2000netwerken

2000netwerken is a Dutch term that can refer to two related but distinct concepts. Literally meaning “2000 networks,” it is used in Dutch discourse to describe networks that approximate two thousand members or entities. The term is also the name of a Dutch online professional networking platform that operated in the early 2000s, aimed at connecting IT professionals, researchers, and businesses in the Netherlands to enable information exchange, collaboration, and events.

As a platform, 2000netwerken reportedly offered features common to early online communities, such as member profiles, discussion forums, event calendars, and job postings. It reflected the Dutch technology sector’s interest in building regional professional communities and facilitating offline meetups alongside online interaction. The initiative existed during a period when niche networks sought to complement or compete with broader global social networks, before many evolved into or were absorbed by larger platforms.

In academic and practical contexts, the term 2000netwerken is sometimes used descriptively to denote a network with around 2,000 nodes for purposes of learning about topology, connectivity, or resilience. Such usage treats the phrase as a generic label rather than a reference to a specific organization.

Current information on the platform’s status is limited, and archival material suggests that activity declined as larger networks and mainstream platforms grew in prominence. The name, however, remains a reference point in discussions of early Dutch online communities and the scale of mid-sized professional networks. See also discussions of Dutch online communities, network topology, and the evolution of professional networking platforms in the Netherlands.