Bureau De Mat Training & Opleiding B.v.

What Bureau De Mat Training & Opleiding B.v. does

Bureau de Mat Training & Opleiding B.V. is a privately held Dutch training and education company founded in 1996, headquartered in Alkmaar, Netherlands. The company develops and delivers the proprietary "De Mat" methodology, a structured interaction-skills training system built around a physical red-green mat used to visualize and practice communication dynamics. The methodology operates across three levels (behavior, beliefs/values, identity) and employs a consistent proprietary vocabulary including "the bag" (responsibility allocation), the "can not/will not" distinction, and red/green positioning to teach boundary-setting, accountability, and effective communication.

The company serves three primary customer segments: healthcare professionals in mental health (GGZ), education, and business settings; family members and caregivers of people with psychiatric, dementia, or chronic conditions; and client councils within healthcare organizations. Its product portfolio spans 10 distinct training programs including Interactievaardigheden (for professionals, family members, and client councils), Effectief Contracteren, Omgaan met Vijandige Interacties en Geen-Samenwerking, and supplementary modules (introductory sessions, refresher sessions, and intervision programs). A 10-day trainer certification program allows external professionals to become certified Mat trainers, enabling their host institutions to deliver in-house training under an annual license arrangement.

Revenue is generated through three streams: direct training fees (in-company and public enrollment), trainer certification program fees, and recurring annual licensing fees from healthcare institutions with certified Mat trainers. Distribution occurs via three channels: direct field sales where trainers travel to client sites across the Netherlands, public enrollment for family member trainings, and a licensed-institution channel where certified trainers at healthcare organizations deliver training internally. Since inception, the company has delivered over 620 training sessions, trained more than 9,000 participants across 72 locations, and built a network of approximately 80 certified trainers embedded in Dutch healthcare organizations. The company holds CRKBO registration and multiple professional body accreditations, and operates without external funding, venture capital, or institutional investors.

Name

Bureau De Mat Training & Opleiding B.v.

Legal name

Bureau de Mat Training en Opleiding B.V.

Website

https://demat.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bureau de Mat is a Dutch training company founded in 1996 that delivers the proprietary De Mat methodology, a red-green mat-based interaction-skills training system for healthcare professionals, family caregivers, and client councils across the Netherlands, with a licensing model supporting 80+ certified trainers at Dutch healthcare institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM)

Keywords

• Interaction skills training
• Healthcare communication training
• Boundary-setting training
• Professional development courses
• Caregiver training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Alkmaar

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training Fees: Revenue from delivering training programs to organizations (in-company) and individual enrollments (family member trainings). Pricing is quote-based and customized per organization. Cancellation fees apply based on timing of cancellation.
2. Trainer Certification and Licensing: Revenue from training professionals to become certified Mat trainers (10-day program) and annual licensing fees for healthcare institutions to deliver in-house training. License requires minimum two certified trainers per institution. Annual license costs must be paid to maintain trainer certification validity.
3. Trainers Opleiding (Trainer Education): Revenue from the 10-day trainer certification program. Participants must have completed the Interaction Skills training and pass an intake interview. Minimum 6 participants required for program to proceed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bureau De Mat designs and delivers structured interaction-skills training programs based on its proprietary "De Mat" method, a physical red-green mat framework used to teach goal-directed communication, boundary-setting, and responsibility allocation. Its core deliverables are in-company training courses for healthcare, education, and business professionals; family-member training for caregivers of vulnerable relatives; and client-council training, complemented by a 10-day Trainer Certification Program and annual licensing for in-house Mat trainers.

Product overview

Bureau De Mat offers a unified training methodology called 'De Mat' (The Mat), a red-green mat-based approach for teaching interaction and communication skills. The core product portfolio consists of 10 different training programs across three main categories: (1) Interactievaardigheden (Interaction Skills) for professionals, family members, and client councils; (2) specialized programs including Effectief Contracteren and Omgaan met Vijandige Interacties; and (3) supplementary offerings such as Introductiebijeenkomst and Terugkombijeenkomst. The Trainersopleiding (Trainer Certification Program) allows organizations to certify internal trainers who can deliver Mat training under license. The digital De Mat App complements the physical training methodology. All programs are unified by the 'Mat' concept—a red-green mat used to visually represent interaction positions, accountability ('whose bag is it?'), and behavioral boundaries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• De Mat App: Mobile application for practicing interaction situations on iOS and Android

