Digibende Delft

What Digibende Delft does

Digibende B.V. is a privately-held Dutch professional development center for young people aged 12 to 28 who do not fit traditional education—often characterized by autism, ADHD, high intelligence, anxiety, or risk of dropout. The company operates five physical locations across the Netherlands (Amstelveen, Delft, Den Bosch, Utrecht, and Roermond) and delivers a structured program of ten modules: Robotica-Mechatronica, Gameroom, Muziekstudio, Hardware, Programmeren, Sport, VR-en Gamedesign, Multimedia Vormgeving, Persoonlijke Begeleiding (orthopedagogical coaching), and Hacklab. Programs are customized per participant by orthopedagogues in small groups of 4 to 8 and run 1 to 4 days per week, year-round including school vacations, with no formal tests—participants instead build track records and portfolios covering professional-grade tools (Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Adobe Creative Suite, FL Studio, Metasploit, Kali Linux, hardware assembly, 3D printing). Underlying technology is essentially physical infrastructure (specialized labs and studios) layered with standard consumer and creative software rather than proprietary IP. Revenue is generated through three institutional channels—municipalities (gemeenten) purchasing placements as part of youth care, schools and educational cooperation organizations (onderwijssamenwerkingsverbanden) funding placements or combining Digibende with regular education, and UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) funding work-transition placements—with a self-serve direct enrollment option via a free introductory meeting. The go-to-market is sales-led, relying on professional referrals, content marketing, and earned Dutch media coverage (Telegraaf, Parool, Trouw, HLF8). The company was founded by Fabian Leijten in 2017 (Kelpen-Oler), holds an ISO 9001-aligned quality policy, and counts the Cruyff Foundation as its flagship sponsor through the first Cruyff Technology LAB.

Name

Digibende Delft

Legal name

Digibende B.V.

Website

https://digibende.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Digibende B.V. is a privately-held Dutch professional development center operating five physical locations across the Netherlands, serving youth aged 12 to 28 who do not fit traditional education through structured ICT, technology, creative, and pedagogical programs funded by municipalities, schools, and UWV.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development & Alternative Education Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Functioning & Behavioral Support Tools (ADHD, SEL/Behavior Tracking, Routines) (EDAFAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM Assessment, Badging & Competition Platforms (EDAFANAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Digital Content (EDAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Alternative education programs
• Youth development services
• ICT skills training
• Special needs education
• Youth care services

Headquarters

HQ city

Delft

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding: Digibende can be purchased/purchased by municipalities as part of youth care and support services. The organization helps investigate available funding options through municipal channels.
2. Educational Institution Funding: Funded through schools, educational partnerships (onderwijssamenwerkingsverbanden), and leerplicht (compulsory education authorities). Can be implemented full-time or part-time as an alternative to regular education.
3. UWV Funding: In certain cases, funding can be arranged through UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) for youth requiring support in transitioning to work.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Digibende is a professional development center that delivers structured, orthopedagogue-customized programs in ICT, robotics, programming, game/VR design, music production, multimedia, hardware, cybersecurity, sports, and personal coaching for youth aged 12–28 who do not fit traditional education. Programs operate across five physical locations in the Netherlands, are funded primarily via municipalities, schools, and UWV, and combine technology education with personal development support in small groups of 4–8 participants.

