Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart en Nieuw Ondernemerschap | BWNO

What Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart en Nieuw Ondernemerschap | BWNO does

Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart en Nieuw Ondernemerschap (BWNO) is a practice-oriented research center operating within Avans Hogeschool (Avans University of Applied Sciences), headquartered at Avans's 's-Hertogenbosch campus in the Netherlands with a Brabant focus. It employs 44 staff organized across six research chairs (lectoraten): Duurzame Finance en Accounting, Samenwerken in Regeneratieve Waardesystemen, Impactvolle Waardeketens, Nieuw Ondernemerschap, Ondenkbare Marketing, and Brede Welvaart in Lokaal Bestuur. The center's stated mission is to develop knowledge on forms of economy and entrepreneurship that balance financial, ecological, and social value (referred to in Dutch as 'brede welvaart' or broad prosperity), with thematic emphasis on circular economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, regenerative value chains, and inclusive technology.

BWNO's research output consists of collaborative projects, methodologies, and educational materials rather than commercial products. Its proprietary methodologies include an Inclusive Technology Assessment Framework for workplace technology adoption, a living-lab research approach for testing sustainable consumer behavior interventions in the circular textile economy, and a Digital Product Passport (DPP) ecosystem framework being developed with industry partners to comply with EU ESPR regulation. Active multi-year consortium projects include R3CIRCLE (10 knowledge institutions and 32 societal partners, NWO-funded), De Digitale Draad van Ariadne (a DPP case study with Tricorp workwear, 2026–2028), Bit by Bit (inclusive technology, SIA-funded, 2026–2027), HALLO (regional SME labor productivity in Brabant), SPRONG Familiebedrijven (broad prosperity and undermining themes, €1M SIA subsidy), and Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland cross-border circular-economy collaborations.

The center's business model is institutional and non-commercial. It does not sell products or services at disclosed prices; instead, it is funded primarily through Dutch and European government research grants — notably from NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek), Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA, and Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland — supplemented by in-kind contributions from practice partners and by Avans Hogeschool's institutional budget. Supplementary revenue-generating activities include training programs (notably Lean Green Belt certification) and workshops on topics such as CSRD sustainability reporting, but specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. Stakeholder segments served include entrepreneurs, researchers, companies and institutions, educators, and students at Dutch universities of applied sciences, with distribution via collaborative research consortia, educational programs, and student integration into partner organizations.

Name

Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart en Nieuw Ondernemerschap | BWNO

Legal name

Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart en Nieuw Ondernemerschap

Website

https://bwno.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BWNO is a 44-employee practice-oriented research center within Avans Hogeschool (Netherlands) that conducts applied research on broad prosperity, circular economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, and inclusive technology for entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, educators, and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Research and Knowledge Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAAALAA

B2B / Industrial Market Research

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Advertising, Marketing & PR Services/Market Research & Consumer Insights

Keywords

• Practice-oriented research
• Circular economy research
• Sustainable entrepreneurship
• Broad prosperity
• Regenerative value systems

Headquarters

HQ city

's-Hertogenbosch

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Subsidies and Grants: Funded by Dutch research funding organizations including NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) for projects like R3CIRCLE, and Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA for practice-oriented research. As part of Avans Hogeschool, BWNO operates as a government-funded center of expertise.
2. Educational Services: Provides training programs, courses, and workshops including Lean Green Belt certification and custom programs for organizations on topics like continuous improvement and sustainability reporting (CSRD).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BWNO is a research center within Avans Hogeschool that conducts practice-oriented research and develops knowledge on forms of economy and entrepreneurship that create broad prosperity, balancing financial, ecological, and social values. It operates through six research groups (lectoraten) covering Sustainable Finance, Regenerative Value Systems, Impactful Value Chains, New Entrepreneurship, Unthinkable Marketing, and Broad Welfare in Local Governance, and delivers training programs such as Lean Green Belt certification to organizations.

Product overview

Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart en Nieuw Ondernemerschap (BWNO) is a research center at Avans Hogeschool (Avans University of Applied Sciences) focused on practical research and knowledge development around forms of economy and entrepreneurship that make society sustainable, resilient, and fair. The center operates through multiple research groups (lectoraten) including Duurzame Finance en Accounting (Sustainable Finance and Accounting), Samenwerken in Regeneratieve Waardesystemen (Collaborating for Regenerative Value Systems), Impactvolle Waardeketens (Impactful Value Chains), Nieuw Ondernemerschap (New Entrepreneurship), Ondenkbare Marketing (Unthinkable Marketing), and Brede Welvaart in Lokaal Bestuur (Broad Welfare in Local Governance). The center conducts applied research projects, develops educational materials and training programs, and collaborates with industry partners on themes including circular economy, sustainable business models, inclusive technology, digital product passports, and regenerative value creation. The offering consists of research collaborations, educational resources, training programs, and knowledge products rather than a commercial product portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lean Green Belt Certification Training Program Lean Green Belt certification program delivered to students and organizational participants, focused on continuous improvement methodologies including Lean principles. The program is for students at Avans Hogeschool and professionals from partner organizations.
• Educational Materials Catalog (Educatiemateriaal) Catalog of educational materials and training programs offered through the BWNO website, including curriculum resources and training programs for educators and students at Dutch hogescholen.
• Custom Training Programs and Workshops for Organizations Custom training programs and workshops delivered to organizations on topics including continuous improvement and CSRD sustainability reporting. Programs are tailored to participating companies and institutions.
• Collaborative Practice-Oriented Research Projects Collaborative practice-oriented research projects conducted with entrepreneurs, companies, institutions, and knowledge partners on circular economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, regenerative value systems, inclusive technology, and broad prosperity themes. Delivered through research groups (lectoraten) covering Sustainable Finance, Regenerative Value Systems, Impactful Value Chains, New Entrepreneurship, Unthinkable Marketing, and Broad Welfare in Local Governance.

