PHOE (Post-HBO Opleidingen in Energie)

What PHOE (Post-HBO Opleidingen in Energie) does

PHOE (Stichting Post Hoger Onderwijs Energiekunde) is a Dutch non-profit foundation founded in 1987 by Hogeschool Avans, TU Eindhoven, and Universiteit Utrecht to deliver post-HBO professional education in energy and the energy transition. Headquartered in Naarden with secretarial operations handled by Het Branche Bureau (HBB), the foundation operates with a 5-person internal team and a network of industry practitioners who serve as instructors.

Its portfolio comprises eight core training programs — Introductie Energiekunde, Duurzame Energie, Waterstof, Energieconsulent, Adviesvaardigheden in de Energietransitie, Basistraining Energiekunde Omgevingsdienst, Modulair Programma Duurzame Energie, and Doorstroomminor Thermodynamica — supplemented by customized Incompany Trainingen delivered on-site at client organizations. All programs are registered with Centrum Post Initieel Onderwijs Nederland, and graduates of the Energieconsulent track can register with FedEC to use the 'rea' (Register Energie Adviseur) title.

PHOE generates revenue through enrollment fees for public scheduled courses and fee-for-service incompany contracts. Customer evidence spans enterprise (Vattenfall, EQUANS, Kuijpers, Olam Cocoa), government (DCMR, Gemeente Almere, Provincie Flevoland), and education/research (Wageningen UR) clients, with go-to-market primarily via the website (www.phoe.nl), trade-show presence at Vakbeurs Energie, LinkedIn, and email newsletter. The foundation does not develop proprietary technology products and has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

Name

PHOE (Post-HBO Opleidingen in Energie)

Legal name

Stichting Post Hoger Onderwijs Energiekunde

Website

https://phoe.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PHOE is a Dutch non-profit foundation, founded in 1987, that delivers accredited post-HBO training programs for energy-transition professionals — covering energy management, sustainable energy, hydrogen, and energy consulting — to enterprises, government bodies, and individual practitioners across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Energy Education and Training

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy (Oil, Gas & Renewables) (EDABALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE) (EDAAALAO)

Keywords

• Post-hbo energy education
• Energy transition training
• Sustainable energy courses
• Energy consulting certification
• Hydrogen training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Naarden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Training Programs: PHOE generates revenue through registration fees for scheduled post-HBO training programs including Introductie Energiekunde, Duurzame Energie, Waterstof, Energieconsulent, Adviesvaardigheden, and Modulair Programma Duurzame Energie. These are delivered in classroom settings with start dates throughout the year.
2. Incompany Training: PHOE offers customized incompany training programs delivered at client organizations. These are tailored to specific organizational needs and often developed through co-creation between the client and PHOE specialists. This represents a significant revenue stream for corporate clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PHOE provides post-higher professional education (post-HBO) training programs for energy professionals, covering energy usage in industry and the built environment, sustainable energy generation, hydrogen technology, thermodynamics, and energy consulting skills. Programs are delivered as scheduled classroom courses with set start dates and as customized incompany training developed in co-creation with client organizations. All successful completions lead to a recognized diploma registered with Centrum Post Initieel Onderwijs Nederland.

