NE

What NE does

NE (Nationalencyklopedin) is a Swedish educational technology company headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, operating as a privately held limited company (NE Sverige AB). Founded in 1989 on the foundation of the 1985 government-commissioned Swedish encyclopedia, NE provides a comprehensive portfolio of approximately 80 digital and printed educational materials covering all subjects from preschool (F) through upper secondary school (gymnasium), aligned with the Swedish Lgr22 and Gy25 curricula. Its core product suite includes NE Komplett (a hybrid bundle pairing mirrored printed and digital textbooks), Digitala läromedel (digital textbooks with text-to-speech, reading rulers, easy-read versions, and 100+ language translations), Tryckta läromedel (printed textbooks), Ämnespaket (subject bundles of 4 printed + 4 digital books at 699 SEK), and NE Fakta knowledge services encompassing the Nationalencyklopedin encyclopedia, NE Junior, NE Play (pedagogical films), and multilingual dictionaries in Swedish, English, French, Spanish, and German. The platform supports multimodal learning across text, image, video, audio, and code (including programming in Scratch, Python, and Google Colab).

NE monetizes through a blended model of recurring subscription contracts with schools and municipalities for digital site licenses (quote-based pricing with a 30-day free trial), individual printed textbook sales at 259–299 SEK per book, and private individual subscriptions. Its go-to-market combines four regional sales territories (Öst, Sydväst, Sydöst, Norr) targeting school decision-makers, a self-serve website channel with trial signup, the Skolon marketplace for one-click procurement, and the Läromedia distributor for printed materials. Internationally, NE operates through the wholly owned German Brockhaus brand and is extending reach via the Skolon platform. Reach metrics include over 1 million users across 245 Swedish municipalities, more than 60% Swedish school penetration, an 84% user recommendation rate, and a leadership transition in April 2025 with Anna Werntoft as new CEO. AI capabilities are integrated through strategic partnerships — notably Mappi for adaptive mathematics coaching and Sana Labs for adaptive exercises — augmented by predictive analytics and content adaptation for personalized learning.

Name

NE

Legal name

NE Sverige AB

Website

https://ne.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

NE (Nationalencyklopedin) is a Swedish educational technology company providing digital and printed learning materials from preschool through upper secondary school, serving over 60% of Swedish schools and 1 million+ students across 245 municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Publishing and EdTech

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum) (MPAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Homeschool Programs & Online Curriculum Schools (EDAJADAJ), Children’s Nonfiction Educational (Science, History, Nature) (EDAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Educational publishing
• Digital textbooks
• Blended learning materials
• Adaptive learning AI
• Curriculum-aligned edtech

Headquarters

HQ city

Malmö

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Subscription-based digital access: Schools and municipalities subscribe to access digital educational materials and knowledge services, with recurring subscription fees.
2. Printed textbooks sales: Individual printed textbooks sold at 259-299 SEK per book, with subject packages available at promotional prices. Distributed through Läromedia and direct sales.
3. Private individual subscriptions: Personal subscription model for private individuals with family access, requiring registration and acceptance of terms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NE is a Swedish educational publishing and ed-tech company that develops, publishes, and sells digital and printed textbooks covering all subjects from preschool through upper secondary school (gymnasiet), aligned with Swedish national curricula (Lgr22, Gy25). It also operates subscription-based knowledge services including Nationalencyklopedin (Sweden's official encyclopedia), NE Junior, NE Play (pedagogical films), and multilingual dictionaries, sold via school site licenses, individual subscriptions, and bundled subject packages.

