What High:Five does

High:Five is a Danish nonprofit social organization founded in 2006 that functions as a bridge between public authorities (municipalities, police districts, and the Danish Prison and Probation Service) and private employers to help formerly convicted young people aged 15–30 transition into ordinary employment or vocational education. The organization operates a nationwide consulting network organized in three regional teams (East Denmark, South Denmark, and Central/North Jutland) with approximately 25 staff, supported by an embedded infrastructure where offices are co-located inside partner facilities such as Falck, Danfoss Power Solutions, EasyWagon, Dansk Metal, and Hustømrerne A/S. Its core service is a human-driven matching method comprising comprehensive visitation interviews covering the applicant's background, health, and criminal history; profile matching against employer needs; contract drafting; and ongoing retention monitoring, with supplemental OPS (Offentligt-Privat Samarbejde) in-prison training programs and AMU vocational courses taught by partner companies inside facilities like Kragskovhede Fængsel.

The product portfolio centers on Job Matching Services and Nationwide Consulting Services, supported by AMU Course Programs in prisons, an ESG/Social Responsibility offering, the 2016 publication "De uslebne diamanter," and the Ungeløftet Partnership Program. High:Five is anchored in the High:Five Foundation (High:Five Fonden), established January 2016, whose Supervisory Board comprises company, police, prison service, and VFSA representatives; HRH Prince Joachim of Denmark serves as royal patron. The business model is grant-funded: the service is free to both job seekers and partnering companies, financed primarily through the Danish Ministry of Employment under the Ungeløftet political agreement (from 2025), with supplemental support from Kriminalforsorgens Civilsamfundspulje. Distribution is direct and consultant-led across all Danish regions, supplemented by digital channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, quarterly newsletter) and physical presence at Folkemødet and DM i Skills. The organization reports nearly 10,000 former-convict contacts and 4,000+ company partnerships since founding, 46% and 40% year-over-year growth in 2025 in applicant and employer outreach respectively, and an externally calculated 18x social return on investment.

Name

High:Five

Legal name

High:five

Website

https://highfive.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

High:Five is a Danish nonprofit, founded in 2006, that matches formerly convicted youth (ages 15–30) with Danish employers through a nationwide consultant network, operating as a free service financed by the Danish Ministry of Employment under the Ungeløftet agreement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Reintegration Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Student Support (Foster/Homeless/Migrant/McKinney-Vento) (EDAJAIAJ), Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

Keywords

• Workforce reintegration services
• Inclusive employment programs
• Criminal record employment
• Vocational reintegration support
• Social employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Danish Ministry of Employment): High:five is primarily financed by the Danish Ministry of Employment (Finansloven). Since 2025, it falls under the political agreement for 'Ungeløftet'. Funding has been significantly increased as part of this agreement. The organization also received supplemental funding from Kriminalforsorgens Civilsamfundspulje (Prison and Probation Service Civil Society Fund) to expand guidance for inmates and establish more jobs for released persons.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

High:five is a Danish nonprofit social organization that operates as a coordinating bridge between public authorities (municipalities, police districts, the Danish Prison and Probation Service) and private/public businesses to match formerly convicted individuals aged 15–30 with ordinary employment or vocational training. Services include in-depth visitation/screening interviews covering background, health, addiction, housing, finances, and motivation; tailored job matching with suitable employers; contract facilitation; and ongoing retention monitoring and follow-up. The service is delivered free of charge to both job seekers and partner businesses, financed primarily by the Danish Ministry of Employment under the Ungeløftet (Youth Pledge) political agreement.

