PROVSO.WORKS

What PROVSO.WORKS does

PROVSO.WORKS (legal entity: Stichting Innovatiefonds PROVSO.WORKS) is a non-profit innovation foundation founded on 8 October 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, that bridges Praktijkonderwijs (PRO) and Voortgezet Speciaal Onderwijs (VSO) schools with employers in the Rotterdam Rijnmond labour-market region to transition vulnerable youth into sustainable employment. The foundation emerged from the 2016 "(Samen) Werken Loont" covenant signed by seven school boards, holds ANBI (public-benefit) status since January 2021, and operates a 7-person team led by Director-Bestuurder Annette van Waning with a five-member Supervisory Board. Its core product is the WerkVerkenner, a digital learning environment built on the LessonUp platform featuring interactive 3D sector walkthroughs and an AI avatar that conducts conversational career interviews and recommends career branches. Supporting the WerkVerkenner is a portfolio of more than 25 sector-specific learning programmes spanning logistics (forklift, reach truck, VCA), construction and roofing, facility services, hospitality, healthcare support, beauty, and technical trades, each co-developed with employer partners such as BAM Infra, Vebego, CSU, ISS, Albron, Domino's, HEMA, VOS Logistics, Erasmus MC, and IJsselland Ziekenhuis. Additional offerings include the ToekomstCoach personal coaching programme (100 trajectories), the MeeDenkers youth advisory council, the HalloWerk matching platform with the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Work in Process evening school, and the Werkfit voor PROVSO sheltered-employment pathway. Revenue flows from covenant-signing schools contributing ESF and SZW funds into an innovation pool that grants up to €50,000 per project, with co-financing of 10–15% required from schools or employers. Marketing and community engagement run through a dedicated website, a Flycatcher-managed application portal, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, a Spotify podcast (De MeeDenkers), quarterly Arenabijeenkomsten, the annual Inspiratiemarkt (600 attendees in 2025), and an annual magazine. To date the foundation has financed 25 projects and engaged more than 600 students and youth, with 38 forklift, 13 reach truck, and 28 VCA certifications recorded.

Name

PROVSO.WORKS

Legal name

Stichting Innovatiefonds PROVSO.WORKS

Website

https://provso.works

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PROVSO.WORKS is a Rotterdam-based non-profit foundation that funds and coordinates labour-market projects connecting PRO/VSO schools with regional employers, using its WerkVerkenner digital learning platform and 25+ sector programmes to transition vulnerable youth into sustainable jobs in the Rotterdam Rijnmond region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Help Supply Services (7363), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Youth employment programs
• Vocational training projects
• Special education employment
• Innovation fund projects

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Innovation Fund Project Financing: PROVSO.WORKS receives funds from schools that signed the '(Samen) Werken Loont' covenant, which contribute part of their ESF and SZW revenues to the Innovation Fund. The fund then finances innovative labor market integration projects proposed by schools in partnership with employers. Maximum project funding is €50,000 per project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

PROVSO.WORKS (Stichting Innovatiefonds PROVSO.WORKS) is a Dutch public-benefit foundation and innovation fund that finances and supports labor-market integration projects connecting Praktijkonderwijs (PRO) and Voortgezet Speciaal Onderwijs (VSO) schools with employers in the Rotterdam Rijnmond region. The fund provides up to €50,000 per project for school-employer collaborations that prepare vulnerable youth for sustainable employment, supported by a proprietary digital learning platform (WerkVerkenner), personal coaching programs, and sector-specific training pathways across logistics, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and facility management.

