Intermax Group joins DEC-Alliance

Joining strengthens the continuity of vital IT services within the Dutch entrepreneurial network

Rotterdam/Den Bosch, 9 December 2025 – Intermax Group (IMG) is joining the DEC-Alliance (Dutch Entrepreneur Continuity Alliance), the entrepreneurial alliance co-initiated in 2024 by Ludo Baauw. With this step, Intermax Group strengthens continuity for vital sectors in the areas of service delivery, entrepreneurship, and ownership within an alliance firmly rooted in the Netherlands.

Intermax Group, founded more than thirty years ago by CEO Ludo Baauw, is active in managed services, cloud security, and digital continuity for healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, employing approximately 275 people across seven companies. Intermax manages critical IT systems and cloud services for Dutch hospitals and various government organisations.

Control over digital infrastructure under pressure

Digital autonomy and sovereignty are increasingly prominent on the societal and political agenda. In recent months, the Dutch House of Representatives has submitted multiple parliamentary questions regarding American acquisitions of Dutch IT companies that provide critical services. In September, Zivver was the subject (secure email for the Public Prosecution Service and Dutch hospitals), and in November Solvinity (provides digital infrastructure for DigiD and MijnOverheid). The NCTV also points out in its reports the growing vulnerability caused by interdependencies within vital infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, Intermax Group is consciously choosing a long-term collaboration and ownership model that ensures entrepreneurship and decision-making authority remain sustainably in Dutch hands.

“For vital sectors, continuity is not a luxury but a prerequisite,” says Ludo Baauw, CEO of Intermax Group and co-founder of DEC-Alliance. “If you provide digital infrastructure to about thirty percent of Dutch hospitals, you cannot build your business model on capital that is primarily focused on resale. I cannot explain to my customers if Intermax Group becomes a commodity or a pawn in geopolitical interests. That is why we established DEC-Alliance at the time: to safeguard ownership and continuity for customers, employees, and society.”

Collaboration within DEC-Alliance

Within DEC-Alliance, experienced entrepreneurs share ownership and participate indirectly in one another’s enterprises. This protects the affiliated companies from unwanted takeovers by short-term or foreign investors, and shields them from geopolitical pressure and foreign legislation. Individual companies continue to operate independently and retain their identity. Entrepreneurs work alongside co-investors who commit to the same long-term perspective. The alliance facilitates knowledge sharing and cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud, and digital continuity. The model also provides room for employee participation and business succession.

With Intermax Group and the previously joined Avisi Groep, DEC-Alliance now comprises ten specialised tech companies operating in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

“With DEC-Alliance, we are building an alliance where established companies can grow and innovate while preserving their independence,” says Erik Leus, co-founder and managing partner of DEC-Alliance. “We believe that sustainable value creation stems from responsible entrepreneurship: caring for customers, employees, and society. Profit is not a goal in itself but the result of craftsmanship and stable ownership. Ludo Baauw and I initiated DEC-Alliance based on that conviction. The addition of Intermax Group is a logical next step.”

End of press release

About DEC Alliance

DEC-Alliance is a Dutch cooperative alliance of active entrepreneurs, built on an investment company as its foundation. The alliance focuses on strengthening and safeguarding the Dutch and European digital backbone. Affiliated companies participate in each other’s organisations and work with co-investors to enable growth and innovation in vital sectors.

More information: www.dec-alliance.com

About Intermax Group

Intermax Group has been a specialist in managed services, cloud security and digital continuity for healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure for more than thirty years. The group consists of Intermax, i3 Groep, Bizway, Guida, Guardian360, Gridly and NFIR, and employs approximately 275 people.

More information: www.img.nl