Student Union University of Twente
Student Union University of Twente is a Dutch non-profit student organization serving 12,000+ students and 130+ associations at the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands, providing personal development programs, membership services, and physical facilities including the owned Bastille building.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersEnschede, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Student Union University of Twente does
Student Union University of Twente is a Dutch non-profit student organization (vereniging) founded in 1999, headquartered in Enschede, Netherlands, and institutionally intertwined with the University of Twente. It serves as the central governance and services body for the university's student community, engaging 12,000+ students and 130+ affiliated student associations through a structured Supervisory Board (Raad van Toezicht) with sectoral delegates elected annually via the Participants Council. The organization employs 31 staff across functional teams (Communication, External Affairs, Office, Well-Being, Wallstreet) and operates with an elected Board.
Its core offerings span personal development programs (More Than A Degree with four engagement phases, Active Student Recognition certificates and EduBadges), membership and discount services (UnionCard, UnionDeals, Kamersite housing platform), and physical facilities (Bastille, the owned central student building housing the Atrium event space, conference rooms, Incubase startup incubator, Esports Lounge Twente, Belletrie library, Fanaat board game community, and Vestingbar; plus Wallstreet, a separate study space). The technology stack is minimal: standard Microsoft Forms for certificate applications, TimeEdit for room booking, and the UT Canvas LMS for language resources — there is no proprietary technology platform.
The business model is a hybrid non-profit revenue mix: facility rental fees (e.g., EUR 121 per 6-hour daypart for the Atrium, with weekend surcharges), corporate sponsorship (notably Grolsch and Vrumona for student brand visibility), and UnionCard/UnionDeals commission-based affiliate revenue from local merchants. Governance and oversight are provided by a multi-stakeholder Supervisory Board with delegates from Study, Sport, Culture, Social, Internationalisation, Entrepreneurship, External Business, and the University of Twente itself. Customer concentration is effectively total: all revenue and activity is derived from the University of Twente student ecosystem in a single geographic market (Enschede).
Student Union University of Twente firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Student Union University of Twente
- Legal name
- Student Union
- Website
- https://su.utwente.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Student Union University of Twente is a Dutch non-profit student organization serving 12,000+ students and 130+ associations at the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands, providing personal development programs, membership services, and physical facilities including the owned Bastille building.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Student Union University of Twente industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Student Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Organizations & Club Administration (EDALAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Student Housing Technology & Systems Support (Housing ERP, Key/Lock Systems, Wi‑Fi Coordination) (EDAEAFAO)
Keywords
Where Student Union University of Twente is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Enschede
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Student Union University of Twente business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Facility Rentals: The Student Union generates revenue through renting out facilities such as the Atrium, conference rooms, project rooms, and offices within the Bastille building to student organizations and external parties.
- Partnership Contributions: Corporate partners such as Grolsch and Vrumona provide financial support to the Student Union in exchange for brand visibility among the student community.
- UnionCard Services: Revenue generated through the UnionCard program which provides discounts and deals to students through various partner establishments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Atrium rental for UT organizations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Weekend and holiday surcharges |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Student Union University of Twente product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Student Union University of Twente is a non-profit student organization that enhances student life at the University of Twente by delivering personal development programs (More Than A Degree), membership and discount services (UnionCard, UnionDeals), a student housing platform (Kamersite), and managing key campus facilities such as the Bastille student building and Wallstreet study space. It supports 130+ student associations through training, subsidies, and facility access, and runs ancillary programs including a startup incubator (Incubase), an esports lounge, a student library, and a board game community.
Product overview
Student Union University of Twente operates as a student advocacy and services organization rather than a technology product company. Their offering is a collection of programs and physical facilities centered around student life enrichment. The core offerings include the More Than A Degree program (personal development framework), UnionCard (membership benefits), UnionDeals (discount program), and Kamersite (housing). These are supported by physical facilities including the Bastille student building and Wallstreet study space, plus add-on modules like the Board Improvement Programme, Kroegcollege workshops, Incubase startup incubator, Esports Lounge Twente, Belletrie library, Fanaat board game community, and Active Student Recognition certificates. The organization also provides various meeting and event spaces, and connects students with partners through the Extracurricular Database. All services are designed to enhance the student experience at the University of Twente in Enschede.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UnionCard: Student card providing access to facilities and discounts at partner locations
- StudentDeals
- More Than A Degree
- Kamersite
- UnionLocations
- Board Improvement Programme
Products and services
- More Than A Degree A personal development program for University of Twente students that facilitates and stimulates extracurricular involvement through four engagement phases (inactive to ambassador), helping students build skills beyond their academic curriculum.
- UnionCard A student membership card providing benefits, discounts, and access to facilities at participating partner organizations and venues in Enschede.
- UnionDeals (StudentDeals) A discount program offering student deals from local businesses and corporate partners (including Grolsch, Vrumona, Subway) in Enschede.
- Kamersite A student housing platform connecting UT students with available rooms in Enschede.
- Bastille The central student building owned by the Student Union at the heart of the UT campus, housing offices, meeting rooms, project spaces, restaurant, bar, movie theatre, Global Lounge, and recreational facilities.
- Wallstreet A study space located at Walstraat 47 in central Enschede offering a quiet environment for studying with extended opening hours during exam periods.
- Board Improvement Programme A professional workshop and training programme for student association board members, providing team training and development courses through partner organizations like Loof.
- Incubase The official startup incubator of the University of Twente located in the Bastille, providing co-working space, startup programmes, coaching from Novel-T, and an entrepreneurial community for student founders.
