Papageno

What Papageno does

Stichting Papageno is a Dutch non-profit foundation (ANBI status, KVK 41216810) founded by Aaltje van Zweden-van Buuren and Jaap van Zweden, parents of a child with autism, to support children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASS) in the Netherlands. The foundation delivers Papageno Muziektherapie, a scientifically validated music-therapy method using instruments such as djembe, cajon, keyboard, guitar, and xylophone alongside vocal work, provided by approximately 20 mobile Papageno music therapists in homes, schools, healthcare institutions, and treatment centers; the approach is reported to have benefited around 8,000 children to date.

Beyond therapy, the foundation operates two physical Papageno Huizen (Houses). Papageno Huis Laren, opened in 2015 in a converted 1870 villa, offers 12 residential apartments and day care for approximately 50 young people weekly, with a publicly accessible restaurant and concert hall. Papageno Huis Fryslân, opened in May 2023 in a converted 1889 Reformed Church in Lemmer, adds 17 apartments and similar day-care capacity, together with Café Papageno and Podium Papageno. Care delivery at both sites is executed in partnership with named Dutch care providers ('s Heeren Loo at Laren; De Heeren van Zorg and Weardefol at Fryslân).

The business model is donation-based: services are not charged to beneficiaries, and operations are funded through individual donations, corporate giving, legacies and bequests, and fundraising events led by the annual Papageno Muziekgala. The foundation is governed by a board chaired since January 2024 by Hans den Hollander (former Zilveren Kruis, Tergooi) with director Ann Gummels, and benefits from high-profile ambassadors including pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen and musician Guus Meeuwis. A digital peer-matching platform called Dito is under development. Geography is the Netherlands only.

Name

Papageno

Legal name

Stichting Papageno

Website

https://papageno.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Papageno is a Dutch non-profit foundation that delivers scientifically validated music therapy and operates two residential Papageno Huizen for children and young people with autism spectrum disorder in the Netherlands, funded entirely by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Therapy (Educational/Developmental Programs) (EDAMANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Inclusive Early Intervention & Transition-to-Preschool Services (EDACAFAM)

Keywords

• Music therapy services
• Autism support services
• Residential disability care
• Day care programs
• Nonprofit healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Laren

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Papageno operates as a non-profit foundation (ANBI status) relying on donations from individuals and organizations to fund operations.
2. Corporate Support: Support from companies as part of corporate giving programs.
3. Legacies and Bequests: The foundation accepts testamentary bequests and legacies from supporters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stichting Papageno is a Dutch non-profit foundation that delivers a scientifically validated music therapy program (Papageno Muziektherapie) to children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASS) across the Netherlands, complemented by two residential and day-care facilities — Papageno Huis Laren (opened 2015) and Papageno Huis Fryslân (opened May 2023). Approximately 20 music therapists deliver therapy at homes, schools, and healthcare institutions, and the foundation is developing a peer-connection platform called Dito.

Product overview

Stichting Papageno is a Dutch foundation that provides support services for children and young people with autism. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected services: Papageno Muziektherapie (Music Therapy) serves as the foundational service, providing scientifically proven music therapy to approximately 8,000 children with autism across the Netherlands. The two Papageno Huizen (Papageno Houses) in Laren and Fryslân offer residential housing and daytime activity programs in hospitality, art, sports, and IT. The organization is also developing the Dito Platform to facilitate social connections among autistic youth based on shared interests. Together, these services aim to develop social skills, communication, self-expression, and independence in young people with autism.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Papageno Huis Laren: Residential and daytime-activity facility for young people with autism, located in the former Villa Dennenoord in Laren (North Holland), operational since 2015. Offers 12 apartments and serves approximately 50 young people weekly for daytime activities.
• Papageno Huis Fryslân
• Papageno Muziektherapie

Products and services

• Papageno Muziektherapie (Music Therapy) Music therapy service specifically for children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASS) throughout the Netherlands. Papageno music therapists deliver therapy at home, school, healthcare institutions, and treatment centers, using instruments such as djembe, cajon, keyboard, guitar, and xylophone alongside vocal work to help children express feelings, communicate better, and handle changes more easily. Approximately 8,000 children have benefited to date.
• Papageno Huis Laren Residential and daytime activity facility for young people with autism, located in a renovated 1870 villa in Laren, North Holland. Provides 12 apartments for residents and approximately 50 weekly daytime activity spots, along with a publicly accessible restaurant and event space. Care is delivered in partnership with 's Heeren Loo.
• Papageno Huis Fryslân Residential and daytime activity facility for young people with autism, located in a converted 1889 Reformed Church and outbuildings in Lemmer, Friesland. Provides 17 apartments and approximately 50 weekly daytime activity spots, with Café Papageno and Podium Papageno event spaces. Care is delivered in partnership with De Heeren van Zorg and Weardefol.
• Dito Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 8,000 children with autism have benefited from Papageno Music Therapy

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and supporting.