Quantifiable outcome

• HALLO consortium aims to strengthen labor productivity in SME (focus on technology) in West-, Midden- and Noordoost-Brabant
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Boekestijn Transport ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaborated with Academie voor Management en Finance and BWNO to create Impact Prize 2026, recognizing practice-oriented impact makers from graduation research.
• ArtEZ University of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtEZ is lead partner (penvoerder) in (On)zichtbaar Arbeid project focusing on holist perspective on circular fashion and textile systems. Collaboration combines artistic research with practical business research.
• TricorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkwear company providing case study for De Digitale Draad van Ariadne project. Tricorp work jackets are used to explore how Digital Product Passports work in practice and stimulate circular behavior.
• PwCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the De Digitale Draad van Ariadne project with expertise on sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Crafts Council NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in (On)zichtbaar Arbeid project focusing on circular fashion and textile systems, contributing expertise on crafts and heritage.
• State of FashionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in (On)zichtbaar Arbeid project, providing fashion industry expertise for research on invisible labor in circular textile systems.
• ModintminorOthersDutch textile industry association supporting De Digitale Draad van Ariadne project as branch organization.
• Hogeschool RotterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leading work packages in R3CIRCLE consortium and participating in De Digitale Draad van Ariadne project. Collaborates with BWNO on textile research initiatives.
• Hogeschool van AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leading work packages in R3CIRCLE consortium focused on sustainable consumer behavior and circular textile economy.
• Fontys HogeschoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leading work packages in R3CIRCLE consortium as part of the Netherlands Circular Textile Valley initiative.
• Hogeschool UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leading work packages in R3CIRCLE consortium, contributing to circular economy research.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Circle Economy: Amsterdam-based impact organization specializing in circular economy research, data, and practical tools for businesses. Comparable to BWNO's circular textile and impact value chain research, with a similar focus on translating research into practitioner tools.
• Utrecht Sustainability Institute (USI): Sustainability research hub at Utrecht University conducting interdisciplinary research on sustainability transitions. Comparable to BWNO as a Dutch academic center bridging research and practice on broad sustainability themes.
• DRIFT for Transition: Dutch Research Institute For Transitions at Erasmus University Rotterdam focuses on sustainability transitions and regenerative economy research. Comparable to BWNO as a practice-oriented research center working on broad prosperity themes and transition governance.
• Fontys Hogeschool - Research Centres: Fontys operates applied research centers at another Dutch hogeschool, co-leading R3CIRCLE with BWNO. Directly comparable as a sister institution with similar lectoraat structure and practice-oriented research focus.
• Hogeschool van Amsterdam - Centre of Expertise: HvA operates multiple Centres of Expertise at Dutch hogescholen that share BWNO's structure and funding model via SIA. Directly comparable as co-leads in the R3CIRCLE consortium with overlapping research domains in circular economy.
• Metabolic: Amsterdam-based sustainability consultancy and research organization working on circular economy, regenerative systems, and impact measurement. Comparable to BWNO as an applied research center translating sustainability science into business practice.

Broad incumbents

• TNO: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research is the largest Dutch applied research organization, conducting practice-oriented research across sustainability, circular economy, and industrial transformation—overlapping significantly with BWNO's research domains but operating at national scale with much larger budget.
• MVO Nederland: Dutch CSR/sustainability business network and knowledge platform supporting companies with sustainability strategies and CSRD compliance. Comparable to BWNO's work with companies on sustainability transitions and broad prosperity measurement.

Regional players

• Natuur & Milieu: Dutch environmental organization conducting research and advocacy on sustainability, circular economy, and policy. Comparable to BWNO as a Dutch organization working on sustainability research with practical applications, though with a stronger advocacy orientation.

Emerging players

• Het Groene Brein: Network of Dutch sustainability researchers connecting academic expertise with practical applications. Comparable to BWNO's community-led model of connecting researchers, students, and practice partners on sustainability research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bwno

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Centre of Expertise Brede Welvaart en Nieuw Ondernemerschap | BWNO