Once upon a timeOnce upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away...
A well-known opening line that you might recognize from Star Wars.
The story of Decos begins with Paul Veger: founder of Decos, innovator, techie, and Star Wars fan
1977
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away... The Space Opera made an indelible impression on 13-year-old high school student Paul Veger in 1977. He was inspired by director George Lucas’s optimistic vision for the future of humanity. This science fiction classic would become a recurring theme throughout the rest of Paul’s life.
1978–1983
Paul has enjoyed tinkering with computers for years. He became the first Dutch person to own an Atari 800 and, together with friends, founded the first Dutch Atari user group.
Atari Netherlands invited him to work as a freelance programmer, which proved to be a valuable learning experience.
In 1983, Paul began studying Computer Science in Leiden and founded Decos Computer Extensions, a company specializing in the development and production of Atari hardware and software. He later referred to it as a “hobby business.” He developed an Atari telephone modem that could be connected to existing Atari computer models.
1987
Paul continues his studies, but he feels it’s time to take a broader approach to his business. He shifts his focus from video game consoles to business software. Solutions in the field of document and information management are just beginning to emerge, and Paul sees an opportunity. Thus, Decos Information Solutions is born. This will be seen as the true starting point of the company’s history for the coming decades.
He rents an office building in Katwijk and begins hiring people. Each of them is unique, just like Paul. It’s a wonderful adventure for him, and he learns something new almost every day. The mission of this startup avant la lettre: to make the future better.
1999
Decos has since become a well-known company in the Netherlands and continues to grow. Because Paul has a strong affinity for Indian culture, he is motivated to work with people in India and open a branch there. It’s more than just a business decision; it’s also about connecting with people, experiencing a different culture, and broadening one’s horizons. It has proven to be an enriching experience for Decos in many ways.
Decos in India has been able to attract talented specialists who are given the freedom to work on a wide range of projects. Even back then, Decos had no problem with remote work. And so, over the years, Decos has expanded its portfolio with innovative hardware and software solutions for the healthcare and life sciences industries.
2011
A major milestone is the completion of the new office building in Noordwijk. On the grounds of the European Space Agency in Noordwijk, Paul commissioned a building designed to look futuristic, shaped like a meteorite. It also resembles a spaceship that has landed on a lunar landscape.
A fascination with space, technology, and thinking in terms of possibilities with an eye toward the future all come together here. This reflects the fact that Paul is a huge Star Wars fan—the film in which space travel is commonplace in the future, conveying the message that everything in this universe is interconnected. Slanted walls—because in a paperless office, you don’t need cabinets. With this 100% paperless work policy, in a sustainable building, and with a 100% electric vehicle fleet, Decos is setting the standard.
2021
In 2021, Paul decided to pass the baton to Daniël de Klerk. From now on, he will focus on his other two passions: his role as an angel investor, in which he mentors various innovative startups. He also wants to have more time for personal development, reflection, and technical research. Although he is handing over day-to-day management, Paul will remain part of Decos as founder, major shareholder, and executive chairman.
2021
Decos is acquiring Doclogic, formerly a partner and reseller of JOIN. Doclogic specializes in integrations and process optimization for knowledge-intensive organizations in the healthcare, education, and business services sectors. In 2022, Doclogic will move into a new office building in Raalte.
2023
Decos is expanding its portfolio with CenterOne, a software specialist in the field of Permits, Oversight, and Enforcement (VTH) for government and quasi-government agencies.
2024
Decos acquires ZiuZ Forensics, a former division of ZiuZ Visual Intelligence. ZiuZ Forensics helps combat online child abuse using powerful investigative tools to analyze unlimited amounts of visual data.
In the same year, Decos also established a subsidiary in Spain.
2025
The Decos Technology Group is creating an innovative ecosystem for digital services through the strategic acquisition of Seneca. Seneca will continue to operate under its own brand. The collaboration between Decos and Seneca will therefore focus primarily on product innovation. The office will relocate from Rijswijk to the Decos headquarters in Noordwijk.
2026
Decos is once again expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of TM7’s Carp-E anonymization solution, and OneGov was also added to the Decos Technology Group that same year.
This further strengthens the company’s position in the public sector.
AND THE STORY CONTINUES
We’re focused on growth to increase our impact and drive even more innovation. That way, we can continue to harness the power of technology to make a positive impact around the world. Will you join us in this effort?