- Esports Lounge Twente The first university esports location in the Netherlands, located in the Bastille and featuring gaming setups from Predator, professional broadcasting equipment, and events hosted with Blueshell and Esports Team Twente.
- Belletrie A student-run library in the Bastille offering free book rentals for UnionCard holders, comfortable reading space, weekly writing evenings, and Japanese culture activities through the Konnichiwa committee.
- Fanaat A board game community in the Bastille providing game nights, tabletop RPG sessions, Magic: The Gathering drafts, and open gaming events for students.
- Active Student Recognition (ASR) A formal recognition programme awarding certificates and EduBadges to active students across categories including Large Engagement, Small Engagement, Committee Member, and Confidential Contact Person.
- Atrium A central event space in the Bastille suitable for 50-400 persons, equipped with light and sound systems and bar facilities, available for rent by student organizations.
- Conference Rooms Five meeting rooms in the Bastille available for student associations, with capacities ranging from 8 to 20 people and equipment including whiteboards and projectors.
- Pick-up Service A free pick-up service for international students arriving at Enschede Centraal Station, provided by student volunteers during the summer season.
Quantifiable outcome
- Students develop leadership, communication, and project management skills through extracurricular involvement
Companies that use Student Union University of Twente
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Student Union University of Twente technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Student Union University of Twente partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered main, board training, other and uniondeal.
- GrolschmainRoyal Grolsch, located in the student city of Enschede, brews beer including the premium brand Grolsch. Grolsch supports the Student Union financially to help meet their goals and offers students products at an appealing price.
- VrumonamainVrumona is a prominent organization in soft drink distribution. They have been working with the Student Union for a long time to offer students soft drinks at appealing prices. Additionally, Vrumona allocates resources to aid in realizing student initiatives.
- University of TwentemainThe Student Union is intertwined with the structure of the University of Twente. In practice, this means they take on many projects together with other departments at the university. By utilizing the university network, the Student Union is able to realize their projects.
- Loofboard trainingLoof provides team training and workshops for student association boards, helping them develop skills in communication, collaboration, and effective management.
- Novel-TotherNovel-T supports the Incubase startup incubator at the Bastille by providing coaching from experienced business developers.
- Veste WonenotherVeste Wonen collaborates with the Student Union on the Wallstreet study space facility.
- SubwayuniondealSubway is part of the UnionDeals program, offering student discounts through the Student Union card.
- BlueshellotherBlueshell collaborates with Esports Lounge Twente to host esports events and training.
- Esports Team TwenteotherEsports Team Twente works with the Esports Lounge Twente to host esports events and training.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Student Union University of Twente competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UNiDAYS: Global student verification and discount platform. Closely comparable business model to UnionCard/UnionDeals, with student-credentialed access to partner discounts at scale.
- StudentBeans: Global student discount and lifestyle platform. Directly comparable to UnionDeals/StudentDeals in terms of model — aggregating third-party discounts behind a student-credentialed gateway.
- Kamernet: Leading Dutch student housing listings platform. Directly comparable to the Student Union's Kamersite product in terms of target user (Dutch students) and core offering (room-finding marketplace).
- LSVb (Landelijke Studenten Vakbond): The Dutch national student union that represents student interests nationwide. Directly comparable as a membership-based Dutch student advocacy and services organization with similar governance and stakeholder structure.
- European Students' Union (ESU): Umbrella body representing national student unions across Europe. Comparable as a peer/overarching body that the Student Union could be affiliated with, sharing the student-representation and advocacy model.
- Erasmus Student Network (ESN): Europe's largest student network supporting international student mobility and integration. Comparable on the internationalization, events, and student-life support dimensions that the Student Union also delivers through Internationalisation and well-being programs.
- National Union of Students (NUS UK): UK national confederation of student unions. Directly comparable as a national-level membership organization supporting local student unions — the structural analogue to LSVb in the UK.
Regional players
- Idealis: Dutch student housing provider active in multiple university cities. Comparable as a regional Dutch provider serving the same student population as the Student Union, particularly in the housing/accommodation dimension of student life.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Student Union University of Twente social profiles
Digital presenceStudent Union University of Twente financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Student Union University of Twente leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Student Union University of Twente funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Student Union University of Twente M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Student Union University of Twente
What does Student Union University of Twente do?
Student Union University of Twente is a non-profit student organization that enhances student life at the University of Twente by delivering personal development programs (More Than A Degree), membership and discount services (UnionCard, UnionDeals), a student housing platform (Kamersite), and managing key campus facilities such as the Bastille student building and Wallstreet study space. It supports 130+ student associations through training, subsidies, and facility access, and runs ancillary programs including a startup incubator (Incubase), an esports lounge, a student library, and a board game community.
Is Student Union University of Twente a public or private company?
Student Union University of Twente is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Student Union University of Twente founded?
Student Union University of Twente was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Student Union University of Twente based?
Student Union University of Twente is headquartered in Enschede, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Student Union University of Twente make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Facility Rentals are the primary driver. The others are partnership Contributions and unionCard Services.
Who are Student Union University of Twente's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UNiDAYS, StudentBeans, Kamernet, LSVb (Landelijke Studenten Vakbond), European Students' Union (ESU), Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and National Union of Students (NUS UK). Idealis is listed as a regional player.
Does Student Union University of Twente have an API?
No public API is recorded for Student Union University of Twente.
What industry is Student Union University of Twente in?
Student Union University of Twente's product category is Student Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAHAB, Student Organizations & Club Administration, with a secondary code of EDAEAFAO, Student Housing Technology & Systems Support (Housing ERP, Key/Lock Systems, Wi‑Fi Coordination). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8600.