Stellar Tech is strengthening its presence in the Benelux with a major new move: the acquisition of Join, the Netherlands’ leading creator marketing platform. This marks our third strategic acquisition in a bit more than a year, after Creatorz (ex Influo) in Belgium and IROIN® in Germany, and brings us closer to our mission: making influencer marketing accessible, data-driven, and scalable across Europe.
From Brussels to Amsterdam: connecting two markets and paving the way for Europe
With Join now part of the Stellar Tech family, we are uniting Join and Creatorz into a single, stronger creator marketplace for the entire Benelux region under the umbrella of Creatorz. Creatorz has been anchoring our presence in Belgium, while Join has been the go-to platform in the Netherlands. Together, they will form a unified marketplace in the upcoming months for nano, micro and UGC creators, giving brands across Belgium and the Netherlands direct access to a larger, more diverse pool of vetted talent.
But this step goes beyond Benelux. It is the cornerstone of a broader European ambition: building one of the strongest, most transparent creator marketplaces across the continent. With Stellar Tech’s ecosystem from Creatorz to our SaaS solutions Stellar and IROIN® – we are creating a Europe-wide infrastructure for authentic, data-driven, and impactful creator–brand collaborations. 🌍✨
At its core, this is about more than just platforms coming together. It’s about shared values: empowering creators, fostering transparent collaborations, and leveraging AI to make campaigns more efficient and impactful – in Benelux today, across Europe tomorrow.
“The creator economy is evolving rapidly. With Join and Creatorz together, and with Paolo and Edwin at the helm of this chapter, we are creating the benchmark marketplace for nano-, micro-, and UGC creators in the Benelux.”
Why Join stands out
Founded in the Netherlands, Join has become the go-to platform for hundreds of brands looking to collaborate with more than 30,000 vetted creators. The platform’s reputation rests on:
- AI-powered workflows that simplify campaign management
- Transparent pricing for fair and predictable partnerships
- Hands-on support from campaign start to finish
These strengths align perfectly with Creatorz’s mission, and with Stellar Tech’s focus on using data and AI to optimize every stage of influencer marketing, while keeping the human element at the heart of the process.
Why Join + Creatorz makes strategic sense
The merger comes at a pivotal moment in creator marketing. According to BazaarVoice, 77% of shoppers are more likely to buy a product they found through UGC, and 64% of Gen Z and 60% of Millennials have left eCommerce stores without purchasing because the site didn’t include customer photos or reviews.
By combining Join’s creators with Creatorz’s Belgian network, the merged platform addresses this critical need for authentic content at scale. This shift is backed by market data: UGC creators nearly doubled in 2025, growing by 93% year-over-year, and 15% of all social media collaborations in 2025 were UGC campaigns according to Whop. Research also shows that this demand is well-founded, with micro-influencer collaborations increasing by 33% year-over-year (Statusphere), underlining the urgency for brands to access authentic, scalable content.
What this means for creators, brands and agencies
By merging Join with Creatorz and combining its collaborative platform with Stellar Tech’s technology and network, our clients can expect:
- Expanded creator access: Tap into even more vetted nano-, micro-, and UGC creators across Benelux for authentic, high-impact campaigns.
- Ever smarter workflows: Even more integrated AI features for faster, data-backed decisions.
- End-to-end transparency: As always, transparent pricing, campaign tracking, and ROI measurement, consistent across markets.
People first, technology amplified
This merger isn’t just about platforms coming together: it’s about people stepping up to lead the next chapter of Creatorz. We’re proud to announce that Paolo Martorino, former CEO and co-founder of Join, will take on the role of Managing Director of Creatorz, while Edwin Knip, former CTO and co-founder of Join, will become Tech & Product Lead of Creatorz.
With Paolo’s deep understanding of the Dutch creator market and Edwin’s sharp product vision, the new Creatorz leadership team blends local insight with the innovation power of Stellar Tech’s global ecosystem.
Together, they’ll be driving the marketplace forward, ensuring that Creatorz becomes the go-to destination for brands seeking authentic, high-trust collaborations in Benelux.
“We founded Join to make collaborations between brands and creators simple and rewarding. By joining forces with Creatorz, we can expand this promise to a larger community. Together, we will broaden the definition of the creator economy – from influencers to UGC specialists, from paid briefs to gifting –, while giving brands a reliable partner for speed and authenticity.”
Strengthening a European ecosystem
The acquisition of Join follows those of Creatorz and IROIN®, creating one of the most integrated influencer marketing ecosystems in Europe. With clients across 43 countries, including Nintendo, Aldi Süd, Dyson, Snipes, OTTO, BASF, Eurowings, and Air France, as well as agencies such as Ketchum, DOKYO, Social Match, Studio 71, OMD, MMBSY, Revolvr, and Bolt Influence, Stellar Tech is uniquely positioned to combine regional expertise, innovative technology, and a creator-first philosophy.
“This move is not just about growth but about shaping the future of influence – where collaborations are more diverse, accessible, and innovative. Join’s founders bring deep market knowledge, proven product vision, and a strong community spirit. Their leadership strengthens our technology and our shared ambition to make Europe the most innovative and trusted creator economy.”
What’s next?
The integration of Join and Creatorz into a unified Benelux marketplace will roll out in the coming months, with immediate benefits for brands and creators in both markets.
Let's talk!
Whether you’re a brand exploring the Benelux market, a creator looking for more opportunities, or an agency planning a cross-border campaign, our team is ready to help! Contact us at info@stellar.io and let us know how we can enable you to take your influencer marketing further.
