Interwaas
- Company typePublic
- Founded-
- HeadquartersSint-Niklaas, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Interwaas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Interwaas
- Legal name
- Interwaas
- Website
- https://interwaas.be
- Company type
- Public
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Interwaas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library and Regional Cultural Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Public Administration (92)
- SIC
- Services-Management Services (8741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)
Keywords
Where Interwaas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sint-Niklaas
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Interwaas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Municipal Intercommunal Contributions: As an intercommunal organization (streekintercommunale), Interwaas is funded through contributions from its 10 member municipalities. The organization coordinates regional services across culture, libraries, climate, housing, mobility, and economic development.
- Ticket Sales and Cultural Event Revenue: The 8 Wase cultural centers sell tickets to performances including theater, dance, concerts, circus, and films. Joint ticket sales initiatives (e.g., 17,000 tickets sold at SN!K Sint-Niklaas, 18,000 at CC Ter Vesten, 11,000 at CC Lokeren for season 26-27) demonstrate significant ticket revenue through coordinated sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free library membership across all 10 Wase libraries |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Cultural event tickets with age and status-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Interwaas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Interwaas operates as the regional intercommunale (streekintercommunale) for the Waasland region, coordinating cross-municipal cooperation among 10 member municipalities in the delivery of cultural, library, housing, climate, mobility, and economic development services. Its core deliverables are the unified Biblio WAAS Regiobib library network with a volunteer-powered inter-library transport system, coordinated cultural programming across 8 cultural centers under the Cultuurtuin WAAS division, Maakbib STEM maker spaces in libraries, and supporting digital platforms and publications including the Open Creatives network and the WAAHZ! heritage magazine.
Product overview
Interwaas is a regional intercommunal organization (streekintercommunale) serving the Waasland region in Belgium, connecting 10 municipalities. The organization operates as a unified platform offering cultural, library, and regional development services. Its core products include: Regiobib Biblio WAAS (a unified regional library network with transport service), WAAHZ! Magazine (a biannual cultural and heritage publication), Wase Buren Bonus (a regional cultural subscription benefit), Open Creatives Platform (a digital creative network), Maakbib makerspaces (STEM-focused library workshops), and cultural event programs including Atelier in Beeld, Buitenbeentjes lectures, and Voorleesweek. Interwaas functions as both a service organization and digital platform serving residents across Beveren, Kruibeke, Lokeren, Moerbeke, Sint-Gillis-Waas, Sint-Niklaas, Stekene, Temse, Waasmunster, and Zwijndrecht.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cultuurtuin WAAS: Cultural programming and arts initiatives for the Waasland region, now part of Interwaas
- Biblio WAAS
- Woonwijzer Waasland
- Waasland Klimaatland
- Energiehuis Waasland
- Regiobib
- WAAHZ!
Products and services
- Regiobib Biblio WAAS (Regional Library Network) A regional library network connecting 9 libraries across the Waasland municipalities (Beveren, Kruibeke, Lokeren, Moerbeke, Sint-Gillis-Waas, Sint-Niklaas, Stekene, Temse, Waasmunster, Zwijndrecht) with unified lending rules, free membership, and a volunteer-powered inter-library transport service using electric shared vehicles on two weekly routes. Reservations cost €1 per item for home delivery.
- Maakbib Makerspace Libraries STEM-focused makerspaces within the 9 Wase public libraries equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, polyshapers, and other creative tools, offering workshops, school holiday maker camps, and open labs for children, youth, and adults. Intervision and training for library staff are delivered by De Creatieve Stem vzw.
- Cultural Center Programming (Cultuurtuin WAAS) Coordinated theater, dance, concerts, circus, film, and workshop programming across 8 Wase cultural centers under the Cultuurtuin WAAS division, with coordinated ticket sales and cross-promotion. 46,000+ tickets were sold across 3 venues in the season 26-27 opening weekend.
- WAAHZ! Magazine A triannual cultural and heritage magazine showcasing cultural highlights and heritage treasures in the Waasland region, distributed free through cultural centers, libraries, museums, and info points. Co-produced by Cultuurtuin WAAS and Erfgoedcel Waasland.
