bol logo — Leader in online sales of books, entertainment, electronic d...

bol

Leader in online sales of books, entertainment, electronic devices and toys

Founded 1999 The Netherlands The Netherlands 5014 employees Acquired Total: $350.00M E-Commerce, Education +1

General Information

Company Name bol
Founded Year 1999
Location The Netherlands The Netherlands +2
Employees 5014
Industries E-Commerce, Education, Hardware
Funding Stage Acquired

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Recorded by Bounce Watch from public sources. Every entry below carries the date we observed it, and when we have not looked recently the page says so rather than leaving silence to imply nothing happened.

Certification Sep 03, 2026

bol has been re-certified as a B Corp™, a recognition of its positive impact on people, society, and the environment, with standards tightened by B Lab.

About bol

Bol.com is a pivotal player in the e-commerce sector, particularly within the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. As the largest platform in this region, it boasts over 7.5 million active users. The company's marketplace model empowers third-party sellers to list their products, allowing Bol.com to offer a vast array of selections without the burden of inventory management.

With its founding in 1999, Bol.com has successfully positioned itself as a leader in online sales within the categories of books, entertainment, electronic devices, and toys. The revenue streams are mainly derived from commissions on sales by partnering sellers.

The most significant financial milestone noted in its history was a substantial €350.00M acquisition investment on 01 February 2012, underscoring investor confidence in its business model. As Bol.com continues to strengthen its market position, it remains a compelling subject for investors eyeing solid growth in the e-commerce, education, and hardware industries.

Taxonomy: eCommerce, Online Retail, Marketplace, Books, Electronics, Entertainment, Toys, Third-Party Sellers, Commission-Based Revenue, Homeware, Beauty and Health Products, Mobile Phones, Music and DVDs, E-books

Services & Products

Online retail
Same-day delivery
Free returns
Subscription services (Kobo Plus)

Target Customers

Book readers Gadget enthusiasts Parents and children Homeowners Fitness enthusiasts Pet owners Car owners

Funding Rounds & Investors (3)

View All
Funding Stage Amount Investors Lead Investors Date
Acquisition •••••• - 01 Feb 2012
Acquisition •••••• 4
Investor Investor Investor
•••• ••••
01 Apr 2003
Corporate Spinout •••••• 1 •••• •••• 01 Mar 1999

bol Alternatives & Competitors

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bol vs

Buy and Sell Anywhere with Zero Risk

3 employees
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bol vs

The advertising software for bol.com sellers.

bol vs

Paga Group is a payments and financial services ecosystem for Africa.

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441 employees
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FAQ About bol

Leader in online sales of books, entertainment, electronic devices and toys
bol was founded in 1999.
bol is headquartered in The Netherlands.
bol operates in the following industries: E-Commerce, Education, Hardware.
bol has approximately 5014 employees.
bol has completed 3 funding rounds, raising a total of $350.00M. The latest funding stage is Acquired.
bol offers: Online retail, Same-day delivery, Free returns, Subscription services (Kobo Plus).
Top alternatives and competitors to bol include TrustPay Technologies (AtaraPay), AdPal, Paga Group Ltd, Wellspace (acquired by PepsiCo), Snatch Books Private Limited. These companies operate in related industries and serve comparable markets. You can compare them side by side on Bounce Watch.
bol and TrustPay Technologies (AtaraPay) are both companies in similar industries. Compare their funding, team size, growth signals, and market position on Bounce Watch to see which one fits your needs.

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