Noorderwind
Noorderwind is a Rotterdam-based cooperative collective of ~20 freelance sustainable entrepreneurs that supports Dutch impact-driven startups via coaching, feasibility studies, and circular chain programs, operating on tiered memberships and government-subsidised engagements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersRotterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Noorderwind does
Noorderwind, legally "Maatschap Noorderwind," is a Dutch cooperative collective founded in 2016 and headquartered in Rotterdam that supports impact-driven startups building sustainable and circular-economy businesses. The entity operates as a federation of approximately 20 freelance members ("bemanningsleden") who each run independent practices; collectively they hold more than 200 years of sustainable-entrepreneurship experience and have together launched over 60 impact-first initiatives. Noorderwind does not take equity in the startups it supports; instead it delivers structured programs—12-month Startup Support coaching, Haalbaarheidsstudie feasibility studies, Circulair Keten Programma chain pilots, and Circulair Kompas roadmaps—using frameworks such as Lean Startup experiments, the Circular Pilot Canvas, and Funding & Living Labs Landscape maps.
The business model combines tiered membership subscriptions (€100, €250, or €500 per month) with subsidy-funded engagements routed through the Dutch government agency RVO, including the MIT Haalbaarheidssubsidie and Circulaire Ketenprojecten instruments (the latter up to €120,000 per project). Revenue is also drawn from project-based work with public-sector partners such as Gemeente Rotterdam, Provincie Zuid-Holland, and multiple regional water boards. Customer acquisition is driven primarily by community-led and event-based go-to-market motions (e.g., New Economy Cafe gatherings, an online community platform at community.noorderwind.co) and reinforced by referrals from government and knowledge-institution partners.
The customer base consists of small, early-stage Dutch startups working on circular material flows, biobased construction, sustainable fashion, sanitation, urban biodiversity, and CO₂ capture (e.g., Blauwe Bagger, Blue Wasp Marine, Semilla Sanitation, VanHier, Flip the City, Feelou, BlueBlocks, Nieuw Groen, Jutplaats, Vibers). Distribution is via direct program enrollment, government-subsidised engagements, and network referrals, with delivery handled by the distributed freelancer collective rather than traditional employees; a formal "Raad van Toezicht" supervisory board has been established.
Noorderwind firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Noorderwind
- Legal name
- Maatschap Noorderwind
- Website
- https://noorderwind.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Noorderwind is a Rotterdam-based cooperative collective of ~20 freelance sustainable entrepreneurs that supports Dutch impact-driven startups via coaching, feasibility studies, and circular chain programs, operating on tiered memberships and government-subsidised engagements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Noorderwind is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rotterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Noorderwind business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Subscriptions: Three-tier membership model offering access to network, tools, templates, events, and coaching services. Paid monthly or annually with different levels of support.
- Startup Support Program: Coaching and support services for startups, potentially subsidized through RVO MIT Haalbaarheidssubsidie or other government subsidies.
- Circulair Keten Programma: Guided circular chain projects with potential RVO subsidy for Circulaire Ketenprojecten (up to €120,000).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Basic network access with tools, templates, and community |
| Subscription | Monthly | Personal coaching and startup support services |
| Subscription | Monthly | Enhanced support for larger teams and corporate innovation |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Noorderwind product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Noorderwind is a cooperative collective of roughly 20 freelance sustainable entrepreneurs that helps impact-driven startups and SMEs develop and validate circular, sustainable business models. Its deliverables include structured Startup Support coaching programs, Haalbaarheidsstudies (feasibility studies), the Circulair Keten Programma (circular chain projects funded through RVO subsidies), and the Circulair Kompas direction-setting instrument. Customers are individual founders and small teams building circular ventures, and organizations participating in regional circular-economy chains.
Product overview
Noorderwind is a cooperative collective of sustainable entrepreneurs that supports impact-driven startups in the circular economy transition through multiple service programs. The core offerings include: Haalbaarheidsstudie (Feasibility Study) for validating sustainable business ideas through lean startup experiments; Startup Support providing 12-month coaching with access to personal guidance, financing opportunities, and network resources; Circulair Keten Programma for guided circular chain pilot projects; and Circulair Kompas for developing circular roadmaps. The services are offered at different membership tiers: Noorderwind Netwerk (€100/month) for basic network access, Startup Support (€250/month) for full coaching services, and Startup Support Plus (€500/month) for larger teams and corporate innovation. All services are supported by an online community platform and proprietary tools and templates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Startup Support
Quantifiable outcome
- 60+ impact-first initiatives supported and started through the collective
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Noorderwind
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Noorderwind technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Noorderwind partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Provincie Zuid-HollandcoreKey government partner providing funding and support for circular economy projects. Funded the Biobased Teststraat and Circular Chain programs including subsidies up to €120,000 for eligible projects.
- Gemeente RotterdamcoreMunicipality partnership for supporting sustainable startups in Rotterdam. Startup Support program is delivered in collaboration with Gemeente Rotterdam.
- RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland)coreGovernment agency that provides subsidies for sustainable business development including MIT Haalbaarheidssubsidie and Circulaire Ketenprojecten. Noorderwind helps startups navigate subsidy applications.
- Hoogheemraadschap Schieland & de KrimpenerwaardminorWater board partner in the Circulair Bagger Consortium working on circular use of dredged materials.
- Hoogheemraadschap RijnlandminorWater board partner in the Circulair Bagger Consortium.
- Waterschap Hollandse DeltaminorWater board partner in the Circulair Bagger Consortium.
- HempflaxminorSupplier of hemp insulation and knowledge partner in the Greenlist project for biobased material certification.
- DGMRminorConsultancy providing fire and sound expertise, coordinating test plans for certification in the Greenlist project.
- JP van EesterenminorConstruction company and buyer seeking to integrate sustainable insulation materials, partner in Greenlist project.
- Nationaal Kenniscentrum Biobased Bouw (NKBB)minorNational knowledge center that adopted the Biobased Teststraat action plan for further development and inclusion in their online knowledge base.
- Unie van WaterschappenminorWorking on redefining circular use of dredged materials at national level in collaboration with the Circular Bagger Consortium.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Noorderwind competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Impact Hub Rotterdam: Impact Hub Rotterdam is a coworking and accelerator network for impact-driven entrepreneurs, operating in the same city and target segment (sustainable founders needing validation and connections). Comparable offerings include community, events, and program support for early-stage impact startups.
- Enviu: Enviu is a Rotterdam-based impact venture builder that builds sustainable startups from scratch and supports them through to scale. It is highly comparable in mission (sustainable entrepreneurship support) and geography, though Enviu typically takes equity and builds ventures in-house.
- Circulair Friesland: Circulair Friesland is a regional circular economy program organization facilitating chain projects and startup support in Friesland. It is highly comparable in mission and operating model (regional circular facilitation, government-funded, chain projects), differing mainly in geography.
- BlueCity: BlueCity is a circular economy hub in Rotterdam supporting impact startups, often collaborating with Noorderwind on pilot projects such as VanHier's biobased panel material. It is the closest geographic and thematic peer, providing incubation space and community where Noorderwind provides coaching and chain facilitation.
Broad incumbents
- Holland Circular Hotspot: Holland Circular Hotspot is a Dutch public-private partnership promoting Dutch circular expertise internationally. While Noorderwind is regionally focused, both organizations channel circular startup activity and government funding into the Netherlands.
- Circle Economy: Circle Economy is a leading Amsterdam-based circular economy impact organization producing the Circularity Gap Report and advising governments/corporates on circular transition. It is a broader incumbent that sets the agenda Noorderwind's clients operate within.
- Social Enterprise NL: Social Enterprise NL is the national network organization for social enterprises in the Netherlands, supporting impact entrepreneurs with knowledge, networking, and advocacy. Noorderwind's Startup Support and Circular Compass programs overlap with SE NL's mission to grow impact-first business activity.
- Versnellingshuis Nederland Circulair: Versnellingshuis is a national Dutch program funded by RVO and the Ministry of Infrastructure that accelerates circular entrepreneurship across the Netherlands. Noorderwind operates as a regional implementation partner of similar programs, but Versnellingshuis operates at a much larger national scale.
Regional players
- Greenwish: Greenwish is a Dutch impact startup support organization running programs and accelerators for sustainable founders. Comparable in segment and stage to Noorderwind but operates primarily in other Dutch regions, complementing rather than directly competing.
Others
- DOEN Foundation: DOEN Foundation is a Dutch impact fund providing non-repayable grants and venture capital to sustainable and circular entrepreneurs, often the same founder segment Noorderwind supports. As a funder in the same ecosystem, DOEN's grant decisions shape the pipeline of founders who later seek Noorderwind's coaching services.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Customer concentration
Noorderwind social profiles
Digital presenceNoorderwind financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Noorderwind leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Noorderwind funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Noorderwind 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 Noorderwind
What does Noorderwind do?
Noorderwind is a cooperative collective of roughly 20 freelance sustainable entrepreneurs that helps impact-driven startups and SMEs develop and validate circular, sustainable business models. Its deliverables include structured Startup Support coaching programs, Haalbaarheidsstudies (feasibility studies), the Circulair Keten Programma (circular chain projects funded through RVO subsidies), and the Circulair Kompas direction-setting instrument. Customers are individual founders and small teams building circular ventures, and organizations participating in regional circular-economy chains.
Is Noorderwind a public or private company?
Noorderwind is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Noorderwind founded?
Noorderwind was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Noorderwind based?
Noorderwind is headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Noorderwind make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are startup Support Program and circulair Keten Programma.
Who are Noorderwind's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Impact Hub Rotterdam, Enviu, Circulair Friesland and BlueCity. Broad incumbents are Holland Circular Hotspot, Circle Economy, Social Enterprise NL and Versnellingshuis Nederland Circulair. Greenwish is listed as a regional player. DOEN Foundation is listed as an others.
Does Noorderwind have an API?
No public API is recorded for Noorderwind.