Topcare

What Topcare does

Topcare is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting Topcare) founded in 2013, operating as a learning network of approximately 25 specialized care organizations across the Netherlands. The foundation serves member organizations providing care to complex patient populations including dementia, geriatric rehabilitation, gerontopsychiatry, Korsakov syndrome, Huntington's disease, and visual impairment. Topcare's core offering is the Topcare Predicate System, a structured certification framework that evaluates member organizations across four criteria: specialist care and treatment, research activities, development and learning, and knowledge sharing. Member organizations progress through four stages: Basisdeelnemer, Kandidaat, Topcare, and Topcare Academisch. The foundation is headquartered in Leiden and governed by a board comprising chairpersons from member organizations plus an independent chairman.

Topcare's product portfolio includes the Topcare Network platform and a training suite (the Topcare Academie) comprising the Topcare Training Program, De Nieuwsgierige Zorgprofessional, and Socrates in de Zorg. Member care organizations maintain structural research partnerships with Dutch academic institutions including LUMC, Amsterdam UMC, UMCG, RUG, UNO Amsterdam, and multiple universities of applied sciences. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; Topcare functions as a foundation rather than a commercial entity, with the network's value distributed across member organizations through knowledge sharing, certification, and collaborative research.

In March 2026, Topcare announced a renewed strategy broadening its focus from research to research and innovation, introducing a four-stage development framework and launching the Topcare Academie to bundle professional development offerings. The foundation has approximately 40 employees and its network spans the entire Netherlands, from Friesland in the north to Rotterdam in the south. Topcare does not engage in M&A, has no funding rounds, and holds no patents; its competitive position rests on network effects, the Topcare predicate quality mark, and deep academic integration.

Name

Topcare

Legal name

Stichting Topcare

Website

https://topcare.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Topcare is a Dutch non-profit foundation founded in 2013, operating a learning network of approximately 25 specialized care organizations that collaborate on research, certification, and knowledge sharing in elderly and complex care.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Network and Quality Certification (Elderly Care)

NAICS

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Chronic Disease & Complex Care Management (Geriatrics) (HLADALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dementia Care Coordination & Care Planning (HSABAEAJ), Behavioral Health & Cognitive Support Coordination (Dementia, Depression, SUD) (HSABAIAF)

Keywords

• Elderly care network
• Healthcare certification
• Geriatric rehabilitation research
• Specialized care quality
• Knowledge sharing platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Leiden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stichting Topcare operates a learning network of approximately 25 Dutch healthcare organizations specializing in complex elderly care. It provides a structured predicate (certification) audit system, a portfolio of professional training courses through the Topcare Academie, and a peer knowledge-sharing community across domains including dementia, geriatric rehabilitation, Korsakov syndrome, Huntington's disease, gerontopsychiatry, non-congenital brain injury, and visual impairment. Members gain access to scientific insights, research findings, best practices, and structured professional development.

