International Welcome Center North (IWCN)

What International Welcome Center North (IWCN) does

International Welcome Center North (IWCN) is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting Connect International, KvK 02064544) that acts as a one-stop welcome centre for internationals relocating to the Northern Netherlands. Founded in 2014 in Groningen and consolidated through the 2023 merger of IWCN, City Central and Connect International, it operates from Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98 and serves residents across the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland. Its mission is delivered through four service pillars: Formalities Services (residence permits, municipal registration and BSN acquisition via IND and the Municipality of Groningen), Business Consultation for employers hiring highly skilled migrants, Personal Consultation for tailored relocation advice, and Community Building via 557 annual events, clubs and integration programmes such as FietsFriend, Let's Talk Dutch, My Local Friend and Welcome Walks.

IWCN's technology footprint is minimal — it is a service organisation rather than a software company. Core delivery is in-person at the Groningen office (Monday-Thursday 9:30-16:30) supplemented by the iwcn.nl website, a weekly/monthly email newsletter, and social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @iwcn.nl). It also promotes third-party tools such as the Dutch government's NL Relocation App. There are no disclosed proprietary AI/ML capabilities or APIs.

The business model is a hybrid: the IWCN Connect membership and most events are free, while monetisation comes from formalities client fees, the paid Personal Advice Package (valid three calendar months with one-year membership), intercultural training for companies, and in-kind/financial support from the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland, 12 associated municipalities and four knowledge institutions (University of Groningen, Hanze, NHL Stenden, UMCG). The customer base spans individuals (highly-skilled migrants, students, families), 374 corporate clients and a 36-partner service provider network, with no public revenue disclosure and no venture or private equity ownership.

Name

International Welcome Center North (IWCN)

Legal name

Stichting Connect International

Website

https://iwcn.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IWCN is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating a one-stop welcome centre in Groningen that helps internationals with immigration formalities, relocation advice, employer support, and community events across the Northern Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Relocation and Integration Services for Internationals

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Work Permit & Employment Authorization Services (THACAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Career & Employability Integration Support (Work Culture, Networking, Job Readiness) (EDAIAKAH)

Keywords

• Relocation services
• Immigration formalities
• International integration support
• Expat community programs
• Municipal registration assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Formalities Services: IWCN facilitates residency permits, municipal registrations, and BSN (Burgerservicenummer) registrations for internationals through partnerships with IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and local municipalities. They schedule and process appointments for formalities services and may charge client fees for these services.
2. IWCN Connect Membership: Free membership program providing access to all clubs and events, exclusive information, and a wide social network of internationals in the North. The membership drives community engagement and serves as the primary vehicle for client acquisition and retention.
3. Events and Activities: IWCN organizes social, cultural, educational, professional networking, and sports-related events throughout the year for members and the international community. Some events are free access while others require membership login.
4. Personal Advice Package: Tailored advice package offering two hours of personalized relocation advice covering housing, tax system, education, language courses, and job opportunities, plus one-year IWCN Connect membership. Valid for three calendar months.
5. Intercultural Training: IWCN offers intercultural training services to companies in the Northern Netherlands and their international staff.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IWCN provides a one-stop service center for internationals relocating to the Northern Netherlands, bundling immigration and municipal formalities (residence permits, BSN registrations), personalized consultation, community-building events, and structured integration programs under a free membership program (IWCN Connect). It also advises employers on hiring highly skilled migrants and delivers intercultural training to companies. The organization operates as a non-profit foundation supported by government and institutional partners.

Product overview

IWCN is a non-profit welcome center providing integrated services to internationals in the Northern Netherlands. Its core offering is IWCN Connect, a free membership program that bundles access to all events, clubs, and exclusive information. The organisation's main service pillars are: (1) Formalities Services for immigration and municipal registration, (2) Business Consultation for employers hiring internationals, (3) Personal Consultation for tailored relocation advice, and (4) Community Building through hundreds of annual events. Integration Programs including FietsFriend, Let's Talk Dutch, My Local Friend, and Welcome Walks support social integration. IWCN operates as a one-stop shop supported by vetted Service Providers such as housing agents, legal advisors, and mortgage consultants. As of 2023, IWCN merged with City Central and Connect International to consolidate its service offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IWCN Connect Membership Free membership program providing internationals with access to all IWCN clubs and events, exclusive information, and a wide social network across the Northern Netherlands.
• Formalities Services Schedules and facilitates appointments with IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and local municipalities for residence permits, municipal registration, and BSN (Burgerservicenummer) acquisition for internationals.
• Business Consultation Advisory service for employers on hiring highly skilled migrants, covering procedures, permits, and expedited formalities for international employees and their families throughout the Northern Netherlands.
• Personal Consultation