Product overview

NE is a leading Swedish educational publishing and edtech company offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products from preschool through upper secondary (gymnasiet), encompassing both digital and printed textbooks. The core offerings include: (1) NE Komplett — a hybrid bundle combining printed and digital textbooks where content mirrors across both formats; (2) Digitala läromedel — approximately 80+ digital textbooks covering all subjects (Math, Science, Languages, Humanities, Arts, Technology, Programming, AI) for grades F–3, 4–6, 7–9, and gymnasiet; (3) Tryckta läromedel — printed textbooks for SO and NO subjects at grades 4–6 and 7–9; (4) Ämnespaket — discounted subject bundles of 4 printed + 4 digital books; (5) NE Fakta (Kunskapstjänster) — knowledge services including Nationalencyklopedin, NE Junior, NE Play (films), and multilingual dictionaries; (6) Mappi — an AI-powered adaptive mathematics coach integrated with NE's math materials via a strategic partnership; (7) WOOF — a student wellbeing tool from a strategic partner; and (8) NE Live — professional development webinars. The product portfolio follows the Swedish curricula (Lgr22 for grundskola, Gy25 and Gy11 for gymnasiet) and emphasizes accessibility features (text-to-speech, reading rulers, easy-read versions, 100+ language translations).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NE Komplett: Combined print and digital educational materials offering both formats with mirrored content
• NE Fakta
• Mappi
• WOOF
• NE Play
• NE:s svenska ordbok
• Nationalencyklopedin Junior
• NE:s tyska ordbok
• NE:s engelska ordbok
• NE:s franska ordbok
• NE:s spanska ordbok

