What ESN Nijmegen does

ESN Nijmegen (Erasmus Student Network Nijmegen) is a registered Dutch non-profit student association and a local chapter of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the largest student network in Europe. Founded as ISN Nijmegen and rebranded upon joining the ESN federation on January 14, 2018, the organization serves international and Dutch students at Radboud University and HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands. Its mission is to provide intercultural experiences through cultural events, social gatherings, organized travel, and a partnership discount program.

The organization operates three core product lines: the ESNcard (an annual membership costing €25/year that unlocks discounts at over 20 local, national, and international partners), Events and Activities (parties, workshops, cultural exchanges, and social gatherings), and Travel and Excursions (organized trips across the Netherlands and Europe). Distribution is handled through a physical office on the Radboud University campus (Heyendaalseweg 141), the Fourvenues self-serve event registration platform, and Instagram/Facebook/WhatsApp community channels. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard digital tools — no proprietary software, no AI/ML systems, and no mobile app.

The business model is a hybrid of modest recurring membership subscription revenue (€25/year per member) and per-event unit pricing ranging from €2 (Beach Games) to €110 (non-member Bruges & Ghent trip). Additional revenue comes from partnership sponsorships with brands such as Ryanair, Flixbus, Tomorrowland, Perlego, Tiqets, Swapfiets, Stayokay, HousingAnywhere, and ABN AMRO. The organization is run by a five-member volunteer board plus committee volunteers, and is not venture-backed or externally owned. The parent organization ESN operates across 430+ higher education institutions in 37 countries, serving 190,000+ students annually.

Name

ESN Nijmegen

Legal name

ESN Nijmegen

Website

https://esnnijmegen.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ESN Nijmegen is a Dutch non-profit student association and local chapter of the Erasmus Student Network, serving international and Dutch students at Radboud University and HAN University through cultural events, travel excursions, and an annual €25 ESNcard membership with partner discounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Cultural Exchange Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ)

Keywords

• Student exchange services
• Cultural integration programs
• Student community events
• International student support
• Membership discount network

Headquarters

HQ city

Nijmegen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fee of 25 euros per year. Membership includes an ESNcard that provides access to discounts at partner businesses across Europe.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ESN Nijmegen is a volunteer-run, non-profit local chapter of the Erasmus Student Network that connects international and Dutch students at Radboud University and HAN University of Applied Sciences. It sells an annual ESNcard membership (€25/year) that grants access to cultural and social events, organized trips and excursions, and discounts with local, national, and international partner brands.

Product overview

ESN Nijmegen is a student organization (not a technology product company) offering three main services: the ESNcard membership (25 euros/year) providing access to events and partner discounts; Events and Activities including cultural events, social gatherings, parties, and workshops; and Travel and Excursions featuring organized trips across the Netherlands and Europe. The organization serves international and Dutch students at Radboud University and HAN University of Applied Sciences since 2018.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ESNcard Membership Annual membership card (€25/year) for students at Radboud University and HAN University of Applied Sciences that unlocks entry to ESN Nijmegen events, organized trips, and discounts with partner brands such as Flixbus, Ryanair, Tomorrowland, The Economist, and local Nijmegen venues.
• Events and Activities Cultural, social, and recreational events organized for international and Dutch students, including themed parties, workshops, game nights, borrels, and cultural exchange evenings. Offered primarily to members at free or discounted rates, with individual event pricing for non-members.
• Travel and Excursions Organized trips and excursions exploring the Netherlands and Europe, ranging from budget-friendly local day trips to multi-day international travel experiences, with tiered member and non-member pricing and early-bird discounts.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered local, national and global.

