Onderwijs Communicatie Groep

What Onderwijs Communicatie Groep does

Onderwijs Communicatie Groep (OC Groep) is a private, independent Dutch organization founded in 2010 by a group of parents who found the available secondary school information fragmented and incomplete. The company develops and operates educational choice platforms that help students, parents, and educators navigate school, study, and career decisions in the Netherlands. Its two flagship products are the VO Gids, an independent guide for primary-to-secondary school transition published in 68 regional editions and reaching approximately 200,000 group 8 students across approximately 6,700 primary schools (with 95% of teachers ordering it), and the MBO Kompas, a study and career choice guide for upper-grade vmbo students published in 29 regional editions and used at more than 900 vmbo schools serving approximately 150,000 students. Both products combine print magazines with online comparison tools (SchoolWijzer and StudieWijzer), digital lesson methods for classroom use, an OpenDagenPlanner open-day tool, and sector-specific editorial supplements.

The underlying technology stack is a multi-platform content system combining annual print publications with WordPress-based websites, a MySQL relational database for school information, digital lesson materials projectable on interactive whiteboards, and digital newsletters. The platform architecture is conventional rather than AI-driven, with no APIs, SDKs, or AI modalities disclosed. Distribution runs entirely through the Dutch school network: primary teachers order the VO Gids for group 8, vmbo decans order the MBO Kompas for class use, and students take the guides home to involve parents.

OC Groep's business model is B2B advertising and sponsorship rather than consumer subscription. Schools order copies of the guides through decans and teachers, but the guides themselves are distributed free to students. Commercial revenue is generated by secondary schools, MBO institutions, and industry/sector organizations purchasing space in the print and online editions to present their educational offerings and address sector labor shortages. Named sponsors include STL, Wij Techniek, OOMT, HISWA-RECRON, Albron, INretail, SBA, Savant Zorg, Techniek Academie, and others. No public pricing is disclosed; quotes are provided by Senior Communication Advisors. The company also maintains strategic partnerships with Stichting Leergeld, Ouders & Onderwijs, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water State.

Name

Onderwijs Communicatie Groep

Legal name

Onderwijs Communicatie Groep

Website

https://ocgroep.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Onderwijs Communicatie Groep (OC Groep) is a Dutch independent organization that develops educational choice platforms — the VO Gids and MBO Kompas — supporting informed school, study, and career decisions for primary and vmbo students, parents, and educators across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Choice Publishing

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Admissions, Enrollment & Registrar Operations (Application Processing, Records) (EDAEALAB)

Keywords

• Educational choice platforms
• School selection guides
• Study choice publications
• Educational media services
• Career orientation guides

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergschenhoek

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Print guide sales and advertising to educational institutions: Schools and educational organizations purchase space in the regional print editions of VO Gids and MBO Kompas to present their educational offerings. Decans and teachers order copies for students. The guides are distributed to students for free through school networks.
2. Partnership and brand sponsorship in guides: Industry organizations (branches), companies, and government bodies pay to feature content in the MBO Kompas and VO Gids, reaching vmbo students, deans, and parents. Partners include STL, Wij Techniek, OOMT, HISWA-RECRON, Albron, INretail, SBA, Savant Zorg, Techniek Academie, and others. This is the primary commercial revenue stream.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Onderwijs Communicatie Groep develops and manages independent Dutch educational choice platforms — primarily the VO Gids (secondary school choice) and the MBO Kompas (mbo study and career choice). Each platform combines annually updated regional print editions, online comparison tools (SchoolWijzer, StudieWijzer), open-day scheduling, digital classroom lesson methods, and targeted sector content, sold to educational institutions and industry sponsors and distributed free to nearly every primary and vmbo student in the Netherlands.

