Clean

What Clean does

Clean (legal name: Clean – Danmarks Vand- og Miljøklynge, DBA: Clean – Denmark's Water and Environmental Cluster) is a non-profit cluster organization headquartered in Sønderborg, Denmark, founded in 2014 and operating with 51-100 staff. Clean binds Danish SMEs, water utilities, GTS institutes, universities, and public-sector bodies around market-driven green innovation in water and environmental technology, serving as Denmark's designated national cluster for the sector. The organization connects more than 300 member companies operating in an addressable universe of 839 water and environmental technology firms responsible for 71,000+ full-time jobs and DKK 165.2 billion in sector turnover (DKK 119 billion within member companies).

Clean's product surface is a portfolio of programs, projects, and funding instruments rather than a unified technology platform. Core offerings include the Lighthouse for Water national innovation initiative (DKK 41.2 million total funding, with DKK 26.7 million to Clean), the ReCircWater Interreg South Baltic stormwater project, the Capture North and Øresund CCUS consortia for carbon capture, the BlueGreen Innovation Challenge, Innovation Camp Nairobi (I4WASH 2026), the IWA Glasgow exhibition program, the Tech Tour Water Tech investor platform, and grant-track programs such as Knowledge Bridge Express (up to DKK 200,000 per project) and PFAS innovation funding (up to DKK 100,000 per company). Underlying infrastructure is a non-proprietary cluster-management platform backed by dedicated in-house Data & BI and AI/BI personnel and supported by Cluster Management Excellence Gold Label certification.

The business model is membership-based with a heavy grant-overlay. Recurring revenue comes from membership fees paid by 300+ member companies, with publicly undisclosed pricing. The dominant revenue stream is project funding secured from the Danish Board of Business Development (Danmarks Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse), the Danish Energy Agency, and EU programs including Interreg, Horizon Europe, the European Social Fund, the Digital Europe Programme, and Erasmus+. Event participation fees vary: Innovation Camp Nairobi is priced at DKK 10,000, IWA Glasgow exhibitor packages at DKK 25,000 (with a DKK 35,000 grant available), and the BlueGreen Innovation Challenge is free of charge. Geographic reach spans Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Canada, USA, China, South Korea, Kenya, and Colombia through delegation programs, EU-funded consortia, and bilateral partnerships with organizations such as Innovation Centre Denmark, the Danish Export Association, and the International Cleantech Network.

Name

Clean

Legal name

Clean

Website

https://cleancluster.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Clean is a non-profit Danish cluster organization that connects 300+ member companies, utilities, universities, and public bodies around water and environmental technology innovation. It runs funding programs, innovation challenges, and international delegations financed by memberships, Danish government grants, and EU programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water and Environmental Technology Cluster Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Solutions (BPAGALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH), Pollution Prevention, Chemicals & Waste (incl. Plastics) (BPADALAJ), WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Organizations (HLAJAKAI), Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

Keywords

• Water technology cluster
• Environmental innovation network
• Cluster organization services
• Innovation project management
• Circular economy collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Sønderborg

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Clean operates as a membership-based cluster organization where companies pay to join and gain access to networks, projects, funding opportunities, and international collaboration platforms.
2. Project Funding and Grants: Clean receives significant funding through Danish government bodies (Danmarks Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse, Danish Energy Agency) and EU programs (Interreg, Horizon Europe, European Social Fund). Funding supports innovation collaborations, international projects, and cluster operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Clean operates as Denmark's national cluster organization for water and environmental technology, delivering network-based services that connect SMEs, utilities, research institutions, and public-sector stakeholders. It runs a portfolio of innovation programs (e.g., BlueGreen Innovation Challenge, Lighthouse for Water), funding instruments (Knowledge Bridge Express, PFAS Innovation Funding, International Innovation Pilot), international market-access programs (Innovation Camp Nairobi, IWA Glasgow, CCUS Delegation to Canada), and collaborative projects (ReCircWater, Capture North) that help Danish members develop, test, and scale water and environmental technology solutions.

