iO: full service agency
iO is a European AI-native partner for design, marketing and technology. We blend design, marketing and technology to create end-to-end experiences that truly matter.
The content of this factsheet is in Dutch.
iO is active as a full-service agency since 2003. We are active in strategy, branding & identity, digital marketing and technology.
We have customers in all sectors: telecommunications and utilities, ports and aviation, education, healthcare and life sciences, professional services, agriculture, government, tourism and recreation, automotive, manufacturing, financial services, and retail.
iO is an AI-native European full-service agency, that combines creativity, technology & consultancy with a ‘digital first’ attitude.
Within our Belgian organization, iO brings together a broad range of expertise, enabling us to deliver end-to-end digital solutions.
Our key strength lies in our ability to seamlessly integrate technology, marketing, and creativity. This allows us to approach every challenge from multiple angles and deliver solutions that are not only technically robust, but also strategically sound and creatively compelling.
- Strategy: develop digital strategies, including market analysis, customer journey mapping, and setting clear KPIs
- Technology: technological solutions, such as web and mobile development, cloud services, and infrastructure
- Digital Marketing: SEO, SEM, social media marketing, performance marketing, email campaigns, and analytics
- Content creation: high-quality content, including copywriting, video production, and graphic design
- User Experience (UX) and design: user-centric design, user research, prototyping, interface design
- Data & insights: data analytics, audience understanding, performance measurement, data-driven decision-making
In addition, we are supported by approximately 1,500 colleagues across Europe (the Netherlands, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Denmark), who provide complementary and specialized expertise depending on local and international needs.
Given our scale and breadth of expertise, iO operates across a wide range of industries. We support clients in sectors including telecommunications and utilities, ports and aviation, education, healthcare and life sciences, professional services, agriculture, government, tourism and recreation, automotive, manufacturing, financial services, and retail.
iO is one of the few agencies in the market that genuinely combines strategic thinking with end-to-end execution - from data and technology to content, design and campaign delivery - under one roof. We bring the scale of a network agency with the accountability of a dedicated partner. In a performance context specifically, this means media, analytics, CRO and content are not siloed but built to reinforce each other. iO's strength is in translating business objectives into measurable digital outcomes, not just channel metrics. And because iO works across the full funnel and customer lifecycle, performance campaigns are grounded in real customer understanding, not just paid media logic. That integrated approach is what turns short-term conversion into long-term growth.
- Internationale merken: Knauf Insulation, Johnson & Johnson, Daikin, Essity, Audi
- Lokale helden: Van Hoecke, Brussels Airport, Primagaz, Destiny, Audi, Partena Professional
- BeBat, Farmaline, Tom&co, Nationale Loterij
- Overheden: Mechelen, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, FAVV, FOD BOSA
How this agency makes money
Revenue, margin and what an hour of work brings in. Everything on the earning side sits together here.
Can the agency take a hit
Buffer, cash position and payment behaviour side by side, so you can see where they disagree.
Signals and strengths
Events from the CBE and the Official Gazette over the past 24 months, plus positive markers derived from the figures.
Continuity
No serious signals- Board change · 8 Aug 2025 · StaatsbladAppointments or resignations on the board. Routine during growth, succession or a new partner. Ask about it when several changes follow each other closely.
- Board change · 23 Dec 2024 · StaatsbladAppointments or resignations on the board. Routine during growth, succession or a new partner. Ask about it when several changes follow each other closely.
What this agency does well
- Gross margin grew 3 years in a row
- Outgrew the sector median 2 years running
- EBITDA margin above the sector median (27,9%)
- Profitable in every one of the last 4 years
- Strong buffer: 7,1 months of payroll in equity
- Team grew (+43,4% FTE in the latest year)
- Value-added per euro of payroll above the sector median (1,36)
- Margin per hour worked rose 3 years in a row
- Comfortable cash position: 76 days of payroll
- Turnover below the median (24,2%)
All the figures
Reference material, not a starting point. Expand it if you want to read the series yourself.
4 financial years, 2021 to 2024Result, staff and balance sheet
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | ||||
| Gross margin | € 17,81 mln | € 19,40 mln+8,9% | € 24,28 mln+25,2% | € 42,13 mln+73,5% |
| EBITDA | € 5,43 mln | € 5,42 mln | € 9,31 mln | € 11,76 mln |
| EBITDA margin | 30,5% | 28% | 38,3% | 27,9% |
| Staff | ||||
| FTE | 247,3 | 252,4+2,1% | 246,4-2,4% | 353,4+43,4% |
| Gross margin per FTE | € 72.024 | € 76.872 | € 98.549 | € 119.215 |
| Payroll cost per FTE | € 825.318 | € 60.225 | € 65.750 | € 91.157 |
| Balance sheet | ||||
| Equity | € 8,31 mln | € 18,61 mln | € 18,88 mln | € 19,01 mln |
| Cash | € 739.264 | € 527.589 | € 2,65 mln | € 6,75 mln |
| Liquidity ratio | 0,53 | 0,22 | 0,27 | 0,58 |
Payroll cost per FTE comes from the social report where available, otherwise from the Remuneration line. Both are gross costs including employer contributions.
