Betekeniseconomie in Twente

What Betekeniseconomie in Twente does

Stichting Betekeniseconomie in Twente is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in 2016 in Enschede by five Twente entrepreneurs to advance a 'meaning economy' framing — the proposition that enterprises exist primarily to create societal meaning rather than to maximize profit. The foundation serves regional entrepreneurs, local-government policymakers, educational institutions, and sustainability-focused organizations through a community-led engagement model that combines tools, convenings, and grant-making.

Its primary deliverables are the Betekenisbox — a physical card-and-board game sold for €35 (ex-VAT) that guides organizational teams through a quadrant-based mapping of their current and desired sustainable-business activities — and the Staat van de Betekeniseconomie, a free online platform that digitizes the same self-assessment. Supplementary offerings include recurring Betekenisontbijt breakfast sessions at venues such as Hof Espelo, Prismare, Balengebouw, and Saxion, an annual symposium (e.g., 'Leven na de groei' on November 7, 2024), the volunteer Raad van Betekenis council of entrepreneurs, administrators, researchers, and professionals, and grant-making through the Fonds van Betekenis (a documented €500 grant to Zomerschool MAKS).

Revenue is generated through small-ticket one-time product sales (Betekenisbox €35, Klaverblad van Volhoudbaarheid notebook €20 incl. VAT), pay-as-you-go event participation (symposium €50 ex-VAT, free for students and Twentse government employees), Raad van Betekenis membership contributions, and professional-services fees for facilitated sessions delivered by partners such as Karin Gombert of Bloei. The foundation holds ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) public-benefit status (RSIN 857410787), making Dutch donations tax-deductible. Its entire operating model is volunteer-driven: the organization has seven unpaid board members (Chair Rob Engbers, Secretary Nienke Hofste, Treasurer Bert Velt, plus board members Karin Gombert, Evelyn Landhuis-Keus, Corina Zwiers, Paulien Olde Bijvank-Brekveld, and Anne Dannenberg, with co-founder Kaj Morel originating the methodology since 2009), and no paid headcount or institutional funding is disclosed. Strategic partnerships span regional government (Gemeente Enschede, Woningcorporatie Domijn), universities (Universiteit Twente, Hogeschool Saxion), corporates (Triodos Bank, Demcom), and NGOs (Twentse Grond, Landschap Overijssel, Stichting Financially Fit Kids).

Name

Betekeniseconomie in Twente

Legal name

Stichting Betekeniseconomie Twente

Website

https://betekeniseconomieintwente.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Betekeniseconomie in Twente is a Dutch non-profit foundation in Enschede that helps regional entrepreneurs, governments, and educators reframe business around societal meaning through a card game (Betekenisbox), a free online self-assessment, and a volunteer council.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability and Meaning Economy Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAF

Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGALAG

Health Access & Social Care Innovations (Community Health, Telehealth for Underserved)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

Keywords

• Meaning economy services
• Sustainable entrepreneurship tools
• Purpose-driven business workshops
• Social impact foundation
• Community-led sustainability programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Twente

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. Product Sales - Betekenisbox: Sale of the physical Betekenisbox (board game/tool) for €35 excluding VAT and shipping. The box includes an extensive set of statements and deepening cards for organizations to facilitate meaningful conversations about sustainable business models.
2. Event Participation Fees: Revenue generated from paid events such as the 'Leven na de groei' symposium, with registration fees of €50 excluding VAT for regular participants. Students attend free of charge.
3. Raad van Betekenis Membership: Membership contributions from the Raad van Betekenis (Council of Meaning) - a group of pioneering entrepreneurs, administrators, researchers, and professionals united by their commitment to the meaning economy.
4. Sponsored/Guided Sessions: Facilitated sessions under guidance, such as sessions conducted by Karin Gombert from Bloei in organizations, providing revenue for professional facilitation services.
5. Fonds van Betekenis Grants: The foundation distributes grants from its 'Fonds van Betekenis' (Fund of Meaning) to support initiatives aligned with the meaning economy, such as €500 provided to Zomerschool MAKS for promotional materials and travel costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stichting Betekeniseconomie in Twente is a non-profit foundation that promotes the transition to a meaningful economy in the Twente region through practical tools, events, and a community of change-makers. Its core offerings are the Betekenisbox (a physical strategic conversation game), the Staat van de Betekeniseconomie (a free online self-assessment platform), and recurring events such as breakfast sessions, workshops, and an annual symposium that connect entrepreneurs, administrators, and educators.

Product overview

Betekeniseconomie in Twente is a foundation that promotes meaningful/sustainable entrepreneurship in the Twente region of the Netherlands. The organization offers two main offerings: the Betekenisbox (a physical card-based strategic planning game) and the Staat van Betekenis (an online platform/game). Both tools help organizations discover and strategically position themselves within the meaningful economy through interactive sessions with statements and discussions. The foundation also organizes regular breakfast meetings (Betekenisontbijt), workshops, and connects professionals through the Raad van Betekenis (Council of Meaning).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Betekenisbox: A board game tool developed by the foundation to help organizations discover their place in the meaning economy through various statements about sustainable opportunities.