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,822 internationals served with formalities in 2022 alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014IND is a founding partner of IWCN. The collaboration enables IWCN to provide formalities services including appointment scheduling for residence permits, biometrics, and IND card collection at their center.
• Municipality of GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Founding partner enabling IWCN to provide municipal registration services, BSN number acquisition, and local administrative support for internationals.
• Connect International (Stichting Connect International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding organization and legal entity behind IWCN (registered as Stichting Connect International, KvK: 02064544). Merged with City Central in 2023 to form unified IWCN.
• University of GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey institutional partner providing knowledge institution collaboration and serving international students. University of Groningen is a founding partner of IWCN.
• Hanze University of Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting knowledge institution and partner of IWCN, providing services for international students and staff.
• Province of GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three provinces (Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe) that support IWCN's operations and international welcome services.
• Province of FrieslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three provinces supporting IWCN's operations in the Northern Netherlands.
• Province of DrenthecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three provinces supporting IWCN's operations in the Northern Netherlands.
• NHL Stenden University of Applied SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting knowledge institution and partner of IWCN for international student services.
• UMCG (University Medical Center Groningen)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting healthcare partner and knowledge institution collaborating with IWCN.
• Akkoord van GroningenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner supporting integration initiatives including City Central projects with financial backing.
• Groningen AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides financial support for integration programs including FietsFriend initiative and City Central cultural projects.
• Gemeente Groningen (Municipality of Groningen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey municipal partner providing support for IWCN and serving as one of 12 associated municipalities for registration services.
• ahl*advocatenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorImmigration law firm and IWCN Service Provider specializing in residence permits, immigration law, and legal representation. Offers expert sessions through IWCN on permanent residency and citizenship.
• Pallas AdvocatenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployment law firm and IWCN Service Provider specializing in employment law. Co-organizes expert sessions on international employment lifecycle with IWCN and ahl*advocaten.
• University of Groningen Language CentremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides Dutch summer courses and language instruction featured through IWCN events calendar. The University of Groningen is an official partner of IWCN.
• WaardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent organization promoting inclusion and preventing discrimination. Collaborates with IWCN on historical city tours about Groningen slavery past.
• Hiemstra FietsenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal bike shop in Marum that donated a small frame bike for FietsFriend program to help shorter internationals learn cycling.
• Municipalities of Assen, Eemsdelta, Emmen, Heerenveen, Het Hogeland, Leeuwarden, Midden-Groningen, Noordenveld, Smallingerland, and Súdwest-FryslâncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner11 associated municipalities where IWCN clients can register for municipal services. IWCN provides formalities appointments on behalf of these municipalities.
• Van Der Meulen MakelaarsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHousing agent and IWCN Service Provider specializing in temporary housing, rental and selling properties in Groningen.
• AnderZ Makelaars / Expat GroningenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReal estate agent and IWCN Service Provider specializing in buying, selling, renting property and investment property in Groningen.
• IQ Makelaars / 123WonenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHousing agency with 20+ years experience and 33 branches across Netherlands. IWCN Service Provider for rental and relocation services.
• TentoomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpat and knowledge migrant employment services. IWCN Service Provider helping expats work without worries in the Netherlands.
• Expat Management GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLegal experts and relocation specialists. IWCN Service Provider for taxes, benefits, social security, and housing services.
• LefierminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHousing corporation with ambitions in Northern Netherlands. IWCN Service Provider for affordable housing in good neighborhoods.
• INGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanking services provider. IWCN Service Provider offering easy banking for expats with support and convenience for their new journey.
• 123 Wonen / Expat Rental Holland / 123 RelocationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBiggest real estate agent in Netherlands with 33 branches. IWCN Service Provider offering professional relocation and housing services for expats in Groningen.
• EB Mortgages (Fortior Hypotheken)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMortgage consultants based in Groningen with thorough understanding of challenges when buying property in Netherlands. IWCN Service Provider specializing in expat mortgage guidance.
• Expat Mortgages B.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinancial experts specializing in expat mortgages. IWCN Service Provider helping expats achieve homeownership goals in the Netherlands.
• City CentralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization started in 2017 to bring international students and young professionals together with locals. Merged with IWCN and Connect International in 2023.
• Innovation Cluster Drachten and Emden University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWCN partnering on Interreg project for cross-border collaboration between Innovation Cluster Drachten and Emden University of Applied Sciences.
• Gruno VerhuurminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHousing provider in Groningen offering accommodations for having a nice stay. IWCN Service Provider.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eindhoven International Welcome Center (EiConnect / Expat Robot): Brainport region's welcome center serving international tech workers and families with formalities, settling-in services, and community programming. Closely matches IWCN's employment-talent focus.
• Utrecht International Welcome Center: One-stop welcome center serving internationals in the Utrecht region with IND/municipality formalities and integration services. Operates the same model in a different Dutch province.
• ACCESS (Amsterdam Center for Expat Support): ACCESS is the Dutch equivalent in the Amsterdam region providing one-stop formalities help (IND/municipalities), information, and community events for internationals and employers. Directly comparable in mission, model, and service mix to IWCN.
• Holland Expat Center South (HECS): Located in Eindhoven region; provides residence-permit and municipal-registration formalities plus relocation support for knowledge migrants and employers — a direct operational analogue to IWCN.
• The Hague International Welcome Center (OPZuid/IHIC): Offers similar residence-permit and BSN facilitation, employer relocation services, and community integration support in The Hague region. Operates on the same public-private, IND-partnered basis as IWCN.
• Rotterdam Expat Centre: Provides formalities appointments (residence permits, BSN), information, and community support for internationals in the Rotterdam region. Mirrors IWCN's services and target customer.

Emerging players

• IamExpat: Leading digital English-language platform for internationals in the Netherlands offering guides, news, job listings, and community. Overlaps with IWCN's informational and community role but lacks in-person formalities.
• New2nl (formerly New Dutch Connections): Provides relocation support and community-building services for internationals in the Netherlands, focusing on settling-in and social integration. Comparable to IWCN's community-building pillar.

Others

• Expatica: Global relocation information portal with deep Netherlands coverage including guides on residency formalities, housing, and banking. Competes indirectly with IWCN's information-services layer.
• RVO / NL Relocation App (Netherlands Enterprise Agency): The official Dutch government mobile app for relocating to the Netherlands, which IWCN itself promotes. Adjacent public-service offering that overlaps with IWCN's informational value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/iwcn.nl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-welcome-center-north-iwcn
• Instagraminstagram.com/iwcn.nl

Compliance1 record

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 International Welcome Center North (IWCN)