What Focusup does

FocusUP is a Belgian private research consultancy founded in 2000 and headquartered in Antwerp. The firm specializes in independent evaluations and studies for organizations working in international cooperation, with more than 20 years of experience conducting baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, final evaluations, and impact assessments. Its core methodology is theory-based and Theory of Change-driven, combining quantitative and qualitative research skills with participatory approaches that engage local stakeholders. The firm also delivers Theory of Change mapping and capacity-building support alongside its evaluation mandates.

The service offering is delivered through a small core team (a Director and a Senior Researcher based in Antwerp) supported by five regional representatives in The Philippines, Bolivia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Spain. Projects span 35+ countries across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and South America, with thematic specialization in decent work in global value chains, the education sector, and good governance, and more recent expansion into migration and climate change advocacy.

FocusUP generates revenue through commissioned professional services engagements on a project-by-project basis. Clients include multilateral organizations (ILO-ACTRAV), Belgian and international trade unions (Mondiaal FNV, CNV-I, WSM, ACV-CSCi, BIS-MSI, ISVI-IFSI), NGOs (11.11.11, NIMD), and academic cooperation networks (VLIR-UOS). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is structured as bespoke, scope-driven quotations. There is no software product, no platform offering, and no disclosed use of AI/ML tooling.

Name

Focusup

Legal name

FocusUP BV

Website

https://focusup.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Short description

FocusUP is a Belgian research consultancy that conducts independent baseline, mid-term, final, and impact evaluations for international cooperation organizations, NGOs, trade unions, and government agencies across 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Evaluation Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Survey, Panel & Fieldwork Services (BPAHALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Policy Evaluation & Impact Assessment Organizations (EDADADAD), Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

Keywords

• Independent evaluations research
• Impact assessment consulting
• International cooperation studies
• Theory-based evaluation
• Development program research

Headquarters

HQ city

Antwerp

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Evaluation and Research Consulting Services: Revenue generated through commissioned evaluations (baseline, mid-term, and final) for international cooperation programs. Projects include impact evaluations, program evaluations, and studies for clients including multilateral organizations, trade unions, NGOs, and government development agencies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

FocusUP is a research consultancy that conducts independent evaluations and studies for international cooperation organizations. With more than 20 years of experience, the firm delivers baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, and final evaluations using theory-based and mixed-methods approaches. Services are delivered through field missions across 35+ countries, targeting international development organizations, NGOs, trade unions, and government agencies.

Product overview

FocusUP is a research consultancy specializing in independent evaluations and studies in international cooperation. The firm does not offer a software product or platform; rather, it provides professional services including baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, and final evaluations across areas such as decent work in global value chains, education sector, and good governance. The firm also offers theory-based approaches including Theory of Change mapping and capacity-building methodologies. All offerings are service-based consulting rather than packaged software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Independent Evaluation and Research Services Commissioned independent baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, and final evaluations for international cooperation programmes delivered through mixed-methods research for international organizations, NGOs, trade unions, and government agencies.
• Baseline Studies Initial assessments conducted at the outset of international cooperation programmes to establish reference indicators and inform Theory of Change mapping for international development organizations and NGOs.
• Mid-Term Evaluations Interim reviews of ongoing international cooperation programmes, including multi-country field missions, to assess progress and inform programme adjustments for clients such as Mondiaal FNV & CNV-I and 11.11.11.
• Final Evaluations End-of-programme evaluations assessing outcomes and impact of international cooperation programmes for clients such as WSM, ACV-CSCi, ISVI-IFSI, and VLIR-UOS.
• Impact Evaluations Theory-based driven impact evaluations using Theory of Change approaches, including participatory methodology with input from all stakeholders, to produce evidence-based assessments for international cooperation programmes.
• Theory of Change (ToC) Mapping and Validation Participatory mapping of organizational ideas and hypotheses towards achieving desired social change, used as the starting point for the majority of impact evaluations FocusUP carries out.

Quantifiable outcome

• Evaluations conducted across 35+ countries globally
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature2 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tetra Tech International Development: Global development consultancy (formerly Coffey International) delivering monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) services for USAID, DFAT, FCDO, and multilaterals — competes for the same pool of donor-funded evaluation tenders.
• Itad: UK-based specialist monitoring and evaluation consultancy providing independent evaluations for international development donors, multilaterals, and NGOs — directly comparable in service offering, methodology (ToC, mixed-methods), and target client base to FocusUP.
• Oxford Policy Management: International development research and evaluation firm conducting impact evaluations and policy research for bilaterals, multilaterals, and governments — same M&E service lines and donor client mix as FocusUP, at larger scale.
• Ecorys: European research and consulting company with a dedicated international development evaluation practice serving EU institutions, UN agencies, and NGOs — strong overlap with FocusUP's European donor client base and evaluation methodology.
• NIRAS: Nordic-headquartered consulting group with an international development division providing evaluations, baseline studies, and capacity-building for European donors — comparable service portfolio and thematic verticals to FocusUP.
• The Cloudburst Group: US-based international development firm specializing in monitoring, evaluation, and learning for donor-funded programs — directly comparable in M&E service line and donor-client focus, though anchored in the US funding ecosystem.
• Technopolis Group: European evaluation and research consultancy providing impact assessments, policy evaluations, and mixed-methods studies for EU institutions and member-state agencies — directly comparable in evaluation methodology and European donor focus.
• American Institutes for Research (AIR): Major US-based behavioral and social science research organization with an extensive international M&E practice serving USAID, MCC, and education-sector clients — directly comparable in education-sector evaluation work that FocusUP also performs.
• Social Impact: US-based international development M&E firm offering impact evaluations, performance monitoring, and learning services for USAID and other donors — same M&E service category and donor client base, different geographic anchor.

Broad incumbents

• ICF International: Large global consulting firm with a substantial international development practice delivering M&E, survey research, and impact studies for US and multilateral clients — broader portfolio but competes directly for the same evaluation tenders.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Focusup