Product overview

Onderwijs Communicatie Groep operates two core educational choice platforms: the VO Gids (for primary-to-secondary school transition) and the MBO Kompas (for vmbo-to-mbo study and career choice). Both platforms combine print magazines with online tools (SchoolWijzer/StudieWijzer), teaching methods for classroom use, and supplementary tools like OpenDagenPlanner. The VO Gids reaches approximately 200,000 group 8 students annually across 68 regional editions, while MBO Kompas serves approximately 150,000 vmbo students at over 900 schools across 29 regional editions. Additional offerings include sector-specific content (Sector in Beeld) and safety awareness programs (Fiets Veilig Verkeerspel).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VO Gids: An independent guide for secondary school choice (voortgezet onderwijs), available in 68 regional editions, helping group 8 students and parents make informed decisions about middle school selection. Distributed to approximately 200,000 students annually.
• MBO Kompas
• SchoolWijzer
• StudieWijzer
• OpenDagenPlanner

Products and services

• VO Gids An independent school choice guide for Dutch group 8 primary school students transitioning to secondary education (voortgezet onderwijs). Published in 68 regional editions with print and online versions, reaching approximately 200,000 students annually.
• MBO Kompas Study and career choice guide for upper-level vmbo students (bovenbouw). Published in 29 regional editions with a print run of approximately 150,000 copies, used at over 900 vmbo schools.
• SchoolWijzer Online school comparison tool within the VO Gids platform that allows students and parents to compare schools by distance and educational offerings, calculate travel distances, and explore educational types.
• StudieWijzer Online study guide within the MBO Kompas platform that provides an overview of all mbo institutions in the Netherlands with their educational offerings, searchable by direction or profession.
• OpenDagenPlanner Online tool that helps students and parents plan and track open days at secondary schools to make informed school choices.
• VO Gids Lesmethode Teaching method accompanying the VO Gids for classroom use by teachers and counsellors to guide students through the school choice process, including a digital version for smartboard projection.
• MBO Kompas Lesmethode Teaching method accompanying the MBO Kompas for classroom use by decanen (career counsellors) to guide students through study and career choice with a step-by-step plan.
• Sector in Beeld

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 200,000 group 8 students receive the VO Gids annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stichting LeergeldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOC Groep and Stichting Leergeld collaborate to promote equal opportunities for children. The goal is to increase the impact of both organizations and reach more families experiencing financial difficulties. OC Groep provides its media channels to help Leergeld reach parents and children who need support with educational costs, sports, culture, and welfare.
• Ouders & OnderwijscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOC Groep and Ouders & Onderwijs collaborate on information provision and knowledge sharing about education, enabling parents to make better-informed school choices for their children. The partnership also includes joint efforts to inform parents with different language backgrounds.
• Stichting SaarisnietgekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStichting Saarisnietgek focuses on making the mental health of children aged 10-12 easy to discuss. OC Groep collaborates to support this mission, helping reach parents and children during the critical school choice period.
• Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water State)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe VO Gids and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water State cooperate annually to make group 8 students aware of traffic dangers, particularly the 'blind spot' danger of large vehicles. The collaboration includes the Fiets Veilig (Safe Cycling) campaign and game in the VO Gids.
• Sectorinstituut Transport en Logistiek (STL)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSTL uses the MBO Kompas to inspire vmbo students for careers in transport and logistics, reaching 86,000 students on over 500 vmbo locations. STL also contributes interactive content (Load & Road-Explore games) and promotes the partnership through its own networks.
• Wij TechniekcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWij Techniek, the development fund for the technical installation industry, is a partner of the MBO Kompas. The branch uses the platform to show vmbo students and their parents the excellent educational opportunities and careers in the technical installation sector, including contributions to the energy transition.
• OOC (Opleidings- en Ontwikkelingsfonds Carrosseriebedrijf)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOOC, the training and development fund for the bodywork sector, uses the MBO Kompas to show vmbo students the versatility of careers in the vehicle bodywork industry, highlighting good career prospects, attractive salaries, and opportunities for continuous development.
• HISWA-RECRONminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHISWA-RECRON, the trade association for watersport and recreation entrepreneurs, uses the MBO Kompas to attract young people to education and careers in their dynamic and diverse sector, reaching 86,000 students on over 500 vmbo locations.
• INretailcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerINretail uses the MBO Kompas to inform vmbo students about retail career opportunities, highlighting the important interpersonal skills gained in retail and extensive progression opportunities. The large reach of the MBO Kompas makes it an attractive platform for showcasing the retail sector.
• Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen (DJI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDJI uses the MBO Kompas to inform students about careers in correctional facilities, including roles such as complex security officer, penitentiary institutional worker, labor supervisor, or youth group worker, reaching nearly 500 vmbo locations.
• SBA (Stichting Bedrijfsfonds Apotheken)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBA launched a campaign with the MBO Kompas to promote pharmacy assistant training to young people and their parents, addressing a shortage of pharmacy assistants (three quarters of pharmacies have a shortage). The platform reaches nearly 150,000 students in the upper grades of vmbo.
• SSWT (Sectororganisatie Schrijnwerken, Timmerindustrie en Wood)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSSWT uses the MBO Kompas to inform students about excellent job prospects in the carpentry/woodworking industry, leveraging the platform's reach of nearly 150,000 students to address the relatively small supply of mbo students in technical fields.
• IW Leren & WerkenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIW Leren & Werken is a fixed participant in the MBO Kompas with their BBL (work-based learning) programs, specifically targeting technical sectors and helping companies attract young talent through the platform.
• Decanen (study career counselors)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNearly 500 decans (study career counselors) at vmbo schools are the primary distribution channel for the MBO Kompas, ordering copies for each student and using the guide with its lesson method in LOB classes. They are key multipliers in the GTM model.
• Leergeld Nederland (local Leergeld foundations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Leergeld foundations across the Netherlands receive referrals from OC Groep's platforms, helping families with financial difficulties access educational support, sports, culture, and welfare services. Leergeld helps approximately 180,000 children per year.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Studiekeuze123: Dutch study choice platform operated by the cooperation of Dutch higher education institutions, helping prospective students compare HBO and university programs. Most directly comparable to OC Groep's MBO Kompas in terms of audience (prospective students), category (educational choice guidance), and business model (information provision + institutional partnerships).
• College Confidential: International (US-focused) college admissions and school choice platform providing information, comparison tools, and community resources for prospective students. Comparable as a school choice information platform serving the same student/parent decision-making journey as OC Groep, though operating in the US higher education market rather than Dutch secondary education.

