babbage
Babbage is a Dutch assistive technology provider founded in 2000, supplying hardware, software, custom scripting, and training to enable workplace and digital accessibility for individuals with visual, motor, or reading impairments across the Netherlands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersRoosendaal, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What babbage does
Babbage is a Dutch assistive technology provider founded in 2000 and headquartered in Roosendaal, Netherlands. The company supplies hardware, software, custom scripting, training, and workplace accessibility services to individuals with visual, motor, or reading impairments, as well as to corporate and government employers seeking to make workplaces and digital services accessible. Its product portfolio spans braille displays, screen magnifiers, eye-tracking systems, head mice, speech recognition tools, and wearable cameras (OrCam, Envision Glasses, eSight), together with screen reader software (JAWS, SuperNova, NVDA) and its proprietary in-house developed Ultimate Screen Access (USA). Babbage differentiates through end-to-end service delivery (assessment, supply, custom scripting for enterprise applications, installation, training, and ongoing support), its accredited Babbage Academy training methodology, and a project management approach assigning a dedicated project manager per workplace accessibility case.
The company monetizes through a hybrid model combining hardware and software sales (often reimbursed via UWV or healthcare insurers), recurring service contracts on braille displays (All-in, Regular, and Intensive tiers), professional services for workplace implementations and WCAG 2.1 accessibility audits, and accredited training delivered through Babbage Academy. Babbage employs approximately 16 staff and operates exclusively in the Netherlands, serving individual end users through institutional referral channels (UWV, CZ-groep, Achmea, Visio, Bartiméus) and a portfolio of enterprise clients including KPN (its flagship in-house supplier relationship), Rabobank, ABN AMRO, ING, Capgemini, and PwC.
Distribution is anchored by direct enterprise field sales and a partner-driven referral network, with marketing amplified by an active content engine (Dutch-language website, customer stories, monthly newsletter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, the Inclusive Careers podcast, and trade show presence at VeineDAGEN and ZiezoBEURS). Recent strategic actions include the Inclusive4all joint initiative with vhp Human Performance (extending scope into physical and organizational inclusion), the 2025 launch of the Activator communication solution for deafblind users, 2025 obstacle detection eyewear, and the 2026 availability of the MagniLink Go. The company is privately held, founder-led (Mario de Nijs as Technical Director, Marianne de Nijs as Financial Director), and has not raised external funding.
babbage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- babbage
- Legal name
- Babbage
- Website
- https://babbage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Babbage is a Dutch assistive technology provider founded in 2000, supplying hardware, software, custom scripting, and training to enable workplace and digital accessibility for individuals with visual, motor, or reading impairments across the Netherlands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
babbage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Assistive Technology Services
- NAICS
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (8112)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD), Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Assistive Vision & Screen Access (Screen Readers, Magnification, Braille Displays/Notetakers) (EDAFAKAD), Assistive Listening & Accessibility AV Infrastructure (Hearing loops, captioning hardware) (EDAEAHAN)
Keywords
Where babbage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roosendaal
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
babbage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Assistive Technology Hardware Sales: Babbage sells a broad range of assistive hardware including braille displays, braille printers, screen magnifiers, eye-tracking systems, head mice, wearable cameras (OrCam, Envision Glasses, eSight), and mobile reading devices. Hardware is sold as one-time purchases to individual end users (often reimbursed via UWV or healthcare insurers) or to organizations for workplace adaptations.
- Software Licensing and Sales: Sale and licensing of screen reader software (JAWS, SuperNova, NVDA, USA, ZoomText), speech recognition software (Dragon), and other accessibility software packages. Software may be sold as perpetual licenses or as part of a broader solution package.
- Service Contracts for Braille Displays: Babbage offers three levels of service contracts for braille displays: All-in, Regular (Regulier), and Intensive (Intensief). These contracts provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, and support beyond the standard warranty period. All braille displays supplied through UWV include either a Regular or Intensive contract.
- Workplace Accessibility Implementation Services: Babbage provides comprehensive workplace accessibility services including software accessibility research, custom scripting, hardware installation, configuration, and training. This is a professional services stream targeting employers and public sector organizations.
- Digital Accessibility Services for Organizations: Babbage's Digital Accessibility division offers WCAG 2.1 accessibility audits (using WCAG-EM methodology), awareness training, and in-depth technical training to businesses and government organizations. Organizations can also receive a Babbage accessibility certification/keurmerk upon meeting standards. A free initial scan is offered as lead generation.
