Kannet

What Kannet does

Kannet is a Belgian non-profit association (vzw) headquartered in Antwerpen that has operated for over 50 years (with founding dates cited as approximately 1947 and approximately 1970 across different sources) as the largest disability rights and support organization in Flanders. The organization serves people with all types of disabilities — physical, intellectual, visual, auditory, and autism spectrum disorders — along with their families, caregivers, and volunteers. It operates a distributed service platform consisting of core programs (Buddy matching, social advice, free-time trajectory guidance, information sessions on RTH/PAB/PVB support options, vacation camps, recreational activities) and a suite of specialized sub-products covering accessibility training, digital inclusion (Digiweters), sensory therapy (Snoezelen), accessible theater programs (Theaterbuddy's), media representation (Kannet TV), and advocacy campaigns (Taboe, Drempelmelder, 'Ik kan niet mee', 'Ongehoord?! Niet akkoord!').

The technical platform is modest and non-proprietary. Kannet runs on standard web infrastructure (Google Analytics, Google Maps, social media integrations) with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no public APIs or SDKs, and no proprietary technology products. Distribution relies on an extensive offline network of more than 100 local branches (afdelingen) and regional service points (Kannetpunten) across the Flemish provinces, supplemented by an online activity calendar and member portal (Mijn Kannet), a quarterly magazine (Kannet Gazet), and a marketplace for disability aids (Zoekertjes).

The business model is a hybrid non-profit construct combining recurring membership fees (subscription_recurring), tax-deductible donations from €40/year offering 45% deduction, legacies and bequests, and professional legal/advisory services at preferential member rates. Commercial referral partnerships (ZOO Antwerpen, Planckendael, VAB breakdown assistance, Arboretum Kalmthout via EDC) add a modest affiliate layer. The go-to-market motion is community-led: members are recruited through word-of-mouth, local branch events, and partnerships with peer disability organizations, while advocacy campaigns function as a public-facing positioning channel that reinforces both member acquisition and policy influence. The organization is governed by volunteer boards and operates without disclosed external equity, venture, or private-ownership capital.

Name

Kannet

Legal name

Kannet

Website

https://kannet.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kannet is a Flemish non-profit association (vzw) headquartered in Antwerpen that advocates for and delivers community, recreational, advisory, and accessibility services to people with disabilities and their families across more than 100 local branches in Belgium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Antwerpen

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Kannet operates with a membership model where individuals with disabilities and their family members become members. Membership provides access to services, advocacy support, recreational activities, and member benefits including discounts at partner organizations.
2. Donations and gifts: Kannet accepts tax-deductible donations starting from €40 per year. Donors receive a tax certificate enabling 45% tax deduction. The organization also accepts legacies and bequests, and since mid-2021, charitable organizations in Flanders are exempt from inheritance taxes on legacies.
3. Legal and advisory services: As a membership benefit, Kannet provides legal advice and representation services at preferential rates for members who wish to appeal decisions regarding disability benefits and allowances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kannet is a Belgian non-profit organization (vzw) that strengthens and connects people with disabilities and their environment in Flanders. It offers a broad service portfolio including Buddy matching, social advice, leisure trajectory guidance, information sessions on disability benefits, recreational activities, vacation programs, legal advice and representation, and policy advocacy.

