Böschen IT Investments acquires healthcare ICT provider Brightcare

The transaction, advised by M&A specialist Marktlink, has resulted in a majority stake for Böschen. Brightcare, now a subsidiary of Reliance and part of Böschen IT Investments, specialises in ICT managed services. The current leadership team, headed by CEO Barteld Hoekman, will continue to play a key role in driving the company’s growth and development.

Brightcare’s mission in healthcare ICT: Brightcare is committed to transforming healthcare by delivering efficient and integrated ICT solutions designed to optimise care processes. The company focuses on functional, manageable and integrated solutions that support communication and collaboration in daily healthcare operations. A central part of its offering is the One Device Workplace, allowing care professionals to work securely with just one device, significantly improving both user experience and operational efficiency.

Brightcare also places strong emphasis on Unified Collaboration and Microsoft 365 to enhance teamwork within care organisations. In addition, the company integrates alarm systems and delivers managed ICT services for system maintenance and support, while its secure networking solutions safeguard patient data against cyber threats.

New opportunities for Brightcare: “In the past year and a half, we have been searching for a partner who could match our ambition and provide the resources to accelerate our growth,” said Hoekman. “We are very pleased with our new partnership with Reliance, which enables us to further develop our expertise as a Care Managed Service Provider. This collaboration will benefit our clients and our team and helps us attract new talent and strategic partnerships.”

With a team of around 50 employees, Lourens van der Wiel, Director at Reliance, sees a promising future for Brightcare. “In a highly competitive market, we are always looking for companies that deliver above-average value within a specific sector. The ICT healthcare space offers strong potential, and Brightcare is the ideal way for us to capture that. With its unique proposition and highly experienced management team, we are entering a new phase of growth and innovation in healthcare technology,” said Van der Wiel.

Strategic growth in a booming market: Sven Konijn, consultant at Marktlink, highlighted the market relevance of the acquisition. “The healthcare ICT sector is experiencing significant growth due to rising demand for integrated technological solutions. Trends such as digital patient records, telehealth services and the growing role of AI in healthcare are all contributing to more efficient and accessible care. With this acquisition, Böschen is positioning itself smartly for the future of healthcare.”

Böschen, specialist in real estate and IT investments: Böschen has long been known for its strategic management of high-value retail properties in the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States. Over the past 50 years, the family has acquired the majority of these properties, focusing on upgrading them and securing long-term leases with top-tier tenants. In addition to retail holdings, Böschen also manages a range of office and residential properties.

In 2021, under the leadership of the third generation, Böschen expanded its focus by acquiring its first IT company. Since then, the company has taken a strategic approach to building a portfolio of IT Managed Services Providers and vertical software firms. It follows a permanent ownership strategy, emphasising long-term commitment with no intention to sell.

As part of this shift, Böschen has actively expanded its footprint in the Dutch IT landscape through multiple acquisitions and the launch of subsidiaries such as Reliance and Vertical Horizon. These efforts reflect Böschen’s ambition to accelerate its growth and strengthen its role in the IT sector.