What Cybersoek does

Cybersoek is a nonprofit foundation (Stichting) founded in 2001 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that delivers free digital inclusion services to Amsterdammers with limited digital literacy. The organization operates six physical drop-in locations covering all seven Amsterdam city districts (Oost headquarters, Zuid, Centrum, Nieuw-West Osdorp, West Bos & Lommer, and Driemond), hosted within partner civic venues such as the OBA public library (CC Amstel), Daadkr8, De Boomsspijker, Huis van de Wijk Mansvelt, and Dorpshuis Driemond. A team of 100+ members, approximately 80% of whom are volunteers drawn from the served communities, delivers a portfolio of programs: walk-in Cybercafé device support, a 7-10 week Basic Computer Course, a 4-week generative AI literacy course ('AI op het werk'), Dutch language learning from A0 to B1, robotics for children aged 10-12 using mBot and micro:bit, job-search assistance through Cybercafé Werk, the De Cyberbank laptop refurbishment and distribution program for Stadspas holders, and the Soek social-gathering program. The organization serves more than 750 participants weekly.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally non-proprietary: services are delivered using Windows, standard internet browsers, email, Zoom, and smartphones, supplemented by an in-house library of instructional video tutorials covering topics such as emailing with attachments, creating strong passwords, video calling, internet searching, Windows installation, and data backup. Distribution and community engagement run through per-location WhatsApp channels, the monthly Cybernieuws email newsletter, and earned media coverage including a December 2024 feature on Dutch national TV news program Nieuwsuur and the Oranjefonds-produced promotional film. Cybersoek does not maintain a mobile app, public API, or SDK; the platform is fundamentally physical and human-mediated.

The business model is donation- and grant-driven. All end-user services are free of charge; the only commercial revenue stream is the Train-de-Trainer professional services program for organizations seeking to replicate Cybersoek's methodology, priced from EUR 4,000 per trajectory. Operational funding comes from the Municipality of Amsterdam (Gemeente Amsterdam), foundation grants from Oranjefonds (including its Growth Programme), and individual tax-deductible donations enabled by the organization's ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) status with the Dutch Tax Authority. The organization is registered with the KvK under 34152631, is governed by a board chaired by Noor Waardijk, and is operationally led by Director Karien Sondervan. It received the Tom Sebastiaan Gans Prijs from Oranjefonds in November 2024 and is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025-2026.

Name

Cybersoek

Legal name

Stichting Cybersoek

Website

https://cybersoek.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cybersoek is a nonprofit foundation founded in 2001 in Amsterdam delivering free digital inclusion services — computer help, courses, Dutch language learning, robotics, and laptop access — to 750+ weekly participants across six city locations, funded by municipal grants, foundation support, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Inclusion Community Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF), IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training (EDAGANAF)

Keywords

• Digital inclusion services
• Digital literacy training
• Community education programs
• Nonprofit digital assistance
• Computer skills education

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Cybersoek accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. As an ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling), donations may provide fiscal benefits for donors. Bank account: NL09 INGB 0657 7958 52.
2. Municipal Funding (Gemeente Amsterdam): The organization receives operational funding from the Municipality of Amsterdam as part of its digital inclusion mission.
3. Foundation Grants (Oranjefonds): Cybersoek received support through the Oranjefonds Growth Programme. The Oranjefonds also produced a promotional film about Cybersoek and its staff member Shady.
4. Professional Services (Train-de-Trainer): Cybersoek offers customized train-the-trainer programs to other organizations wanting to establish their own digital support programs. Pricing starts from EUR 4,000 for a training trajectory, with separate budgets for ongoing execution (e.g., weekly open drop-in for a year).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cybersoek is a nonprofit foundation providing free digital assistance, education, and inclusion services to Amsterdammers with limited digital skills. Core offerings include walk-in Cybercafé support for computer/phone/tablet questions, structured courses (basic computer, AI at work), Dutch language learning, robotics for children, job search assistance (Cybercafé Werk), and a laptop refurbishment and distribution program (De Cyberbank). A paid Train-de-Trainer program for professionals starts from EUR 4,000.

Product overview

Cybersoek is a digital inclusion nonprofit platform offering free digital education and support services in Amsterdam. The organization provides a portfolio of programs including walk-in Cybercafe sessions for device help, structured courses (Basic Computer Course, AI at Work Course), language learning (Dutch for beginners to advanced), robotics for children, job search assistance (Cybercafe Werk), and a laptop refurbishment and distribution program (De Cyberbank). The services are delivered at multiple physical locations across Amsterdam neighborhoods (Oost, Zuid, Centrum, Nieuw-West, West Bos & Lommer, Driemond) and through community-based programs. Train de trainer programs extend the methodology to other organizations. The organization serves over 750 participants weekly, focusing on people with limited digital skills or access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• De Cyberbank: A laptop recycling and distribution program that collects old laptops, refurbishes them with youth who have distance to the labor market, and distributes them to people with a Stadspas.

