Terra MBO
Terra MBO is a Dutch vocational education institution offering approximately 30 green-focused MBO programs across agriculture, animal care, horticulture, and green infrastructure at five campuses in northern Netherlands, operating as the green education division of DCTerra since the 2024 merger with Drenthe College.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersAssen, Netherlands
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Terra MBO does
Terra MBO is a Dutch vocational education institution (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO) specialized in green sectors, operating as the green education division of DCTerra following the January 2024 merger of Terra and Drenthe College. The institution serves prospective MBO students — typically graduating from vmbo or transitioning from havo/vwo, plus career changers and working adults — through approximately 30 vocational programs across agriculture (Teelt, Veehouderij, agro & technology), animal care (Dierverzorging, Paardensport en -houderij), horticulture and green infrastructure (Hovenier, Groen Grond en Groene Infra, Natuur Water en Recreatie), and floristry (Groenstylist). Programs are delivered at levels 1–4 (Entree through Middenkader) in both BOL (school + internship) and BBL (work + learn) formats across five campuses in Groningen (headquarters), Emmen, Meppel, Assen–Sunrise Stables, and Hippisch Centrum Exloo in the northern Netherlands provinces of Drenthe and Groningen.
The delivery model is hands-on and industry-integrated. Terra operates an online BPV (beroepspraktijkvorming) guide, an online study-choice test at studiekeuze.mboterra.nl, a digital enrollment system, and the Terra Practica practical learning model in which students work on real projects with regional businesses. Four active practoraten (practice-oriented research centers) cover entrepreneurship and SDG learning, Care and Technology, Hydrogen in Industry, and Regenerative (Rent)Mastery, with a fifth on Green is Art in preparation. The institution is part of the Europea international network of green education spanning 25 countries and over 1,000 schools and holds the Label of Excellence for internationalization. Reach to prospective students is driven by open days, shadowing days (meeloopdagen), the studiekeuzetest, career counselor networks via the D′Caan newsletter, and over 40 video and written alumni testimonials.
The business model is a publicly funded Dutch MBO under the WEB framework. For BOL students aged 18+, statutory tuition (lesgeld) is paid to DUO (the Dutch National Education Office), not to Terra; BBL students aged 18+ pay regulated course fees (cursusgeld) directly to Terra; and additional program-specific costs (materials, clothing, excursions, keuzedelen) are charged per program. B2B revenue exposure is indirect, flowing through SBB-recognized learning companies that host BPV placements, regional partners such as VHG, Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, Coöperatie Abiant, and the Groene Hotspot Hovenier Terra hub. Parent entity DCTerra combines green education (Terra) with grey vocational education (Drenthe College) under a College van Bestuur (Board of Governors), and no private equity or venture capital ownership is indicated.
Terra MBO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Terra MBO
- Legal name
- Terra MBO
- Website
- https://mboterra.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Terra MBO is a Dutch vocational education institution offering approximately 30 green-focused MBO programs across agriculture, animal care, horticulture, and green infrastructure at five campuses in northern Netherlands, operating as the green education division of DCTerra since the 2024 merger with Drenthe College.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Terra MBO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Assen
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Terra MBO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government-Funded Education (BOL): Terra MBO is publicly funded vocational education. For BOL (full-time school) students aged 18+, statutory tuition fees (lesgeld) are paid to DUO (National Education Office). No tuition is charged directly by Terra for BOL.
- Course Fees (BBL): For BBL (work and learn) students aged 18+, course fees (cursusgeld) are paid directly to Terra MBO. The amount varies by program, regulated by the Dutch government.
- Additional Program Costs: Additional costs for work clothing, materials, tools, excursions, and optional elective modules (keuzedelen) are charged separately per program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | BOL statutory tuition (DUO) |
| Subscription | Annual | BBL course fees (Terra MBO) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Program-specific additional costs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Terra MBO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Terra MBO is a Dutch vocational education institution (MBO) that delivers secondary vocational training programs focused on green sectors. It offers approximately 30 distinct MBO-level programs spanning agriculture, horticulture, animal care and welfare, food technology, and outdoor/green space management, supported by dedicated in-house career advisory staff who counsel students on program selection and transitions into employment.