Products and services

• Betekenisbox A physical card-based strategic conversation game for organizations and teams to discover their place in the meaningful economy. Includes an extensive set of statement cards about sustainable opportunities organized in quadrants (doen we wel, doen we niet, willen we wel, willen we niet) plus deepening cards, enabling teams to surface current meaning, future ambitions, and concrete next steps. Priced at €35 excluding VAT and shipping.
• Staat van de Betekeniseconomie online platform A free online platform where organizations can discover their position in the meaningful economy through a game format with various statements, showing where they can start within their reach and with others. Accessible globally via self-serve registration.
• Het Klaverblad van Volhoudbaarheid notebook A physical notebook product sold for €20 including VAT (exclusive of shipping), with proceeds directed to the Eshuis Foundation. Distributed through the foundation's channels as a thematic sustainability-themed product.
• Symposium "Leven na de groei" An annual knowledge, expertise, and inspiration symposium on post-growth economics for policymakers, sustainable leaders, and students in Twente. Regular participants pay €50 excluding VAT; students and Twentse government employees attend free. Includes keynote speakers and panel discussions.
• Facilitated Betekenisbox sessions by Bloei Guided, paid facilitation of Betekenisbox sessions delivered inside organizations by Karin Gombert of Bloei, enabling teams to use the Betekenisbox with professional support rather than self-facilitation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 32 organizations joined the social domain initiative in Enschede following a single Betekenisontbijt
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Twentse KrachtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2024Strategic partner co-organizing the 'Leven na de groei' symposium. Twentse Kracht is a regional development organization bringing together policy makers from all municipalities in Twente, sustainable leaders, and students from Universiteit Twente and Hogeschool Saxion.
• Zomerschool MAKSflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported by €500 grant from Fonds van Betekenis. Zomerschool MAKS (Met Alle Kinderen Samen) is an initiative by Bram Bollerman and Luke ter Ellen providing educational development during summer vacation for children in Hengelo.
• Woningcorporatie DomijnflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic connector Renate Finkers developed vision on preventive healthcare, connecting housing with care services. Pilot started with Paulusschool for Paulus Plus community hub concept.
• Landschap OverijsselflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of biodiversity breakfast session at Hof Espelo. Showcased ongoing nature restoration projects, educational programs, and collaborations with entrepreneurs.
• BindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization showcasing practical examples of companies achieving circular operations on business parks, contributing to sustainability of business areas in Twente.
• Gemeente EnschedecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality contributing examples of ongoing sustainability initiatives on business parks, working on sustainable development of business areas.
• DemcomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany hosting inspirational breakfast meeting on sustainability of business parks in Enschede.
• Triodos BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured example of sustainable office development at Landgoed De Reehorst, demonstrating full circular and sustainable business operations since November 2019.
• SaxioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of BetekenisVonk session during Business Model Week, bringing together Raad van Betekenis members and professionals. Saxion International Water Technology supports circular economy initiatives.
• Twente MilieuflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental services company enabling cable and cord collection at waste points in Enschede, Oldenzaal, and Hengelo for the Kabelkunst circular project.
• Meesterwerk WerkprojectenflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise in Oldenzaal removing plugs and transformers from collected cables, creating separated streams suitable for recycling.
• HKS MetalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetal recycling company processing the separated cable streams from the Kabelkunst project.
• Eshuis Accountants en AdviseurscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the Kabelkunst circular project and contributing proceeds from 'Het Klaverblad van Volhoudbaarheid' notebook to the Eshuis Foundation.
• Stichting Financially Fit KidsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation represented by Femke Hogema, providing financial literacy education for children aged 10-18. Foundation aims to prevent poverty and financial problems while enabling children to achieve dreams.
• Twentse GrondflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working on nature restoration in Southeast Twente, with over 90 kilometers of field margins in bloom and 270,000+ square meters of restoration achieved in partnership with Sumthing.
• Universiteit TwentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity contributing to 'Leven na de groei' symposium with Professor René Torenvlied (Professor of Public Administration) as panel member.
• Saxion International Water TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the Kabelkunst circular project by contributing expertise and connections.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Impact Hub Amsterdam: Part of the global Impact Hub network, providing co-working, programming, and community for impact-driven entrepreneurs in Amsterdam. Directly comparable as a community-and-tools platform for purpose-driven organizations, but at greater scale and in a different region.
• Social Impact Factory: Dutch organization providing workspace, learning programs, and community for social entrepreneurs. Comparable as a social-impact community hub that combines physical convening, tools, and educational content.
• Social Enterprise NL: Dutch nationwide network/platform for social enterprises, very similar positioning to Betekeniseconomie in Twente but operating at national scale. Comparable mission of promoting purpose-driven, social-impact business models.
• Stichting De Zaak van Betekenis: Dutch foundation also dedicated to the meaning economy, founded by co-founder Kaj Morel himself (who runs lectures and advising). Closest direct peer given identical thematic focus and overlapping leadership, although partially a related-party entity rather than a pure competitor.

Others

• Kennisland: Dutch organization working on social innovation and knowledge sharing for societal transitions. Thematically adjacent to the foundation's meaning-economy work but focused on broader innovation policy rather than entrepreneurship specifically.
• Stichting Natuur & Milieu: Major Dutch environmental advocacy foundation addressing sustainability themes that overlap with the foundation's biodiversity and circular-economy work (e.g., the Twentse Grond field-margin initiative). Larger national player in an adjacent sustainability domain.
• Het Groene Brein: Dutch network connecting sustainability researchers with entrepreneurs and policymakers. Thematically aligned on sustainable transitions and a partner of the foundation's regional ecosystem, but not a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Stichting DOEN: Major Dutch foundation funding social entrepreneurs and innovators. Comparable mission in advancing meaningful entrepreneurship but as a grantmaking funder with significantly larger capital base than the foundation's Fonds van Betekenis.
• MVO Nederland: Largest Dutch CSR and sustainable-business network, with thousands of corporate members. A broader incumbent that overlaps with the foundation's sustainable-entrepreneurship mission but operates at national scale across all sectors.
• Ashoka Netherlands: Dutch chapter of global Ashoka network supporting leading social entrepreneurs (Ashoka Fellows). Broader incumbent in the same 'supporting social entrepreneurship' category with significantly larger international footprint and funding base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/betekeniseconomie-in-twente
• Instagraminstagram.com/degroenecheerleader

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Betekeniseconomie in Twente