Products and services

• NE Komplett A combined printed and digital textbook offering where the printed book mirrors the digital material, allowing the entire class to work with the same content in their preferred format. The book provides structure and security while the digital version offers extra resources, AI support, films, exercises, and accessibility features. Aimed at Swedish K-12 schools.
• NE Fakta (Kunskapstjänster) Fact-checking knowledge services including Nationalencyklopedin (the official Swedish encyclopedia), NE Junior, NE Play (pedagogical films), and multilingual dictionaries (Swedish, English, French, Spanish, German). Provides reliable, fact-verified educational content across all subjects for schools, libraries, organizations, and private individuals.
• Digitala läromedel (Digital Textbooks) Comprehensive digital textbooks covering all subjects from preschool through upper secondary (gymnasiet). Subjects include Matematik, Biologi, Fysik, Kemi, Teknik, Geografi, Historia, Religionskunskap, Samhällskunskap, Engelska, Svenska, Svenska som andraspråk, Franska, Spanska, Tyska, Bild, Musik, Idrott och hälsa, Hem- och konsumentkunskap, Slöjd, Programmering, Naturkunskap, and Artificiell intelligens nivå 1. Features text-to-speech, reading rulers, easy-read versions, translation, interactive exercises, films, quizzes, and adaptive AI support.
• Tryckta läromedel (Printed Textbooks) Printed textbooks for grades 4-6 and 7-9 in SO (social sciences/humanities) and NO (natural sciences) subjects including Biologi, Fysik, Kemi, Teknik, Geografi, Historia, Religionskunskap, and Samhällskunskap. Sold at 259 SEK per book (åk 4-6) and 299 SEK per book (åk 7-9), distributed through Läromedia and the NE website.
• Ämnespaket (Subject Packages) Discounted bundles offering 4 printed books plus 4 digital textbooks for SO or NO subjects at grades 4-6 or 7-9 at 699 SEK (or 599 SEK for schools already using NE digital materials). Enables a complete solution where print and digital formats mirror each other at approximately 50% savings versus individual purchases.
• Mappi (AI Mathematics Coach) AI-powered adaptive mathematics coaching platform integrated with NE's digital mathematics materials. Uses adaptive AI to automatically generate personalized exercises, hints, and explanations in real time, supporting math learning from basic skill training to advanced reasoning and problem-solving in Swedish schools.
• Nationalencyklopedin (Encyclopedia) Sweden's official encyclopedia with fact-checked, continuously updated articles, used as a core reference across educational levels. Originally government-commissioned in 1985 and now available as part of NE Fakta knowledge services for schools, libraries, organizations, and as a standalone subscription for private individuals.
• NE Junior A junior version of Nationalencyklopedin designed for younger students, providing age-appropriate, fact-checked encyclopedia content as part of the NE Fakta knowledge services.
• NE Play Library of pedagogical films integrated across NE's digital textbooks, covering biology, chemistry, physics, history, and social sciences. Provides visual learning content to complement text-based materials as part of NE Fakta knowledge services.
• Ordböcker (Multilingual Dictionaries) NE's multilingual dictionary services including Swedish (NE:s svenska ordbok), English (NE:s engelska ordbok), French (NE:s franska ordbok), Spanish (NE:s spanska ordbok), and German (NE:s tyska ordbok), integrated into relevant language learning textbooks and available through NE Fakta knowledge services.
• WOOF (Student Wellbeing) A student wellbeing and classroom participation tool from partner WOOF, integrated into NE's teaching materials to strengthen student well-being and engagement directly in the classroom for Swedish schools.
• Artificiell intelligens nivå 1 (AI Textbook) A digital textbook for the new Artificiell intelligens nivå 1 (AI level 1) subject (Gy25), covering machine learning, search algorithms, prediction, generative AI, ethics, deepfakes, disinformation, prompt engineering, and programming in Google Colab. Authored by Johannes Thessén, continuously updated to reflect rapid changes in AI technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of NE users recommend the service
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WOOFminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026NE announced a strategic collaboration with WOOF to integrate tools that strengthen students' well-being and classroom participation directly into teaching. This partnership focuses on student engagement and social-emotional learning.
• MappicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026NE and edtech company Mappi have entered a collaboration to develop next-generation AI-driven digital math education for Swedish schools. The partnership combines NE's position as a leading educational publisher with Mappi's AI technology for personalized learning, providing adaptive exercises, hints, and explanations based on each student's needs.
• SkoloncoreTechnology or Integration · 19 January 2026NE has entered an international collaboration with Skolon, making NE's digital educational materials and knowledge services available through Skolon's platform. This addresses long-standing demand from schools and users. The partnership supports NE's international expansion strategy, as Brockhaus (also part of NE Group) will also be available on Skolon.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sanoma Learning: Sanoma is a Finnish-listed media and learning company whose Learning division produces K-12 educational materials across multiple European countries. It is the closest Nordic peer to NE: comparable curriculum-aligned textbook publishing, digital learning platforms, and a hybrid print+digital go-to-market targeting schools and municipalities.
• Liber (Bonnier Education): Liber is the Swedish educational publishing arm of Bonniers, producing K-12 textbooks and digital materials aligned with the Swedish curriculum (Lgr22). It competes head-to-head with NE for Swedish school contracts and is the most direct domestic rival.
• Gyldendal Norsk Forlag: Gyldendal is a leading Norwegian publisher with a substantial K-12 educational division (Gyldendal Undervisning) producing curriculum-aligned textbooks and digital learning platforms for the Norwegian school market, mirroring NE's role in Sweden.
• Cappelen Damm: Cappelen Damm is a major Norwegian publisher with a dedicated K-12 educational division producing textbooks and digital learning resources for the Norwegian curriculum. It is a Nordic regional peer with similar product mix and school-focused GTM.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: Pearson is a global education and publishing company with extensive K-12 textbook, assessment, and digital learning portfolios. While not focused on the Swedish curriculum, it represents the type of large-scale incumbent NE would compete against if expanding internationally beyond the Nordics.
• McGraw Hill: McGraw Hill is a major US-headquartered K-12 and higher-education publisher offering textbooks, adaptive learning platforms, and curriculum solutions. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping curriculum-publishing capabilities that could enter the Nordic market.
• Cengage Group: Cengage is a global educational content, technology, and services company serving K-12 and higher education with textbooks and digital platforms. It is a broad incumbent comparable to NE in offering curriculum-aligned content and digital learning tools.
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: HMH is a US-based K-12 learning solutions company offering curriculum, assessments, and digital platforms. It serves as a broad incumbent comparable to NE in providing core curriculum-aligned content to schools at scale.
• Wiley (Education Services): Wiley is a global publisher with a substantial education and professional learning division producing textbooks and digital learning resources. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping curriculum-publishing capabilities.

Emerging players

• Khan Academy: Khan Academy is a non-profit online educational platform offering free K-12 content, practice, and AI-enabled tutoring (Khanmigo). It is an emerging player with overlapping K-12 digital content that increasingly competes with traditional publishers like NE for supplemental use in schools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@nationalencyklopedin
• Facebookfacebook.com/nelaromedel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nationalencyklopedin
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalencyklopedin
• Xx.com/ne_se

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NE