advisory layer and competes for energy audit/EED work.
- ERM (Environmental Resources Management): World's largest pure-play environmental, sustainability and risk consultancy. Overlaps with Stimular on corporate carbon accounting, EED/CSRD readiness, and energy audits.
Emerging players
- Anthesis Group: Fast-growing global sustainability consultancy focused on climate strategy, carbon accounting and ESG advisory. Smaller-footprint, digital-first rival positioned similarly to Stimular but at global scale.
Others
- SKAO (Stichting Klimaatvriendelijk Aanbesteden & Ondernemen): Dutch administrator of the CO2-Prestatieladder certification scheme - close partner of Stimular, which delivers advisor training and CO2-Prestatieladder implementation services. Same regulatory ecosystem, complementary (not strictly competitive) role.
Direct peers
- PRé Sustainability: PRé develops SimaPro, the LCA software that Stimular explicitly uses for its LCA Quickscan methodology. Same Dutch LCA/sustainability domain with overlapping customers in corporate sustainability and product footprinting.
- Climate Neutral Group: Dutch consultancy helping organisations with CO2 measurement, reduction plans and offsets - same SME/corporate sustainability advisory motion as Stimular, with overlapping CO2-Prestatieladder positioning.
- Ecochain: Ecochain is a Dutch/LCA-focused SaaS platform for environmental footprinting (CO2, LCA, circularity). Direct technological competitor to Milieubarometer, especially for SME and corporate carbon accounting in the Netherlands.
- GreenFox / GreenCat Consult: Small Dutch boutique sustainability advisory (MVO/CO2/circular) serving SME and corporate clients with similar methodology and CO2-Prestatieladder focus to Stimular.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stimular social profiles
Digital presenceStimular compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Stimular financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stimular leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Stimular funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stimular 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 Stimular
What does Stimular do?
Stimular is a Dutch foundation that helps companies and organizations make their operations more sustainable. It offers advisory services (CO2-footprint analysis, climate-neutral planning, energy audits, biodiversity scans, waste prevention, sustainability reporting), training courses (LCA, CO2-Prestatieladder), and proprietary online tools including the Milieubarometer (an online CO2-footprint and environmental management instrument) and the Stimular-Maatregelen database of sustainability measures.
Is Stimular a public or private company?
Stimular is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Stimular founded?
Stimular was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Stimular based?
Stimular is headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Stimular make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are training and Courses, online Tools and Subscriptions and knowledge Development.
Who are Stimular's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Arcadis, Royal HaskoningDHV, DNV (sustainability assurance) and ERM (Environmental Resources Management). Anthesis Group is listed as an emerging player. SKAO (Stichting Klimaatvriendelijk Aanbesteden & Ondernemen) is listed as an others. Direct peers are PRé Sustainability, Climate Neutral Group, Ecochain and GreenFox / GreenCat Consult.
Does Stimular have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stimular.
What industry is Stimular in?
Stimular's product category is Environmental & Sustainability Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHACAK, Sustainability & ESG Consulting. Its NAICS code is 541620.