- Wase Buren Bonus A regional benefit program allowing friends-pass holders and subscribers of one Waas cultural center to enjoy subscription and friends discounts at the other 7 Waas cultural centers across the region, coordinated by Cultuurtuin WAAS.
- Open Creatives Platform A digital networking platform connecting the cultural and creative sector in Waasland, allowing cultural organizations, artists, makers, and space providers to self-register, present themselves, and share spaces, activities, jobs, and opportunities.
- Atelier in Beeld An annual open studio weekend event where 80+ visual artists from the Waasland region open their ateliers to the public, promoting the regional visual arts scene.
- Buitenbeentjes Lecture Series An annual lecture series across Waasland libraries featuring authors and thinkers who share inspiring stories and new insights, with each edition centered on a specific theme.
- Voorleesweek (Read Aloud Week) A collaborative reading promotion initiative organized by Waasland libraries and Cultuurtuin WAAS, delivering read-aloud sessions for young children to foster reading pleasure, reaching over 3,000 children.
- Reizende WAAHZ!-expo (Traveling WAAHZ! Exhibition) A traveling exhibition featuring original illustrations from the WAAHZ! magazine, printed on dibond panels and displayed at various locations across Waasland.
Quantifiable outcome
- 46,000+ tickets sold across 3 cultural centers on opening weekend of season 26-27
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Interwaas
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Interwaas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Interwaas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Erfgoedcel WaaslandcoreErfgoedcel Waasland is a core division of Interwaas operating the cultural heritage policy for Waasland. It co-organizes the WAAHZ! magazine with Cultuurtuin WAAS and collaborates on the Wase thematafeldag for the 2027-2032 policy plans. Also partnered on the reizende WAAHZ! expo.
- CultuurloketminorCultuurloket co-organized an information evening on 'Working in Culture: How to correctly compensate artists' with Cultuurtuin WAAS on October 21, 2024 at CC Sint-Niklaas, covering artist compensation, kunstwerkattest, and amateur arts compensation regulations.
- StuifzandminorStuifzand is an intercommunal library cooperation network. Interwaas's Biblio WAAS Regiobib coordinator shared expertise at Stuifzand in June, and Stuifzand shared its experience as a keynote speaker. Both are part of the 'kaleidoscoop van een regiobib' expert exchange network.
- Route 42minorRoute 42 is a regional library cooperation network. Their expertise was shared with Interwaas during the 'Kaleidoscoop van een regiobib' exchange day in March 2022, contributing to the development of the Biblio WAAS Regiobib model.
- Dijk92minorDijk92 is a regional library cooperation network that shared expertise with Interwaas during the 'Kaleidoscoop van een regiobib' exchange day in March 2022, helping shape the Biblio WAAS Regiobib with transport model.
- Leie-ScheldeminorPart of the 'kaleidoscoop van een regiobib' expert exchange day network where Interwaas's Biblio WAAS coordinator exchanged knowledge with other regional library cooperation groups including Leie-Schelde.
- NetelandminorPart of the regional library cooperation expert exchange network. Participated in the May 2023 expertise exchange day in Dendermonde alongside Interwaas's Biblio WAAS team.
- Zender en Zuid-WestminorRegional library cooperation organizations that participated in the 'Kaleidoscoop van een regiobib' expert exchange day in Dendermonde alongside Interwaas's Biblio WAAS coordinator.
- DatascoutscoreDatascouts co-developed and operates the Open Creatives digital platform (opencreatives.org) alongside Interwaas and the cultural services of 7 Wase municipalities. The platform connects the cultural and creative sector in Waasland as a central hub for organizations, makers, and space providers.
- Vlaams Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen (VLAIO)coreVLAIO supports the Maakbib STEM partnership across the 9 Wase libraries through funding and policy backing. Maakbib is described as 'een inspirerend STEM-partnerschap, gesteund door het Vlaams Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen (VLAIO)', providing equipment and programming for maker activities.
