Amsterdam-based Entopic, a platform that creates concepts and content to increase the effectiveness of online communication, marketing, and sales, announced that it has been acquired by Antwerp-based digital agency firm iO (formerly known as Intracto Group).
iO combines in-depth expertise in strategy, technology, marketing, content, and creation and the acquisition of Entopic adds 75 online content experts to the iO Campus Amsterdam.
What does Entopic offer?
Entopic claims to be a specialised online content agency with over 20 years of experience. It provides online content, content management, and content optimisation for its customers. In 2020, Entopic had over 200 content professionals working for more than 150 clients.
Entopic founders Theo Hylkema and Hans Postma believe iO is the perfect fit for their next step even though the acquisition means that they need to say goodbye to Entopic.
The founders said, “We started almost 22 years ago with online content management and web editing in a time when those were still fairly new concepts. We know the Entopic team is in good hands at iO. This solid and ambitious group will give our team a future full of possibilities and opportunities to grow.”
About iO and the aim of this acquisition
Founded in 2005 by Pieter Janssens, iO offers strategy, content creation, marketing, and technology to create opportunities for national and international clients such as Audi, Brussels Airport, Eneco, and Sodexo.
On campuses in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Bulgaria, iO works with clients to streamline their communications and digital transformation. According to the company, its campuses are real knowledge centres where working, meeting, and inspiration go hand in hand. Over 1,375 specialists work in these fields at nine different locations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Speaking on the acquisition, Brian Hirman, Director M&A at iO, says, “As a large and renowned content agency, Entopic has played a prominent role in the optimisation of online content for many businesses and governments. Our clients have also come to notice that good content is indispensable in their online propositions.”
“We have collaborated with Entopic in the past already and it worked. Entopic has team spirit, development and ambition ingrained in its DNA, just like we do. Entopic joining our team is – again – a great step forward,” adds Hirman.
Hylkema and Postma also further said, “We notice a growing demand among our clients for an agency that, in addition to content, can provide support and advice across multiple fields of expertise. For a few years now, we’ve been working with other agencies that specialise in technology or marketing, for instance, in order to fill that demand. Within iO, our clients can find all services under one roof. And we have the opportunity to help our clients even better.”
Entopic’s management team of Danny van Steijn (Operations & Commerce), Eelko Wester (Content & Strategy) and Jeroen Zwarthoed (Finance), will also be joining iO.
iO’s recent development
In April, iO acquired another Amsterdam-based digital marketing agency, Orangedotcom. After the acquisition, iO had claimed that it is further developing an integrated full-service agency.
The acquisition also saw iO add 30 more team members to Campus Amsterdam. Both Orangedotcom founders, Arnoud and Michael, are now actively working for growth at the Amsterdam campus.
Prior to that, the company also acquired Marlon and Mia Interactive in February 2021, and We are you in November 2020.
01
From telecom veteran to Dutch Startup Visa success: The Jignesh Dave story