Follow us

Wide shot of people walking past the silent booths

About us

Founded in 1993 as Belgium’s first digital agency, The Reference has been a pioneer in redefining digital experiences. Over the years, we’ve continuously evolved, staying ahead of the curve in digital technology and marketing to deliver impactful solutions that drive real business results for international companies.  

30+ Years of Transforming Digital Experiences into Measurable Business Growth

In 2007, we joined Emakina Group, expanding our capabilities and reach. In 2021, following the acquisition of Emakina Group by EPAM, we proudly became part of EPAM Systems, a global leader in digital transformation and technology services, active in over 55 countries. These milestones have allowed us to seamlessly blend local expertise with global innovation, creating unparalleled value for our clients.

Today, we harness the creative power of Empathy Lab’s agency services alongside EPAM’s world-class engineering and consulting capabilities, enabling us to scale efficiently and deliver insightful, future-proof solutions.

Working behind computer

Crafting Digital Excellence with Insights and Innovation

At The Reference, we take pride in translating deep business understanding into compelling digital experiences and marketing strategies that fuel growth. Powered by data, AI, and next-generation marketing, our solutions give clients a competitive edge in their industries.  

Our technology-agnostic approach ensures we design composable architectures tailored to your current needs while remaining scalable and future-proof as your business evolves.  

Global Reach, Local Expertise and Proximity

As part of EPAM Systems, we leverage cutting-edge tools, AI-driven solutions, and world-class talent to deliver scalable, innovative solutions. At the same time, our local roots in Ghent and Antwerp keep us closely aligned with the unique needs of each client and market, fostering long-term partnerships built on trust.  

This synergy between global capabilities and local proximity sets us apart, enabling us to deliver personalized solutions that resonate and drive measurable impact. 

Wide shot of the silent booths while people are passing

Empathy Meets Expertise

At The Reference, we adopt a human-centered approach to create empathic user experiences that engage customers and drive sustainable growth. By combining strategy, marketing, creativity, data, AI, and engineering, we push boundaries to deliver solutions that truly add value.  

We embrace change, constantly learning and sharing insights to stay ahead of the curve. With fresh perspectives and bold ideas, we keep our work exciting—for ourselves and for the clients who trust us with their digital transformation.  

 

Why Choose The Reference?

  • 30+ years of expertise in redefining digital experiences.  
  • Customer-first mindset that drives measurable business impact.  
  • Technology-agnostic solutions tailored to your needs and future growth.  
  • Global insights powered by EPAM’s network, paired with local expertise.  
  • Empathy-driven innovation that connects brands with their audiences.  
  • A proud history of growth: Acquired by Emakina in 2007 and EPAM Systems in 2021, enabling us to scale and deliver cutting-edge solutions.  

Let’s uncover digital opportunities together and craft solutions that set you apart.  

Rooted in a customer-first mindset we merge strategy, creativity, and technology to help international companies achieve real business impact. Leveraging data, AI agents, and next-gen marketing, our technology-agnostic, composable approach delivers scalable seamless digital experiences

Multidisciplinary team of professionals

 100+
Customer satisfaction rating 4.2/5

Our talents

  • Business

    Your business is the starting point of everything we do together. Years of working with clients in various markets and verticals provided us with the knowledge that helps us identify relevant opportunities quickly and act upon them fast. We make it our mission to get to know your business context through and through, so that we create added value and make an impact where it counts.

  • Creativity

    Our creativity goes beyond strong creative concepts and appealing designs. Everyone in our team demonstrates a creative mindset, from our developers to our marketers, designers to our analysts. We thrive in a culture of experimentation. This allows us to mix things up and introduce innovative solutions. Solutions that stand out from the crowd and elevate your business in unexpected ways.

  • Technology

    With a strong focus on business value, we use technology as a means to reach your goals. With a passion for digital evolution, we keep a close eye on new technology developments and implement them in our work. Yet, the technology we use is never a goal in itself. We match it with your needs, so that you can reap the benefits of solutions that are tailored to your business.