Product overview

High:five is a Danish social organization that serves as a bridge between private businesses and public authorities (municipalities, police, prisons) to help previously convicted young people (ages 15-30) find employment or education. The organization operates a nationwide consulting network and offers job matching services as its core product. Supporting offerings include OPS (Public-Private Partnership) programs where companies collaborate with prisons to train inmates, AMU course programs in prisons, ESG/social responsibility support for businesses, and the High:five Foundation for governance. The organization was established in 2006 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026. Key products include the job matching service, consulting services across Danish regions, and the Ungeløftet national partnership program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Job Matching Services for Companies End-to-end matching service that helps Danish companies employ and retain formerly convicted individuals in ordinary jobs or training programs. Includes screening of candidates, drafting of employment contracts between employer and employee, and ongoing follow-up to ensure retention. Aimed at companies of all sizes across Denmark.
• Nationwide Consulting Services Free nationwide consulting delivered by three regional consultant teams (East Denmark, South Denmark, Central/North Jutland) that proactively engage with companies, municipalities, police districts, and prisons. Consultants are geographically assigned and accessible via phone, email, website, and in-person meetings.
• OPS (Offentligt-Privat Samarbejde) Programs Structured Public-Private Partnership programs where companies, the Danish Prison and Probation Service (Danmarks Fængsler), and High:five collaborate to qualify inmates for employment during and after imprisonment, including Job Days held inside prisons.
• AMU Vocational Course Programs in Prisons Vocational training courses (AMU courses) taught inside Danish prisons by teachers from High:five's cooperating companies, providing inmates with industry-recognized certificates (e.g., bricklaying, welding, transport) ahead of release.
• Social Responsibility and ESG Documentation Support Services that help companies strengthen the "S" (Social) in their ESG profile by partnering with High:five, including documentation of social impact for ESG reporting using the GROW Social Sustainability Calculator.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18x social return on investment: External economists calculate societal value to be 18 times higher than the investment in High:five
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• STEP (Estonia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023STEP is an Estonian organization collaborating with High:five in the EU-funded 'Moving On' project (running until end of 2025). The project aims to develop a cross-border model for screening, inter-agency cooperation, and employment of vulnerable populations.
• Children of the Station (Finland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Finnish organization 'Children of the Station' collaborates with High:five in the EU-funded 'Moving On' project. They operate a model where authorities, private sector, NGOs, and volunteers form a unified effort for at-risk youth, including a café where young people can meet volunteers for support.
• High:five Fonden (High:five Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016The High:five Foundation was established in January 2016 to serve as the organizational anchor. Its Supervisory Board is composed of representatives from companies, the police, prison service, and VFSA. The Foundation oversees High:five's strategic direction and governance.
• Virksomhedsforum for Socialt Ansvar (VFSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006The Business Forum for Corporate Social Responsibility (VFSA) established High:five in 2006 and continues to be represented on the High:five Foundation's Supervisory Board. VFSA founded the organization to assist Danish businesses in creating jobs for young people marginalized due to criminal records.
• Danmarks Fængsler (Danish Prison and Probation Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh:five works closely with the Danish Prison and Probation Service (Danmarks Fængsler) to identify and prepare inmates for employment before and after release. This includes Job Days in prisons, AMU training programmes taught by partner companies inside prisons (OPS - Offentligt-Privat Samarbejde), and coordination on release planning.
• Louise Sjøntoft (Chair, High:five Foundation; HR Director, NCC Denmark A/S)coreOthersLouise Sjøntoft serves as Chairman of the High:five Foundation Supervisory Board and is HR Director at NCC Denmark A/S. Her dual role provides strategic oversight and a direct link to NCC, one of Denmark's largest construction companies.
• Lone W. Petersen (HR & Finance Director, Hørkram Foodservice A/S)coreOthersLone W. Petersen sits on the High:five Foundation Supervisory Board and is HR & Finance Director at Hørkram Foodservice A/S. Hørkram is a longstanding partner company that employs through High:five, and Lone bridges strategy and practice between the Foundation and the company.