Broad incumbents

• Malmberg: Dutch educational publisher (part of Sanoma) producing teaching methods, textbooks, and digital learning materials for primary, secondary, and vocational education. Comparable as an established Dutch education content provider serving the same school segments (primary, secondary, VMBO) as OC Groep, though focused on curriculum materials rather than choice guidance.
• ThiemeMeulenhoff: Dutch educational publisher providing learning materials and digital tools for secondary and vocational education (MBO). Comparable as an incumbent education content provider targeting the same Dutch secondary and VMBO school market that OC Groep serves, though specializing in teaching methods rather than school/study choice guidance.
• Magister: Dutch school management and student information system used by secondary schools across the Netherlands. Comparable as a Dutch K-12 education technology provider with deep school channel penetration, though focused on administrative and learning tools rather than school choice content.
• DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs): Dutch government agency responsible for administering education data, student financing, and providing official information about Dutch educational programs. Comparable as a comprehensive source of Dutch education information for prospective students, though operating as a public agency rather than a commercial publisher.
• Iddink: Dutch educational services provider (now part of Sanoma) handling textbook distribution, learning materials, and digital school platforms. Comparable as an established player in the Dutch educational services ecosystem serving schools and students, though focused on textbook logistics and digital learning environments rather than school choice content.
• Wolters Kluwer: Major Dutch-headquartered publisher with a substantial K-12 and vocational education publishing business (including Liber and Iddink brands). Comparable as a broad incumbent in Dutch educational content publishing, though operating at vastly larger scale and with broader portfolio including textbooks and digital learning tools.

Regional players

• Schoolkeuze Amsterdam: Regional school choice platform for the Amsterdam metropolitan area providing information about secondary schools. Comparable as a Dutch school choice guidance platform serving the same primary-to-secondary transition as OC Groep's VO Gids, though geographically focused rather than nationwide.

Emerging players

• Squla: Dutch online educational platform offering gamified learning and practice content for primary and secondary school students. Comparable as a Dutch K-12 edtech company with school channel distribution and parent/student audiences overlapping with OC Groep, though focused on academic practice rather than school choice.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/onderwijs-communicatie-groep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Onderwijs Communicatie Groep