Cappelen Damm

Name

Cappelen Damm

Legal name

Cappelen Damm AS

Website

https://cappelendamm.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1829

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Literary & Classics Publishing (MPAJAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass Market & Paperback Publishing (MPAJAAAD), Children’s Educational & Curriculum Publishing (MPAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Book publishing
• Educational publishing
• Digital textbooks
• Literary agency services
• Book club subscriptions

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Revenue from physical and digital book sales across fiction, non-fiction, children's books, and educational materials through direct retail and wholesale channels
2. Educational Materials: Sales of textbooks, learning materials, and digital educational resources to schools and educational institutions
3. Subscriptions: Subscription services including book clubs (Cappelen Damm bokklubber) providing ongoing customer revenue through regular deliveries
4. Licensing and Rights: Revenue from licensing literary rights, agency services through Cappelen Damm Agency, and international rights sales

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cappelen Damm is Norway's largest publishing house, publishing fiction, non-fiction, children's and youth books, educational books, and series novels across print and digital formats. Through its Cappelen Damm Utdanning division, it provides curriculum-aligned digital and analog learning materials for the full Norwegian educational pathway from kindergarten through university, delivered via proprietary digital platforms (Unibok, Disko, Skolen fra Cappelen Damm) and textbook series (Sinus, Kosmos, Citizens, Moment). It also operates book clubs, a literary agency, a physical bookstore, and an author royalty portal.

Product overview

Cappelen Damm is Norway's largest publishing house and operates a multi-platform educational publishing ecosystem. The core publishing business spans fiction, non-fiction, children's literature, educational books, and series novels. Its education division, Cappelen Damm Utdanning, provides digital and analog learning materials across kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, upper secondary, Norwegian as a second language, and vocational education. Key digital platforms include Skolen fra Cappelen Damm (digital learning platform for grades 1-10), Disko (streaming service for upper secondary), and Unibok (digital textbook platform with text-to-speech and dictionary features). Curriculum-aligned textbook series like Sinus (mathematics), Kosmos (natural sciences), Citizens (English), Moment (Norwegian), and Rom Stoff Tid (physics) form the core product range, each available in both print and digital formats. The company also operates book clubs (Bestselgerklubben, Barnas egen bokverden, Krimklubben), a literary agency (Cappelen Damm Agency), a physical bookstore (Elling bokkafé), and the Royaltyportal for author royalty management. The company is owned by media conglomerate Egmont.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cappelen Damm Utdanning: Educational publishing division developing digital and analog learning materials for the entire educational pathway
• Cappelen Damm Akademisk
• VAR Healthcare
• Cappelen Damm bokklubber
• Fontini forlag
• Flamme forlag