Product overview

Topcare is a learning network of healthcare organizations focused on research, innovation, and knowledge sharing in elderly care and rehabilitation. The organization offers a structured portfolio of training products including the Topcare Training Program (a comprehensive program covering the full research cycle), De Nieuwsgierige Zorgprofessional (an introductory course on developing an investigative attitude), and Socrates in de Zorg (a course focused on learning through questioning). The Topcare Network platform connects approximately 25 care organizations across the Netherlands, facilitating knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and peer learning among professionals working with specialized care populations including dementia, geriatric rehabilitation, Huntington's disease, Korsakov syndrome, and gerontopsychiatry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Topcare Predicate Certification A formal certification system awarded by Stichting Topcare that audits and recognizes Dutch specialized care organizations based on four quality criteria. It is intended for care organizations seeking evidence-based quality recognition in domains such as dementia, geriatric rehabilitation, gerontopsychiatry, Korsakov syndrome, Huntington's disease, NAH, and visual impairment.
• Topcare Network Membership A learning network of approximately 25 ambitious Dutch care organizations distinguished by their ambition, research activities, learning and innovation capacity, and creative solutions. Members share knowledge and experiences, access scientific insights, and participate in network meetings and newsletters.
• De Topcare Training A comprehensive training program in which all phases of the research cycle are jointly completed. Participants gain knowledge about different phases and practical experience, conducting practice-based research focused on current problems from daily practice.
• De Nieuwsgierige Zorgprofessional (The Curious Healthcare Professional) An introductory training where participants learn to ask questions and be curious about why things are done as they are, creating the beginning of a research or learning climate.
• Socrates in de Zorg (Socrates in Healthcare) A training where healthcare professionals learn in small groups to develop an investigative and curious attitude, learning through asking questions and gaining knowledge and insights.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 250 participants attended the 10-year jubilee symposium, demonstrating strong community engagement.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NHL Stenden HogeschoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Noorderbreedte maintains a structural partnership with NHL Stenden Hogeschool through an Associate Lector position for 'Specialistische doelgroepen.' This partnership also connects to Faith Research, RUG/UMCG, and various international research networks. NHL Stenden supports the research academy and PhD trajectory supervision for Noorderbreedte staff.
• Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum (LUMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTopaz collaborates with LUMC on multiple research projects, including studies on palliative care in Huntington's disease and eHealth applications in geriatric rehabilitation. Prof. dr. Wilco Achterberg, Professor of Elderly Medicine at LUMC, is a key academic partner for Topaz.
• Basalt RevalidatieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTopaz Revitel collaborates with Basalt Revalidatie, Marente, and Alrijne Zorggroep to continuously improve rehabilitation care for elderly clients in the Leiden region through shared expertise and joint quality initiatives.
• UNO AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVivium collaborates with UNO Amsterdam, the Ontwikkelpraktijk Geriatrische Revalidatie, and professors Cees Hertogh and Bianca Buurman on research into the quality of geriatric rehabilitation from the perspective of the rehabilitation patient.
• Hogeschool van AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOmring maintains a structural partnership with the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA), where a lector is connected and students conduct practice-based research. Omring also participates in the Universitair Netwerk Ouderenzorg (UNO) for intensive collaboration with academic networks.
• LUMC and AmsterdamUMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOmring collaborates with LUMC and AmsterdamUMC on research initiatives, with various staff members starting on the path as researchers linked to specific expertise groups and universities.
• UNC-ZH / LUMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPieter van Foreest partners with Dr. Leonoor van Dam van Isselt, associate professor of geriatric rehabilitation and eHealth at UNC-ZH/LUMC, for PhD research on mobile health applications supporting elderly recovery.
• Medical Delta Living Lab Geriatric Rehabilitation@HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPieter van Foreest has joined the core team of Medical Delta Living Lab Geriatric Rehabilitation@Home, deepening collaboration with TU Delft and various universities of applied sciences for technical innovation in rehabilitation.
• UNO AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAxionContinu collaborates with UNO Amsterdam on research into geriatric rehabilitation, alongside partnerships with Hogeschool Utrecht, UMCU's chair of Nursing Science, UMC Utrecht's rehabilitation medicine department, LUMC, and ZZG Zorggroep Groesbeek.
• Hogeschool UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAxionContinu partners with Hogeschool Utrecht on research and professional development, contributing to the academic foundation of their geriatric rehabilitation specializations.
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKoninklijke Visio conducts extensive research with RUG on visual complaints, perimetric screening, and AI applications in care for visually impaired people. Multiple PhD researchers are jointly supervised by Koninklijke Visio and RUG.
• UMCG (Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKoninklijke Visio partners with UMCG on multiple research projects including perimetric screening, quality of life questionnaires for eye care, and visual complaints in Parkinson's disease and MS, with joint PhD supervision.
