Academische Werkplaats Kajak

What Academische Werkplaats Kajak does

Academische Werkplaats Kajak (AW Kajak) is a Dutch non-profit knowledge collaboration network founded in 2016 and headquartered in Utrecht. It is the only dedicated academic workplace in the Netherlands that systematically bridges youth mental health care (jeugd-ggz) and intellectual disability care (LVB-zorg) for children, adolescents, and young adults with mild intellectual disability (LVB, IQ 50–85) and co-occurring psychiatric problems. The organization was co-founded by the Landelijk Kenniscentrum LVB and the Kenniscentrum Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie, and is anchored by a consortium of seven core Dutch youth care institutions (Accare, Ambiq, 's Heeren Loo, Karakter, Koraal, Levvel, Youz/De Banjaard), academic partners (Radboud Universiteit, Universiteit Maastricht, Hogeschool Rotterdam), and advocacy groups (Ypsilon, Mind). Its core mission is to improve contextual and developmental diagnostics and to connect treatment and guidance across the two sectors, which has historically left this vulnerable population under-served and subject to diagnostic overshadowing. Approximately 6% of Dutch 15-25-year-olds have an LVB, and roughly 40% of those have concurrent psychiatric problems.

AW Kajak's product portfolio consists of (1) evidence-based practical guides (handreikingen) covering depression, psychosis spectrum, CBT, substance use, trauma, attachment, psychopharmacology, and transition care; (2) accredited e-learning modules distributed via GGZ Ecademy, including 'LVB & GGZ', 'CGT bij Jeugdigen met een LVB en een Psychische Stoornis', 'Transitiecoaching voor jongeren met een LVB', and the blended psycho-education programme 'Straatwijzer'; (3) practical tools (werkkaarten, stappenplannen, checklists) developed by more than 10 working groups; (4) annual study days (e.g., 'Passende Perspectieven', 8 June 2023) and a Jubilee Congress scheduled for 18 March 2027; and (5) multi-year research programmes including the ZonMw-funded DIDS study (2020-2028) and the STAP-OP project (2024-2028). The underlying technology is a content publishing and e-learning platform built around its own website, integrated with the GGZ Ecademy learning management system and partner educational institutions.

AW Kajak operates on a non-commercial revenue model. The majority of its funding comes from multi-year government subsidies and project grants, most notably from ZonMw (including the 2026-2029 Kenniswerkplaats Kwetsbare Jeugd subsidy for 'Kennis Werkt voor Kwetsbare Jeugd'), FNO-Mind (Transitie Journeys, Samen Werken Werkt, Samen Reguleren), and 113 ('Ik hoor je' suicide prevention project). Core knowledge products — handreikingen, e-learnings, and digital tools — are provided free of charge. The only direct paid offering is the annual study day, priced at €50-€269 per attendee depending on membership status. The organization has approximately 5 employees and is led by a daily board (Marjan ter Avest and Maartje Timmermans) with two program leaders (Marielle Dekker and Sammy Roording) and a small support team.

Name

Academische Werkplaats Kajak

Legal name

Academische Werkplaats Kajak

Website

https://academischewerkplaatskajak.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Academische Werkplaats Kajak is a Dutch non-profit knowledge network that bridges youth mental health care and intellectual disability care to improve diagnostics and treatment for youth with mild intellectual disability and psychiatric problems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Knowledge Collaboration Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Educational Support Services (611710), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations (HLAJAKAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Health Governance, Interagency Coordination & Partnerships (HLAJAMAD), KOL Engagement & Medical Education (Advisory Boards/CME Support) (HLAGALAM)

Keywords

• Youth mental health
• Intellectual disability care
• Knowledge collaboration network
• Professional development training
• Healthcare research

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government subsidies and grants: AW Kajak receives multi-year subsidies from ZonMw as a recognized Kenniswerkplaats Kwetsbare Jeugd (Knowledge Platform for Vulnerable Youth). Additional project-based subsidies are obtained for specific research initiatives (e.g., DIDS via ZonMw, STAP-OP via ZonMw, Transitie Journeys via FNO-Mind, 'Ik hoor je' via 113). The organization itself does not charge for its knowledge products, handreikingen, or e-learnings.
2. Study day and conference fees: The organization generates revenue from paid study days and conferences. The 2023 'Passende Perspectieven' studiedag charged €189 for members of the two founding knowledge centers, €269 for external participants, and €50 for students. VAT is exempt.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Academische Werkplaats Kajak is a Dutch nonprofit knowledge collaboration network that bridges youth mental health care (jeugd-ggz) and care for individuals with intellectual disabilities (LVB-zorg). Founded in 2016, it develops practical guides, e-learning modules, and organizes annual study days for healthcare professionals working at the intersection of these two specialized fields. The organization also facilitates practice-based research projects and knowledge exchange among practitioners across the Netherlands.

