The educational research services industry in Benelux focuses on enhancing learning through technology and innovative methodologies. Companies in this sector include startups and established firms, providing solutions ranging from online educational platforms to advanced research tools. Growth in this space is driven by increasing demand for personalized learning, remote education solutions, and data analysis for educational outcomes. With tech advancements like AI and virtual learning environments, the future looks promising, showcasing a trend toward interactive and engaging educational experiences. Furthermore, investment continues to pour in, highlighting a robust commitment to shaping the future of education.


This article profiles 13 noteworthy investors in the educational research services field across the Benelux region. The list features a mix of venture capital and corporate investors based in locations like Brussels and Amsterdam, primarily ranging from small firms with less than ten staff to larger entities employing over 10,000. Established from 1836 to 2019, these investors collectively funded a significant number of educational initiatives in 2024, with the European Innovation Council leading the pack with 57 deals. Each investor contributes uniquely to fostering growth and innovation in educational technologies.


Top 13 Educational Research Services Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1958, that supports innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. It offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, in 2024, the EIC provided grants to educational institutions such as King's College London, which raised $4,320,480, and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, which raised $4,326,181. Additionally, the EIC has supported innovative educational technology companies like Robo Wunderkind, which received grants totaling $1,893,565. These transactions highlight the EIC's active role in promoting educational research and innovation.


2. Brighteye Ventures


Brighteye Ventures is a Luxembourg-based venture capital fund founded in 2017, specializing in Edtech investments. The firm supports early-stage Edtech startups by providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts. Their investment portfolio includes notable transactions such as TeachFX, which raised $850,000 in 2019 to enhance classroom engagement through technology; Memby, a Lithuania-based EdTech startup that secured $1 million in pre-seed funding in 2021; and Ucademy, a Spanish Edtech company that raised over €1.5 million in a Series A round in 2023 to expand in Latin America. Other investments include Ribbon Education, which raised $1.87 million in 2022, and Aula Education, which raised $4.2 million in 2018 to develop a digital campus platform. These investments reflect Brighteye Ventures' commitment to advancing educational technology and research services.


3. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides a range of financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services. The EIB focuses on supporting sustainable projects across various sectors, including education. In recent years, the EIB has been involved in several significant transactions within the educational sector, providing debt financing to institutions such as Ulster University, which raised approximately $250 million in 2014, and University College Dublin, which secured around $405 million in 2021. Additionally, Trinity College Dublin received over $115 million in 2018 and approximately $78 million in 2019, while Dublin City University was awarded a grant of about $263 million in 2016. These transactions highlight the EIB's role in facilitating growth and job creation within the educational research services sector.


4. Prosus Group

  • Website: prosus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: prosus-group

Prosus Group is a global technology investor and operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2019. The firm focuses on enhancing everyday life through technology across various sectors, including online classifieds, food delivery, payments, and notably, education technology. Prosus serves over two billion customers worldwide and partners with local entrepreneurs to foster community growth and sustainable business practices. In the educational research services context, Prosus has made significant investments in Brainly, a Polish edtech startup, participating in multiple funding rounds including Series B, Series C, and Series D, with total investments amounting to over $100 million. These investments highlight Prosus's commitment to advancing educational technology and improving user experiences in the sector.


5. Sofina

  • Website: sofinagroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sofina

Sofina is a Brussels-based investment company founded in 1898, specializing in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. Notably, Sofina has made significant investments in the educational technology sector, including a leading role in funding rounds for Knewton, a company focused on adaptive learning solutions for higher education. In 2016, Sofina participated in a $52 million Series E-K funding round for Knewton, aimed at accelerating the rollout of personalized learning solutions globally. Additionally, they were involved in a $50 million funding round for BYJU'S, which is known for its innovative educational offerings. These transactions highlight Sofina's commitment to supporting advancements in educational research and technology.


6. Rubio Impact Ventures


Rubio Impact Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in impact investing, providing growth capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs tackling significant social and environmental challenges. Their investment areas include clean energy, mental health, and education, emphasizing collaboration with portfolio companies. Notably, Rubio has invested in several educational technology startups, including Cleverly, which offers personalized online coaching for children, and Lingvist, a language learning app that raised €5.1 million. Additionally, they supported Winc Academy, which aims to prepare adults for tech careers through educational courses. These transactions highlight Rubio's active role in the educational sector, reinforcing their commitment to fostering innovative solutions in education.


