Erasmus Student Network Utrecht

What Erasmus Student Network Utrecht does

Erasmus Student Network Utrecht (ESN Utrecht) is a non-profit local section of the Erasmus Student Network International, operating in Utrecht, Netherlands since at least 2005 (with the parent organization tracing to 1989). It serves international students enrolled at six Utrecht higher education institutions — Utrecht University, HU University of Applied Sciences, HKU University of the Arts, University of Humanistic Studies, Marnix Academy, and Tio University of Applied Sciences — by addressing social isolation, cultural adjustment, and practical onboarding needs.

The organization's core product is the ESNcard, an annual €11 membership card granting access to ticketed events and discounts at 30+ local and pan-European partners (including Ryanair, FlixBus, Wagamama, Stayokay, Club Poema, and HousingAnywhere). Product surface includes Introduction Week orientation, arrival assistance at Schiphol Airport and Utrecht Central, weekend and day trips within and outside the Netherlands, pub quizzes, parties, cultural programming, career resources, and health and wellbeing guidance. Operations run through a six-member rotating Executive Board (annual tenure), a three-person Supervisory Board, a four-person Finance Committee, and nine volunteer committees (Activities, Alumni, Culture, Journalism, Party, Pubquiz, Promotion, Social Inclusion, Sustainability) with over 50 committee members.

Revenue comes from three streams: ESNcard sales (subscription), event ticketing processed through Pretix (transaction-based), and partnership agreements with local and international brands (sponsorship and co-marketing). Marketing and distribution are community-led, relying on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, WhatsApp Community, a printed Welcome Magazine, monthly newsletters, and the ESNcard.org European discount platform. The underlying technology stack is conventional — WordPress/Elementor website, Pretix ticketing, and standard social media APIs — with no proprietary AI, data, or platform assets disclosed.

Name

Erasmus Student Network Utrecht

Legal name

Erasmus Student Network Utrecht

Website

https://esn-utrecht.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ESN Utrecht is a non-profit student organization that supports international students at six Utrecht higher education institutions through an annual ESNcard membership, social/cultural events, trips, arrival assistance, and a 30+ partner discount network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Support Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Airport Meet-and-Greet & Arrival/Departure Support (EDAIANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Student Onboarding & Pre-Departure Orientation Services (EDAIACAG), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Student support services
• International student programs
• Student membership cards
• Cultural exchange events
• Student discount network

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. ESNcard Sales: Annual membership card sold for €11, valid for one year from purchase date. Required for participation in paid events and accessing partner discounts.
2. Event Tickets: Revenue from ticketed events including trips (e.g., Copenhagen trip €250, King's Day Boat Party €56), parties, and activities. ESNcard holders receive discounted pricing.
3. Partnership Agreements: Flexible partner agreements with local and international businesses, ranging from simple event sponsorship to long-term collaboration, providing branding access to international student community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ESN Utrecht sells the ESNcard, an annual €11 membership card that grants international students access to discounted events, activities, trips, and a pan-European network of partner discounts. The organization also runs Introduction Week orientation, arrival assistance at Schiphol Airport and Utrecht Central Station, housing and career support resources, and a calendar of social, cultural, and sporting events organized by nine volunteer committees under the "Students Helping Students" principle.

