The Origins of Gangarru Group and the Power of Kangaroo Care
Gangarru Group was born from a fundamental insight: the healing power of physical contact between parent and child. Our name is no coincidence — inspired by the kangaroo, an animal that carries its young close for protection and development, it perfectly symbolizes what we stand for.
The story began when our founders discovered the transformative impact of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). KMC, a proven method in which premature babies are carried skin-to-skin on a parent’s chest, originated in Colombia in the 1970s as a response to a shortage of incubators. What started as an emergency solution turned out to be remarkably effective: babies receiving KMC showed improved vital functions, faster weight gain, and earlier hospital discharge.
This method, originally born out of necessity, proved to be superior to traditional care in many respects. Research demonstrated that KMC not only dramatically increases survival rates for premature babies but also supports better neurological development, stronger parent-child bonding, and more successful breastfeeding.
Despite this overwhelming evidence, global implementation of KMC lagged behind. Healthcare professionals struggled with practical challenges, parents lacked adequate support, and in some regions, knowledge of KMC was simply absent.
Here, we saw an opportunity to make a difference. By combining traditional wisdom of baby carrying with modern science and ergonomic design, we developed a carrier that makes KMC more accessible and practical — for healthcare professionals in advanced hospitals as well as parents in resource-limited settings.
What began as a search for the perfect baby carrier for healthy infants evolved into a holistic approach to promoting Kangaroo Care worldwide. We realized that a product alone was not enough — there was a need for training, implementation support, and adaptation to local contexts.
Zo ontstond het social enterprise model van Gangarru Group, met divisies die elkaar versterken: Gangarru Baby brengt onze innovatie naar de consumentenmarkt, Gangarru Care richt zich op klinische toepassingen, Gangarru Africa ontwikkelt lokale oplossingen voor Oost-Afrika, en de Gangarru Foundation maakt onze impact wereldwijd mogelijk.
Today, Gangarru Group is dedicated to bridging the gap between what is scientifically proven and what is applied in practice. By removing barriers to effective Kangaroo Care, we contribute to a world where every child, no matter where they are born, receives the best possible start through the healing power of human contact.
Gangarru Group: Social Impact through Entrepreneurship
Gangarru Group is a social enterprise with a clear mission: to improve infant care worldwide through innovative, evidence-based solutions. Unlike traditional businesses or nonprofits, we combine the best of both worlds.
As a social enterprise, we reinvest a substantial share of our revenue into projects that strengthen our social mission. Our unique business model ensures that commercial success directly translates into greater social impact: every carrier sold in the consumer market supports programs that make Kangaroo Care more accessible to the most vulnerable babies.
Onze structuur met vier complementaire divisies – Gangarru Baby, Gangarru Care, Gangarru Africa en de Gangarru Foundation – stelt ons in staat om zowel commercieel als maatschappelijk effectief te opereren. Door nauw samen te werken met de MilleStart Foundation verbinden we filantropische middelen met zakelijke efficiëntie voor maximale impact.
This approach has already led to measurable results: implementation in more than 15 healthcare institutions in Tanzania, training of hundreds of healthcare professionals, support for thousands of premature babies, and the creation of employment opportunities for women in East Africa.
Our Values
- Evidence-based innovation
- Accessibility
- Community empowerment
- Transparency
- Sustainability
Our mission
A world where every child, no matter where they are born, receives a safe and loving start — supported by proven care methods such as Kangaroo Mother Care.
Our vision
Gangarru Group develops and distributes high-quality medical baby carriers for clinical and home use, with innovation, social impact, and sustainability at the core. Through four strategic entities, Gangarru Group creates an ecosystem that connects and supports healthcare professionals, parents, and organizations worldwide.
Our Team
Gangarru Group is led by an experienced management team with complementary areas of expertise. Both executives are also co-owners of Gangarru Group and are personally committed to the company’s long-term growth and impact.
Hanneke van den Heuvel
- 28 years of experience as an ICU nurse
- Certified babywearing consultant
- Responsible for product development, clinical validation, and healthcare partnerships
- Driven by the mission to improve neonatal care worldwide
Huub Linders
- Over 30 years of experience in marketing and business strategy
- Entrepreneur with a proven track record in founding and scaling companies
- Responsible for business strategy, finance, and commercial partnerships
- Expertise in bridging commercial and social objectives