- De Creatieve Stem vzwminorDe Creatieve Stem vzw provides ongoing intervision sessions and training to Wase libraries for Maakbib activities. Vera from De Creatieve Stem demonstrated the polyshaper machine and trained library staff on its use and application for Maakbib programming.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Interwaas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cultuurconnect: Cultuurconnect is the Flemish umbrella organization for public libraries and cultural centers, providing shared digital infrastructure (including UiTPAS used by Interwaas for its kanspas/UiTPAS pricing). It is a broader incumbent that offers overlapping capabilities across all Flemish municipalities, including those served by Interwaas.
Direct peers
- Route 42: Route 42 is a regional library cooperation network in Belgium that operates an inter-municipal library model directly comparable to Biblio WAAS. Its expertise was formally shared with Interwaas during the March 2022 Kaleidoscoop exchange day, contributing to Interwaas's Regiobib development with transport system.
- Stuifzand: Stuifzand is a regional library cooperation network in the Kempen region of Belgium that operates an intercommunal library model similar to Interwaas's Biblio WAAS Regiobib. It is explicitly mentioned in Interwaas's data as part of the 'kaleidoscoop van een regiobib' expert exchange network, sharing best practices on unified lending rules and transport logistics.
- Neteland: Neteland is a regional library cooperation network in the Antwerp province that operates an inter-municipal library model similar to Biblio WAAS. It participated in the May 2023 expertise exchange day in Dendermonde alongside Interwaas's Biblio WAAS team, benchmarking the regiobib-with-transport model.
- Dijk92: Dijk92 is a regional library cooperation network that, like Biblio WAAS, coordinates inter-municipal library services with shared transport logistics. It participated in the March 2022 expert exchange day and helped shape Interwaas's Regiobib with transport model.
- Erfgoedcel Meetjesland: Erfgoedcel Meetjesland is one of approximately 20 regional heritage cells in Flanders that operate under a similar model to Interwaas's Erfgoedcel Waasland division, coordinating heritage preservation and cultural heritage management across multiple municipalities within a defined region.
- Leie-Schelde: Leie-Schelde is a regional library cooperation network in East Flanders that operates an inter-municipal library model comparable to Interwaas's Biblio WAAS. It participates in the same Kaleidoscoop expert exchange network, sharing knowledge on unified lending and interlibrary transport logistics.
Regional players
- IOK (Intergemeentelijk Samenwerkingsverband): IOK is a Flemish intergemeentelijk samenwerkingsverband (intercommunal) operating in the Kempen region, providing cross-municipal services in domains like economy, culture, and spatial planning. It is comparable to Interwaas as a multi-domain intercommunal model but serves a different geographic region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Interwaas social profiles
Digital presenceInterwaas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Interwaas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Interwaas subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Interwaas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Interwaas M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Interwaas
What does Interwaas do?
Interwaas operates as the regional intercommunale (streekintercommunale) for the Waasland region, coordinating cross-municipal cooperation among 10 member municipalities in the delivery of cultural, library, housing, climate, mobility, and economic development services. Its core deliverables are the unified Biblio WAAS Regiobib library network with a volunteer-powered inter-library transport system, coordinated cultural programming across 8 cultural centers under the Cultuurtuin WAAS division, Maakbib STEM maker spaces in libraries, and supporting digital platforms and publications including the Open Creatives network and the WAAHZ! heritage magazine.
Is Interwaas a public or private company?
Interwaas is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Interwaas founded?
Interwaas was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Interwaas based?
Interwaas is headquartered in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Interwaas make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Municipal Intercommunal Contributions are the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales and Cultural Event Revenue.
Who are Interwaas's main competitors?
Cultuurconnect is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Route 42, Stuifzand, Neteland, Dijk92, Erfgoedcel Meetjesland and Leie-Schelde. IOK (Intergemeentelijk Samenwerkingsverband) is listed as a regional player.
Does Interwaas have an API?
No public API is recorded for Interwaas.
What industry is Interwaas in?
Interwaas's product category is Public Library and Regional Cultural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAK, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8741.