Ozeo

What Ozeo does

Ozeo (Stichting Ozeo) is a Dutch non-profit foundation (ANBI status, RSIN 805353045) that provides specialized education to approximately 2,250 children and young people across Zeeland, Netherlands, through a network of 18 schools staffed by roughly 760 employees. It was formed on 1 August 2021 through the merger of two predecessor foundations, Stichting Respont and Stichting De Korre. The portfolio covers four types of specialized provision: speciaal basisonderwijs (SBO, 4 schools), (voortgezet) speciaal onderwijs (SO/VSO, 11 schools), praktijkonderwijs (PRO, 3 schools), and a growing set of bridge and reintegration programs including REstart, OpMaat, GO!Klas, Plustraject, Ondersteuningstrajectklas, De Springboog, and De Vrije Vogels. Geographically, schools are distributed across Zeeland's three regions — Walcheren, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and the Oosterschelderegio.

The organization's go-to-market is structurally referral-driven: parents and current schools initiate placement through regional cooperation bodies (samenwerkingsverbanden), which issue Toelaatbaarheidsverklaring (admission certificates) required for enrollment. Ozeo embeds youth-care professionals from partners such as Emergis Kind & Jeugd and Juven directly within school teams, co-locates inclusion programs at regular schools (Praktiq, Lodewijk College), and runs Qwestor Educatief as an in-house training arm serving external professionals. All schools operate under the supervision of the Inspectie van het Onderwijs.

Ozeo is funded primarily through per-pupil Dutch Ministry of Education allocations administered via DUO; no commercial tuition is charged. Revenue is therefore a function of enrollment volume and the funding rate per educational category. The foundation has no parent company, no external shareholders, and no private equity or venture capital backing. Governance is exercised through a two-person College van Bestuur (Frank van Esch, chair; Evelien Danneels, member) and a Raad van Toezicht, with planned refresh effective 1 August 2026 adding two members with education and youth-care expertise.

Name

Ozeo

Legal name

Stichting Ozeo

Website

https://www.ozeo.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Stichting Ozeo is a Dutch ANBI-status non-profit foundation operating 18 specialized schools (SBO, SO/VSO, PRO) across Zeeland, serving approximately 2,250 students with 760 staff via Dutch Ministry of Education per-pupil funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialized Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

IEP/504 Planning, Case Management & Compliance (EDAJAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Intervention & PBIS Supports (Tiered, Gen Ed) (EDAJAGAL), Special Education Staffing & Contracted Providers (Paras, Therapists, Specialists) (EDAJAKAL)

Keywords

• Special education
• Specialized primary education
• Specialized secondary education
• Practical education
• Inclusive education

Headquarters

HQ city

Middelburg

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: As a public educational foundation (ANBI), Ozeo receives government funding based on pupil enrollment numbers. Funding is regulated by Dutch Ministry of Education frameworks and allocated through the Dutch Education Executive Agency (DUO).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ozeo is a Dutch non-profit foundation that delivers specialized primary, secondary, and practical education to approximately 2,250 children and young people in Zeeland with specific learning, behavioral, developmental, or support needs. The portfolio spans four school types — SBO, SO, VSO, and PRO — delivered through 18 physical schools, augmented by reintegration, transition, and inclusion programs (REstart, OpMaat, GO!Klas, Plustraject, De Springboog, OTK) and a professional training unit (Qwestor Educatief). Services are publicly funded and accessed through regional cooperation bodies via formal admission certificates.

Product overview

Ozeo is a specialized education organization serving Zeeland, Netherlands, comprising 18 schools across three regions (Walcheren, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and Oosterschelderegio): four schools for special basic education (sbo), eleven schools for (pre-)vocational secondary special education (so/vso), and three practical education schools (pro). The portfolio includes core schools such as De Argo, OdyZee, VSO Atalant, De Sprienke, De Sprong, and Het Bolwerk, among others. Beyond traditional schooling, Ozeo operates specialized programs including REstart (reintegration pathways for students returning to education), OpMaat (alternative educational support), Plustraject (off-site vocational pathways), and GO!Klas (inclusion transition into regular education). Additional support initiatives include De Springboog, De Vrije Vogels, Kleuters in beeld, Speeltuinbende, Werkplaats Inclusief, De Merels, and the Ondersteuningstrajectklas (OTK). Qwestor Educatief serves as the professional development and training subsidiary supporting educators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Qwestor Educatief: Part of the Education and Development unit, offering training and professional development programs for educators and professionals in education, youth care, and childcare in Zeeland.
• OpMaat
• GO!Klas
• De Springboog