Product overview

Academische Werkplaats Kajak is a Dutch knowledge-development network focused on the intersection of mild intellectual disability (LVB) and psychiatric problems in children, youth, and young adults. Rather than a single software product, AW Kajak offers a portfolio of knowledge products: evidence-based practical guides (handreikingen) on topics such as depression, psychosis, substance use, trauma, and CBT for LVB populations; accredited e-learning modules (via GGZ Ecademy) including 'LVB & GGZ', 'CGT bij LVB', 'Transitiecoaching', and the blended psycho-education programme 'Straatwijzer'; annual professional conferences (studiedagen); and research programmes (Transitie Journeys, DIDS). Knowledge is further disseminated through working groups that produce practical tools (werkkaarten, stappenplannen, checklists). AW Kajak operates as a ZonMw-recognised Kenniswerkplaats Kwetsbare Jeugd spanning specialist youth care, local teams, education, and research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Handreikingen (Practical Guides) Practical guides (handreikingen) providing evidence-based instructions and frameworks for healthcare professionals serving youth with combined mental health and intellectual disability needs.
• E-learnings Self-paced online learning modules covering topics at the intersection of youth mental health and intellectual disability care, distributed via the GGZ Ecademy platform.
• Straatwijzer A navigation aid (straatwijzer) designed to help practitioners and families identify appropriate care pathways within the youth mental health and intellectual disability care systems.
• Annual Studiedag (Study Day) An annual study day (studiedag) conference providing a venue for knowledge exchange, presentations, and networking among Dutch professionals in youth mental health and intellectual disability care.
• Kenniswerkplaats Kwetsbare Jeugd A collaborative knowledge workshop program (kenniswerkplaats) targeting vulnerable youth, where practitioners and researchers co-develop and apply new insights to improve care for this population.
• Werkkaarten / Stappenplannen Work cards and step-by-step plans (werkkaarten/stappenplannen) that structure practitioner activities and decision-making when working with youth at the intersection of mental health and intellectual disability.
• Transitie Journeys Structured transition journeys (transitie journeys) designed to support youth moving between care settings or transitioning into adulthood, with attention to both mental health and intellectual disability needs.
• DIDS (Diagnostic Interview for Dual Screener) A diagnostic screening instrument (DIDS) used to support identification of needs in youth at the intersection of mental health and intellectual disability.