What defines us

Two people looking at a screen, one is sitting down and the other is standing next to them

Creative craftsmanship

In everything we do, we take a creative approach. We are passionate about our craft and use what we know to come up with unexpected solutions to every business challenge. From our convincing designs and surprising digital concepts, to the way we seamlessly match and connect different technologies. Our creative mindset is the differentiator that pushes what we do into results that go above and beyond.

Three people having a casual meeting in the kitchen

Collaborative culture

We firmly believe that the best things come from close collaboration. We value a relationship with both clients and colleagues that is based on an open, constructive way of working, driven by respect and honesty. We're always eager to see something from a different point of view and embrace new ideas. This allows us to come up with solutions that are greater than the sum of their parts.

Three people behind a desk with one person focusing on a laptop screen

Driven by knowledge

As passionate professionals, we're proud of our know-how. United by a drive to keep up with the latest in digital, we look for interesting ways to apply these new insights in our work. We don't force innovations into everything we do, just because it's fresh, new, and exciting. We prefer clever over trendy to come to the best results. If you ask us, that's what true expertise is all about.

Discover our services

Overview of people working at the office

Data & Business Intelligence

In an evolving digital landscape, turning complex data into actionable insights is a competitive necessity. Your data & business intelligence empower your decision-making to drive business growth. Unlock the power of data. We build robust infrastructures, empower data literacy, and deliver actionable insights that drive strategic success. 

Data & Business Intelligence

 Marketing data engineering Data analytics dashboarding & reporting Qualitative research Digital strategy and roadmap User testing
A person working in the office with headphones on

Commerce acceleration

In the rapidly evolving digital commerce space, standing out is more challenging than ever. Our commerce acceleration services are designed to help you capture and retain customer interest effectively. By merging top technology with strategic insights, we craft commerce experiences that drive conversions. Our services cover everything from B2B strategy to hyper-personalization.

Commerce acceleration

 Conversion optimization Commerce re-platforming Hyper personalization
Focused shot of a laptop screen

Digital solutions

Staying ahead in the digital realm requires leveraging top-tier technology and strategic insights. Our digital solution services are designed to create digital experiences that resonate with your audience and drive engagement, covering everything from future-proof digital platforms & applications to intuitive digital interfaces. 

Digital solutions

 Digital interfaces Digital platforms & applications UX/UI Replatforming
A person working on multiple computer screens

Digital architecture

In this volatile digital landscape, having a future-proof and flexible technology structure can be a game-changer. Our digital architecture services are custom-designed to provide you with technological solutions that serve your business needs, rather than dictate them. We engage in a two-way conversation to determine the right solutions for you, helping you not stay ahead of the competition. Discover how we can support your digital transformation.

Digital architecture

 Composable architecture Marketing technology architecture API development & integrations Cloud & managed services
Two people sitting across from each other in a focused working booth

Data leveraging

In today's data-centric landscape, effectively harnessing data is key for business growth and innovation. We provide robust data infrastructure design, analytics, and reporting services to empower your business with the insights needed for strategic, data-driven decisions, positioning you at your industry forefront.

Data leveraging

 Marketing data engineering Data analytics dashboarding & reporting
Top view of a laptop with people writing on sticky notes around it

Content & Storytelling

In today's visually driven society, compelling content and engaging storytelling are essential to differentiate your brand. We help you forge deep connections with your audience through a unique mix of strong brand identities, captivating UX/UI, creative concepts, and strategic content management. Join us in mastering digital storytelling to make your brand stand out in a cluttered digital landscape.

Content & Storytelling

 Branding UX/UI Creative concept Content strategy Content migration

Performance & growth

Our performance and growth services boost your brand's visibility and conversion. From SEO and online advertising to tailored marketing strategies and expert training, we cover all aspects to elevate your digital presence. Moreover, our digital expert staffing and hybrid collaborations offering ensures that our specialized know-how directly addresses your unique needs, all aimed at enhancing your marketing operations and team capabilities, ultimately driving your brand's performance and growth.

 

Performance & growth

 Online advertising SEO Marketing automation Conversion optimization Digital expert staffing & hybrid collaborations Digital marketing strategy Marketing technology architecture Marketing training & coaching