Product overview
Terra MBO is a vocational education institution (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs) offering approximately 30 green-focused mbo programs across multiple sectors including agriculture, animal care, horticulture, and green infrastructure. The institution operates under the DCTerra umbrella (merged with Drenthe College in 2024) and provides educational programs at four locations (Emmen, Groningen, Meppel, and Hippisch Centrum Exloo). Programs are offered at multiple levels (Entree through Level 4) in both BOL (school-based) and BBL (work-based learning) formats. The institution provides supporting services including an online BPV (internship) guide, study choice test, and student portal for course registration and program comparison.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MBO Agriculture Programs (MBO Landbouw-opleidingen) MBO-level vocational training programs in agricultural disciplines for students seeking careers in farming and primary-production sectors within the Dutch green economy.
- MBO Horticulture Programs (MBO Tuinbouw-opleidingen) MBO-level vocational training programs in horticulture — including plant cultivation, nursery management, and related disciplines — preparing students for careers in the Dutch horticultural sector.
- MBO Animal Care Programs (MBO Dier-verzorgingsopleidingen) MBO-level vocational training programs in animal care and welfare, preparing students for roles in veterinary assistance, pet care, and animal husbandry within the green-sector economy.
- MBO Food Technology Programs (MBO Voedingstechnologie-opleidingen) MBO-level vocational training in food technology disciplines, equipping students for careers in food processing, quality assurance, and related agri-food industries.
- MBO Outdoor and Green Space Programs (MBO Groene ruimte-opleidingen) MBO-level vocational programs focused on green space management, landscaping, and outdoor-environment maintenance, preparing students for careers in the outdoor/green-sector industry.
- Career Advisory Services (Loopbaanadvies) Dedicated in-house Loopbaanadvies services delivered by multiple career advisors, supporting prospective and current students with educational pathway selection and transitions into green-sector employment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Students develop practical skills through real industry projects and internships at recognized learning companies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Terra MBO
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Terra MBO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Terra MBO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DCTerra (Drenthe College)coreSince 1 January 2024, Terra and Drenthe College have merged to form DCTerra. Terra provides the green education strand (praktijkonderwijs, vmbo-groen, Groene Lyceum, mbo, and (jong)volwassenenonderwijs). DCTerra is a combined educational organization covering both green and 'grey' vocational education sectors.
- Hanze HogeschoolminorRegional higher education partner in Groningen. Collaboration takes place within the prac toraten framework, connecting MBO education with HBO research and knowledge development.
- NHL Stenden HogeschoolminorRegional higher education partner. Collaboration occurs within prac toraten frameworks, connecting vocational and higher professional education in the green sector.
- Academie MinervaminorRegional art academy in Groningen. Collaboration within prac toraten and educational partnerships, bridging vocational and higher education.
- NoorderpoortcoreDNA collaboration (DCTerra, Noorderpoort, Alfa-college): The three MBO institutions jointly address regional challenges including labor shortages, population decline, gas extraction consequences, climate change, and energy transition. Joint facilities include a Sport- en Beweegcampus in Assen with Alfa-college and combined care & welfare programs at Anne de Vriesstraat.
- Alfa-collegecoreDNA collaboration partner. Jointly operates Sport- en Beweegcampus in Assen and combined care & welfare programs at Anne de Vriesstraat location with Noorderpoort. Three institutions share responsibility for regional educational development.
- SBB (Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven)coreSBB is the national organization that recognizes learning companies (leerbedrijven) in the Netherlands since 2015. Terra MBO works exclusively with SBB-recognized learning companies for BPV (internship) placements. SBB provides one online portal for internships and learning positions, one service center, regional opleidingsadviseurs, and a national recognition logo.
- Groene Hotspot Hovenier Terra partners (VHG, Gemeente Westerkwartier, Sight Landscaping, De Wilde Appel, Marco Bakker Droomtuinen)coreThe Groene Hotspot Hovenier Terra is a hub facilitating cooperation between green businesses and education. Partners include VHG (national branch association for gardeners and green professionals), Gemeente Westerkwartier (municipality), Sight Landscaping, De Wilde Appel, and Marco Bakker Droomtuinen. Focus areas include teacher professionalization, cooperation events, and student recruitment for green education.
- VHG (branchevereniging voor Hoveniers en Groenvoorzieners)coreNational branch association for gardeners and green professionals. Commissioning party for the Groene Hotspot Hovenier Terra. Represents the green industry in educational quality development.
- Sight LandscapingminorGreen sector company participating in Groene Hotspot Hovenier Terra. Contributed guest lectures at Terra MBO Groningen and involvement in ecological training sessions.