Product overview

Kannet is a Belgian disability rights organization offering a comprehensive suite of services to strengthen and connect people with disabilities and their environment. The organization operates a platform-plus-services model consisting of core services (Buddy matching, social advice, free-time guidance, information sessions) and numerous specialized sub-programs including accessibility projects (Theaterbuddy's, Grenzeloos Gidsen), awareness campaigns (Taboe, Drempelmelder), digital inclusion (Digiweters), sensory therapy (Snoezelen), and training programs. Regional departments across Flanders organize local activities including swimming, board games, vacations, and day trips. The organization also provides legal support, publishes a quarterly newsletter (Kannet Gazet), and maintains an online marketplace (Zoekertjes) for disability aids.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Buddy Programma A matching service that connects people with disabilities with volunteer buddies for joint activities such as sports, creative pursuits, and outings, providing companionship and social inclusion.
• Snoezelen Multi-sensory experience and relaxation therapy for people with disabilities, offered as both a service and training for professionals and volunteers.
• Kampen en Vakanties Vacation programs including mental camps, integration vacations, children's camps, and youth camps for people with and without disabilities.
• Activiteiten Regular recreational activities including adapted swimming, board games, wheelchair-friendly walks, and cycling tours organized across local departments.
• Wegwijs (Info & Advies) Comprehensive information and guidance service covering work & income, interventions & social benefits, helping people navigate disability-related rights and support systems.
• Sociaal Advies Social advice service providing support and guidance on rights, benefits, and support options for people with disabilities, including help with appeals.
• Legal advice and representation Legal advice and representation services at preferential rates for members who wish to appeal decisions regarding disability benefits and allowances.
• Informatiesessies (RTH/PAB/PVB) Information sessions explaining support options including RTH (Rechtstreeks Toegankelijke Hulp), PAB (Persoonlijk Assistentie Budget), and PVB (Persoonsvolgend Budget) for minors and adults.
• Vrijetijdstrajectbegeleiding Free-time trajectory guidance that helps people with disabilities organize leisure time according to their needs and preferences.
• Kannet Gazet A quarterly newsletter containing news, tips, and information for members, published in print and digital formats.
• Zoekertjes A marketplace where members can buy and sell affordable disability-related aids and equipment.
• Inclusie Training Training programs for organizations to become more inclusive, helping professionals or volunteers implement inclusion practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 people with disabilities receive support through Kannet's affiliated services and advocacy.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DeSingel, Toneelhuis (Bourla), ArenbergschouwburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKannet developed a theater Buddy program with DeSingel, Toneelhuis (Bourla), and Arenbergschouwburg to make theater more accessible for people with disabilities. The program provides support and accompaniment for theater visits.
• DavidsfondsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Digiweters project, Kannet and Davidsfonds collaborate to provide digital practice opportunities for vulnerable groups, focusing on better e-inclusion.
• Gezin en Handicap (Family and Handicap)coreOthersGezin en Handicap is a partner organization that Kannet works with for member services. They provide useful overviews and collaborate on information sessions about care allowances for children with disabilities. Kannet's member database is processed in the JOOST program, and Gezin en Handicap provides support while maintaining strict data separation.
• VAB (Vlaamse Automobielbond)minorOthersVAB provides breakdown assistance services. Kannet promotes VAB breakdown assistance services to members who may need mobility support.
• Absoluut, Dito, Konekt, Onafhankelijk Leven, SOM, Vlaams WelzijnsverbondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of seven disability organizations collaborating on the 'Dakantochnie? Dakanwel!' campaign to advocate for an inclusive society and influence government policy on disability rights.
• MAV Limburg (Mobiliteitscentrale voor Aangepast Vervoer)minorOthersKannet advocates for and supports the MAV Limburg adapted transport service, which provides mobility solutions for people with disabilities who cannot use regular public transport.
• Arboretum KalmthoutminorOthersArboretum Kalmthout is a partner of the European Disability Card (EDC) program, offering discounted admission (€3 instead of €9) and free entry for accompanying caregivers for EDC holders.
• ZOO Antwerpen and PlanckendaelminorOthersKannet members receive 10% discount on subscriptions to ZOO Antwerpen and Planckendael when showing their membership card.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• SOM (Steunpunt Werk en Ondersteuning op Maat): Belgian/Flemish organization supporting people with disabilities in employment and customized work support. Coalition partner of Kannet with overlapping focus on disability inclusion but specialized employment orientation.

Direct peers

• Absoluut: Belgian disability advocacy organization that is part of Kannet's coalition partner network. Works on similar advocacy priorities for people with disabilities in Belgium and competes for similar donor and member support.
• Dito: Belgian disability rights organization identified as one of Kannet's coalition partners. Shares overlapping mission and advocacy priorities for the disability community in Belgium.
• Vlaams Welzijnsverbond: Flemish welfare umbrella organization coordinating social welfare and disability services. Coalition partner with Kannet on disability advocacy campaigns, with comparable advocacy and service coordination functions across the Flemish welfare ecosystem.
• Onafhankelijk Leven: Belgian disability rights organization advocating for independent living for people with disabilities. Part of the same seven-organization coalition with Kannet ('Dakantochnie? Dakanwel!') and shares overlapping member constituencies and advocacy priorities in Flanders.
• Konekt: Belgian disability and accessibility organization partnering with Kannet in the 'Dakantochnie? Dakanwel!' coalition. Operates in the same disability advocacy space with overlapping member base and policy priorities in Flanders.
• Gezin en Handicap: Belgian non-profit organization supporting families with children with disabilities. Explicitly identified as a core partner of Kannet with overlapping member services, joint information sessions on care allowances, and data-sharing collaboration through the JOOST program.

Broad incumbents

• Inclusion Europe: European association advocating for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Shares Kannet's mission of inclusion and family support for people with disabilities, but operates at the European level across multiple countries.
• European Disability Forum (EDF): European-level umbrella organization representing 100 million Europeans with disabilities. Operates in a similar disability advocacy space but at the pan-European level with broader policy focus than Kannet's regional Flemish advocacy.

Emerging players

• Belgian Disability Forum (BDF): Belgian umbrella organization coordinating disability advocacy at the federal level. Comparable to Kannet in mission but operates at the federal level rather than the Flemish regional level, providing complementary rather than directly competing services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kannetvzw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Kannet