Product overview

PROVSO.WORKS operates as an innovation fund and program coordinator bridging Praktijkonderwijs (PRO), Voortgezet Speciaal Onderwijs (VSO) schools, and employers in the Rotterdam Rijnmond labor market region. The core product is the WerkVerkenner, a digital learning environment built on the LessonUp platform that uses interactive 3D environments and AI avatars to help students explore careers and earn industry-recognized diplomas. Supporting the WerkVerkenner are over 25 project-based programs across sectors including logistics, construction, healthcare, hospitality, facility management, beauty, and technical trades—each co-developed with schools and employers. Additional offerings include the 'Samenwerken aan Inzet' card game for stakeholder dialogue, the PROVSO.WORKS podcast series, and Arenabijeenkomst expert discussion events. The organization also runs the MeeDenkers youth advisory group, the Toekomstcoach personal coaching program, and the Work in Process evening school for new workers. Funding is provided through an innovation fund of up to €50,000 per project for schools signing the '(Samen) Werken Loont' covenant.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Innovation Fund Project Financing The core service of PROVSO.WORKS, providing project funding of up to €50,000 per project for innovative labor-market integration projects initiated by PRO and VSO schools in collaboration with employers. Schools and/or employers must provide 10-15% co-financing (which can be in-kind) or, if no co-financing is provided, a minimum of 14 students must participate. Multi-year contracts are typical.
• WerkVerkenner A digital learning environment that helps PRO and VSO students explore career sectors, develop work skills, and prepare for industry-recognized diplomas and certificates. Built on the LessonUp platform, it uses interactive 3D environments (e.g., walking through a virtual restaurant) and AI-powered avatars for career conversations, providing sector-specific career orientation content.
• Toekomstcoach A personal coaching program for PRO and VSO students in their final year of school and first year of employment. Coaches assist with questions about living, working, learning, social networks, health, and finances, coordinating support while keeping the student in control. Delivered in partnership with MEE Rotterdam Rijnmond.
• De MeeDenkers (Youth Advisory Group) A youth advisory group comprising current and former PRO and VSO students that provides input on projects, advises on strategic topics, and participates in project pitches to the innovation committee. Participants receive training, a Europass certificate, and €125 compensation. Developed in partnership with CINOP-ECIO.
• Work in Process An evening school program supporting young workers in their first year after graduation, helping them share experiences, learn from peers, and stay employed through biweekly meetings and arena conversations with employers and parents.
• HalloWerk A matching platform developed with the Municipality of Rotterdam where PRO and VSO students create personal profile pages showcasing skills and certifications, enabling job coaches to connect them with employers offering guaranteed positions.
• Kaartspel Samenwerken aan Inzet A physical card game designed to facilitate dialogue between educators and employers about employing PRO and VSO students. The game uses questions and propositions to help both parties understand expectations and cooperation requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 students and youth have participated in projects since founding in 2020
• +4 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

