Stichting De Ontdekfabriek

What Stichting De Ontdekfabriek does

Stichting De Ontdekfabriek (The Discovery Factory) is a Dutch non-profit foundation founded on May 18, 2009, with Cultural ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instellingen) status, operating an interactive discovery museum and maker space in a former Philips factory at Torenallee 22 in Eindhoven's Strijp-S district. The foundation's mission is to stimulate a positive attitude toward innovation, technology, science, and creativity among children, delivering hands-on workshops in CNC milling, 3D printing, soldering, vacuum forming, woodworking, and green-screen film production, plus curated films and free-play maker experiences. It serves approximately 30,000 visitors annually across three primary customer segments: families with children aged 4–12 paying €9.50 per visit admission, primary and secondary schools booking curriculum-aligned excursions and workshops, and corporate groups using the facility for team-building events.

The business model blends transactional earned revenue with sponsor and public funding. Direct streams include family visit admissions (€9.50 for children 4+, adults similarly charged), school programs (€5.50–€12.50 per student plus €25 start fees), birthday party packages (€9.50/person + €25 base), workshop series tickets, and corporate team-building workshops. Recurring and non-transactional support comes from a network of 18+ Brainport Eindhoven technology sponsors — including ASML, Philips, DAF, VDL, Demcon, Prodrive Technologies, Brainport Industries, NTS-Group, High-Tech Campus Eindhoven, Haskoning, and SPIE — alongside municipal commissions (Gemeente Eindhoven), EU Interreg project funding (TATOE, 2024–2027), and tax-deductible ANBI donations. Distribution relies on the fixed Eindhoven location, a mobile electric makers bus that brings workshops to schools, online ticketing through Weticket.io, and channel partnerships (Cultuur Inclusief, Kiesje Sport en Kunst).

The foundation's strategic positioning rests on three reinforcing assets: a distinctive heritage venue in a former Philips factory, the 'De Uitvinders' curriculum aligned with Dutch SLO educational standards, and deep integration into the Brainport technology ecosystem that anchors corporate sponsorship. Recent strategic activity includes the multi-year TATOE EU cross-border talent project, continuous onboarding of new Brainport sponsors through 2025–2026, expansion of secondary-education programming (Quantum Code, Droomstad excursion), and a municipal commission for the 'Jouw Eindhoven van de Toekomst' civic-design project. The organization operates as an autonomous foundation with a Raad van Toezicht (Supervisory Board) and Bestuur (Management Board); it has no parent company, no external private equity, and no M&A history.

Name

Stichting De Ontdekfabriek

Legal name

Stichting De Ontdekfabriek

Website

https://deontdekfabriek.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Stichting De Ontdekfabriek is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating an interactive maker-space museum in a former Philips factory in Eindhoven, delivering hands-on STEM and creativity workshops, films, and school programs to children, families, schools, and corporate groups, supported by the Brainport technology sponsor ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Interactive Museum / Maker Space

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums (71211)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH)

Keywords

• Children's maker space
• Hands-on STEM workshops
• Interactive discovery museum
• School excursion programs
• Corporate team building

Headquarters

HQ city

Eindhoven

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Family Day Visit Admissions: Entry fees charged to families visiting the discovery factory. Children 4+ pay €9.50, children 0-3 free. Adults also pay admission.
2. School Programs: Educational programs for primary and secondary schools including excursions, workshops, and curriculum-aligned programs. Schools pay per-student fees plus start fees.
3. Birthday Party Packages: Birthday party celebrations at the venue with per-person fees plus base package fees. Optional add-on workshops available.
4. Workshop Series Tickets: Series of different workshops sold as ticket packages for children aged 8+. Includes soldering, 3D pen, CNC milling, Minecraft Mania, vacuum forming.
5. Corporate Team Building Events: Business team building workshops including chain reaction, green screen filming, design workshops for colleagues, and other corporate events.
6. Government and Industry Sponsorship: Financial support from government bodies and industry partners who recognize the importance of youth STEM education. Supported by Brainport companies including ASML, Philips, DAF, VDL, and others.
7. Donations (ANBI): As a cultural ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instellingen), the foundation receives tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

De Ontdekfabriek operates an interactive discovery museum and maker space in a former Philips factory in Eindhoven, offering hands-on creative and technical workshops (3D printing, soldering, CNC milling, woodworking, vacuum forming, green screen film) for families, school groups, birthday parties, and corporate team-building events. Revenue is generated through admission fees, per-person workshop and party fees, school excursion fees, and supplemented by corporate sponsorship, government support, and tax-deductible donations under its Cultural ANBI status.