Products and services

• General Trade Books (Fiction, Non-fiction, Children's, Series Novels) Trade books across fiction, non-fiction, children's literature, and series novels published in print and digital formats for general readers in Norway.
• Skolen fra Cappelen Damm Digital learning platform for primary and lower secondary school (grades 1-10) providing curriculum-aligned educational content, interactive materials, and classroom tools for Norwegian schools.
• Disko Streaming service for upper secondary school (videregående) providing educational video content aligned with the LK20 curriculum.
• Unibok Digital textbook platform making textbooks accessible on all digital devices, with integrated dictionary, text-to-speech, note-taking, highlighting, and search functionality, complying with universal design requirements.
• Sinus (Mathematics Textbook Series) Mathematics textbook series for upper secondary school (VG1-VG3), covering general studies and vocational tracks, available as both print and digital (coSinus) editions.
• Kosmos (Natural Science Textbook Series) Natural science textbook series for upper secondary school, covering physics, chemistry, and biology for general and vocational studies.
• Citizens (English Language Textbook Series) English language textbook series for upper secondary school (VG1-VG3), available in variants for general studies (SF), vocational studies (YF), and basic level, with a vocational-specific 'Fagdeler' sub-series.
• Moment (Norwegian Language Textbook Series) Norwegian language textbook series for upper secondary school (VG1-VG3) study preparation tracks.
• coSinus Digital Digital mathematics learning platform for VG3, complementing the Sinus textbook series with interactive digital resources.
• Norsk start Digital Norwegian language learning platform for grades 1-10, designed for learners needing basic Norwegian language instruction.
• Cappelen Damms Lesebok Reading book series for grades 5-7, containing richly illustrated texts written by well-known authors, ranging from comics to exciting stories, usable independently of other learning materials.
• Bestselgerklubben (Bestseller Book Club) Book club subscription service focused on bestsellers and popular fiction titles, delivering curated books to subscribers on a recurring basis.
• Barnas egen bokverden (Children's Book Club) Children's book club subscription offering curated books for children, providing regular deliveries tailored to young readers.
• Krimklubben (Crime Book Club) Crime fiction book club subscription offering curated crime and thriller titles with regular deliveries to subscribers.
• Cappelen Damm Agency Literary agency representing Norwegian authors, handling rights management and international sales of literary rights.
• Elling bokkafé Company-owned bookstore and café at the Oslo headquarters location, also hosting literary events and author readings.
• Royaltyportal Online portal for authors and rights holders to access royalty information, statements, and manage their earnings data, with BankID and username/password authentication.
• VAR Healthcare Digital healthcare service providing health-related information and educational content for healthcare professionals.
• Norske Serier Publishing imprint dedicated to Norwegian series novels (serieromaner), a popular fiction format in Norway.
• Cappelen Damm Utdanning (Educational Division) Educational publishing division developing digital and analog learning materials for kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, upper secondary, Norwegian as a second language, and vocational education.
• Cappelen Damm Akademisk (Academic Division) Academic publishing division and a leading publisher of textbooks and scholarly literature in Norway, with offices in Oslo and Kristiansand serving the higher education and research market.
• New Online Store and Login System New e-commerce platform with updated login system for teachers and schools, featuring direct login to individual learning resource sites, email one-time code authentication, and automated license connection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced emissions by 33% and 50% reduced emissions per krone invested
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sentraldistribusjon AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwned by Cappelen Damm, Sentraldistribusjon AS handles packaging and invoicing of goods for the publishing house operations.
• Storytel AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCappelen Damm is co-owner of Storytel AS, Norway's major audiobook and e-book streaming service, enabling distribution of published content through digital channels.
• VAR HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCappelen Damm owns VAR Healthcare, a digital health service providing healthcare-related educational content.
• Allvit ASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCappelen Damm is co-owner of Allvit AS, a digital publishing platform making academic textbooks accessible online.
• KopinorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement with Kopinor facilitates legal sharing of knowledge and information both digitally and on paper, ensuring creators receive compensation for their work.
• Gutta CampusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial partnership supporting children and youth education initiatives in Norway as part of Cappelen Damm's community engagement.
• Norske Kvinners SanitetsforeningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial partnership supporting children and youth education initiatives as part of Egmont foundation's community outreach.
• Kronprinsparets FondminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting children and youth education initiatives as part of Cappelen Damm's social responsibility program.
• Røde KorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial partnership supporting children and youth education and support programs.
• FeidecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Feide for secure login and identity management for Norwegian educational institutions accessing digital learning materials.
• ClerkcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing login and identity management functionality for customer accounts on digital platforms.
• CrystallizecoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform and content management system powering Cappelen Damm's online store and product catalog.
• SanitycoreTechnology or IntegrationContent management system used for content and history management across digital platforms.
• Nets and VippscoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing services for card transactions and payment solutions enabling secure checkout.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationCustomer service and email distribution infrastructure for platform communications.
• DixacoreTechnology or IntegrationCustomer service platform handling customer inquiries and support requests.
• Posten/BringcoreTechnology or IntegrationShipping and logistics partner for physical product distribution across Norway.
• Fontini ForlagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary publishing house owned by Cappelen Damm, operating as an independent imprint.
• Flamme ForlagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary publishing house owned by Cappelen Damm, operating as an independent imprint.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Det Norske Samlaget: Det Norske Samlaget is a Norwegian-language publisher specializing in Nynorsk literature, children's books, and educational materials, competing most directly with Cappelen Damm's educational and Norwegian-language literary divisions for schools and cultural segments.
• Vigmostad & Bjørke: Vigmostad & Bjørke is a Norwegian trade and educational publisher that competes with Cappelen Damm's text book and learning material offerings, particularly in the upper secondary and vocational education segments.
• Gyldendal Norsk Forlag: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag is Norway's other major literary and educational publisher, comparable to Cappelen Damm in Norwegian-language fiction, non-fiction, and school textbook publishing, with a publicly listed parent (Gyldendal ASA) making it the closest domestic head-to-head competitor.
• H. Aschehoug & Co: Aschehoug is one of Norway's oldest and largest general trade and educational publishers, directly competing with Cappelen Damm across fiction, non-fiction, school textbooks, and academic titles in the Norwegian market.

Broad incumbents

• John Wiley & Sons: Wiley is a global academic and educational publisher most directly comparable to Cappelen Damm Akademisk for higher-education and research publishing in Norway and the broader Nordics.
• Penguin Random House: Penguin Random House is the world's largest trade book publisher and a broad incumbent whose translated titles compete with Cappelen Damm's imported translated fiction, but it does not serve the Norwegian school curriculum directly and is not specialized in the Norwegian-language niche.
• Bonnier Books: Bonnier Books is the publishing arm of the Swedish Bonnier Group, operating across Nordic markets including Norway; it is a broad incumbent with overlapping fiction, non-fiction, and educational offerings, larger than Cappelen Damm in scale but less concentrated in the Norwegian educational niche.
• HarperCollins Publishers: HarperCollins is a major global trade publisher whose translated titles compete with Cappelen Damm's translated fiction catalog in Norway, but lacks Norwegian-original publishing and educational curation in the local market.
• Pearson plc: Pearson is one of the world's largest education publishers and a broad incumbent comparable to Cappelen Damm Utdanning for its curriculum-aligned digital and printed learning materials, though with global rather than Norwegian-curriculum specialization.

Emerging players

• Storytel: Storytel is a subscription-based audiobook and e-book streaming service in which Cappelen Damm holds co-ownership; it is both a key digital distribution channel and a competing platform for reader attention, with partial overlap in audience and content relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CDUndervisning
• Facebookfacebook.com/cappelendamm
• Instagraminstagram.com/cappelendammutdanning
• Xx.com/cappelendamm

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

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 Cappelen Damm