Product overview

Digibende is a professional development center for youth aged 12-28, offering a multi-module learning environment focused on technology, creativity, and digital skills. The core platform consists of structured programs that are customized by an orthopedagogue together with each participant and their parents/guardians. The portfolio includes ten integrated modules: Robotica-Mechatronica (Tech-Lab), Gameroom, Muziekstudio, Hardware, Programmeren, Sport, VR-en Gamedesign, Multimedia Vormgeving, Persoonlijke Begeleiding, and Hacklab. Participation ranges from 1 to 4 days per week, and programs can be combined with regular school attendance. The organization operates team locations in Amstelveen, Delft, Den Bosch, Utrecht, and Roermond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Robotica - Mechatronica (Tech-Lab) Module combining electrical engineering, robotics, and programming where participants build learning robots, operate 3D printers, and develop face recognition and IoT applications, led by specialised instructors.
• Gameroom Relaxation and structured-play space with gaming consoles and a custom-designed gaming podium where participants play and compete with each other.
• Muziekstudio Music studio for songwriting, composition, production, singing, rapping, instrument playing, and DJing, equipped with electronic drum pads, Pioneer DJ turntables, keyboards, and guitars.
• Hardware Workshop covering PC building and repair, custom gaming PC assembly, 3D printer operation, network setup with routers and switches, Linux systems, IP cameras, and Raspberry Pi programming.
• Programmeren Programming education covering web development, Python, game development, and Arduino/Raspberry Pi, with instruction in HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, C#, and C, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning themes.
• Sport Fitness and sports coaching with a personal trainer delivering tailored exercise, nutrition guidance, and group sessions to participants.
• VR- en Gamedesign Full-spectrum game and VR development using Unreal Engine and Unity, covering 2D and 3D game design, character creation, environment design, and animated content production.
• Multimedia Vormgeving Design and multimedia creation covering layouts, print design, web design, video editing, 3D design, photography, illustration in anime style, and animation using Adobe Creative Suite.
• Persoonlijke Begeleiding Personal coaching and guidance from (ortho-)pedagogues who help participants work toward personal development goals within the Digibende program.
• Hacklab - Cybersecurity Cybersecurity education under professional ethical hacker guidance, covering ethical hacking techniques, security testing, and the moral and legal aspects of cybersecurity, using Metasploit, Kali Linux, Nmap, Burp Suite, and Maltego.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants who struggled in traditional education achieve success experiences and develop confidence
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Centrum voor Natuur en Sterrenkunde (Centre for Nature and Astronomy)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2021Digibende partnered with the Centre for Nature and Astronomy to offer astronomy programs, expanding educational content beyond ICT and technology.
• IVIOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough collaboration with IVIO, participants at Digibende can work toward partial certificates for vmbo-t, havo, or vwo diplomas. Requires participant enrollment at a school and available funding.
• Adams Music CentreminorOthersAdams Music Centre sponsored Digibende with a professional drum set for the music studio.
• Logitech BeneluxminorOthersLogitech Benelux donated 200 keyboard and mouse sets to support Digibende participants.
• HuionminorOthersHuion sponsored Digibende with professional 22-inch drawing tablets for multimedia design work.
• Gorilla SportsminorOthersGorilla Sports sponsored sports equipment for the Digibende fitness facilities.
• Van MosselminorOthersVan Mossel automotive company sponsored a van/bus for Digibende, enabling transportation for participants.
• Cruyff FoundationcoreOthersDigibende received the first Cruyff Technology LAB, a flagship partnership supporting the mission of ensuring no young person is left on the sidelines.
• StreetlabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStreetlab visited Digibende Amstelveen during opening week, indicating a collaborative relationship for youth development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Holberton School: Project-based software engineering alternative school with locations in multiple countries, targeting students without traditional CS degrees. Comparable curriculum stack (full-stack, software, project portfolios) and alternative-education positioning, though focused on adults rather than the special-needs youth cohort Digibende serves.
• Ada Developers Academy: US-based tuition-free software development school for women and gender-expansive adults, including a strong neurodiversity inclusion track. Closely comparable in mission (free, alternative-path, inclusion-focused tech education) and structure (project portfolios + wraparound support), at smaller scale than Digibende.

Direct peers

• Specialisterren: Dutch IT consultancy and training company focused exclusively on hiring and coaching people with ASD/ADHD for software testing, development, and cybersecurity roles. Same Dutch footprint and same ASD/ADHD target population as Digibende, but on the placement/employment side rather than education-only — together they form the Dutch neurodiversity-in-tech ecosystem.
• Per Scholas: US-based nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and software engineering training to adults from underserved communities, with wraparound support and employer partnerships. Closest direct analogue to Digibende's model of pairing tech-skills training with personal coaching for under-served populations, paid largely by third-party funders.
• Year Up: US-based alternative education-to-employment program for 18-24 year-olds from low-income backgrounds, combining in-demand skills training (including tech) with corporate internships and wraparound supports. Mirrors Digibende's hybrid of structured learning, behavioral support, and externally-funded employer/government sponsorship.
• Springboard: US-based nonprofit offering short-form, mentor-supported tech training and job-placement for underrepresented adults, including returning citizens and people experiencing homelessness. Closely comparable on the small-cohort, mentor-led, outcomes-funded training model that Digibende operates for a youth cohort.
• Generation: Global nonprofit (formerly McKinsey Social Initiative) operating employer-funded job-training programs for underemployed youth and adults, with a strong tech track (software engineering, IT support). Same architecture as Digibende: employer-tied outcomes, no-cost to learner, geographically replicated sites.

Regional players

• Albeda: Large Dutch MBO (secondary vocational) college operating across the Rotterdam region, including explicit arrangements for students with special needs (LVSO/VSO). Broader regional incumbent offering technical and vocational tracks in IT and creative that overlap directly with Digibende's curriculum — and the institution from which municipalities purchase comparable placements.
• ROC Mondriaan: Major Dutch MBO provider covering The Hague region, with dedicated pathways for youth needing extra support (Praktijkonderwijs, Entree). Functions as a regional alternative-education incumbent that municipalities and schools use for placements — directly competing with Digibende for the same municipal referral dollars in its catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Digibende-106080580988630
• Instagraminstagram.com/digibende.nl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digibende-delft

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Digibende Delft