Product overview

Stichting De Ontdekfabriek is a physical maker space and educational facility (speel-werkplaats and doe-museum) located in a former Philips factory at Strijp-S in Eindhoven. The organization offers a portfolio of hands-on experiences and programs rather than a unified digital product or software platform. The core offering consists of family day visits, children's birthday parties, and school programs (primary and secondary education). These are delivered through various workshop types including Soldering, 3D Printing Pen, CNC Milling, Minecraft Mania, Vacuum Forming, Woodworking, and Stop Motion/Green Screen film workshops. The organization also runs a loyalty program (Maak het Mee stamp card) with a VIP day reward, off-site programs via an electric makers bus, and participates in design challenges and competitions. Products are experienced on-site; no digital product, software platform, or downloadable modules exist.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Day Visit Admission-based day out for families with children aged 4-12 at the Eindhoven discovery factory, priced at €9.50 per child aged 4+ (free for 0-3); includes maker space access, hands-on activities, and a film experience.
• Birthday Party Packages Birthday party celebrations held at the discovery factory venue, including reception, an explanation, unlimited lemonade, a birthday present, and optional add-on workshops (e.g., Minecraft Mania, 3D pen, soldering, mask making, stamp/CNC), priced at €9.50 per person plus a €25 base fee.
• Workshop Series Tickets Series of hands-on maker workshops for children aged 8+ sold as ticket packages, including soldering, 3D pen, CNC milling, Minecraft Mania, vacuum forming, and BYOR robot workshops, priced per child.
• School Programs (PO & VO) Curriculum-aligned educational programs for Dutch primary and secondary schools including the Uitvinders excursie, school trips, guest lessons, after-school programs, design programs (e.g., Design Thinking case day, Invented by All), Scrap&Snap, Soldering en Coderen, De wat als… stad, Quantum Code, and Maak je eigen uitvinding; priced at €25 start fee plus per-student fees (€5.50/student for excursions, €12.50/student for school trips, with add-on workshops at €2-€10/student).
• Corporate Team-Building Events Workshops and meeting events for corporate teams including chain reaction, green screen filming, bridge building, scrap art, and design workshops for colleagues, arranged via email inquiry.
• Electric Makers Bus (Mobile Workshops) Mobile electric bus that brings inventions and hands-on maker activities to schools and events, extending the foundation's reach beyond the fixed Eindhoven location.
• Green Screen Film Workshop Two-hour green screen film workshop where children create their own film using green screen technology and digital editing; priced at €6 per student plus €25 start fee (minimum 15 students).
• BYOR Robot Workshop 1.5-2 hour Build-Your-Own-Robot workshop for children aged 9-14 years (max 20 participants, minimum 6), priced at €15 per child.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000 visitors annually experience hands-on STEM education
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ASMLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor of The Discovery Factory. ASML also partners on STEMup program for schools in the 35km region around Veldhoven, working with De Ontdekfabriek and other partners to provide hands-on STEM programs.
• PhilipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and major sponsor. The Discovery Factory is located in a former Philips factory. Philips Research sponsored the 3D virtual tour of the facility.
• Brainport IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey sponsor representing the Brainport ecosystem of high-tech manufacturing companies in Eindhoven region.
• DAF TrucksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor supporting the Discovery Factory's youth STEM education mission.
• VDL GroepmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor supporting youth education initiatives at The Discovery Factory.
• High-Tech Campus EindhovenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor supporting Discovery Factory activities. Both locations serve important functions in the Brainport eco-system of creativity, technology and innovation.
• DemconmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial sponsor with 1000 employees on 9 locations. Demcon supports The Discovery Factory to help children experience how fun technology is, finding the inventors of tomorrow.
• Prodrive TechnologiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial sponsor. Co-developed 'Attracted by Magnets' Invented by All project where students design magnetic products for the company. CEO Pieter Janssen announced sponsorship noting the factory helps children playfully become aware of science and technology.
• Stam + De Koning BouwcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner (Grondlegger) of The Discovery Factory. Co-organized city design program for 140 students from Basisschool De Trinoom as part of their 'Nieuw Bergen' project.
• Van Hoof GroepmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical supplier sponsor. Adopted the gear workshop under 'Van Eijk Transmissie Goochelt met Techniek'. Company with 80 employees has active culture of promoting technology among youth.
• NTS-GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor supporting The Discovery Factory's educational mission.