Quantifiable outcome

• Jubilee congress on 18 March 2027 expected to attract professionals from youth-GGZ, VG-zorg, education, municipalities, and local teams.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Landelijk Kenniscentrum LVBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Co-founder of AW Kajak along with Kenniscentrum Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie. The Landelijk Kenniscentrum LVB provides expertise on mild intellectual disabilities, contributes staff (including Maartje Timmermans as director and member of the daily board), and distributes AW Kajak knowledge through its newsletter and network. The organization coordinates the collegial visitation cycle of the VOBC.
• Kenniscentrum Kinder- en JeugdpsychiatriecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Co-founder of AW Kajak along with Landelijk Kenniscentrum LVB. Marjan ter Avest serves as director of this knowledge center and member of the daily board of AW Kajak. Charlotte van 't Spijker works on actualization of practice standards and knowledge dossiers. The center distributes AW Kajak knowledge through its professional network.
• KaraktercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven core partners of AW Kajak. Karakter is a youth mental health institution with an LVB specialty line and Expertisecentrum LVB en Psychiatrie. Sammy Roording (program leader of AW Kajak) works at Karakter. The organization hosts working groups and contributes to research projects including DIDS and Transitie Journeys.
• Levvel / De BasculecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven core partners of AW Kajak. Levvel (formerly De Bascule) is a youth mental health institution contributing to research and working groups. Nellieke de Koning serves on the Raad van Advies.
• AccarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven core partners of AW Kajak. Marco Bottelier serves on the Raad van Advies. Accare contributes to research and working groups on neurodevelopmental disorders and education.
• 's Heeren LoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven core partners of AW Kajak. Paul Jochems (director Advisium) sits on the Raad van Advies. Jannelien Wieland is in the klankbordgroep. 's Heeren Loo contributes staff to working groups and research projects including DIDS.
• AmbiqcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven core partners of AW Kajak. Marjolein Evers serves on the Raad van Advies. Ambiq contributes to working groups and is participating in the DIDS smartphone intervention study.
• KoraalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven core partners of AW Kajak. Edith Snel sits on the Raad van Advies. Koraal contributes to multiple working groups (neuropsychology, depression, psychosis) and research projects including 'Samen Reguleren' and 'Sharing is Caring'.
• Youz / De BanjaardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the seven core partners of AW Kajak. Corine van Vliet (manager zorg) sits on the Raad van Advies. Marianne Kasius is in the klankbordgroep. Youz contributes to research projects including Transitie Journeys and the DIDS smartphone study.
• YpsilonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents parents of individuals with psychiatric conditions. Ypsilon participates in the Kenniswerkplaats Kwetsbare Jeugd as a collaboration partner, bringing the parent perspective to knowledge development.
• MindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational mental health advocacy organization representing youth and young adults. Mind participates in the Kenniswerkplaats Kwetsbare Jeugd consortium, contributing the perspective of youth and young adults with psychiatric conditions.
• GGZ EcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScholingsplatform that hosts and distributes AW Kajak e-learnings (including free open-access offerings and accredited paid courses). The platform provides professional accreditation (SKJ, Registerplein) for completed training modules.
• VGN AcademieminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining academy of the Vereniging Gehandicaptenzorg Nederland (VGN). Part of the 'Kennis Werkt voor Kwetsbare Jeugd' consortium, integrating AW Kajak knowledge into VGN training programs for intellectual disability care professionals.
• Hogeschool Rotterdam / CCEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the 'Kennis Werkt voor Kwetsbare Jeugd' consortium. Hogeschool Rotterdam's Kenniscentrum Zorginnovatie leads the STAP-OP research project (ZonMw) on better transition care for youth with LVB. AnneLoes van Staa serves as lector for transitions in care.
• Radboud UniversiteitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the 'Kennis Werkt voor Kwetsbare Jeugd' consortium. Researchers including Prof. Roy Otten and Prof. Nanda Lambregts-Rommelse are involved in multiple AW Kajak research projects including DIDS and related publications.
• PlurynminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist youth care organization and consortium partner in 'Kennis Werkt voor Kwetsbare Jeugd'. Ingrid ten Berge sits on the Raad van Advies. Contributes to research projects including 'Take it Personal!+' on substance use and DIDS.
• Universiteit MaastrichtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey research partner in Transitie Journeys and STAP-OP projects. Claudia Vingerhoets and Sophie Leijdesdorff from Maastricht serve as project leaders and researchers. The university contributes working group leadership on neuropsychology and transition psychiatry.
• Windesheim (Dr. Tina Bellemans)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal researcher in the 'Sharing is Caring' project (Raak-pro, 2025-2030) focused on patient-reported outcomes in psychomotor therapy for people with (L)VB.
• VNG and centrumgemeenteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten (VNG) and a centrumgemeente collaborate on the 'Kennis Werkt voor Kwetsbare Jeugd' local teams workstream, integrating LVB knowledge into municipal and local team practices.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vilans: Dutch national knowledge center for long-term and disability care. Comparable operating model: government-funded knowledge development, working groups of practitioners, practical guidelines, and e-learnings for care professionals.
• Kennisplein Gehandicaptenzorg: Dutch knowledge platform for the disability care sector, maintained by Vilans in collaboration with VGN. Provides practical guidance, e-learnings, and knowledge products for ID care professionals — directly overlapping AW Kajak's intellectual disability care audience.
• Trimbos-instituut: Dutch national knowledge center for mental health and addiction. Comparable as a knowledge-development organization funded by government grants, producing guidelines, e-learnings, and research for mental health professionals across the Netherlands.
• Nederlands Jeugdinstituut (NJi): Dutch national knowledge center for youth, focused on child and youth welfare, education, and care. Comparable as a publicly funded knowledge platform that develops evidence-based guidance, training, and dissemination programs for Dutch youth care professionals.
• Landelijk Kenniscentrum LVB: National knowledge center for mild intellectual disability in the Netherlands, co-founder of AW Kajak. Operates the same academic-workplace model with multi-stakeholder working groups, publications, and a professional network — directly comparable in scope, funding model, and target audience.
• Kenniscentrum Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie: National knowledge center for child and adolescent psychiatry in the Netherlands, co-founder of AW Kajak. Maintains practice standards, knowledge dossiers, and a professional network — directly analogous operating model and the primary distribution partner for AW Kajak content.

Regional players

• Accare: Dutch academic center for child and adolescent psychiatry, core partner of AW Kajak. Comparable as a research-active clinical institution contributing to working groups and consortia on neurodevelopmental disorders and education.
• Karakter Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie: Dutch youth mental health institution and core partner of AW Kajak, hosting its Expertisecentrum LVB en Psychiatrie. While primarily a clinical care provider rather than a knowledge platform, Karakter is a key producer and pilot site for AW Kajak's research outputs (DIDS, Sterk van Binnen).

Others

• ZonMw: Dutch organization for health research and healthcare innovation; AW Kajak's primary funder. Comparable as a large-scale knowledge-platform sponsor managing multiple Kenniswerkplaatsen and academic workplaces across public health and youth care.
• GGZ Ecademy: Dutch e-learning platform for mental health professionals that hosts and distributes AW Kajak's accredited training modules. Comparable as an adjacent knowledge-distribution channel in the Dutch GGZ training market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/academische-werkplaats-kajak

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Academische Werkplaats Kajak