What Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands does

Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands (ESN NL) is the Dutch national branch of Erasmus Student Network, Europe's largest interdisciplinary student association, founded internationally on October 16, 1989 and legally registered in 1990. ESN NL operates a network of 16 local sections embedded within Dutch universities across the country — Groningen, Zwolle, Twente, Haarlem, Amsterdam, VU Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Wageningen, Nijmegen, Breda, Tilburg, and Maastricht — serving approximately 190,000 international students annually. Its core offerings include buddy matching, cultural integration activities, social events, housing assistance, mobility advocacy, and skill development opportunities for local student volunteers. The 2025/2026 elected National Board comprises seven volunteer positions: President (Febe Piccinin), Vice President/Secretary (Anna Haga), Treasurer (Sabin Iacob), Network Manager (Jasper de Bie), Communication Manager (Mara Tabusca), Project Manager (Tessa Slooff), and Partnership Manager (Richard Ruijgrok), supported by National Committees (PRcom, ITeam, Project Committee, NAcom, Docuteam) and Board Support positions coordinated from the Rotterdam office.

ESN NL's primary product is the ESNcard, a proof-of-membership card providing access to partner discounts across Europe. The organization has built an active project portfolio including (Re)Generation Erasmus (an EU co-funded environmental sustainability program with ESN Italy and Studenten Voor Morgen), #ESN4SocialImpact (monthly cause-based engagement initiative), the National Erasmus Games (inter-section sports competition), Responsible Party (a harm-reduction campaign partnered with Pernod Ricard Benelux), Breaking New Ground (a Benelux anti-discrimination training that received the 2025 Training Award at EGM Ancona), and the Annual International Student Survey (since 2018, in collaboration with Dutch National Agencies, ISO, and LSVb). Technology deployment is limited to web channels — esn-nl.org, Instagram (@esn_nl), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter — alongside Fourvenues SaaS for event management; no proprietary platform, app, AI, or paid software product is disclosed. The organization is GDPR-compliant under EU 2016/679 with defined data retention periods.

The revenue model is sponsorship- and partnership-driven. ESN NL maintains commercial relationships with Ryanair (designated Official Carrier), FlixBus, Lebara (telecom), Student Mobility, Housing Anywhere, bunq (banking), Perlego, The Economist, StayOkay, Spotahome, Eurosender, Wagamama, Walibi Holland, Checked Viewings, Yes-Trips, Knaek, Momo, and Fourvenues, with additional discount partners accessed via ESNcard. The organization is the Dutch national affiliate of the Erasmus Student Network (International) parent foundation spanning 510+ sections in 45-46 countries, but ESN NL operates independently with its own Board and governance. As a non-profit, financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands

Legal name

Erasmus Student Network Netherlands

Website

https://esn-nl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands is a non-profit student association operating 16 local university sections that support approximately 190,000 international students annually through buddy programs, cultural integration activities, and the ESNcard partner discount program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Student Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inbound Exchange Hosting & Visiting Student Administration (EDAIABAK), Peer Mentorship, Buddy & Host-Family Matching Programs (EDAIAKAD)

Keywords

• International student support
• Student exchange programs
• Cultural integration services
• Student mobility advocacy
• Volunteer student network

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Partnership & Sponsorship Revenue: ESN NL partners with commercial companies (Student Mobility, FlixBus, Ryanair, Lebara, bunq, Housing Anywhere, etc.) and institutional partners who provide support in exchange for access to the international student market. Partners receive visibility to 190,000+ international students annually.
2. ESNcard Membership: The ESNcard is the membership card of the Erasmus Student Network, providing proof of membership and access to partner discounts across Europe. Revenue model for national organization unclear.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands (ESN NL) operates a national network of 16 local sections at Dutch universities, providing international exchange students with buddy matching, cultural integration activities, social events, housing assistance, and mobility advocacy. The ESNcard membership program grants holders access to partner discounts across Europe, while the organization runs projects such as (Re)Generation Erasmus, #ESN4SocialImpact, National Erasmus Games, Responsible Party, Breaking New Ground, and the Annual International Student Survey.

Product overview

Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands (ESN NL) operates as a student association network rather than a traditional software product company. The organization's primary offering is the ESNcard membership program, which provides international students access to discounts and services across Europe. ESN NL coordinates a network of 16 local sections throughout the Netherlands that deliver support services to approximately 190,000 international students annually. The portfolio includes project initiatives such as (Re)Generation Erasmus for environmental sustainability, #ESN4SocialImpact for cause-based engagement, the National Erasmus Games for health and wellbeing, Responsible Party for harm reduction awareness, Breaking New Ground for anti-discrimination training, and the Annual International Student Survey for advocacy research. Additional offerings include travel and mobility partnerships through Student Mobility OV-pass and national events programming. The organization is structured around Board Support positions, National Committees (PRcom, ITeam, Project Committee, NAcom, Docuteam), and Supervisory Bodies (S&A Committee, Council of Advice).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ESNcard Membership card of the Erasmus Student Network serving as proof of membership in an ESN section and providing holders with access to partner discounts across Europe. Targeted at international and exchange students.
• ESN NL Local Section Network
• National Events Program
• Student Mobility OV-pass Distribution

