HBD/Thermoid Inc.

What HBD/Thermoid Inc. does

Hbd.nl is a Dutch-language web directory and startpage portal that has been in continuous operation since 2006, positioning itself as "the best startpage of the Netherlands." The platform functions as a curated, categorically organized index of websites and online resources, covering categories such as automotive, insurance, baby, beauty, electronics, fashion, film, gaming, health, finance, DIY, and gambling, with each category linking out to third-party Dutch and international sites. Its core product is a web portal accessible globally at hbd.nl, supported by five thematic sub-properties — zakelijk-tips.hbd.nl (business), wonen-interieur.hbd.nl (living/interior), vervoer-start.hbd.nl (transport), studieboeken.hbd.nl (textbooks), and xapps.hbd.nl (web apps) — plus a blog layer publishing topical articles in Dutch. The site offers multilingual flag support (Dutch, German, French, Spanish), a self-serve "Submit link" / "Exchange link" / "Advertise" flow, and a content-marketing layer aimed at top-of-funnel traffic capture from Dutch consumers.

The underlying technology is a conventional CMS-style web portal/startpage platform; no proprietary AI, app, or SDK components are disclosed. The business model is not directly disclosed in the source data, but observable signals — an explicit "Advertise" registration page, link-submission flows, and the directory's role as an outbound-link aggregator — are consistent with advertising or sponsored-listing monetization, likely at very low absolute scale given the absence of any disclosed pricing, team, or revenue figures. The customer base is horizontal: general Dutch internet users seeking a curated gateway to websites, with no named enterprise customers, no B2B contracts, and no app or mobile distribution channel. The company is privately held, has no disclosed parent or subsidiaries, no funding history, and no management team information in the source material — a material data gap for any investor diligence. Notably, the input was filed under the legal name "HBD/Thermoid Inc." but the source material only describes the Dutch web directory Hbd.nl; these appear to be unrelated entities based on the data provided.

From an investment standpoint, the platform represents a long-tenured but low-scale content property in a structurally declining category (web directories), with limited commercial infrastructure, no AI capability, no disclosed revenue, and no identifiable management or investors. Its principal asset is 20+ years of accumulated domain authority and a modest sub-site network, but there is no evidence of active product investment, hiring, or monetization expansion.

Name

HBD/Thermoid Inc.

Legal name

Hbd.nl

Website

https://hbd.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hbd.nl is a Dutch-language web directory and startpage portal, founded in 2006, that curates categorized links to third-party websites for general Dutch internet users and monetizes via advertising and link submissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Hbd.nl is a Dutch web directory (startpage) that aggregates and organizes curated links to websites and services across numerous categories including autos, beauty, finance, dating, electronics, fashion, home & garden, and gaming. It also publishes editorial blog content and operates multiple topical sub-sites covering business tips, living/interior, transport, textbooks, and web applications, serving as a navigational gateway for Dutch internet users.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zakelijk-tips.hbd.nl: Business tips portal providing advice on administration, business events, services, finance, ICT, legal matters, office supplies, marketing, SMB topics, online services, and technical tips.
• Wonen-interieur.hbd.nl
• Vervoer-start.hbd.nl
• Studieboeken.hbd.nl
• Xapps.hbd.nl

Products and services

• Hbd.nl Startpage Main Dutch web directory (startpage) that organizes curated links across numerous categories (autos, beauty, finance, dating, electronics, fashion, home & garden, gaming, etc.) for individual Dutch internet users seeking a navigational gateway.
• Zakelijk-tips.hbd.nl

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Veco BVminorOthersVeco BV is a silver onion manufacturer from the Netherlands that exports products to over 30 countries including Canada, India, France and Germany. Their silver onions are considered the best in the world.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Detelefoongids.nl (De Telefoongids): Dutch online phone and business directory. Comparable as a curated Dutch directory serving similar consumer needs (finding reliable local/national businesses online), but specialized in business listings rather than general web links.
• Ilse.nl: Historic Dutch web portal/startpage. Comparable as a Dutch-language web directory and search portal serving similar Dutch consumer needs, though now operating at much smaller scale than in its heyday.

Direct peers

• Vinden.nl: Dutch search engine and directory portal. Comparable as a Dutch-language information discovery platform serving similar consumer use cases (helping Dutch users find websites and resources online).
• Startpagina.nl: The quintessential Dutch startpage/directory. Most directly comparable to Hbd.nl in terms of concept (curated Dutch-language web directory), target audience (Dutch internet users), and business model (alphabetical and category-based link curation).
• Symbaloo: Web-based startpage platform allowing users to organize links into tile-based dashboards. Comparable to Hbd.nl in product category (startpage/portal platform) though with stronger modern UX and global rather than Dutch focus.

Broad incumbents

• Marktplaats.nl: Major Dutch classifieds and listings platform (eBay-owned). Comparable as a high-traffic Dutch directory site serving Dutch consumers, though focused on classifieds rather than general web links — represents the broader Dutch directory ecosystem.
• About.com (Dotdash Meredith): Major general-purpose online information directory. Comparable in concept (curated links to expert content organized by category) and target use case (helping users find reliable information online), though at vastly larger scale and now owned by IAC/Dotdash.

Emerging players

• Wiki.com / Curliq: Modern curated web directory platform. Comparable as a category-based link discovery service targeting users who want curated web resources, though with a more contemporary aesthetic and global scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hbd

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 HBD/Thermoid Inc.