• Danish Municipalities (Kommuner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh:five works with municipalities across Denmark for referrals, release planning, and coordination. Nearly 30 municipalities had signed partnership agreements as part of Ungeløftet by end of 2025. The organization participates in launch events and collaboration meetings with municipal job centres.
• Cabi (The Danish Centre for Arts & Integration)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCabi publishes case studies about social responsibility partnerships, including coverage of Hustømrerne's collaboration with High:five. Cabi promotes inclusion in the labour market and is a knowledge-sharing partner.
• Beskæftigelsesministeriet – Ungeløftet (Employment Ministry / Youth Pledge Initiative)coreOthersUngeløftet is a political agreement for a national partnership between authorities, civil society organizations, and the labour market to help approximately 60,000 young people (15–30) not in employment or education. High:five is financed through this agreement, which provides significantly increased funding. Ministry officials visit High:five for insight tours.
• Kriminalforsorgens Civilsamfundspulje (Prison Service Civil Society Fund)minorOthersHigh:five received supplemental funding from the Prison and Probation Service's Civil Society Fund to improve guidance for inmates and establish more jobs for released persons. The funding ran from August 2024 to end of 2025.
• HRH Prince Joachim of DenmarkcoreOthersHis Royal Highness Prince Joachim of Denmark is the patron of High:five, providing royal endorsement and support for the organization's mission.
• Det Kriminalpræventive Råd (The Danish Crime Prevention Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh:five participated in a conference on preventing gang and rocker crime at Christiansborg organized by the Danish Crime Prevention Council in February 2024. The Council has a membership organizations panel where High:five participates.
• GROW – Den Sociale BæredygtighedsberegnerminorOthersHigh:five uses GROW (the Social Sustainability Calculator) to calculate the annual socio-economic value created by its partnerships with companies. GROW is a free tool used for reporting on the social bottom line and ESG accounts.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Roca: US nonprofit working with young people impacted by incarceration and violence on workforce development, education, and stabilization services. Directly comparable on serving justice-involved youth aged 15-30 with employment and re-engagement programming.
• Catch22: UK social business running employment, education, and justice rehabilitation services including ex-offender programmes in prisons and the community. Comparable on the cross-sector delivery (government + private employers) and offender-to-work pipeline.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): US-based nonprofit providing immediate employment, coaching, and retention support to people recently released from prison. Closely comparable model of employer matching plus ongoing follow-up for ex-offenders, though at much larger US scale.
• Kofoeds Skole: Danish nonprofit founded in 1926 providing education, vocational training, and social support for marginalized adults including former inmates, homeless individuals, and people with substance abuse issues. Directly comparable as a Denmark-based reintegration nonprofit serving overlapping target populations.
• The Fortune Society: New York-based nonprofit providing comprehensive services — housing, education, employment, and counseling — to formerly incarcerated individuals. Comparable on the holistic reentry model that combines employer placement with social support.
• Jobs Partnership: UK charity operating local community-based programmes that prepare ex-offenders for sustained employment and match them with employer partners. Closely comparable on the volunteer/employer network model and mission focus on second-chance hiring.

Emerging players

• Dave's Killer Bread Foundation: US foundation established by Dave's Killer Bread to expand second-chance employment, focused on employer education and policy advocacy. Comparable as a related ecosystem player promoting the same inclusive hiring thesis High:five operationalizes in Denmark.
• Greyston Bakery: US bakery running the widely-cited 'Open Hiring' model — no background checks, no interviews — to employ people with barriers to work including criminal records. Comparable on the inclusive-employer thesis but operates a single employer rather than a placement network.

Regional players

• Mentornatur: Danish social organization providing nature-based mentor relationships for at-risk and previously incarcerated youth to support their pathway to employment and education. Comparable on the Danish reintegration-for-youth thesis, though with a mentor-driven rather than employer-driven model.
• KRIS (Kriminellas Revansch i Samhället): Swedish nonprofit supporting ex-convicts in their return to society through peer support, mentoring, and connection to employment and housing. Comparable Nordic peer running the same justice-involvement-to-work reintegration mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HighfiveKbenhavn/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProjektHighFive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/high-five

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about High:Five