Quantifiable outcome

• 190,000 international students served annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Student MobilitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner providing easy access to public transport, bikes, and student travel discounts in the Netherlands. Student Mobility OV-pass, discounted train tickets via Stumob, and bike reservations are available through local ESN sections.
• EurosenderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides 10% discount with code ESNNL20 for sending luggage, packages or relocating. Also offers €15 discount on van or palette rentals with code ESNNL_VAN for students moving.
• LebaracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTelecom provider offering mobile services for international students in the Netherlands. Provides affordable plans tailored to the international student market.
• FlixBuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational partner offering 10% discount vouchers with ESNcard for bus and train travel across Europe. Valid for travel dates between 07.01.2024 and 19.12.2024.
• RyanaircoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial carrier of Erasmus Student Network. Offers 10% discount on 4 single flights or 2 return flights, plus free 20kg check-in luggage with each booking.
• PerlegominorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital online library for academic, professional and non-fiction eBooks. Offers 15% discount to ESN members.
• The EconomistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational news publication offering discounts up to 75% for ESNcard holders on subscriptions.
• Housing AnywherecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHousing rental platform for international students. Offers 10% discount on subscription fee for students booking accommodation.
• bunqminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital bank offering free student account opening in 5 minutes with spending tracking, savings features, and bunq Pro for Students.
• StayOkayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBudget accommodation chain with 20 locations throughout the Netherlands. Offers 10% discount on overnight stays and meals with ESN code.
• ESNcard.orgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe official ESN membership card organization, providing proof of membership and access to partner discounts across Europe.
• SpotahomeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHousing platform helping students find apartments, shared rooms, studios and student residences. Offers 25% off reservation fee with ESN25 promo code.
• WagamamaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAsian restaurant chain offering 20% discount to ESNcard holders.
• Checked ViewingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHousing viewing service sending local viewers to visit apartments in person, providing video walkthroughs and honest reports for remote renters. Use ESNNL5 for discount.
• Yes-TripsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel company specializing in student events like Oktoberfest and Carnival trips to Munich and Cologne.
• KnaekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline discount card offering various discounts online and on location in Dutch cities. ESN NL members save €30 and receive free subscription until July 31, 2025.
• MomominorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork supporting students and professionals in professional and personal development. Invite codes available through local ESN sections.
• Walibi HollandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheme park offering entertainment attractions and events for students. Provides discounts or special offers to ESN members.
• Ikwilvanmijnsoaaf.nlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDutch online healthcare provider offering discreet at-home STI testing, lab results, and treatment through certified doctors. Use ESNNL-20 for 20% discount.
• Goin' Abroad NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork connecting students worldwide for exchange and study abroad connections. Helps students make friends and expand networks.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YFU (Youth For Understanding): International non-profit focused on student exchange programs and cultural immersion; comparable in mission to support international student exchange and cultural integration.
• Erasmus Student Network (International): The parent international federation of which ESN NL is a national branch; directly comparable as the same organization structure and mission operating across 510+ sections in 45 countries.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: Global non-profit providing intercultural learning and student exchange opportunities; comparable in mission, non-profit structure, and volunteer-based local chapters.
• AIESEC: Global youth-run network facilitating international exchange and leadership development for students and recent graduates; comparable in mission (international student mobility), volunteer-driven model, and presence across multiple countries.
• IAESTE: International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience; comparable as a student-focused international exchange organization operating across multiple countries with national committees.
• BEST (Board of European Students of Technology): European student organization providing complementary education and career support to technology students across Europe; comparable in scope, volunteer-driven model, and local-section structure.

Broad incumbents

• European Students' Union (ESU): Umbrella body representing national student unions across Europe; comparable as an advocacy-oriented student organization with policy influence on higher education and mobility.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Established US-headquartered non-profit running study abroad programs with broader operational scope; comparable in serving international students with exchange programs but operates as a larger, paid-program incumbent.

Others

• Erasmus+ National Agency (Nuffic / NA-NL): Dutch National Agency managing Erasmus+ program implementation; not a peer organization but an institutional counterpart ESN NL collaborates with on the AISS survey and mobility policy.

Emerging players

• Goin' Abroad Network: Network connecting students worldwide for exchange and study-abroad connections; already a partner of ESN NL, comparable in digital-first student-mobility community building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/esn_nl
• Facebookfacebook.com/esnnl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/erasmus-student-network-the-netherlands
• Instagraminstagram.com/esn_nl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands