Academische Werkplaats GOUD

What Academische Werkplaats GOUD does

Academische Werkplaats GOUD (Healthy Ageing in Intellectual Disabilities / HA-ID), also branded GOUD Onbeperkt Gezond, is a Dutch non-profit academic research consortium established in 2006 and operated from within the Department of General Practice / Medicine for Intellectually Disabled (Geneeskunde voor Verstandelijk Gehandicapten) at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam. The consortium brings together Erasmus MC's Leerstoel with three large Dutch care organizations — Abrona, Amarant, and Ipse de Bruggen — to conduct longitudinal health research targeting adults with intellectual disabilities. GOUD operates across four sequential research phases (GOUD 1 through GOUD 4, spanning 2008-2029), progressing from epidemiological mapping of the original 1,050-participant cohort aged 50+ (which found health profiles comparable to 75+ year-olds in the general population), through intervention studies, to the current GOUD 4 program which lowers the age range to 40-60 and spans five themes: cardiovascular disease, frailty, nutrition, fitness, and psychological issues.

The consortium's product portfolio consists of interlocking research studies and validated clinical tools rather than commercial offerings. Core research studies include the GOUD Gezondheidsonderzoek cohort study, the GOUD-X 10-year follow-up, the Krachttraining (progressive resistance exercise) trial, the Afbouw antipsychotica (antipsychotic withdrawal) double-blind RCT, the Lichttherapie (light therapy) RCT, and the Bewegingsstoornissen (movement disorders) study. GOUD has developed domain-specific, validated instruments — VB-fitscan composite fitness test, ADESS (Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale), VB-Kwetsbaarheidsindex (vulnerability index, with a shortened COVID-19 version), and Actiwatch/Actigraph protocols — each created because standard clinical instruments were unsuitable for this population. Free educational resources, including a downloadable Beweegprogramma (exercise program) and a Handreiking Lichttherapie (light therapy handbook), are distributed at no charge through Kennisplein Gehandicaptensector.

GOUD generates no commercial revenue. Operating funds come primarily from ZonMw research grants (e.g., projects 57000003, 314030302, 848016008) and co-funding from the three consortium care organizations. Research staff typically hold dual roles as clinicians inside the partner care organizations and researchers at Erasmus MC, with implementation coaches embedded in each partner organization to translate findings into practice. The go-to-market is purely academic: peer-reviewed publications, international conference presentations, free downloadable tools, and client/family engagement via advisory groups — no commercial sales motion exists.

Name

Academische Werkplaats GOUD

Legal name

Academische Werkplaats GOUD

Website

https://goudonbeperktgezond.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GOUD is a non-profit Dutch academic research consortium at Erasmus MC conducting longitudinal health research for adults with intellectual disabilities, partnering with care organizations Abrona, Amarant, and Ipse de Bruggen to translate findings into clinical practice through validated tools and free programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic health research on intellectual disabilities

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAJAOAM

Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Global Health Initiatives & Partnerships

Keywords

• Intellectual disability research
• Healthy aging studies
• Academic collaboration center
• Disability healthcare tools
• Epidemiological cohort studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

GOUD runs a portfolio of academic health research studies targeting people with intellectual disabilities, spanning cardiovascular health, frailty, mental health, nutrition, and physical fitness. Through its consortium between Erasmus MC and three major Dutch care organizations, it produces validated diagnostic instruments, a free exercise program, light therapy guidelines, and a longitudinal cohort research platform, all distributed free of charge to the disability sector.

Product overview

Academische Werkplaats GOUD (Healthy Ageing in Intellectual Disabilities, HA-ID) is a research consortium between Erasmus MC and three care organizations (Abrona, Amarant, Ipse de Bruggen). It operates as a research platform offering multiple interlocking studies and clinical tools rather than a single commercial product. The core offerings include the GOUD Health Research (GOUD Gezondheidsonderzoek) cohort study and the Beweegprogramma (Exercise Program) for physical activity. These are supported by specific research sub-products: GOUD-X (10-year follow-up), Krachttraining (resistance training study), Afbouw antipsychotica (antipsychotics withdrawal study), Lichttherapie (light therapy), and Bewegingsstoornissen (movement disorders study). Diagnostic and assessment tools including the VB-fitscan, ADESS, Actiwatch/Actigraph, and VB-Kwetsbaarheidsindex complement the research programs. GOUD's structure spans from GOUD 1 (2008–2013) through GOUD 4 (2023–2029), progressing from epidemiological mapping to targeted interventions and longitudinal follow-up.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GOUD 1: First phase of GOUD research (2008-2013) documenting health issues in elderly with intellectual disabilities through epidemiological study of 1,050 participants.
• GOUD 2
• GOUD 3
• GOUD 4
• GOUD-X
• GOUD Gezondheidsonderzoek

Products and services

• Beweegprogramma (Exercise Program) A downloadable exercise and education program supporting adults with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities to stay physically active, featuring safe and enjoyable activities organized into categories including strength, balance, endurance, and stretching/cooling down.
• GOUD Gezondheidsonderzoek (GOUD Health Research) A long-term observational cohort study following adults aged 40-60 with intellectual disabilities to track how their health develops over time, providing insights for earlier detection of health problems and improved care. Measurements include physical exams, fitness tests, interviews, observations, questionnaires, and file reviews.
• GOUD-X (10-Year Follow-Up Study) A longitudinal follow-up study revisiting participants from the original GOUD 1 study ten years later to track changes in health status and risk factors, examining five key themes: cardiovascular disease, psychological problems, frailty, nutrition, and physical activity.
• Krachttraining (Progressive Resistance Exercise Training) A 24-week whole-body progressive resistance exercise training intervention study investigating whether muscle strength training can reduce cardiovascular risk factors, improve fitness, reduce falls, and enhance daily functioning in adults with intellectual disabilities.
• Afbouw antipsychotica (Antipsychotics Withdrawal Study) A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial investigating why tapering antipsychotic medication often fails in adults with intellectual disabilities prescribed these drugs for challenging behavior, studying the effects on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life.
• Lichttherapie (Light Therapy RCT) A completed randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of light therapy on depressive symptoms in adults with intellectual disabilities, including effects on stress (cortisol) and sleep-wake rhythm. Resulted in a practitioner handbook for applying light therapy in practice.
• Bewegingsstoornissen (Movement Disorders Study) A study testing instruments to better detect movement disorders (such as tremors, stiffness, or slowed movements) as side effects of antipsychotic medication in adults with intellectual disabilities, aiming to produce a practical toolkit for healthcare professionals.
• VB-fitscan A composite set of fitness tests developed from the GOUD 1 study as a standardized assessment tool for people with intellectual disabilities, including a manual with norm data.
• ADESS (Angst Depressie en Stemming Schaal) The Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale — a diagnostic instrument developed by GOUD for healthcare professionals to assess anxiety, depression, and mood in people with intellectual disabilities.
• Actiwatch and Actigraph Wrist-worn actigraphy devices used to measure sleep patterns and activity levels in people with intellectual disabilities, enabling objective assessment of sleep-wake rhythms.
• VB-Kwetsbaarheidsindex (VB Vulnerability Index) A multidimensional frailty assessment tool specifically developed for people with intellectual disabilities, addressing the inadequacy of standard instruments like the Clinical Frailty Scale for this population. A shortened version was also developed for COVID-19 context.

Quantifiable outcome

• Depressive symptoms are 5x more prevalent in older adults with intellectual disabilities than in the general elderly population
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Erasmus MC (Leerstoel Geneeskunde voor Verstandelijk Gehandicapten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus MC is the academic host of GOUD, providing the research infrastructure, faculty, and methodological expertise. The Chair of Medicine for Intellectually Disabled (Leerstoel Geneeskunde voor Verstandelijk Gehandicapten) at Erasmus MC leads the consortium, with Thessa Hilgenkamp and Dederieke Festen forming the management team. All research is reviewed by the METC of Erasmus MC.
• AbronacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbrona is one of three care organizations in the GOUD consortium. It provides research participants (clients with intellectual disabilities), hosts research in its facilities, and employs implementation coaches and an internal coordinator (Jeannette van den Born). Stijn Weterings serves as physiotherapist and implementation coach at Abrona.
• AmarantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmarant is one of three care organizations in the GOUD consortium. Peter van den Broek (bestuurder) serves as chairman of the GOUD governance board. Amarant provides research participants, implementation coaches, and an internal coordinator. The light therapy guidelines are hosted on Amarant's website.
• Ipse de BruggencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIpse de Bruggen is one of three care organizations in the GOUD consortium. Jan van Hoek from Ipse de Bruggen is a board member of GOUD. The organization hosts GOUD's family panel meetings and provides research participants and implementation coaches.
• VilansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVilans collaborated with GOUD to develop the exercise program into a fully downloadable format with supporting materials, making it freely available through the disability sector knowledge platform.
• Kennisplein GehandicaptensectorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKennisplein Gehandicaptensector hosts and distributes GOUD's free exercise program and educational materials to a nationwide audience of healthcare professionals in the disability sector.
• Medisch Ethische Toetsings Commissie (METC) Erasmus MCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll GOUD research studies require approval from the METC of Erasmus MC before commencement, ensuring ethical standards for research involving vulnerable populations.
• Trinity College DublinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA cooperation agreement was signed between Trinity College Dublin and Erasmus MC for research on aging with intellectual disabilities, indicating an international research collaboration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, GOUD's primary public research funder. Relevant as the structural sponsor and gatekeeper of GOUD's research agenda, and as a broker connecting GOUD to national policy priorities in ID and elderly care.
• Disability Studies in Nederland: Dutch academic network for researchers and educators working in critical disability studies. Comparable as a Dutch knowledge network adjacent to GOUD's research, focused on theoretical and policy perspectives on disability.
• Kennisplein Gehandicaptensector: Dutch online knowledge platform for the disability sector, hosting and distributing GOUD's free exercise and educational materials. Comparable as the principal distribution channel for evidence-based ID care knowledge in the Netherlands.
• Vilans: Dutch national knowledge organization for long-term care, collaborating with GOUD on the exercise program and dissemination via Kennisplein Gehandicaptensector. Comparable as a Dutch knowledge and implementation intermediary in the ID/long-term care space.

Broad incumbents

• IASSIDD (International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities): International multidisciplinary scientific organization dedicated to research on intellectual disabilities. Comparable as the global scientific umbrella under which GOUD and its peers (e.g., IDS-TILDA, Tizard) present and collaborate.
• AAIDD (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities): US national professional association advancing research, education, and policy on intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as the broader scientific/professional home for ID research in North America, though operating as a membership body rather than a research consortium.

Direct peers

• Tizard Centre, University of Kent: Leading UK academic research centre on intellectual and developmental disabilities, conducting applied research on health, behavior, and service responses for people with ID. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary academic center producing peer-reviewed research and practical tools for the ID sector.
• IDS-TILDA (The Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing): Trinity College Dublin-based longitudinal study on aging in people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland. The most directly comparable academic research program to GOUD, and GOUD already has a formal cooperation agreement with this group.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goud-onbeperkt-gezond

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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