Agora Network

What Agora Network does

Agora Network, legally Stichting Agora Network, is a Dutch non-profit foundation headquartered at Rivium Boulevard in Capelle aan den IJssel, founded in 2011 (per the organization's own 10-year anniversary milestone in September 2021) and dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and inclusion within large Dutch organizations. The organization operates as a membership network where large Dutch corporations and government bodies join as members to access the full portfolio of programs, including the flagship Two-Way Cross Mentoring program (running annually since 2015), Empowerment Sessions (masterclasses for culturally diverse professionals), Knowledge Sessions for D&I and HR professionals, Role Model Sessions and Role Model Dinners, Executive Board Sessions held in collaboration with the SER, and an Annual Congress. Its core service proposition centers on advancing 'kosmopolieten' (culturally diverse professionals) into leadership positions through cross-company mentoring and peer learning across more than 20 member organizations spanning banking, insurance, professional services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, aviation, media, and government ministries.

Name

Agora Network

Legal name

Stichting Agora Network

Website

https://agoranetwork.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Agora Network is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting) that runs a membership network of 20+ large Dutch organizations, delivering cross-company mentoring, masterclasses, role model events, and an annual congress to advance culturally diverse professionals into leadership positions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversity and Inclusion Network

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms (EDAFAMAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Diversity and inclusion
• Cross-company mentoring
• Cultural diversity consulting
• Leadership development programs
• Non-profit foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Capelle aan den IJssel

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. Membership Fees: Agora Network operates as a non-profit foundation (stichting). The organization generates revenue through membership fees from corporate and government organizations. As stated: 'Als stichting doen wij dat op basis van non-profit. Winst zit 'm voor ons niet in geld, maar in het op de kaart zetten van het thema inclusiviteit.' Membership provides access to events, mentoring programs, best practices sharing, and job posting capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Agora Network is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting) that runs a membership-based network connecting large Dutch organizations with culturally diverse professionals (kosmopolieten) to advance cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Its core offerings include the Two-Way Cross Mentoring program, Masterclasses, Knowledge Sessions, Role Model Dinners, Executive Board Sessions, and an Annual Congress, all designed to support the attraction, retention, and promotion of culturally diverse talent into leadership positions.

Product overview

Agora Network is a non-profit membership network (stichting) focused on cultural diversity and inclusion in Dutch organizations. Rather than a software platform, the organization offers a portfolio of programs and events designed to support the growth, retention, and career progression of cosmopolitans (culturally diverse talent). The core offerings include the Two-Way Cross Mentoring Program, Empowerment Sessions, Knowledge Sessions, Role Model Sessions, and Executive Board Sessions. The organization also organizes an Annual Congress and Role Model Dinners as flagship events. Masterclasses on topics like communication, strategic inclusion, and intercultural awareness supplement the programmatic offerings. Membership provides access to all events, best practices sharing, cross-mentoring participation, and vacancy sharing across a network of over 20 Dutch organizations including banks, insurance companies, government ministries, and corporations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Two-Way Cross Mentoring Program A cross-company mentoring program that pairs culturally diverse professionals (kosmopolieten) with senior-level mentors from member organizations. The program runs for approximately six months and includes plenary meetings and one-on-one mentoring sessions focused on career development and cultural sensitivity.
• Masterclasses Educational masterclasses for kosmopolieten and member-organization employees covering topics such as Communication Intelligence, Strategic Inclusion, Intercultural Awareness, Inclusive Leadership, and addressing harassment and polarization.
• Knowledge Sessions Sessions for Diversity & Inclusion and HR professionals from member organizations to share best practices and tools related to cultural diversity, enabling mutual learning and collective progress.
• Role Model Dinners Exclusive three-course dinner events where kosmopolieten and inclusive leaders connect through inspiring dialogue, featuring spoken word performances and inspirational speakers.
• Executive Board Sessions Annual sessions where board members from participating organizations are invited to discuss how to stimulate cultural diversity in Dutch business, held in collaboration with the Social-Economic Council (SER).
• Annual Congress (Jaarcongres) Annual congress on leadership, representation, and career progression to sub-top and top of organizations, featuring scientific insights, practical developments, personal stories, and panel discussions.
• Organization Membership Annual membership for large Dutch corporations and government organizations, granting access to all Agora Network events, cross-mentoring programs, best-practice sharing, and vacancy posting capabilities across the network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants in the Two-Way Cross Mentoring program have achieved promotions (e.g., participants becoming senior after completing the program)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SER (Sociaal-Economische Raad)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgora Network works with the SER on the Alliance for Cultural Diversity at the Top (Alliantie Culturele Diversiteit in de Top). During annual meetings, executives, role models, and experts discuss how to increase cultural diversity at management and board levels. The SER has recognized Raisa Ghazi as a leader in her field and serves as a platform for sharing insights.
• Diversiteit in BedrijfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Alliance for Cultural Diversity at the Top, working together to promote cultural diversity in Dutch organizations.
• Talent naar de TopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Alliance for Cultural Diversity at the Top. Through this initiative, organizations commit to making positions available to increase the inflow of culturally diverse talent at top positions.
• NL2025coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Alliance for Cultural Diversity at the Top, collaborating on national efforts to promote cultural diversity in leadership.
• ECHO (Expertisecentrum Diversiteitsbeleid)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECHO, the expertise center for diversity policy, facilitates intervision sessions for the Two-Way Cross Mentoring program. Pravini Baboeram and Imane Chentouf lead sessions on topics including cultural baggage, unconscious bias, and creating inclusive conversations.
• Superpeople CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuperpeople Company helps organizations attract and retain diversity more effectively. Wendy Broersen, founder, developed the AIM inclusion model and wrote 'NIET voor HR'. They use unconventional methods including VR gamification and experiences.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ECHO Expertisecentrum Diversiteitsbeleid: Dutch expertise center for diversity policy that supports organizations with D&I training, intervision, and consulting. Comparable audience of D&I/HR professionals and overlapping service offerings.
• Superpeople Company: Dutch D&I consulting firm that helps organizations attract and retain diverse talent through unconventional methods (e.g., VR, gamification). Comparable target audience of Dutch employers seeking D&I outcomes.
• Workplace Pride: Dutch membership-based non-profit focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces, running mentoring programs, member events, and corporate engagement. Closest structural analog to Agora Network in the Netherlands.
• Talent naar de Top: Dutch initiative focused on increasing diversity at the top of organizations through cross-company commitments and monitoring. Highly comparable in targeting board-level diversity and engaging similar member organizations.
• Diversiteit in Bedrijf: Dutch D&I platform and program that supports employers on diversity policy and inclusion initiatives. Directly comparable mission and corporate-member audience, though operating at broader programmatic scale.

Broad incumbents

• McKinsey & Company (Diversity & Inclusion Institute): Global management consultancy with a research-led Diversity & Inclusion Institute serving multinational employers. Comparable customer segment and D&I domain, but at global scale and consulting budget magnitudes.
• Catalyst: Global non-profit focused on advancing women and underrepresented groups in workplaces through research, advisory, and member programs. Comparable non-profit D&I model but at much broader geographic and corporate scale.
• Deloitte (Inclusion practice): Global consulting firm with a dedicated Inclusion practice serving many of the same enterprise clients as Agora Network. Comparable end-customer base and D&I topic area, delivered via paid consulting rather than membership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/agoranetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/agorantwrk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agoranetwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/agoranetworknl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Agora Network