Products and services

• De Argo A school for (pre-)vocational secondary education (vso/pro) with multiple locations in Terneuzen and Goes, serving students requiring specialized support.
• OdyZee A specialized school for (pre-)vocational secondary education (so/vso) serving students aged 6-18 with psychosocial issues, with locations in Kloetinge, Goes, and Vlissingen.
• VSO Atalant (Asteria College + Klimopschool vso) A center for pre-vocational secondary special education (vso) with combined vocational and secondary programs for students aged 12-18, located in Middelburg.
• De Sprienke A special education and pre-vocational secondary special education school serving students aged 4-20 with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, accepting students from across Zeeland.
• De Regenboog – De Wingerd A special education school in Terneuzen offering programs for students with learning and behavioral support needs.
• De Geluksvogel A special education school in Tholen for children with learning and behavioral support needs.
• De Springplank A special basic education school (sbo) in Terneuzen serving approximately 85 students with around 80 staff members.
• De Wissel A school for special basic education (sbo) in Goes.
• Kindcentrum De Marel (Deltaschool + De Tweern) A children's center offering special basic education (sbo) with observation groups for young children, located in Goes.
• Kindcentrum Het Schor (Het Springtij + Klimopschool so + Keurhove) A children's center with special basic education (sbo) and special education (so) programs for primary school-aged children in Middelburg.
• Het Bolwerk A practical education school (praktijkschool/pro) in Middelburg preparing students for independent living and vocational pathways.
• De Sprong A practical education school (praktijkschool/pro) in Terneuzen serving students aged 12-18, preparing them for independent living and vocational careers.
• OpMaat A youth support program providing flexible online education and small-scale locations for young people in Zeeland who are unable to attend regular school, offering personalized mentoring and alternative educational pathways.
• REstart vso A reintegration program for students in pre-vocational secondary special education who have been absent from school, offering phased support to return to full education within one school year.
• REstart so (OdyZee) A reintegration program for primary school-aged children in special education who have been absent from school, providing gradual reintegration with educational and youth care support.
• Plustraject An educational pathway at VSO Atalant offering off-site education at day care facilities for students with complex needs, supporting gradual return to school.
• GO!Klas An inclusion program in partnership with De Sprienke and Praktiq enabling special education students to gradually transition into regular vmbo education through step-by-step integration.
• De Springboog A bridge class collaboration between SO De Regenboog and SBO De Springplank in Terneuzen, providing intensive support for children who have fallen behind in education due to social-emotional and behavioral challenges.
• De Vrije Vogels A transition class for children at SBO De Geluksvogel in Tholen, providing one day per week of specialized support while students remain enrolled at their regular schools.
• Kleuters in beeld A kindergarten observation center at SBO De Tweern in Goes providing developmental assessment for children aged 3-6 with additional support needs.
• Speeltuinbende An inclusive play initiative that brings together special and regular education students for joint activities such as SamenSpeelDag and Theater Inclusief.
• Werkplaats Inclusief An inclusion workshop bringing together schools from specialized and regular education to share experiences and develop inclusive practices across Zeeland.
• De Merels A toddler observation group at De Geluksvogel in Tholen providing educational-care arrangements (OZA) for children aged 3-6 requiring combined education and youth care support.
• Qwestor Educatief A professional development and training division offering courses, workshops, and consultancy services for educators and professionals working with students with special needs, including Qwestor Educatief courses for educators and care professionals in Zeeland.
• Ondersteuningstrajectklas (OTK) A support trajectory class enabling students experiencing difficulties in regular secondary education to remain enrolled while receiving additional support and structure.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18 schools across 3 regions serving approximately 2250 students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• ScaldacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Scalda (mbo education provider in Zeeland) and Ozeo signed a cooperation agreement for the Pro-mbo trajectory, allowing Ozeo practical education students to follow mbo entry-level education within the trusted environment of Ozeo's practical schools. Scalda provides support and assessors while Ozeo students maintain their own teachers and receive intensive guidance, reducing the gap that causes many students to drop out of mbo. Signed 19 August 2025 at ZEP-building in Middelburg.
• PraktiqcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGO!Klas is a collaboration between De Sprienke (an Ozeo school) and Praktiq (regular vmbo school in Goes) enabling students from special education to gradually find their place in regular secondary education. Students follow practical lessons at Praktiq while maintaining their home base at De Sprienke, gradually increasing participation in regular school life.
• Stichting Het Gehandicapte KindsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Speeltuinbende (Playground Gang) initiative, supported by Stichting Het Gehandicapte Kind, enables children from De Sprienke to participate in inclusive play activities alongside children from regular schools. The foundation provides project funding and subsidies to organize shared activities, including the SamenSpeelDag and Theater Inclusief.
• Emergis (Kind & Jeugd)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOzeo's REstart programs work together with Emergis Kind & Jeugd, embedding youth care professionals (child & youth psychologist, family therapist) within the REstart team. This allows students to receive low-threshold mental health support during school hours, and enables parents to engage with the family therapist. OdyZee in Kloetinge also has a cooperation agreement with Emergis for children placed from care settings.
• JuventsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPedagogisch medewerkers (pedagogical staff) from Juven, a youth care organization, work alongside teachers in kleuterobservatiegroepen (kindergarten observation groups) at De Geluksvogel in Tholen and at De Argo in Goes. Since school year 2025-2026, collective financing has been arranged, enabling consistent presence of youth care professionals across all children at the child center.
• OpMaat Network PartnerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpMaat collaborates with youth care providers and community organizations throughout Zeeland to support disengaged youth. The program works flexibly with various care providers across different locations to match students with appropriate support based on their individual needs.
• VSO Atalant (Asteria College & Klimopschool vso)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Plustraject at VSO Atalant (combining Asteria College and Klimopschool vso) collaborates with care providers such as care farms (zorgboerderijen) and youth care organizations to support students who cannot return to school through flexible, off-site education. The Plustraject also works closely with OpMaat (also part of Ozeo).
• Jeugdfonds Sport en Cultuur ZeelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheo Hut, a staff member retiring after 44 years in education, cycled 240 km across Ozeo school locations to raise funds for the Jeugdfonds Sport en Cultuur Zeeland (Youth Fund for Sports and Culture Zeeland), which supports children from low-income families to participate in sports and cultural activities.
• Werkplaats Inclusief (Passend Onderwijs Zeeuws-Vlaanderen)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWerkplaats Inclusief is an initiative from the cooperation body Passend Onderwijs Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Ozeo actively participates, contributing specialized education expertise and engaging in joint studies, pilots, and knowledge sharing with regular education schools and childcare providers to advance inclusive education across the region.
• Lodewijk College TerneuzensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ondersteuningstrajectklas (OTK) began at Lodewijk College in Terneuzen, where Ozeo staff work within the regular secondary school to support students experiencing difficulty with the regular school environment. The OTK operates as a bridge within the regular education setting, helping students remain enrolled in their own school.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heliomare Onderwijs: Dutch organization combining special education (SO/VSO) with medical and rehabilitation support for children with physical disabilities and chronic conditions, much like Ozeo's De Sprienke and OdyZee sites. Comparable integrated care-and-education delivery within publicly funded special education.
• Stichting Bartiméus: Dutch non-profit foundation operating special education and care for visually impaired and blind children and adults. Mirrors Ozeo's mix of SBO/SO/VSO-equivalent provision, publicly funded model, and individualized learning plans adapted to complex sensory needs.
• Stichting Visio: Dutch non-profit foundation delivering education and rehabilitation support for people with visual impairments. Now operating together with Bartiméus, but historically a direct parallel: school operator + care integration + ANBI-funded K-12 special education model, comparable in scale and structure to Ozeo.
• Stichting Kentalis: Dutch non-profit foundation providing special education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children across multiple school locations nationwide. Most structurally comparable to Ozeo: ANBI status, multi-site special ed operator, publicly funded, individualized learning plans, similar compliance and governance model.
• Stichting Pactum: Dutch foundation combining youth psychiatric expertise with special education for students with complex behavioral and psychiatric needs. Closest functional analog to Ozeo's OdyZee and REstart programs serving children with psychosocial issues within a special-ed framework.

