Dept

One of the largest and fastest-growing global digital agencies, bridging technology consulting and creative marketing under Carlyle Group ownership

Acquired by Carlyle Group in 2020, Dept is a global digital agency headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that combines technology, creativity, and data to build and optimize digital products, platforms, and campaigns for some of the world's most recognized brands. Founded in 2015, Dept has grown rapidly through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, assembling a diverse team of engineers, designers, strategists, and data scientists under one roof to serve clients across industries including retail, finance, media, and technology. Dept's service offering spans the full digital value chain — from UX/UI design and software engineering to performance marketing, data analytics, and AI-driven personalization. This end-to-end capability distinguishes Dept from more narrowly focused agencies or consultancies, allowing it to act as a single integrated partner for complex digital transformation initiatives. The agency has built a strong reputation for delivering measurable business outcomes, attracting clients such as Google, Audi, Patagonia, and eBay. Within the AdTech and digital marketing ecosystem, Dept occupies a distinctive position as a tech-forward creative agency that bridges the gap between pure-play technology consultancies and traditional creative shops. Carlyle Group's investment has accelerated Dept's global expansion, enabling further acquisitions and geographic reach across Europe, North America, and beyond. With thousands of employees across dozens of offices worldwide, Dept continues to scale as a leading independent-minded digital agency operating under private equity ownership.