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BAM InfraflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2025Key employer partner in the Hofplein renovation project, providing work-learning trajectories for PRO/VSO students. The project represents the first Social Economic Impact Deal (SEID) of Rotterdam, combining urban renewal with youth employment opportunities.
• MEE Rotterdam RijnmondcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2020Collaboration with MEE Rotterdam Rijnmond for the Toekomstcoach project, providing coaching support for PRO/VSO students in their final year of school and first year of work, helping coordinate support across life domains.
• CINOP - ECIOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2020Partnership for establishing the RealistenRaad (now MeeDenkers), a youth advisory council where former PRO/VSO students provide input on projects and organizational direction. CINOP provides professional guidance for youth development.
• Flycatcher Internet ResearchcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 October 2020Manages the inscription and application process for project funding. Responsible for processing (personal) data collected during applications in accordance with GDPR and ISO 27001 standards.
• YETS FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest presenter at Arenabijeenkomst Toekomstcoach (March 2026), sharing their mission about providing positive environments for youth as alternative to negative street or home environments.
• Stichting Tweede KansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Hofplein renovation project, assisting ex-detainees who perform facility work at the BAM construction site, contributing to social renewal alongside physical renovation.
• Gemeente Rotterdam (Municipality Rotterdam)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiator of the '(Samen) Werken Loont' convenant that led to PROVSO.WORKS founding. Supports youth employment programs and considers good school-to-work transitions a priority.
• Project 'Op naar de 25.000 banen'coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for organizing meetings with PRO/VSO representatives, employers, and youth. Supports government employers in fulfilling Banenafspraak (jobs agreement) for people with work limitations.
• Impact Centre Erasmus (ICE)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResearch partnership for studying impact, effectiveness, and effectiveness of simulation learning in the logistics learning line project. PROVSO.WORKS co-financed the research.
• Gemeente Rotterdam (Jobcoaches)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality jobcoaches involved in the HalloWerk matching platform, helping PRO/VSO students create personal profile pages to present to employers and explore (guaranteed) job opportunities.
• VebegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partner in Facilidoor for PROVSO and Zorgservice@Work projects, training students for facility work in healthcare settings.
• CSUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner in Facilidoor for PROVSO, collaborating with other employers to train students for the cleaning sector.
• GomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner in TalentBoost@YSL and Facilidoor projects, providing facility services and working with PRO/VSO students.
• Schoonmakend NederlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployers' organization in cleaning sector, ambassador for Facilidoor project and partner in industry-wide training initiatives.
• Erdo / OranjedakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoofing company partners in 'Het Dak Op!' learning line, providing practical training and employment opportunities for PRO/VSO students.
• ISScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacility services provider for Hospitality@Work project, offering two-year practical trajectories for PRO/VSO students in catering, barista, banqueting, cleaning, and reception.
• AlbroncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood and hospitality service provider (CoffeeCompany, Brownies & Downies) with 900 locations, partner in hospitality projects aiming for social impact.
• HEMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail partner in Beauty project, providing experience in beauty corners for PRO/VSO students with potential for employment.
• Domino's PizzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner in Pizzaiolo project, training students as professional pizzaiolos with work experience at locations.
• Erasmus MCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare facility partner for Zorgservice@Work project, providing work environment for facility tasks in healthcare settings.
• IJsselland ZiekenhuiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in TalentBoost@YSL project, offering diverse facility service rotations for students.
• VOS LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics employer partner for learning line projects, providing forklift and logistics training opportunities.
• RAS (Raad voor Arbeidsverhoudingen Schoonmaak- en Glazenwassersbranche)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry body for cleaning sector, collaborated to establish national subsidy scheme for examination costs and developed WerkVerkenner content for RAS diploma preparation.
• SVH (Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality industry body, collaborated on WerkVerkenner HACCP content and SVH register registration for students.
• ZadkineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution providing facilities and teachers for logistics learning line lessons at Zadkine Logistics Centrum in Rotterdam.
• Voorne-Putten WerktminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner providing exam-oriented practical training for forklift truck project in Spijkenisse and Hoogvliet region.
• Binnenklimaat Nederland / Vakcentrum BinnenklimaattechniekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry body developing instap trajectory in climate technique for PRO/VSO students with job guarantee upon completion.
• Make it UpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeauty education provider delivering 8-week beauty lesson program and guest teaching for PRO/VSO students.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• WerkPro: Dutch sheltered-employment organization operating regionally in the north of the Netherlands with comparable mission for vulnerable workers, including PRO/VSO exit directions; comparable model but different geography and population.

Broad incumbents

• UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen): Dutch government agency administering employee insurance and providing re-employment services; serves overlapping vulnerable-worker populations but at national scale and as a broad public incumbent rather than a focused nonprofit.
• Randstad Groep Nederland: Largest Dutch staffing firm with social-impact programs (e.g., inclusion, Werk naar Werk); comparable customer base (employers seeking practical talent) but operates as a broad commercial incumbent rather than a specialized PRO/VSO intermediary.
• SBB (Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven): Dutch foundation coordinating vocational education (MBO) with the labor market; comparable role bridging schools and employers in workforce development but operates at national scale across MBO rather than specialized PRO/VSO.
• Tempo-Team: Major Dutch staffing and HR services firm with social programs targeting disadvantaged job seekers; overlaps in employer relationships and youth placement but as a broad commercial player.

Others

• Stichting DOEN: Dutch impact foundation funding innovative social enterprises and workforce inclusion initiatives; adjacent funder/investor rather than direct operator, but serves similar social-employment mission and ecosystem.
• Stichting Platform31 / Vos Vivante: Dutch knowledge platforms focused on urban social-economy and labor-market inclusion policy; thematically related through research and convening around SROI, youth employment and regional workforce development.

Emerging players

• Stichting Leergeld: Dutch nonprofit supporting children and youth from low-income families to participate in educational and social activities; partial overlap in vulnerable-youth focus, but addresses upstream financial barriers rather than direct labor-market entry.

Direct peers

• NewBees: Dutch social enterprise supporting newcomers/refugees into sustainable employment through employer partnerships — closely mirrors PROVSO.WORKS's school/employer intermediation model and cohort-based training approach.
• Stichting JINC: Dutch nonprofit that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds transition from school to work through employer partnerships and project-based learning — directly comparable mission, structure and target population to PROVSO.WORKS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/provso.works
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/provsoworks
• Instagraminstagram.com/provso.works

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 PROVSO.WORKS