• RUG/UMCG / Universitair Netwerk Ouderenzorg (UNO-UMCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNoorderbreedte maintains a structural partnership with UNO-UMCG (Universitair Netwerk Ouderenzorg UMCG), the national knowledge centre for elderly care research, and collaborates on multiple joint research projects.
• Universiteit UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmsta partners with the Universiteit Utrecht for PhD research on errorless learning and technology applications for clients with Korsakov syndrome. Vincent van Rijswijk is the key contact at the university.
• Avans HogeschoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMijzo collaborates with lector Dr. Michael Echteld of Avans Hogeschool on research related to Huntington's disease care and treatment quality.
• UNO AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJsselheem collaborates intensively with UNO Amsterdam and Windesheim university of applied sciences on practice-based and scientific research in geriatric rehabilitation, with plans to start PhD research in 2026.
• Faith ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNoorderbreedte (for the Zeer Complexe Dementie focus) is a member of Faith Research, collaborating on multiple research projects. The network also connects to ON TRACK (Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress) and collaborates with CCE and the national DZEP-netwerk for TRACE research.
• UNC-ZH (Universitair Netwerk voor de Care sector Zuid-Holland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaffier partners with UNC-ZH for research on living environments and quality of life for people with Korsakov syndrome, alongside ArtEZ University of the Arts for interdisciplinary research collaboration.
• HAN (Hogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAttent Zorg en Behandeling (GR) collaborates with HAN's Neurorevalidatie lectoraat and expert centre Sneller Herstel for research on improving geriatric rehabilitation quality and continuity.
• Kennisnetwerk CVAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAttent collaborates with Kennisnetwerk CVA for regional knowledge sharing on stroke rehabilitation, contributing to improved care pathways for rehabilitation patients.
• Erasmus Universiteit RotterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaurens collaborates with the research group of Wilco Achterberg at LUMC; Jet van Esch successfully completed her PhD at Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam on 'Reutelen in de stervensfase' (death rattle in the dying phase).
• Hanzehogeschool GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZuidOostZorg has established a unique endowed chair 'Ouderenzorg in Transitie' (Elderly Care in Transition) jointly with Hanzehogeschool Groningen, with Dr. Hans Drenth serving as the endowed professor. The organizations also partner on FAITH Research and international research groups.
• Kings College LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTopaz works with King's College London on dementia care research, and is affiliated with the North Sea Dementia Group, indicating international research collaboration.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Planetree International: International person-centered care certification network. Operates a comparable certification/credentialing model for healthcare organizations globally, focused on quality frameworks — the international analog to Topcare's predicate approach.
• Kennisplein Zorg voor Ouderen: Dutch knowledge platform for elderly care professionals. Comparable in function as a knowledge-sharing hub for Dutch elderly care practitioners, with overlapping membership among Dutch care organizations and a similar focus on evidence-based practice.
• TOPGGz: Dutch certification network for specialized mental healthcare (GGz). Operates a similar predicate/certification model for top-quality specialized mental health providers; Topcare itself references TOPGGz through adviser Ellen Mogendorff, confirming direct peer overlap on the gerontopsychiatry side.
• Dementiezorg voor Elkaar: Dutch national program aimed at improving dementia care quality across care organizations. Shares Topcare's focus on elevating evidence-based dementia care practice in the Netherlands, though organized as a program rather than a predicate-awarding network.
• Vilans: Dutch national knowledge center for long-term care. Both are Dutch foundations that coordinate knowledge sharing, research, and quality improvement across care organizations — Vilans is the closest functional equivalent of Topcare, but with a broader long-term-care mandate rather than a specialized-care focus.

Others

• Nictiz: Dutch knowledge center for digitalization and information exchange in healthcare. Adjacent peer that supports Dutch healthcare organizations with digital infrastructure — relevant to Topcare members pursuing eHealth and mobile health research such as Pieter van Foreest.
• ZonMw: Dutch organization that funds healthcare research and innovation. Indirectly shapes the funding environment for Topcare members' research programs, and funds many of the academic networks (UNO Amsterdam, UNO-UMCG) that Topcare members participate in.

Broad incumbents

• CARF International: International accreditor for rehabilitation, aging services, and human services. A broader healthcare accreditation body that competes for attention with specialized-network credentials like Topcare's predicate, particularly for geriatric rehabilitation members.
• The Joint Commission: Largest US-based healthcare accreditation body. Represents the global incumbent in healthcare quality certification that any specialized network like Topcare must differentiate against, especially if Topcare pursues international expansion.
• Zorginstituut Nederland: Dutch national institute that manages healthcare quality standards, reimbursement, and quality frameworks. Operates as a much larger statutory body setting system-wide standards, whereas Topcare operates as a private network — relevant because it shapes the regulatory environment Topcare members operate in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/topcarenl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Topcare