• StudiedlocalGTM or Marketing PartnerStudied supports students who want to become tutors or improve their grades. ESN members receive discounts or special offers through this partnership.
• FC UrbanlocalOthersLocal partner providing venue or services for ESN Nijmegen events.
• MomonationalGTM or Marketing PartnerMomo is a young and rapidly growing network that supports students and professionals in their professional and personal development, connecting students and alumni from various fields of study with businesses and organisations.
• Exchange LifeglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal partner offering services relevant to exchange students and international mobility.
• PerlegoglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital and online library focusing on eBooks delivery. ESN members receive a 15% discount with their ESNcard.
• TomorrowlandglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerErasmus Student Network and Tomorrowland team up to offer a limited amount of tickets. ESNcard holders have access to a dedicated ticket sale at pre-sale prices.
• TiqetsglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerBook tickets through Tiqets and get a 10% discount for museums, shows and variety of attractions all over the world.
• SpotahomeglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerOffers 25% off the reservation fee for all Erasmus students for international mid-to-long-term accommodation with code ESN25.
• The EconomistglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerGet up to 75% off digital or print subscription of The Economist with ESNcard.
• RyanairglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerRyanair supports Erasmus students by offering a 10% discount in 4 single flights or 2 round trips plus FREE LUGGAGE with ESNcard.
• FlixglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerExplore the world with FlixBus and FlixTrain. Redeem voucher through the app and get 15% off next ride with ESNcard.
• Yes-TripsnationalGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent travel company for epic events like Oktoberfest in Munich or Carnival in Cologne. Offers special packages for ESN members.
• EurosenderglobalGTM or Marketing PartnerGet a 10% discount when sending luggage, packages, or relocating with promo code ESNNL20.
• StayokaynationalGTM or Marketing PartnerStayokay has 22 locations throughout the Netherlands in surprising spots. Use code ESN/ISN for 10% discount on overnight stays and meals.
• LebaranationalGTM or Marketing PartnerTelecom provider for international students in the Netherlands. One of the best and cheapest options for international students.
• HousingAnywherenationalGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational online housing platform for students and young professionals, based in Rotterdam. Book rooms easily in 150+ countries with Djumpia account.
• KattencafelocalGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal cafe partner. Show ESNcard and enjoy 10% discount on the entire bill.
• K/OlocalGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner venue on Molenstraat. Enjoy special discounts at ESN events.
• DressMe ClothinglocalGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal clothing partner. Members get 10% discount.
• Cafe De OpstandlocalGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal cafe partner. Members who present their ESNcard receive 10% discount on all drinks.
• International Students WorklocalGTM or Marketing PartnerHelps international students find part-time jobs. Collaborative events and registration available on their website.
• ABN AMROlocalGTM or Marketing PartnerOpen a bank account without needing a BSN temporarily. Can open via link or QR code at ESN Office.
• Goin'nationalGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatform where students can find other students from their uni who are also going on exchanges pre-departure.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Eurodesk: Eurodesk is a European youth information network helping young people discover mobility and learning opportunities. It is thematically adjacent to ESN Nijmegen's mission of supporting international and exchange students, with overlapping audiences.
• European Students' Union (ESU): ESU is the umbrella body of 45 National Unions of Students from 40 countries, representing student interests at the European level. While not a direct event/discount competitor, it operates in the same European student-mobility space and engages with the same Erasmus+ ecosystem.

Direct peers

• ESN Amsterdam: ESN Amsterdam is the Amsterdam local chapter of the same Erasmus Student Network. It offers the same ESNcard membership, social/cultural events, trips, and partner discounts to international students at Amsterdam's universities — making it the most direct structural peer to ESN Nijmegen.
• ELSA (European Law Students' Association): ELSA is a network of 50,000+ law students across 40+ European countries with local groups organizing events, exchanges, and competitions. Like ESN, it operates a local-chapter federation model with annual memberships, partner discounts, and student-led programming.
• BEST (Board of European Students of Technology): BEST is a European student network with local groups at technical universities that organizes educational events, competitions, and cultural exchanges for students. It is directly comparable as a pan-European, local-chapter, student-run cultural and educational organization.
• ESN Rotterdam: ESN Rotterdam is another Dutch local chapter of the Erasmus Student Network serving international students at Erasmus University Rotterdam and other Rotterdam institutions. It is structurally identical to ESN Nijmegen — same ESNcard, same event format, same partner network — and is a clear regional peer.
• AIESEC: AIESEC is a global youth-led network operating in 100+ countries that runs international student exchanges, leadership programs, and cultural experiences. It is directly comparable to ESN in mission (international student mobility), member-funded model, and local-chapter structure.
• IAESTE A.I.S.B.L. IAESTE is an international association that arranges paid technical/work placements for students across 80+ countries. It shares ESN's mission of student international mobility, national-committee structure, and partnerships with universities and employers.

Emerging players

• ISIC (International Student Identity Card): ISIC is the globally recognized student ID and discount card available in 130+ countries, providing student discounts on travel, software, and services. It overlaps with the ESNcard's student-discount function but is a broader global product rather than a local-chapter experience, making it a partial competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Erasmus Student Network (ESN HQ): Erasmus Student Network is the parent federation of which ESN Nijmegen is a local section. It is the broader umbrella organization operating across 37 countries, providing the network, branding, and pan-European partnerships that ESN Nijmegen leverages.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/esnnijmegen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esnnijmegen

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 ESN Nijmegen