7. Wolters Kluwer

  • Website: wolterskluwer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Alphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1836
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: wolters-kluwer

Wolters Kluwer N.V. is a prominent information services company based in Alphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands, with a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees. Founded in 1836, the company specializes in providing software solutions and services across various professional sectors, including healthcare, legal, tax, accounting, finance, and compliance. Wolters Kluwer supports professionals by offering tools that enhance productivity and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Notably, in the realm of educational research services, Wolters Kluwer Health has made significant acquisitions, including NurseTim, a provider of nursing education solutions, and Firecracker, a medical education platform utilized by 20% of medical students. These acquisitions reflect the company's strategic focus on enhancing educational resources in the healthcare sector. Additionally, Wolters Kluwer has acquired Medknow Publications, a journal publisher, and IJS Publishing Group, which provides peer-reviewed medical journals, further solidifying its position in the educational research landscape.


8. MPA Capital

  • Website: mpa.capital
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: mpaeducation

MPA Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2019. The firm is dedicated to supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs and companies that focus on addressing the human talent shortage. MPA Capital provides both investment and consultancy services, particularly in the EdTech sector, aiming to enhance workforce engagement and promote lifelong learning opportunities. Their client base includes businesses and organizations that are navigating labor and skills shortages. Notable transactions include investments in Kide Science, which raised $1,127,550 in a seed round, and MyStudies, which secured $500,000 in a seed round. Additionally, MPA Capital participated in the funding of Blackbullion, a financial edtech platform, which raised £2.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round, further demonstrating their commitment to the educational technology space.


9. Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio


Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. As part of the Mediahuis media group, it operates across Europe, focusing on independent journalism and diverse media services. The firm has made several notable investments in the educational sector, including a significant $50 million Series B funding round for Perlego, a startup that offers a subscription service for academic textbooks, which has gained traction with 400,000 paying subscribers and partnerships with 5,000 education publishers. Additionally, Mediahuis has invested in Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, contributing to its funding rounds aimed at enhancing educational technology and infrastructure. These investments highlight Mediahuis's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the educational research services space.


10. European Research Council (ERC)


The European Research Council (ERC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established in 2007 to provide funding for scientific research across Europe. The ERC offers various grant opportunities aimed at supporting innovative projects and advancing knowledge in multiple fields, including education. Notably, the ERC has awarded grants to institutions such as University College Dublin, which raised approximately $2.8 million in 2019 for educational research initiatives. Additionally, the ERC has funded projects at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the John Innes Centre, where a €2 million grant was awarded to improve global wheat production through educational research in genetic engineering. These transactions highlight the ERC's commitment to supporting frontier research and enhancing the scientific landscape, including educational research services.


11. NPM Capital

  • Website: npm-capital.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1948
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: npm-capital

NPM Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1948. The firm specializes in supporting medium-sized and large companies, particularly family-owned enterprises in the Benelux region. NPM Capital provides capital and strategic advisory services to help these businesses achieve growth and sustainability. The firm operates across various sectors, including technology and education, emphasizing long-term partnerships with its portfolio companies. Notably, NPM Capital has made significant investments in the educational sector, acquiring companies such as Infinitas Learning, which focuses on educational resources, and Iddink Group, a provider of educational technology solutions. Additionally, the acquisition of Futurewhiz, the parent company of online learning platforms Squla and WRTS, further highlights NPM Capital's commitment to the educational research services industry. These transactions demonstrate NPM Capital's active role in fostering innovation and growth within the education sector.


12. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. It specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has made notable investments in the educational sector, including a 30% stake in GEMS Education, a leading global education provider, valued at around $1 billion. Additionally, CVC acquired 100% of the online education group Multiversity, previously investing in a 50% stake for 225 million euros in 2019. These transactions highlight CVC's strategic focus on delivering sustainable value and growth within the educational research services industry, alongside its broader investment portfolio.


13. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across various sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably. Notably, they have made significant investments in the educational sector, including a majority equity investment in Studiekring, a tutoring provider in the Netherlands, aimed at doubling its size over the next few years. Additionally, they have been involved in transactions related to sofatutor, an online learning platform, which further emphasizes their engagement in educational services. Their clientele primarily consists of entrepreneurial companies seeking capital and expertise to navigate market challenges, making them a versatile investor in the educational research services landscape.



Educational Research Services Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Brighteye VenturesLuxembourg1-1020177
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
Prosus GroupAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+201921
SofinaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20018984
Rubio Impact VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-10201413
Wolters KluwerAlphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands10001+18364
MPA CapitalBrussels, Brussels, Belgium1-1020190
Mediahuis Technology & Product StudioAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands201-50020205
European Research Council (ERC)Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, Brussels, Belgium201-50020071
NPM CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019481
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808


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