Broad incumbents

• Koninklijke Kentalis (Auris integration): Combined entity post-merger of Kentalis and Auris, providing special education and care across auditory, communication and language needs nationally. Larger portfolio scope than Ozeo but comparable Dutch foundation model and mission.
• Stichting 's Heeren Loo: Large Dutch care and education organization serving people with intellectual disabilities across many locations. Broader than Ozeo (lifespan care vs K-12 special ed) but operates on a comparable publicly funded Dutch foundation model with school, care and integrated services.

Others

• Passend Onderwijs Zeeuws-Vlaanderen: Regional cooperation body (samenwerkingsverband) under Dutch Passend Onderwijs that funds and coordinates special-ed placements in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Ozeo actively participates in its Werkplaats Inclusief initiative; defines Ozeo's regulatory and funding referral context.
• Emergis Kind & Jeugd: Dutch youth mental health organization in Zeeland that embeds child psychologists and family therapists inside Ozeo's REstart programs. Not a competitor but a structurally embedded service partner; useful for understanding referral, care and funding integration in Ozeo's model.
• Scalda: Mbo vocational education provider in Zeeland that signed the Pro-mbo cooperation agreement with Ozeo in August 2025. Adjacent education-stage partner rather than competitor; key for understanding Ozeo's pathway out of PRO and into further vocational learning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Ozeo