What Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation does

Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation is a Danish commercial foundation (erhvervsdrivende fond), registered at Nordborgvej 81, 6430 Nordborg (CVR 41815612), established in 1971 by Bitten Clausen, widow of Danfoss founder Mads Clausen. The foundation's primary purpose is to support Danfoss A/S directly through its holding of class A shares, while channelling returns into three focus areas: Research & Education, Local Neighbourhoods & Communities, and Sustainability. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests; instead it proactively identifies, initiates, co-invests in, and often manages large-scale regional development projects.

Its project portfolio spans education and research infrastructure (Centre for Industrial Electronics and Centre for Industrial Mechanics in partnership with SDU, LINAK and Region Syddanmark; STEAR startup initiative; Kata Foundation education grants), tourism and hospitality (Alsik Hotel & Spa with PFA Pension and RIMC; Nordborg Resort with LINAK and Center Parcs; Universe Science Park; Borgen shopping centre), aviation infrastructure (Sønderborg Airport, 50.1% owned since 2021), sustainability (ProjectZero CO2-neutral Sønderborg by 2029), heritage (Schackenborg Palace), and charitable giving (Fabrikant Mads Clausen's Fond, receiving DKK 15M annually). The foundation combines long-cycle capital deployment, co-investment with regional partners (Sønderborg Municipality, LINAK, PFA Pension, SDU, Region Syddanmark, Realdania), and operational management of selected assets.

The foundation operates as a regulated non-profit with disclosed governance and data ethics reporting under the Danish Financial Statements Act (sections 99a/99d), GDPR-compliant processing of grantee and visitor data, and a small staff of 1-10 led by CEO Lars Tveen (since April 2022) under Chairman Per Have. It funds activities via returns from its Danfoss shareholding and diversified portfolio, and is not commercially productized.

Name

Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation

Legal name

Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation

Website

https://bmcfond.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Danish commercial foundation (1971) that owns class A shares in Danfoss A/S and uses returns to co-invest in research, education, sustainability, and large-scale regional development projects across the Sønderborg/Nordals area where Danfoss operates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Commercial foundation
• Regional development
• Education grants
• Sustainability projects
• Philanthropic investments

Headquarters

HQ city

Nordborg

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Danfoss Shareholding: The Foundation's primary aim is to support Danfoss A/S directly through its holding of class A shares in the company. This ownership provides financial stability and allows the Foundation to pursue its charitable mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation is a commercial charitable foundation (erhvervsdrivende fond) that proactively supports activities benefiting Danfoss A/S, Danfoss employees, and the local Sønderborg/Nordals region of Denmark. The Foundation initiates grants and co-investments across three focus areas—Research & Education, Local Neighborhoods & Communities, and Sustainability—ranging from engineering education centers, science parks, and cultural heritage sites to airports, hotels, resorts, and sports organizations.

