TNW Programs joins Dutch management consulting firm nlmtd

TNW Programs, an advisory, incubation and training company dedicated to fast-tracking innovation, has been acquired by Dutch management consulting firm nlmtd.

Amsterdam-based TNW Programs is currently part of The Next Web (TNW), a Financial Times company that is best known for its tech media reporting and its annual TNW Conference. Financial Times initially bought a controlling stake in TNW in 2019, and last year upped its stake to 100% ownership.

Per January 1st, 2025, TNW Programs will be carved-out from TNW and join nlmtd, a leading management consultancy in the Netherlands (and a B Corp) with a team of around 100 consultants and staff. nlmtd works with corporates, mid-market companies, governments and investors on topics including strategy, innovation, business transformation, sustainability, and digital. Clients include Schiphol, TenneT, ProRail, Port of Rotterdam, NN, and TechLeap.

The bolt-on of TNW Programs will add a team of around 20 experts to nlmtd, significantly boosting its innovation offerings, including in areas such as innovation strategy, incubation, corporate venturing, open innovation, ecosystems, and more.

Pieter Paul van Oerle, founder of nlmtd, said that the joining of forces will provide both companies with a boost to realizing their respective missions. “We are very complementary to each other. While TNW Programs excels in tech and startups, nlmtd brings deep sector expertise and strategy and innovation expertise. Together, we can guide clients through the full innovation cycle – from strategy development to actually implementing solutions.”

From partners to one team

The deal builds on a longstanding relationship between the two firms at joint clients such as Alliander, ABN Amro, Intergov, Fudura, Schiphol, and Stedin, and on a more personal level, will see Van Oerle reunite with Arno Nijhof, director at TNW Programs.

Eight years ago, when both were working for TNW, they teamed up to successfully concept and launch TNW Programs, setting the foundation for its current success. While Nijhof remained with TNW Programs, Van Oerle went on to focus on expanding nlmtd, which he founded following a dozen years at Accenture.

FLtR: Arno Nijhof (TNW Programs), Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten (TNW) and Pieter Paul van Oerle (nlmtd)

“When TNW asked us to build TNW Programs to meet the needs of its commercial and government clients, we didn’t hesitate. Building a new service under the wings of one of the world’s greatest ecosystem companies was amazing,” said Van Oerle.

“In recent years, I’ve collaborated daily with the fantastic TNW Programs team on our nlmtd clients. When the chance arose to integrate both teams, I didn’t hesitate again. Together, we’ll work more seamlessly and help accelerate and expand our impact on major societal transitions.”

Nijhof meanwhile emphasized that under the wings of nlmtd, TNW Programs will be able to continue its growth by broadening its services and expanding its network. “To grow further, a larger commercial network is crucial, as is senior expertise to enhance complex project quality. We believe nlmtd offers precisely these elements.”

Retaining the TNW Programs brand

As part of the deal with the Financial Times, TNW Programs has retained its brand and go-to-market approach. TNW Programs will maintain a close connection with TNW, providing advisory services and innovation programs to its client network. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Jon Slade, Chief Commercial Officer at the Financial Times, commented: “It has been a pleasure working with the TNW Programs team, and we are pleased to have found a place where their talent can further develop – we look forward to valuable collaboration with this talented team in the coming years.”