Products and services

• Interactievaardigheden voor Professionals (Interaction Skills Training for Professionals) Core training program teaching professionals in healthcare, education, and business to improve interaction skills using the De Mat methodology, focusing on goal achievement, boundary setting, and positive communication.
• Interactievaardigheden voor Familieleden (Interaction Skills Training for Family Members) Training program helping family members of people needing care to set boundaries, take responsibility appropriately, and improve daily interactions with vulnerable relatives.
• Interactievaardigheden voor Cliëntenraden (Interaction Skills Training for Client Councils) Training for healthcare client council members to be more effective in interactions, recognize their boundaries, and improve collaboration with the board of directors.
• Effectief Contracteren (Effective Contracting) Professional training focused on dealing with boundaries, possibilities, and limitations of treatment policy while making the contract leading in collaboration.
• Omgaan met Vijandige Interacties en Geen-Samenwerking (Handling Hostile Interactions and Non-Cooperation) Training for professionals working with non-cooperative clients (e.g., TBS patients, forensic care clients, behavioral problem groups) to improve interaction effectiveness.
• Opleiding tot de Mat-trainer (Trainer Certification Program) 10-day training program with two practical internship stages that certifies participants as Mat trainers and enables their organization to deliver De Mat training under license. Minimum 6 participants required.
• De Mat App (iOS and Android mobile application) Mobile application available for iOS and Android that lets users practice interaction situations on-the-go, complementing in-person De Mat training.
• Annual Trainer License for Institutions Recurring annual license fee paid by healthcare institutions with certified Mat trainers to deliver in-house De Mat training. Requires minimum two certified trainers per institution; first calendar year after certification is license-free.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of participants report taking better account of others' limitations and possibilities after training
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• MerlijngroepsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMerlijngroep provides an independent complaints officer for the appeals procedure when complaints cannot be resolved directly with Bureau de Mat. The complaints officer delivers a binding verdict that Bureau de Mat must implement within 72 hours.
• In Voor MantelzorgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the Peer2Peer project in collaboration with Ypsilon and Stichting Interactie en Samen Sterk zonder Stigma. The project promoted openness about family experiences in mental healthcare and developed the family-friendly institution approach.
• YpsiloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYpsilon is the Dutch association of family members of people with psychiatric conditions. Partnered with Bureau de Mat on the Peer2Peer project to develop workshops combining professional and family experiences in mental healthcare settings.
• Stichting Interactie en Samen Sterk zonder StigmacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation focused on reducing stigma in mental healthcare. Collaborated on Peer2Peer project to promote family-friendly healthcare institutions through training workshops.
• Prof. Dr. Berno van MeijelsupportingOthersProfessor of Mental Health Nursing at VU Amsterdam and Lecturer at Hogeschool InHolland. Appointed as independent complaints officer for Bureau de Mat's appeals procedure. Conducted research validating the effectiveness of De Mat training methods.
• De TelefooncentraleminorOthersOffice building in Alkmaar where Bureau de Mat maintains its headquarters. The building is described as an inspiring environment where collaboration is central.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• GITP: Dutch HR and organizational development consultancy with an assessment and learning practice. Comparable because it sells training, coaching, and behavioral-skills development to Dutch healthcare and enterprise buyers in the same procurement motion.
• Beeckestijn Business School: Dutch business school offering professional and management development programs, including communications and behavioral skills. Comparable because it targets the same professional-development buyer with accredited corporate training.
• Schouten & Nelissen: Largest Dutch soft-skills and leadership training firm headquartered in Leusden. Comparable because it sells facilitator-led interpersonal-skills and communication training to Dutch enterprises and healthcare organizations, directly overlapping with De Mat's professional segment.
• NCOI Opleidingen: Major Dutch corporate training provider offering professional and management development programs across many verticals. Comparable because it delivers accredited in-company and open-enrollment professional training to the same Dutch healthcare, education, and business buyer base.
• ICM Opleidingen: Dutch training provider specializing in management development, communication, and personal effectiveness programs. Comparable because it serves the same professional-skills training market with custom and open-enrollment offerings.
• Dale Carnegie Training Netherlands: Dutch arm of the global interpersonal-skills and leadership training franchise. Comparable because it sells facilitator-led communication, confidence, and relationship training to professionals and corporate clients in the same category De Mat competes in.

Others

• Springest: Dutch training comparison and marketplace platform connecting professionals to training providers. Comparable only thematically as a discovery channel that influences how buyers find providers like Bureau de Mat.

Direct peers

• Schouten Coaching: Dutch coaching and communication training provider focused on personal effectiveness and professional behavior. Comparable because it sells very similar boundary-setting, communication, and self-reflection training to Dutch professionals, including healthcare segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bureau-de-mat

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Bureau De Mat Training & Opleiding B.v.