Product overview

Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation is a charitable foundation established to support activities that benefit Danfoss A/S, its employees, and the local communities where Danfoss operates. The foundation's activities span multiple project categories: (1) Education & Research Infrastructure - including the Centre for Industrial Electronics (CIE) and Centre for Industrial Mechanics (CIM) for engineering education; (2) Regional Development - including Sønderborg Airport, Sønderborg Havneselskab port development, GOTO Sønderborg, and STEAR startup initiative; (3) Hospitality & Tourism - including Alsik Hotel & Spa, Universe Science Park, Nordborg Resort, and Borgen shopping center; (4) Sports & Culture - including Sønderjysk Elitesport, Schackenborg Palace; and (5) Charitable Giving - through Manufacturer Mads Clausen's Foundation and Kata Foundation education projects. The foundation operates through investments, grants, and co-ownership of projects rather than producing commercial products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Universe Science Park A science and experience park on Als that teaches visitors about science, technology, and entrepreneurship through interactive exhibits and attractions.
• Alsik - Resort and Spa A 4-star conference hotel with 190 rooms, Denmark's largest spa and wellness area, multiple restaurants including Michelin-starred Syttende, and conference facilities.
• Sønderborg Airport Regional airport home to Alsie Express, 50.1% owned by the foundation, serving the Sønderborg area with connections including the Copenhagen route.
• ProjectZero An initiative focused on making the Sønderborg area CO2-neutral before 2029 through energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
• Kata Foundation A charitable foundation established in 2006 that runs education and innovation-orientated projects focusing on science teaching and learning, including the LEAPS project for project-based science teaching.
• Centre for Industrial Mechanics (CIM) An educational facility providing engineering programs at diploma, bachelor, masters and PhD levels within mechanics, with research facilities and laboratories.
• Centre for Industrial Electronics (CIE) A research and teaching facility for electronics engineers established in partnership with SDU, Danfoss, LINAK, and regional authorities.
• Manufacturer Mads Clausen's Foundation A charitable foundation established in 1960 that provides financial support for causes in research, education, sport, hospitals, art and culture, receiving applications for donations.
• Borgen (The Castle) A 23,500 m2 city shopping center in Sønderborg with 50 shops, a large Kvickly supermarket, and a modern cinema complex.
• Schackenborg Palace A historical Baroque palace (built 1661-1664) and park that is a major tourist attraction, maintained by the Schackenborg Foundation.
• Sønderjysk Elitesport A/S A professional umbrella organization for elite sports in Southern Jutland covering ice hockey, men's handball, and women's handball.
• Nordborg Resort A 180-hectare holiday resort with 440 sustainable holiday homes, tropical water park, restaurants, and nature experiences operated by Center Parcs.
• STEAR - Sønderborg Energy and Tech Startups An initiative supporting technology-based entrepreneurship in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark, LINAK, and Sønderborg Municipality.
• GOTO Sønderborg A public-private partnership fund with Sønderborg Municipality to promote the Sønderborg area through marketing and regional development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nordborg Resort expected to attract more than 160,000 tourists to Als annually and create around 300 new jobs.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Sønderborg MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Sønderborg Municipality is the Foundation's key co-investment partner in multiple regional development projects: Sønderborg Airport (49.9% ownership), Nordborg Resort (co-investment with LINAK), GOTO Sønderborg marketing fund, Alsik hotel project, and various infrastructure projects. The partnership is anchored in a shared vision of making the Sønderborg area an attractive place to live, work, and visit.
• Center ParcscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Center Parcs operates and manages the Nordborg Resort on a day-to-day basis. The resort is owned by Linak Holding and Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation in a joint company. Center Parcs brings extensive experience in holiday resort management.
• Henning Larsen ArchitectssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Henning Larsen Architects designed the Alsik hotel with its 19 floors and unique architecture, creating a landmark for Sønderborg. The building is part of Frank Gehry's master plan for the waterfront.
• RIMC Hotels & ResortscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017RIMC operates and manages Alsik Hotel & Spa on behalf of the owners (PFA Pension and Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation). RIMC is an international hotel management company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, operating 50+ hotels across multiple countries.
• Kata FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Kata Foundation is a charitable education and innovation foundation established in 2006. Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation has provided DKK 17 million for a science school initiative and supports the LEAPS project for project-based science teaching in Danish schools.
• Schackenborg FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014The Schackenborg Foundation was established in 2014 in cooperation with HRH Prince Joachim, ECCO Holding, Ole Kirk's Foundation, and Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation. The Foundation acquired Schackenborg Palace and park and surrounding farmland to preserve the historical property and open it to the public.