• Potter MarktonderzoekminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Market research company that won a jubilee action and is conducting research for Papageno on the needs of young people with autism regarding Papageno House services. This is a discounted research partnership as part of Potter's 10-year anniversary celebration.
• De Heeren van ZorgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Care partner providing guidance to young people with autism at Papageno Huis Fryslân in Lemmer. Works together with Papageno to support residents in their development and daily living.
• WeardefolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Care partner providing guidance to young people with autism at Papageno Huis Fryslân. Contributes to the integrated care approach at the facility.
• 's Heeren LoocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Care partner providing supervision and guidance to young people with autism at Papageno Huis Laren. The partnership enables residents to receive professional care while living in the Papageno House environment.
• UMCG (University Medical Center Groningen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough Jeanet Landsman in the Scientific Advisory Council, Manna Alma from UMCG's Applied Health Research develops methodology to systematically track the effectiveness of the Papageno Houses approach.
• Lucas and Arthur JussensupportingOthersPianist brothers serving as ambassadors for Papageno, lending their public profile and influence to support the foundation's mission.
• Guus MeeuwissupportingOthersMusician serving as ambassador for Papageno, supporting awareness and fundraising efforts.
• Jaap van ZwedencoreOthersInternationally renowned conductor and founder of the foundation along with Aaltje van Zweden. Serves as honorary president and opens the annual Papageno Muziekgala.
• Aaltje van Zweden-van BuurencoreOthersCo-founder of the foundation with Jaap van Zweden. Authored 'The Power of Music' documenting the music therapy experiences. Serves as honorary president.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• 's Heeren Loo: Large Dutch care provider for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, already serving as Papageno's care supervision partner at Huis Laren. Comparable because it operates the licensed care layer behind Papageno's residential model and serves overlapping autistic-youth populations across the Netherlands.
• Reinaerde: Dutch care organization supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Comparable to Papageno Huizen as a Dutch IDD incumbent delivering residential care, day activities and supported living across multiple regions.
• Philadelphia Zorg: Dutch care provider for people with intellectual disabilities, offering residential, ambulatory and day-activity services. Comparable to Papageno Huizen as an incumbent Dutch IDD operator with overlapping residential and day-care programs for autistic youth.
• Amerpoort: Dutch care organization supporting people with intellectual disabilities, including autism, across multiple locations. Comparable as a broad Dutch IDD incumbent with the residential and day-activity programming that complements Papageno Houses, and previously employing Papageno's board chair.
• Cordan: Amsterdam-based care provider offering support to people with intellectual disabilities, dementia and chronic conditions, including residential housing. Comparable to Papageno as a Dutch non-profit operating residential and day programs in the same IDD space.
• Autism Speaks: Large US-based autism advocacy and services organization funding research, family services and adult programs. Comparable to Stichting Papageno as a high-visibility non-profit operating in the autism services space with donor-funded programs and awareness campaigns.

Direct peers

• Drake Music: UK charity pioneering music, disability and technology to make music accessible for disabled people, including those with autism. Comparable to Papageno Muziektherapie as a non-profit using music as a therapeutic and developmental tool for neurodiverse populations.
• Nordoff Robbins: International music therapy charity delivering music-therapy services and training across multiple countries. Comparable to Papageno Muziektherapie because both apply music therapy as a clinical intervention and rely on a non-profit/donation-supported model.
• Sesame Institute UK: UK-based charity specializing in the 'Sesame Approach,' a music therapy methodology for children with autism and learning disabilities. Comparable to Papageno Muziektherapie as a direct specialty peer offering a proprietary, autism-focused music therapy method through trained practitioners.

Emerging players

• NVA (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Autisme): Dutch national association supporting people with autism and their families through information, advocacy and community programs. Comparable to Stichting Papageno as a Dutch non-profit ecosystem player targeting the same autistic-youth population, though focused on advocacy rather than clinical service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stichtingpapageno
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/papageno

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Papageno