Product overview

ESN Utrecht is a non-profit international student organization run by an Executive Board and nine volunteer committees. The core offering is the ESNcard membership (€11/year) which provides access to events, activities, and partner discounts across Europe. The organization delivers a comprehensive portfolio including Introduction Week orientation programs, diverse events (parties, pub quizzes, sports, cultural trips), arrival assistance at airports and stations, housing support resources, career development tools, and health & wellbeing guidance. The nine committees handle specific functions from activity organization to PR, alumni relations, and cultural programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ESNcard Annual membership card of the Erasmus Student Network providing international students in Utrecht with access to discounts at local, national and international partner businesses and eligibility to purchase tickets for ESN Utrecht events.
• Events and Activities Ticketed calendar of social, cultural, sporting, and travel activities for international students, including day and weekend trips, parties, pubquizzes, and workshops organized by ESN Utrecht's nine volunteer committees.
• Introduction Week Semester orientation program welcoming new international students to Utrecht with a series of events and activities designed to help them make friends and experience what ESN Utrecht offers.
• Arrival Assistance In-person support service at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Utrecht Central Station, organized in collaboration with SSH Accommodations, to help international students with public transport information and guidance to their housing.
• Housing Support Resource hub with information and tips to help international students find accommodation in Utrecht, including listings of student housing companies, mediation websites, Facebook groups, real estate agencies, and host families.
• Health and Wellbeing Support Resources addressing physical, social, intellectual and psychological factors affecting student wellbeing, including external support contacts, GP registration guidance, and a confidential confidant service for personal matters.
• Career Resources Career development tools and information including self-analysis tips, CV improvement guidance, job searching strategies (LinkedIn, company websites, recruitment agencies), networking advice, and details on Dutch work regulations such as the orientation year visa.
• ESNcard Partner Discounts Discount program offering ESNcard holders exclusive deals at more than 30 local and international partner brands in Utrecht and across Europe, spanning restaurants, activities, travel, accommodation, and services.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Club PoemacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTuesday night ESN Borrel and Student Night venue. ESNcard holders get 2 free coins for drinks if arriving before 00:30. Primary party venue for ESN events.
• Longhorn Bar & GrillminorGTM or Marketing Partner10% discount on final bill for regular priced meals with ESNcard.
• SojubarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKorean Fried Chicken, beers and soju restaurant. 10% OFF with ESNcard using discount code from ESNcard.org account.
• Footy ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFootball pitch rental. 50% off pitch rental and 10% off drinks with ESNcard.
• Campus BikesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBike subscription service. 10% OFF on semester or year subscription with ESNcard.
• OzebiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment venue with pool, shuffle board, and laser tag. 2nd hour of pool free (Mon-Wed all day, Thu-Fri until 6pm) with ESNcard.
• EurosenderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean shipping service. 10% discount on luggage/packages with ESNcard using promo code ESNNL.
• WaldenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBar near Dom Tower. 15% discount on all drinks with ESNcard.
• WagamamaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAsian restaurant chain. 20% discount with ESNcard.
• FlixBusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBus travel. 10% discount on trips. Voucher available on esncard.org.
• RyanairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAirline. 10% discount on 4 single flights plus FREE luggage with ESNcard. Registration required on esncard.org/ryanair.
• StayokayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHostel chain with 20 Dutch locations. 10% discount on overnight stays and meals using code ESN.
• SLAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthy food chain. 20% off on dine-in and take-away orders with ESNcard.
• Boulderhal RoestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndoor climbing facilities in Groningen, Utrecht, Leiden, Maastricht. Various discounts with ESNcard.
• HousingAnywhereminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHousing rental platform for international students. 10% discount on subscription fee.
• The WorkoutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGym at Oudegracht. Special 4-month ESN subscription with over 25% discount or 20x check-in card.
• DressMeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred clothing supplier for ESN Utrecht. 10% discount on committee t-shirts/sweaters with ESNcard.
• The EconomistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNews publication. 20% discount on preferential subscription for ESNcard holders.
• International Welcome Centre Utrecht RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree services for internationals in Utrecht Region - advising and assisting with arrival and stay. Joint mission of supporting international students.
• SwapfietsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBike subscription service popular with students. Partnership for student discounts.
• Yes-TripsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent trip company for Oktoberfest, Carnival trips. Partnership for student travel experiences.
• Lebara MobileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrepaid telecom provider. Discounted SIM-only or prepaid plans for international students.
• ZalandominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFashion retailer. €10 free gift card and 10% discount on additional gift cards for ESNcard holders.
• NoctominorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent discovery app. Use code 'ESN' for free drinks, snacks, event tickets rewards.
• Goin'minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPre-departure platform for exchange students to connect with others going to same destination.
• KnaekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline discount card for Dutch cities. Free yearly subscription for online card through ESN NL.
• MomominorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork for student and professional development. Request invite code via ESN Utrecht.
• GlobiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational institution support for intercultural skills development.
• ACCESSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit volunteer organization helping internationals relocate to the Netherlands.
• Wake Up StudentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPsychological help and coaching for students - study choice to career guidance.
• Unpack & KayakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMulti-day kayak and canoe trips through Dutch countryside. 10% discount on bookings.
• Exchange LifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExchange student-focused company providing services and experiences for international students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• BEST (Board of European Students of Technology): European student nonprofit organizing events, competitions, and symposia for technology students across multiple local groups. Comparable in volunteer-driven, event-led model targeting European university students.
• ACCESS Netherlands: Non-profit volunteer organization helping internationals relocate to the Netherlands; comparable as it serves the same international-student/intern audience in the Netherlands with arrival and integration services.

Others

• HousingAnywhere: International student housing rental platform and ESN partner offering 10% subscription discounts to ESNcard holders. Comparable as an enabler/partner addressing the same international-student housing pain point in Utrecht.

Direct peers

• ESN Rotterdam: Direct peer — ESN local section in Rotterdam with identical value proposition (ESNcard, events, trips, partner discounts) for international students, making it the most operationally comparable peer in the same Dutch market.
• ESN Amsterdam: Direct peer — another local section of Erasmus Student Network in the Netherlands, operating under the same ESNcard program, serving international students in Amsterdam with the same volunteer-led committee structure, events, and partnership model.
• ESN NL (Erasmus Student Network Netherlands): National-level ESN coordination body in the Netherlands that bundles local sections (including ESN Utrecht) and runs national-level events such as the Copenhagen trip. Directly comparable as the immediate supra-local parent/coordination layer.
• International Welcome Centre Utrecht Region: Strategic partner and overlapping service provider offering free advisory and arrival assistance for internationals in the Utrecht region. Directly comparable because both organizations support international student integration in Utrecht.

Broad incumbents

• AIESEC: Global non-profit youth network present in 100+ countries, providing leadership development, internships, and cultural exchange. Comparable as a similarly structured volunteer-led student/youth organization focused on international experience and self-development.
• ELSA (European Law Students' Association): Pan-European student organization with national and local sections offering events, networking, and discounts to a specialized student audience. Comparable in governance model (local sections under an international federation, volunteer-led committees).
• Erasmus Student Network International (ESN): The umbrella parent organization of which ESN Utrecht is a local section. Operates the global ESNcard platform, sets pan-European policies, and coordinates between 510+ sections; comparable as the governing network that defines ESN Utrecht's offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcZTTwHOwajeqhTjmdh4oOA
• Facebookfacebook.com/esnxutrecht
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/erasmus-student-network-utrecht
• Instagraminstagram.com/esn_utrecht

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Utrecht