What Carbon Network (CN) does

Carbon Network (CN) is a Netherlands-based, membership-driven business networking organization founded in 2019 by entrepreneur Merlin Melles, headquartered at Willemsparkweg 31 in Amsterdam with approximately 40 employees. It serves ambitious Dutch entrepreneurs, professionals, and decision-makers from small and medium-sized businesses, operating in close conjunction with the earlier (2011) Founders Carbon Network (fCN) — a separate, capped-at-500 elite tier for established top entrepreneurs — to create a tiered community that connects younger professionals with experienced founders. The core product is an annual membership priced at €2,495 (excluding VAT), delivered through a proprietary CN-app (member directory, event calendar with one-click registration, newsletter access, and member-to-member messaging), supplemented by monthly events (company visits, knowledge sessions, culinary evenings), domestic and international trade missions, and Carbon House as a physical Amsterdam venue.

The business model is a recurring subscription supported by active personal matchmaking performed by the in-house team, with revenue extended through Pearlcard, a concierge and lifestyle privileges service (event ticketing, travel, healthcare access including Prescan and ACIBADEM, and Pearl Energy) bundled into CN/fCN membership and sold separately on an annual fee basis to non-members. The go-to-market is community-led: prospective members are invited to a 'Coffee Moment' at the Amsterdam headquarters before joining, and growth is driven primarily by member referrals, LinkedIn, and Instagram rather than paid acquisition. The ecosystem is rounded out by an advisor board (Raad van Aanbeveling) of Dutch founders and CEOs and a partner portfolio spanning hospitality (citizenM, The College Hotel, The Seafood Bar), healthcare (Prescan, ACIBADEM), art (Gallery SEB), and energy (Pearl Energy), reinforcing a non-commercial, trust-based networking positioning. The company is private, founder-owned with no institutional investors or parent company disclosed in available sources.

Name

Carbon Network (CN)

Legal name

Carbon Network

Website

https://carbon-network.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carbon Network is an Amsterdam-based, membership-driven business networking organization founded in 2019 that serves Dutch entrepreneurs, professionals, and SMB decision-makers through an annual €2,495 subscription, a proprietary CN-app, curated events, active matchmaking, and bundled Pearlcard lifestyle privileges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Subscription: Carbon Network generates revenue through annual membership fees. Members pay €2,495 per year (excluding VAT) for access to the network, events, the CN-app, and all member benefits. This is the primary revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Carbon Network operates a curated, membership-based business networking community for entrepreneurs, professionals, and decision-makers from SMBs in the Netherlands. Members pay an annual fee of €2,495 to access personal matchmaking, monthly exclusive events, the proprietary CN-app, and complimentary Pearlcard concierge privileges. The closely connected Founders Carbon Network (fCN) extends the offering to a select tier of experienced top entrepreneurs limited to 500 members.

Product overview

Carbon Network is a business networking organization offering membership-based access to an exclusive professional network. The core product is the Carbon Network Membership (€2,495/year), which includes the CN-app for member directory, event registration, and messaging; access to exclusive business events; and complimentary Pearlcard concierge services. Pearlcard provides premium privileges including event ticketing, travel, health services, and lifestyle experiences. The ecosystem also includes Carbon House (a physical meeting space) and the closely affiliated Founders Carbon Network (fCN) for top entrepreneurs, creating a tiered networking structure from ambitious professionals to established business leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pearlcard: A service network that offers privileges and services including tickets for concerts, festivals, sports events and events, travel, dining, healthy lifestyle, luxury products, and concierge services. Members of fCN and CN are automatically members of Pearlcard.
• Founders Carbon Network (fCN)
• Carbon House

Products and services

• Carbon Network Membership (CN)
• Founders Carbon Network (fCN) Membership
• Pearlcard Concierge Service

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PearlcardcoreOthersPearlcard is an affiliated service network that provides privileges and exclusive services to CN and fCN members. It offers tickets to concerts, festivals, sporting events and events; travel arrangements; health services including preventive care through Prescan and medical center access at ACIBADEM; lifestyle services; insurance solutions; and Pearl Energy for sustainable energy. CN and fCN members receive automatic Pearlcard membership; non-members pay an annual fee.
• Carbon HousecoreOthersCarbon House is the physical headquarters and meeting venue for Carbon Network, located at Willemsparkweg 31 in Amsterdam. It serves as a space for inspiration, meetings, and comfort, featuring walk-in moments, art displays from Gallery SEB, and facilities for working, brainstorming, and meetings.
• Gallery SEBminorOthersArt gallery that displays inspiring artwork at Carbon House, contributing to the distinctive atmosphere of the venue.
• PrescanminorOthersHealthcare partner offering preventive care services including body scans, working with Pearlcard to provide health services to members.
• ACIBADEM International Medical CenterminorOthersMedical center partnership offering VIP Pearlcard Room facilities where members can recover privately in luxury surroundings after medical procedures.
• The Seafood BarminorOthersExclusive dining partner offering CN members benefits such as complimentary sparkling wine upon arrival.
• The College HotelminorOthersHotel partner offering CN members 10% discount on hotel rooms and meeting rooms, plus priority on reservations.
• citizenM HotelsminorOthersInternational hotel partner offering CN members extra comfort worldwide, even without overnight stays.
• Pearl EnergyminorOthersEnergy solutions partner under Pearlcard offering innovative and sustainable energy solutions for cost savings and environmental contribution.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vistage: Paid membership organization for SME CEOs and executives combining peer advisory groups, one-to-one coaching, and curated events. Comparable recurring-subscription B2B networking model targeting Dutch-style SMB decision-makers.
• The Battery: Private membership club for founders, executives, and investors offering curated events, dinners, and a physical house. Directly comparable curated-membership format with annual dues, selective admissions, and an emphasis on trusted peer relationships.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Global paid membership community for CEOs and senior executives providing peer forums, events, and curated connections. Closely comparable to fCN's elite entrepreneur tier, with similar high-touch networking and selective admission criteria.
• Soho House: Global paid membership club for creatives and entrepreneurs offering physical houses, curated events, and member privileges. Closely comparable business model to Carbon Network: annual subscription, in-person venues, app-based member directory, and curated networking rather than passive platform.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): Global membership organization for entrepreneurs offering peer learning, curated events, and exclusive networking, with chapter-based local communities. Comparable in targeting ambitious founders, recurring dues, and active matchmaking/forum-based engagement.
• Tiger 21: Membership-based peer organization for high-net-worth investors and entrepreneurs offering curated group meetings and confidential knowledge sharing. Comparable elite-tier subscription model targeting ambitious founders with curated admissions.

Broad incumbents

• BNI (Business Network International): Large global referral-based business networking organization with structured chapter meetings and membership fees. Comparable recurring-subscription networking model but with a broader, less curated SMB focus than Carbon Network's tiered approach.

Emerging players

• Founders Forum: Invitation-based community and events business for senior tech and digital founders and CEOs. Comparable elite entrepreneur focus, though events-driven rather than a year-round subscription club like Carbon Network.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carbonnetwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/carbonnetwork_cn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Carbon Network (CN)