• Aerofilm SystemsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew sponsor providing the air cushion box experience powered by Aerofilm technology. Jointly developed animated video explaining the physics principle behind the air cushion experience.
• KempenEnergieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Energie@Wonen Expo where Discovery Factory facilitated balloon car making workshops for children.
• Het Beroepenhuis (Belgium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in EU Interreg TATOE project (Talentenatelier van de Toekomst) focused on youth career development. Project runs from April 2024 to March 2027.
• Brightlab (RVO-Society)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EU Interreg TATOE project for youth career orientation and talent development.
• Brainport DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch partner in TATOE project, connecting The Discovery Factory to broader Brainport regional development initiatives.
• De UitvindfabriekmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in TATOE project, collaborating on youth talent development across Belgium and Netherlands.
• MikrocentrummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform for high-tech and manufacturing industry became official sponsor/partner. Plans to co-develop Invented by All project together.
• EtteplanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering company sponsor. Signed partnership using 3D pen typically used in Discovery Factory workshops.
• NEMO Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmsterdam science museum brought Science Tour to The Discovery Factory with special science shows and interactive demonstrations.
• BrunelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering recruitment specialist sponsor supporting The Discovery Factory.
• EpsonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology sponsor supporting youth STEM education at The Discovery Factory.
• Victron EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy technology company sponsor supporting The Discovery Factory.
• KMWEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrecision engineering company sponsor from the Brainport region.
• SPIE NederlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-technical services company became official sponsor in early 2026.
• HaskoningmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and consultancy firm became new sponsor in 2025.
• Gemeente EindhovencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Eindhoven supports The Discovery Factory and commissioned 'Jouw Eindhoven van de Toekomst' project for schoolchildren to design the future city.
• Cultuur InclusiefminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCultural inclusion program whose vouchers can be used for workshop bookings at The Discovery Factory.
• Kiesje Sport en KunstminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExternal booking platform where individual workshops can be reserved for The Discovery Factory.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Technopolis: Belgian interactive science center in Mechelen targeting families and schools with hands-on STEM workshops. Closest cross-border peer in mission, audience, and workshop-based delivery model.
• Experimentarium: Copenhagen-based hands-on science center with strong school-program and family-visit model. Closely comparable on immersive exhibit design and target demographics.
• Continium Discovery Center: Dutch interactive science and technology discovery center in Kerkrade serving families and schools. Direct Dutch peer on visitor experience, school programs, and STEM focus.
• NEMO Science Museum: Amsterdam-based Dutch science museum with hands-on exhibits and school programs. Most direct national competitor in the Dutch interactive science/discovery space; also a current event partner of De Ontdekfabriek (NEMO Science Tour).
• Mad Science: Global franchise delivering in-school STEM workshops and birthday-party science programs for children. Overlaps on workshop catalog, school-booking channel, and birthday-party revenue stream.
• De Uitvindfabriek: Belgian maker-focused youth workshop organization explicitly partnered with De Ontdekfabriek in the EU TATOE project. Same maker/STEM-talent mission, complementary geography, and overlapping curriculum philosophy.

Broad incumbents

• Exploratorium: San Francisco-based pioneer of interactive science exhibits with strong school and teacher development programs. Larger incumbent in the same discovery-center category, often cited as the conceptual benchmark.
• Science Museum Group: UK national science museum operator with broad portfolio and extensive school-program infrastructure. Larger incumbent demonstrating the scale potential of the category.

Emerging players

• Micropia: Amsterdam museum dedicated to microbes, part of the ARTIS complex, with STEM-education focus. Adjacent Dutch science-museum peer with strong school-program presence but narrower topical scope.

Regional players

• Questacon: Australian National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra delivering interactive exhibits and traveling school programs. Comparable mission and STEM-talent-development mandate, but operates in a distinct geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ontdekfabriek_youngcreatives

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Stichting De Ontdekfabriek