- Frisia GroepminorGreen sector company that participated in open days, contributed to ecological training sessions, and supported student activities at Terra MBO Groningen.
- Europea (International Network of Green Education)coreTerra MBO is part of Europea, an international network of green education in Europe covering 25 countries and over 1,000 schools. This network facilitates student exchanges, international BPV placements, and the Label of Excellence for internationalization.
- Coöperatie AbiantminorAgricultural cooperative that signed the Manifest AgroWijs with Terra MBO on 21 May 2024 to strengthen the future of the agricultural sector in northern Netherlands.
- Equestic / Smart Horse Technologies BVminorStrategic partnership announced 16 December 2024 between Smart Horse Technologies BV and Terra to modernize equine education programs through technology integration.
- Wildlands Adventure Zoo EmmenminorWildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen partnered with Terra MBO for masterclass programs in animal care and hosted the Animal Care Competition 2026. Contributed to educational programming and served as a practical learning location.
- De BoeketterieminorFlorist shop in Nieuw-Amsterdam where Groenstylist students (such as Emily) complete internships, gaining practical experience in retail floristry.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Terra MBO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Noorderpoort: Regional MBO in Groningen covering a much broader vocational portfolio (technology, healthcare, business). Comparable as a Dutch MBO and DNA collaboration partner, but serves a wider scope than Terra's green-only focus.
- Alfa-college: Regional MBO in Drenthe/Groningen providing broad vocational education. Comparable as a Dutch regional MBO and DNA collaboration partner, but with a more generalist curriculum versus Terra's green specialization.
- Van Hall Larenstein: Dutch HBO for applied sciences in agriculture, food, and environment, with a campus in northern Netherlands. Comparable green-education institution at the next academic tier; collaborates with Terra via Pracoraten.
- HAS Green Academy: Dutch HBO institution focused on agriculture, food, and green sectors. Comparable as a Dutch green-education provider, but operates at higher (HBO) level rather than MBO, serving a different but adjacent student segment.
- Drenthe College: Former standalone regional MBO that merged with Terra in 2024 to form DCTerra. Now the 'grey' education counterpart within DCTerra, sharing governance and back-office — comparable as a regional Dutch MBO rather than a competitor.
Direct peers
- Wellantcollege: Largest Dutch green MBO, offering agriculture, horticulture, animal care, and food programs across multiple provinces. Directly comparable to Terra as a green-sector vocational specialist serving similar students and employers, but operating at significantly larger national scale.
- Aeres MBO: Dutch MBO within the Aeres Group delivering vocational training in agriculture, food, and green sectors. Comparable green-MBO competitor with stronger national footprint and integrated HBO pathway under the Aeres umbrella.
- Helicon: Dutch green MBO offering programs in animal care, horticulture, agriculture, and equine studies. Closely comparable to Terra in scope, target audience, and green-sector focus.
- Groene Welle: Dutch MBO with strong green and animal-care programs, overlapping with Terra's portfolio in agriculture, animal care, and green space. Comparable vocational education specialist in the Dutch green MBO landscape.
- Nordwin College: Dutch green MBO providing vocational training in agriculture, food, and animal sectors. Direct green-MBO peer serving similar student and employer segments, primarily in a different region.
Market position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Terra MBO social profiles
Digital presenceTerra MBO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Terra MBO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Terra MBO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Terra MBO 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 Terra MBO
What does Terra MBO do?
Terra MBO is a Dutch vocational education institution (MBO) that delivers secondary vocational training programs focused on green sectors. It offers approximately 30 distinct MBO-level programs spanning agriculture, horticulture, animal care and welfare, food technology, and outdoor/green space management, supported by dedicated in-house career advisory staff who counsel students on program selection and transitions into employment.
Is Terra MBO a public or private company?
Terra MBO is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Terra MBO founded?
Terra MBO was founded in 2024. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Terra MBO based?
Terra MBO is headquartered in Assen, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Terra MBO make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government-Funded Education (BOL) is the primary driver. The others are course Fees (BBL) and additional Program Costs.
Who are Terra MBO's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Noorderpoort, Alfa-college, Van Hall Larenstein, HAS Green Academy and Drenthe College. Direct peers are Wellantcollege, Aeres MBO, Helicon, Groene Welle and Nordwin College.
Does Terra MBO have an API?
No public API is recorded for Terra MBO.