Product overview

PHOE is een educatieve organisatie die een portfolio van post-hbo opleidingen en trainingen aanbiedt voor professionals in de energietransitie. Het kernproduct bestaat uit acht hoofdopleidingen: Introductie Energiekunde (energiedeskundigheid), Duurzame Energie (hernieuwbare energiebronnen), Waterstof (waterstoftechnologie), Energieconsulent (geïntegreerde energieadviesvaardigheden), Adviesvaardigheden (adviescompetenties), Basistraining Omgevingsdienst (toezicht), Modulair Programma (flexibele invulling) en Doorstroomminor Thermodynamica (voorbereidend). Daarnaast worden alle opleidingen als maatwerk Incompany Trainingen aangeboden. De opleidingen zijn geregistreerd bij Centrum Post Initieel Onderwijs Nederland en worden uitgevoerd via samenwerking met Het Branche Bureau (HBB).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Introductie Energiekunde Post-HBO training focused on energy use within industry and the built environment, covering energy conversion, transport and storage processes, electricity, steam, building physics, lighting, and heating. Graduates are qualified energy experts (energiedeskundigen) and on successful completion can progress toward the Energieconsulent specialization.
• Basistraining Energiekunde Omgevingsdienst Basic training specifically developed and tailored for supervisors (toezichthouders) at regional environmental services (omgevingsdiensten). Next scheduled start: 7 April 2026.
• Duurzame Energie Broad post-HBO training covering the principles behind the generation of sustainable energy, including solar, wind, biomass, heat pumps, and energy storage. Next scheduled start: 1 September 2026.
• Waterstof Training offering in-depth understanding of the Dutch energy system and energy market, with a focus on the crucial role of hydrogen in the energy transition. Includes excursions to hydrogen partners such as Gasunie, Resato Hydrogen Technology, ENTRANCE Centre of Expertise Energy, and Green Planet (Pesse). Next scheduled start: 24 September 2026.
• Doorstroomminor Thermodynamica Preparatory lesson for students starting the Introductie Energiekunde program who are not familiar with thermodynamics. Next scheduled date: 26 August 2026 (morning and afternoon).
• Adviesvaardigheden in de Energietransitie Training focused on strengthening advisory skills in the context of the energy transition, including persuasiveness, dealing with resistance, and building support. Start date on request.
• Energieconsulent Training that integrates knowledge from Introductie Energiekunde with systems thinking and advisory skills, enabling students to produce specialized energy advice. Graduates can register with FedEC and use the rea (Register Energie Adviseur) title. Starts any time of year.
• Modulair Programma Duurzame Energie Renewed flexible version of the Duurzame Energie training in which students can choose the modules relevant to them. Start from 6 January 2026.
• Incompany Trainingen Customized training programs developed to align directly with the technical practice and project environment of the client organization, developed through co-creation between the client and PHOE specialists and delivered on client premises.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates can register with FedEC and use the 'rea' (Register Energie Adviseur) title
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ENTRANCE – Centre of Expertise EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025Student excursion destination for PHOE's Waterstof (Hydrogen) training program. Students learn about advanced hydrogen solutions for production and distribution. The expertise center actively contributes to accelerating the energy transition.
• Resato Hydrogen TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025Student excursion destination for hydrogen training. Company has 30+ years of experience in high-pressure solutions for various industries, focusing on improving productivity and safety of customers worldwide.
• Green Planet (Pesse)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025Student excursion destination for hydrogen training. Provides insight into hydrogen's role in sustainable mobility.
• GasunieminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Work visit destination for Waterstof training participants. Students received VR experience and extensive information about Gasunie's large-scale hydrogen production, distribution, and storage projects.
• SinneWetterstof (GroenLeven and Alliander)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Work visit destination for Waterstof training. Project produces hydrogen from sustainable solar energy via electrolysis, offering a solution for grid congestion.
• Koppert CressminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Practical visit destination for Introductie Energiekunde training. Innovative sustainable company demonstrating LED lighting and heat-cold storage in soil (WKO) systems.
• VeoliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PHOE board member Ronald Remijn works at Veolia. Students have visited Veolia facilities (Industriepark Kleefse Waard) for practical training. Veolia provides energy and water services.
• Hogeschool Avans, TU Eindhoven, Universiteit UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987PHOE was founded by various hogescholen (universities of applied sciences) and universities, including Hogeschool Avans, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, and Universiteit Utrecht. These founding institutions established PHOE to promote post-HBO education in energy.
• FedEC (Federatie van Energie Consulenten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFedEC is the professional association for energy consultants. PHOE graduates can register with FedEC and use the 'rea' (Register Energie Adviseur) title. PHOE also conducts assessments and issues Gelijkwaardigheidsverklaring (equivalence declarations) on behalf of FedEC.
• Het Branche Bureau (HBB)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHBB handles the secretarial and organizational administration for PHOE's training programs. They manage enrollment processing, invoicing, and general communications. Located at Gooimeer 4-15, Naarden.
• The Green Village (TU Delft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExcursion destination for Duurzame Energie training. Fieldlab where sustainable and circular solutions for the built environment are developed and tested. Independent foundation without commercial interest.
• The Green Village (TU Delft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExcursion location for Duurzame Energie students to see cutting-edge innovations in sustainable energy networks and building materials.
• HBB, Het Tegel, JoostminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as partner logos on PHOE website footer, indicating business partnerships in the energy education ecosystem.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Cevora: Belgian joint training foundation for the energy and utility sectors, offering sector-specific professional training and certification. Highly comparable operating model to PHOE (sector-specific foundation, energy/utilities focus, professional credentials) but operates in Belgium rather than the Netherlands.
• Syntra: Flemish vocational and continuing-education network providing accredited professional training to working adults, including technical and energy tracks. Comparable to PHOE in accredited professional training for working adults, but primarily serves Belgium rather than the Netherlands.

Direct peers

• TIAS School for Business and Society: Dutch post-experience business school offering executive and post-HBO programs including sustainability and energy tracks. Comparable to PHOE in serving senior professionals with accredited continuing education in energy/sustainability topics.
• LOI (Nationale Leren op Afstand): Dutch distance-learning provider offering accredited post-HBO and vocational programs to working adults. Comparable to PHOE on learner segment and diploma-issuing model, but competes via flexible online delivery versus PHOE's classroom-heavy approach.
• Hogeschool Saxion (Saxion Next): Dutch hogeschool offering post-HBO energy and sustainability programs and incompany training for professionals. Comparable to PHOE on content (energy transition), audience (working professionals), and incompany custom training model.
• ISBW: Dutch post-HBO business school focused on management and professional training for working professionals. Comparable to PHOE in target audience (career professionals), delivery model (classroom plus incompany), and credentialing (post-HBO accredited diplomas).
• NCOI Opleidingen: Largest Dutch private provider of post-HBO professional training and degree programs for working professionals. Directly comparable to PHOE in serving the same working-professional segment with accredited continuing education, though NCOI operates across many disciplines whereas PHOE is specialized in energy.
• Nyenrode Business University: Dutch private university offering accredited post-experience and executive programs, with sustainability and energy modules for professionals. Comparable to PHOE in audience (working professionals seeking recognized credentials) and accredited diploma model.
• Energy Academy Europe (Hanze UAS): Specialized energy education and research center in Groningen offering professional courses and programs in energy transition. Directly comparable to PHOE's niche energy curriculum and post-HBO learner target.
• SRP (Schouten & Nelissen): Dutch training foundation offering post-HBO and accredited professional programs including management, coaching, and energy/sustainability tracks. Closely comparable operating model to PHOE (Stichting-style, post-HBO diplomas, incompany offerings).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PHOEopleidingen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phoe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 PHOE (Post-HBO Opleidingen in Energie)