Ecorys is one of the oldest economic research and consulting companies in Europe. Its history dates back to 1929, when a group of businessmen from Rotterdam established the Foundation NEI: The Netherlands Economic Institute. The goal of the Foundation NEI was to stimulate the collection and the analysis of economic data. One of its first directors (1935-1968) was Professor Jan Tinbergen, who was awarded the first Nobel Prize for Economics for his work in 1969. In 1999, NEI was split into a company, focusing on economic research & consultancy, and a foundation with the aim to foster economic research. The company merged with Kolpron Consultants (established in 1979).

In 2000 Ecorys was created through the merger of the Dutch company NEI Kolpron with ECOTEC Research and Consulting, a UK-based company specializing in social policy.

With world-class research-based consultancy, Ecorys helps public and private clients to make and implement informed decisions leading to positive impacts on society.