What this factsheet does not know
- How good the work is. Figures do not measure creativity, strategy or chemistry.
- How the client portfolio is spread. Concentration is not in the accounts.
- Freelancers and subcontractors are not in the FTE figures. An agency with 40 staff may in practice run with 70 people.
- This agency files an abbreviated or micro scheme and therefore publishes no staff data. Seniority, turnover and hourly level cannot be derived. This is entirely legal and says nothing about quality.
- The figures cover financial year 2025, filed on 14/07/2026. At a fast-moving agency reality today may differ.
Based on publicly filed annual accounts (NBB) and official records (CBE, Belgian Official Gazette). An indication, not financial advice. Sector medians calculated on 2 Nov 2026. Sector medians based on financial year 2025: the last year for which nearly all accounts have been filed.
What the agency actually does 63 services
Sector focus
Publicly known clients
Based on IKAg research and public sources. Incomplete or outdated? Let us know.
People 17 people mapped
The titles skew top-heavy: lots of seniority, few juniors — you're mostly buying experience. A wide leadership layer: 6 of 17 steer. Notably, no declared strategists in sight — this agency would rather make than philosophise.
Based on public profiles. Something wrong? Let us know.
Will your team stay?
Inflow and outflow from the social report. This series only counts people on the payroll: freelancers who invoice do not appear in it. A low figure therefore means two very different things, a stable permanent team or a small core with heavy outsourcing. A high figure usually points to short contracts. Compare only within the same type of agency.
Figures for financial year 2024: in 2025 this agency published no inflow or outflow.
Source: annual accounts and social reports (NBB), collected by IKAg. Financial year 2025. Calculations by IKAg; an indication, not financial advice. Sector medians based on financial year 2025: the last year for which nearly all accounts have been filed.
Official partnerships 1 badge(s)
As published in the platforms' official partner directories, collected by IKAg.
Award-winning work 20 award(s)
Agency of the Year GoldAI Pioneer · source ↗
- AI Pioneer Agency
- Emerce100 - Best e-business providers in the Netherlands
IAB MIXX Awards SilverE-Commerce · “SupraBazar” · source ↗
- Most Valuable Professional (Sitecore)
- Splash Awards - Enterprise (Plopsa case)
Feweb Excellence Awards WinnerAccessibility Champ · source ↗
Feweb Excellence Awards WinnerProduct Launch Champ · source ↗
- Globey Awards - Best in show (Laika13 case)
IAB MIXX Awards BronzeBest Use of AI · “M Leuven” · source ↗
- Strategy Awards - GOLD in Behaviour (Laika13 case)
WebAward.be WinnerAccessibility (Digital Champs) · source ↗
IAB MIXX Awards SilverUX/UI Journey · “Canon Van Vlaanderen” · source ↗
Feweb Excellence Awards Grand PrixApplication of the Year · “Van Hoecke digital order intake” · source ↗
WebAward.be WinnerApplication of the Year · “Van Hoecke” · source ↗
Feweb Excellence Awards GoldNon-Profit · “Provincie Antwerpen” · source ↗
IAB MIXX Awards BronzeBest Interface · “Audi Belgium” · source ↗
IAB MIXX Awards GoldBest Use of Technology · “Audi Belgium” · source ↗
IAB MIXX Awards SilverBest Content Marketing · “Audi Belgium” · source ↗
Feweb Excellence Awards SilverBusiness-to-Business · “Volvo application” · source ↗
As published by the organising award shows, collected by IKAg.
Frequently asked questions about iO
- When was iO founded?
- In 2005.
- Where is iO located?
- In Antwerpen, Belgium.
- What is iO specialised in?
- AI & innovation strategy, Brand strategy & positioning, Customer & audience strategy, Customer value propositions & business development, Data & martech strategy, Marketing strategy.
- How big is iO?
- Around 353 full-time equivalents (financial year 2024).
- Which sectors does iO work for?
- Hospitality & tourism, Industry & manufacturing, Public sector & non-profit, Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare & pharma.
- Who are the clients of iO?
- Among others Volvo Penta, Bridgestone, Farmaline, Polestar, Artipelag, AP Hogeschool, Viascore.
Figures from the annual accounts up to financial year 2024. Company details checked against the CBE register on 2026-10-23.