Ras El Hanout asbl

What Ras El Hanout asbl does

Ras El Hanout asbl is a Belgian non-profit cultural association (association sans but lucratif, company number 0823.548.608) and engaged citizen theater troupe founded in 2010 in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Brussels. The organization produces original theater performances on themes including identity, migration, discrimination, memory, and spirituality, operates theater and thematic workshops across multiple Brussels neighborhoods (Molenbeek, Evere, Anderlecht), runs the Exploras cultural discovery program and summer circus-and-theatre stages, hosts the "Entre Nous" podcast, and presents the Ras Comedy Club ethical stand-up series. Its work is explicitly positioned as "théâtre citoyen musulman" — addressing Muslim and broader immigrant communities in Brussels alongside the general public, with participants ranging from age 12 upward across generations. The organization employs approximately 12 people and operates from two Molenbeek venues: L'Épicerie (a historic creation venue currently undergoing renovation as part of the La Baraka campaign) and La Crèche (a former daycare converted into a socio-cultural center).

The underlying technology stack is commodity-only: an Odoo-powered website with e-commerce shop, Mailchimp for newsletter marketing, Billetweb for online ticket sales, and YouTube/Spotify for podcast and video distribution. There are no proprietary platforms, apps, or AI components. Revenue mechanics combine public subsidies (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, COCOF, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale as core funders), ticket and workshop income on a sliding-scale basis (workshops from 1€ to 50€/week; performances via Billetweb), recurring membership subscriptions (10/15/20€/month or 200€/year), one-time and recurring donations through the King Baudouin Foundation-administered Baraka campaign (from 1€/month), merchandise (t-shirts at 12.40€), gift cards (from 15€), and customized corporate/educational performances on topics such as workplace discrimination. Distribution relies on the two owned Molenbeek venues plus partnerships with KVS, KANAL-Centre Pompidou, La Bellone, Pianofabriek, Atelier 210, Centre Culturel des Riches-Claires, Zinnema, Espace Toots, and Brass (Forest). The co-founder and principal artistic voice is Mohamed Salim Haouach.

Name

Ras El Hanout asbl

Legal name

Ras El Hanout asbl

Website

https://ras-el-hanout.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ras El Hanout asbl is a Brussels-based non-profit engaged citizen theater troupe (founded 2010, ~12 employees) producing original performances, workshops, comedy events, and a podcast for Muslim and broader Brussels communities from two Molenbeek-Saint-Jean venues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI), Cultural, Identity & Inclusion Programs (EDALAHAF)

Keywords

• Theater performances
• Theater workshops
• Community arts
• Cultural association
• Citizen theater

Headquarters

HQ city

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (Brussels)

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance and Workshop Revenue: Ticket sales for theatre performances and workshop fees for theatre and thematic workshops. Mix of free and paid programming with sliding scale pricing.
2. Memberships and Subscriptions: Monthly and annual subscriptions providing benefits including discounts on merchandise, free show access, and Exploras program access. Cotisation (membership) options at 10€, 15€, 20€/month.
3. Donations and Baraka Campaign: Crowdfunding campaign for venue renovation through the Koning Boudewijnstichting. One-time and recurring donations supporting L'Épicerie renovation project.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts and other items.
5. Corporate and Educational Performances: Customized theatre performances for schools, companies, and institutions on topics like workplace discrimination (Equality Work In Progress).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ras El Hanout asbl is a Belgian non-profit cultural association and engaged theater troupe that produces and performs original theater productions addressing themes of identity, migration, discrimination, spirituality, and community memory. It delivers theater workshops and thematic ateliers across Brussels neighbourhoods, hosts the 'Entre Nous' podcast, and runs cultural and educational programming from two venues in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (L'Épicerie and La Crèche).

Product overview

Ras El Hanout asbl is a cultural association and engaged theater troupe based in Molenbeek, Brussels, founded in 2010. The organization operates as a platform of theatrical offerings including live theater performances (Spectacles) covering themes of identity, discrimination, migration, and memory; theater workshops (Ateliers) providing artistic education across multiple Brussels neighborhoods; the 'Entre Nous' podcast featuring conversations with artists and thinkers; and La Baraka subscription campaign funding venue renovations. Additional offerings include membership subscriptions, gift cards, summer camps, and merchandise. The portfolio is delivered through two venues: L'Épicerie (under renovation) and La Crèche.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theater Performances (Spectacles)

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction partner for performances including 'Qui cherche, die vindt' and 'Replay'. Venue host for performances and public readings like 'Monologues de Gaza'.
• KANAL - Centre PompidoucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for permanent education workshops 'Des voix aux œuvres' giving voice to artworks from the exhibition. Created 'Au-delà du Cadre' performance bringing artworks to life.
• École de Cirque de BruxellesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for summer stage combining theatre and circus arts for youth.
• La BelloneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue host for 'Au-delà du Cadre' performance in partnership with KANAL.
• Centre Culturel des Riches-ClairesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for coproduction 'Replay'.
• WIPCOOP / Mestizo Arts PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for artistic projects including 'Equality Work In Progress' and various performances.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Bronks: Brussels theatre dedicated to young audiences with a strong creation and participation program. Directly comparable in mission and Brussels-based community engagement, with overlapping youth theatre and workshop programming serving similar demographics.
• Théâtre Le Public: Brussels-based producing theatre focused on contemporary creation with international co-productions. Comparable as a similarly sized independent Brussels theatre creating and presenting original work for engaged audiences.
• Théâtre Varia: Independent Brussels theatre producing contemporary and engaged work, with a strong tradition of co-productions and community-rooted programming. Comparable in size, mission, and Brussels-based positioning as an independent producing theatre.
• KVS - Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg: Brussels' leading Flemish theatre and existing coproduction partner of Ras El Hanout on productions including 'Qui cherche, die vindt' and 'Replay'. Directly comparable as a Brussels theatre programming engaged, multilingual, and diversity-focused work in the same city.
• Mestizo Arts Platform: Brussels-based arts platform supporting artists of diverse cultural backgrounds, and existing cooperation partner of Ras El Hanout on 'Equality Work In Progress' and other projects. Most directly comparable as a Brussels diversity-focused arts organization with overlapping mission and audience.

Broad incumbents

• Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles: Brussels' flagship French-speaking national theatre presenting contemporary and engaged programming. Comparable as a major presenter of socially engaged theatre in the same Brussels market, though it operates at significantly larger scale and broader curatorial scope than Ras El Hanout.
• NTGent: Flemish city theatre of Ghent with international touring and contemporary repertoire. Comparable as a Belgian producing theatre with public funding structure and engaged artistic programming, though at a substantially larger scale and broader scope.

Regional players

• Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA): Amsterdam's leading repertory theatre, historically known as Toneelgroep Amsterdam, producing engaged and contemporary Dutch-language work. Comparable as a publicly funded repertory theatre with an engaged artistic mission, though serving a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@raselhanouttv
• Facebookfacebook.com/raselhanout
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ras-el-hanout-asbl
• Instagraminstagram.com/raselhanout.theatre
• TikToktiktok.com/@raselhanout.theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Ras El Hanout asbl