Products and services

• Cybercafe Free walk-in support for computer, phone, and tablet questions. Visitors receive one-on-one help from volunteers for digital challenges across six Amsterdam locations.
• Cursus: AI op het werk (AI at Work Course) A 4-week course teaching participants about AI changes in the workplace, covering generative AI tools, effective prompts, ethical questions, and developing a personal AI plan.
• Basiscursus Computer (Basic Computer Course) A 7-10 week course teaching basic computer skills including turning on the computer, mouse clicking, keyboard functions, word processing, file management, creating strong passwords, internet searching, and sending emails with attachments.
• Soek A community gathering program where neighbors and volunteers meet for handicrafts and casual Dutch conversation, fostering social connection while practicing language skills.
• Robotica voor kinderen (Robotics for Children) Programming course for children aged 10-12 where they learn to code, create their own game, and work with small robots using mBot and micro:bit.
• Cybercafe Werk (Work Cafe) Walk-in support for people seeking (voluntary) work, helping with CV creation, job searching, and digital skills for employment. Includes access to a CV maker tool.
• De Cyberbank Laptop collection, refurbishment, and distribution program. Old laptops are collected, repaired by youth with barriers to employment, and given to people with a Stadspas. Also recycles non-reusable devices.
• Open inloop taal (Open Language Drop-in) Free Dutch language learning sessions for everyone from beginners (A0) to advanced (B1), focusing on reading, writing, and speaking skills.
• Train de trainer (Train the Trainer) Professional development program sharing 25+ years of methodology and vision on digital autonomy. Includes practical didactics, tools, teaching materials, and guidance for supervising volunteers. Customized training starting from EUR 4,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750+ people participate weekly in programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Wij AmsterdamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024Wij Amsterdam is a platform connecting Amsterdammers who help each other. Cybersoek is listed on the platform and Director Karien Sondervan was featured in an interview about digital inclusion.
• OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) CC AmstelminorOthersOBA CC Amstel provides venue space for Cybersoek Location Zuid at Cullinanplein 1, where Open Inloop Taal sessions are held every Monday.
• Daadkr8minorOthersDaadkr8 community center in Osdorp hosts Cybersoek Location Nieuw-West at President Allendelaan 719, offering Cybercafé sessions on Thursdays.
• De BoomsspijkerminorOthersDe Boomsspijker community center in Amsterdam Centrum hosts Cybersoek Location Centrum at Recht Boomssloot 52, offering Cybercafé on Tuesdays.
• Huis van de Wijk MansveltminorOthersHuis van de Wijk Mansvelt community house in Bos & Lommer hosts Cybersoek Location West at Karel Doormanstraat 125, offering Cybercafé on Fridays.
• Dorpshuis DriemondminorOthersDorpshuis in Driemond village hosts Cybersoek Location Driemond at Burgemeester Bletzstraat 74 on the first Thursday of each month.
• De CyberbankminorOthersDe Cyberbank is a related initiative that collects, refurbishes, and distributes laptops. Cybersoek refers low-income participants (Stadspas holders) to receive laptops. Laptops are refurbished by youth with distance to the labor market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam): Amsterdam's public library, which already hosts one of Cybersoek's locations (OBA CC Amstel) and runs its own DigiTaal and digital help programmes. A direct peer in community-based digital support and a venue partner at the same time, making it both collaborator and potential substitute.
• SeniorWeb: Dutch nonprofit focused on teaching digital skills, with a strong emphasis on seniors. Comparable to Cybersoek's adult digital literacy mission, though SeniorWeb operates nationally and relies more heavily on online courses and member-led local chapters.
• HelpdeskW: Dutch initiative offering practical digital help to citizens who struggle with online services. Closely aligned with Cybersoek's Cybercafé drop-in model and target beneficiaries, with a similar free, in-person service philosophy.
• Stichting Digivaardig: Dutch foundation promoting digital skills among vulnerable groups, often partnering with libraries and welfare organizations. Comparable mission and target population to Cybersoek's Cybercafé Werk and Stadspas-linked support.
• Digisterker: Dutch government-supported programme that trains citizens in basic digital skills, including working with DigiD and government e-services. Directly comparable to Cybersoek's mission of digital inclusion for adults, though delivered through a national training network rather than physical neighborhood locations.

Emerging players

• NewTechKids: Amsterdam-based provider of technology and coding education for children, including robotics and computational thinking. Overlaps with Cybersoek's Robotica voor kinderen (mBot, micro:bit) course for ages 10-12.
• Codam: Amsterdam-based coding school aimed at broadening access to software development education for underrepresented groups. Comparable only on the 'Robotica voor kinderen' / youth programming axis; differs from Cybersoek by targeting higher-end software careers.

Others

• Wij Amsterdam: Amsterdam civic platform connecting residents who help each other, where Cybersoek is listed. An ecosystem partner and referral channel rather than a competitor, but functionally substitutes some grassroots digital help.
• ITvitae: Dutch IT training provider focused on people with a distance to the labor market, including neurodivergent learners. Comparable on the employability-and-technology intersection with Cybersoek's Cybercafé Werk, though focused on longer-form IT certifications.
• VHTO: Dutch national expertise center focused on girls and women in technology, science, and digital skills. Adjacent rather than directly competitive; thematically aligned with Cybersoek's digital inclusion mission for underrepresented groups.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Cybersoek
• Facebookfacebook.com/Cybersoek
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cybersoek

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Cybersoek