• Alsie Express / Air AlsiecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013The Foundation invested in two ATR 72 aircraft deployed on the Sønderborg–Copenhagen route by Alsie Express in June 2013. Alsie Express was created because the business community in Southern Jutland, led by Danfoss, needed more daily flights between Sønderborg and Copenhagen Airport.
• Sønderborg HavneselskabsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Sønderborg Havneselskab was founded by Sønderborg Municipality and the Foundation in 2006 to transform Sønderborg's industrial port. The company was closed in 2020 after selling the last plots of land. It implemented Frank Gehry's master plan for the waterfront.
• LINAKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLINAK is a key co-investment partner alongside the Foundation in multiple projects: Nordborg Resort (main investor together with the Foundation), CIE building construction (approx. DKK 60–80 million), CIM education center, and the former VUC building acquisition. Both companies are large employers in the Sønderborg/Nordals region.
• University of Southern Denmark (SDU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDU is a key partner in education initiatives supported by the Foundation, including CIE (Center for Industrial Electronics) and CIM (Center for Industrial Mechanics). The Foundation and LINAK finance physical infrastructure while SDU provides teaching and research programs in engineering and technology.
• Region Syddanmark (Region of Southern Denmark)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegion Syddanmark co-invested DKK 35 million in CIE alongside SDU, Danfoss, LINAK, and Sønderborg Municipality. The region benefits from the strong concentration of energy-efficient technology companies in the Sønderborg area.
• Realdania By & BygsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRealdania By & Byg partnered with Sønderborg Municipality and the Foundation on the Augustenborg health center project, supporting the energy renovation and transformation of the old town hall.
• ProjectZerosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProjectZero is a sustainability initiative focused on turning the Sønderborg area into a CO2-neutral growth area. The Foundation supports this project on an ongoing basis as part of its Sustainability focus area.
• Frank Gehry / Gehry PartnerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-famous architect Frank Gehry created the master plan for transforming Sønderborg's industrial port into a vibrant urban district. The Foundation, through Sønderborg Havneselskab (now closed), implemented this vision which includes Alsik hotel, cultural venues, and residential developments.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Novo Nordisk Foundation: Denmark's largest commercial foundation, holding the controlling class A/B shares of Novo Nordisk and deploying billions into research, education, and sustainability. Most directly comparable to Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation in structure (controlling shareholder of a major Danish industrial/healthcare company) and philanthropic deployment model.
• Villum Foundation: Danish commercial foundation supporting technical/scientific research, environmental sustainability, and social initiatives — operating in the same grantmaking foundation category with focus areas that overlap with BMC's Research & Education and Sustainability pillars.
• Lundbeck Foundation: Danish commercial foundation that is the controlling shareholder of H. Lundbeck and a major grantmaker for brain research. Structurally analogous: owns class A/B shares in a Danish industrial/pharma company while funding scientific research and talent development.
• Carlsberg Foundation: Danish commercial foundation that is the largest shareholder of Carlsberg and a major funder of science, research, and Danish cultural life. Closely comparable in controlling-shareholder-plus-philanthropy structure and in supporting Danish higher education and research.
• Ole Kirk's Foundation: Danish commercial foundation tied to the LEGO family and brand; co-invested with Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation in Schackenborg Foundation. Operates a similar controlling-shareholder-plus-grantmaking model centered on children's welfare and education.
• Realdania: Danish philanthropic association that invests in the built environment and community development, including partnering with BMCF on the Augustenborg Health Center project. Highly comparable for place-based, regional development philanthropy.
• VELUX Foundations: Danish commercial foundation (VELUX/VKR Holding) funding daylight, sustainability, and aging-related research. Comparable as a Danish industrial-family-controlled grantmaking foundation with explicit sustainability and research focus.
• A.P. Møller Foundation: Danish commercial foundation supporting the A.P. Møller–Maersk group and large-scale Danish research, education, and humanitarian causes. Comparable as a major industrial-controlling Danish grantmaking foundation with national-scale philanthropy.
• Augustinus Foundation: Danish commercial foundation funding health, research, arts, and culture. Comparable as a Danish commercial foundation with a multi-pillar grantmaking strategy and significant national-scale research/health investments.
• Obel Family Foundation: Danish family-controlled commercial foundation supporting research, education, and regional development in Northern Jutland. Comparable in structure (family-linked commercial foundation with regional Danish focus) and thematic mix of research and community grants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation