Oxxio

In 2000, as the Dutch energy market prepared for liberalization, two entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to do things differently. They founded Oxxio with a simple premise: supply 100% green energy at a lower price than traditional 'gray' power. The company entered the market as a disruptor, focusing on a low-cost, technology-driven business model to rapidly acquire customers. This strategy involved outsourcing routine activities while keeping marketing and procurement in-house, allowing for agile responses to market changes. The company grew quickly, becoming the fourth-largest energy supplier in the Netherlands. This rapid expansion and significant market share attracted international attention. In June 2005, the British energy giant Centrica plc announced its acquisition of Oxxio for up to €137 million. The deal provided Centrica with a strong foothold in the newly deregulated Dutch market. At the time of the sale, Oxxio was signing up around 20,000 new energy accounts per month. The story took another turn in 2011 when Centrica, as part of a strategic withdrawal from continental European retail markets, sold Oxxio to the Dutch energy company Eneco for €72 million. The acquisition allowed Eneco to expand its renewable supply portfolio, growing its customer base to 2.1 million. Oxxio continued to operate as an independent brand within the Eneco Group, maintaining its focus on providing affordable green energy to Dutch consumers.