- Babbage Academy Training: Babbage Academy provides accredited training for two audiences: (1) end users with disabilities who need to optimize their use of assistive devices, and (2) supporting professionals (ergotherapists, labor experts, job coaches) who advise people with disabilities. Training is customized to individual needs and delivered on-site or at Babbage's facilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Service contract All-in (Onderhoudscontract All in) |
| Subscription | Annual | Service contract Regular (Regulier) |
| Subscription | Annual | Service contract Intensive (Intensief) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Babbage Academy User Training |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Training for Professionals |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Digital Accessibility Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
babbage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Babbage supplies assistive technology hardware (braille displays, screen magnifiers, eye-tracking systems, head mice, OrCam and Envision wearable cameras, speech recognition devices) and software (the proprietary Ultimate Screen Access screen reader, plus JAWS, SuperNova, NVDA, ZoomText, Dragon) to individuals with visual, motor, or reading impairments. The company complements these products with workplace accessibility implementation services including custom scripting for enterprise software, Babbage Academy accredited training programs for users and supporting professionals, recurring service contracts for braille displays, and WCAG 2.1 digital accessibility audits and certification for businesses and government organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ultimate Screen Access (USA) Proprietary screen reader and accessibility software developed and produced in-house by Babbage, designed for users with visual impairments. Works in combination with braille displays and provides speech output, and is sold alongside third-party screen readers such as JAWS, SuperNova, and NVDA.
- Babbage Academy Training Programs Accredited training programs for two audiences: (1) end users with visual or motor disabilities who need to optimize their use of assistive devices, and (2) supporting professionals such as ergotherapists, labor experts, and job coaches. Training is tailored to individual skill assessments, focuses on professional use, and covers the full range of assistive technology regardless of brand.
- Digital Accessibility Services (WCAG 2.1 Audits and Certification) Digital Accessibility division service offering WCAG 2.1 accessibility audits using the WCAG-EM methodology, awareness training, and in-depth technical training for businesses and government organizations. Organizations meeting standards can receive a Babbage accessibility certification/keurmerk. A free initial scan is provided as lead generation.
- Workplace Accessibility Implementation Services Comprehensive workplace accessibility service including Software Accessibility Research (STO), custom scripting for enterprise business applications, hardware installation, configuration, and training. Each engagement is run as a project with a dedicated Babbage project manager and targets employers and public sector organizations.
- Braille Display Service Contracts (All-in, Regular, Intensive) Three-tier recurring maintenance contract offering for braille displays covering ongoing maintenance, repairs, and support beyond the standard warranty period. All braille displays supplied through UWV include either a Regular or Intensive contract.
- Assistive Technology Hardware Supply Sale of assistive hardware including braille displays, braille printers, screen magnifiers, eye-tracking systems, head mice, wearable cameras (OrCam, Envision Glasses, eSight), mobile reading devices, and OCR scanners (iRead Now, ReadEasy Evolve). Hardware is sold as one-time purchases to individual end users (often reimbursed via UWV or healthcare insurers) or to organizations for workplace adaptations.
- Screen Reader and Speech Recognition Software Supply Sale and licensing of screen reader software (JAWS, SuperNova, NVDA, USA, ZoomText) and speech recognition software (Dragon), sold as perpetual licenses or as part of a broader solution package including configuration and training.
- Activator — Communication Solution for Deafblind Users
Quantifiable outcome
- Babbage has helped hundreds of people with disabilities to study, work, and participate independently in society.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use babbage
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
babbage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability9 records
Feature4 records
babbage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, notable and minor.
- UWVcoreUWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen) is the Dutch employee insurance institution that provides funding and reimbursement approvals for assistive technology for employees with disabilities. UWV refers individuals to Babbage for solutions and approves funding for workplace adaptations, braille displays, and other assistive devices. Babbage works with UWV case managers and labor experts to deliver comprehensive solutions.
- CZ-groepcoreCZ-groep is a Dutch health insurance provider that reimburses assistive technology (hulpmiddelen) for policyholders with disabilities. As a partner, CZ-groep channels insured individuals to Babbage for approved devices and services covered under the health insurance plan.
- VisiocoreVisio is a Dutch rehabilitation center specializing in support for people with visual impairments. Visio refers clients to Babbage for assistive technology and collaborates on training and workplace accessibility projects. Babbage refers clients to Visio for basic computer skills training that falls outside Babbage's scope.
- BartiméuscoreBartiméus is a Dutch organization providing education and support for people with visual impairments. Bartiméus refers clients to Babbage for advanced assistive technology solutions and collaborates on supporting students with visual disabilities in their educational journeys.
- CtalentscoreCtalents is a Dutch recruitment specialist that places talent who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired in employment. Ctalents refers placed candidates to Babbage for assistive technology solutions and workplace adaptations. Babbage is a fixed (preferred) partner of Ctalents for technology support. Babbage was nominated by Ctalents for the Diamond Award.
- KPNflagshipKPN is a key enterprise client and has made Babbage its in-house supplier for workplace accessibility solutions. Babbage has set up multiple accessible workstations for blind and visually impaired KPN employees, providing hardware, software, custom scripting, installation, and ongoing support. KPN is Babbage's most prominent corporate reference.
- RabobanknotableRabobank is a Dutch banking client of Babbage for workplace accessibility solutions. Frans van den Top of Rabobank was featured in Babbage's Inclusive Careers podcast discussing removing barriers for employees with disabilities.
- a.s.r.minora.s.r. is a Dutch insurance company listed among Babbage's client/partner organizations.
- AchmeaminorAchmea is a Dutch insurance company listed among Babbage's client/partner organizations.
- GGMDminorGGMD (Doofblindengemeenschap) is a Dutch organization for deaf-blind individuals listed as a partner of Babbage.
- Inclusive4allnotableInclusive4all is a joint initiative between Babbage and vhp Human Performance focused on comprehensive accessibility including buildings, environments, processes, and procedures — extending beyond digital accessibility into physical and organizational inclusion.
- ABN AMROminorABN AMRO is a Dutch banking client of Babbage, listed among partner organizations.
- INGminorING is a Dutch banking client of Babbage, listed among partner organizations.
- CapgeminiminorCapgemini is a Dutch consulting firm client of Babbage, listed among partner organizations.
- PwC NetherlandsminorPwC Netherlands is listed among Babbage's client organizations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
babbage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LVI Low Vision International: Swedish manufacturer of MagniLink reading aids and low-vision equipment that Babbage distributes in the Netherlands. Babbage launched MagniLink Go in 2026, making LVI both a supplier and a partial competitor.
- OrCam Technologies: Israel/US maker of wearable AI assistive devices (OrCam MyEye, OrCam Read) that Babbage resells, configures, and trains customers on. OrCam also sells direct, making it a partially overlapping competitor.
- Level Level: Dutch digital accessibility consultancy offering WCAG audits, training, and remediation. Directly competes with Babbage's Digital Accessibility division for the same Dutch enterprise and government customers.
- HumanWare: Canadian manufacturer of braille displays, braille notetakers, and low-vision devices with global distribution. Overlaps with Babbage's braille and low-vision product portfolio and end-user customer segments.
- Optelec: Netherlands-based manufacturer of video magnifiers and low-vision aids with overlapping product lines and a shared Dutch distribution market. Comparable specialist AT manufacturer competing for similar institutional and end-user customers.
- Dolphin Computer Access: UK-based developer of screen reader and magnifier software (SuperNova) that Babbage resells and integrates. Dolphin operates a comparable model of selling AT solutions to individuals and enterprises with blindness or low vision.
Broad incumbents
- Freedom Scientific (Vispero): US-based market leader in screen readers (JAWS) and a broad assistive technology catalog. JAWS is resold by Babbage, but Vispero also sells direct to Dutch and European end users, making it a broad incumbent competitor.
- Deque Systems: US-headquartered global leader in digital accessibility including axe-core tooling, WCAG audits, and training. A broad incumbent competing with Babbage's Digital Accessibility division for enterprise and public-sector mandates.
Emerging players
- NV Access: Australian non-profit behind the free NVDA screen reader, which Babbage resells and supports. NV Access competes as a free alternative to JAWS and SuperNova and shapes Babbage's screen-reader mix.
- AI Squared: US-based developer of ZoomText screen magnification and large-print software that Babbage resells and integrates. Competes for the same screen-magnification use cases Babbage addresses in workplaces and education.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
babbage social profiles
Digital presencebabbage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
babbage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
babbage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
babbage 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 babbage
What does babbage do?
Babbage supplies assistive technology hardware (braille displays, screen magnifiers, eye-tracking systems, head mice, OrCam and Envision wearable cameras, speech recognition devices) and software (the proprietary Ultimate Screen Access screen reader, plus JAWS, SuperNova, NVDA, ZoomText, Dragon) to individuals with visual, motor, or reading impairments. The company complements these products with workplace accessibility implementation services including custom scripting for enterprise software, Babbage Academy accredited training programs for users and supporting professionals, recurring service contracts for braille displays, and WCAG 2.1 digital accessibility audits and certification for businesses and government organizations.
Is babbage a public or private company?
babbage is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was babbage founded?
babbage was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is babbage based?
babbage is headquartered in Roosendaal, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does babbage make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Assistive Technology Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing and Sales, service Contracts for Braille Displays, workplace Accessibility Implementation Services, digital Accessibility Services for Organizations and babbage Academy Training.
Who are babbage's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LVI Low Vision International, OrCam Technologies, Level Level, HumanWare, Optelec and Dolphin Computer Access. Broad incumbents are Freedom Scientific (Vispero) and Deque Systems. Emerging players are NV Access and AI Squared.
Does babbage have an API?
No public API is recorded for babbage.
What industry is babbage in?
babbage's product category is Assistive Technology Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAIAF, Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification), with a secondary code of EDAKAIAD, Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards). Its NAICS code is 8112 and its SIC code is 3851.