Product overview

Clean is Denmark's Water and Environmental Cluster—a non-profit network organization that connects companies, utilities, knowledge institutions, and public sector actors around market-driven green innovation. Rather than a single unified product, Clean operates as a portfolio of programs, projects, and services: Innovation challenges (BlueGreen Innovation Challenge), international market access programs (Innovation Camp Nairobi, CCUS Delegation to Canada), funding initiatives (Knowledge Bridge Express, PFAS Innovation Funding, Lighthouse for Water), and collaborative research projects (ReCircWater, Capture North). These offerings are designed to support Danish SMEs in developing, testing, and scaling water and environmental technology solutions through network facilitation, project collaboration, and access to international markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BlueGreen Innovation Challenge (BIC) An open innovation challenge that brings together regional and municipal authorities, utilities, consultants, researchers, manufacturers, students, and implementing companies to work on real-life challenges within water management, nature-based solutions, and resource efficiency. Participation is free of charge, including catering and facilities.
• Innovation Camp Nairobi (I4WASH 2026) A program for Danish SMEs to explore export and partnership opportunities in East Africa, focused on water, sanitation, and climate adaptation in Kenya. Companies can apply for grants of up to DKK 40,000 for activities related to Innovation Camp Nairobi and I4WASH 2026. Participation fee: 10,000 DKK.
• Knowledge Bridge Express

Quantifiable outcome

• 839 water and environmental technology companies connected in Denmark
• +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

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• VIA University CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2026Co-organizer of BlueGreen Innovation Challenge 2026 (BIC26), hosted at VIA University College Campus Horsens.
• DNNK – Det Nationale Netværk for KlimatilpasningcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2026Co-organizer of BlueGreen Innovation Challenge 2026, bringing together value chain participants from authorities, utilities, consultants, researchers, and companies.
• Erhvervshus MidtjyllandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2026Co-organizer of BlueGreen Innovation Challenge 2026, supporting innovation in water management and climate adaptation.
• ICDK – Innovation Centre DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2026Collaborator in Innovation Camp Nairobi and I4WASH 2026, providing market insights and connections through Danish Embassy in Kenya.
• Danish Embassy in KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2026Partner in Innovation Camp Nairobi providing introduction to Kenyan market and innovation opportunities.
• International Cleantech NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2026International network collaborator in Innovation Camp Nairobi supporting global cleantech collaboration.
• Quercus GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2026Local partner in Kenya supporting Innovation Camp Nairobi program delivery.
• Green Hub DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2026Part of Capture North collaboration organizing CCUS delegation to Alberta, Canada (September 2026) to gain access to one of the world's most mature CCUS ecosystems.
• NIRAScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partner in Tech Tour Water Tech 2026, one of Europe's leading platforms for connecting water technology companies with investors.
• Water Valley DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partner in Tech Tour Water Tech 2026, supporting water technology innovation ecosystem.
• Aarhus UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partner in Tech Tour Water Tech 2026 supporting water innovation collaboration.
• Danish Export AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 May 2026Collaboration partner organizing Danish Pavilion at IFAT 2026, the world's leading trade fair for environmental technologies.
• Alexandra InstitutecoreTechnology or Integration · 2 March 2026Knowledge institution partner providing technology testing support, sensor solutions, and data analysis for member company innovation projects including RUNI vibration sensor testing.
• Sweden Water ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Partner in ReCircWater Interreg South Baltic project addressing stormwater management, treatment, and reuse.
• University of GdańskcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Partner in ReCircWater project contributing to stormwater treatment pilot and analysis.
• Klaipėda UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Partner in ReCircWater project representing Lithuanian participation in Baltic Sea stormwater management collaboration.
• NovafoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Lead utility in ReCircWater project, hosting stormwater treatment pilot in Gentofte, Denmark.
• Green Hub DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026International collaboration project 'Capture North' launched by Green Hub Denmark, Clean, and Triangle Energy Alliance to develop Danish expertise in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Project receives funding from Danish Energy Agency from January 2026 until end of 2027.
• Triangle Energy AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Part of Capture North collaboration to strengthen Danish CCUS development through international knowledge exchange with Alberta, Canada and expansion to California. Delegation trips planned to Alberta (fall 2026) and California (2027).
• International Cleantech NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026Clean collaborates with ICN on EU funding programs and shares experience across European projects.
• Copenhagen Malmö Port (Ocean Valley)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Lead partner in Øresund CCUS cross-border project awarded €740,000 EU funding. Project develops Danish-Swedish collaboration platform to integrate CCUS into regional energy system, focusing on green CCUS corridor, value chain synergies, and Center of Excellence.
• E.ON Energy InfrastructuremajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Consortium member in Øresund CCUS project developing cross-border carbon capture, utilization and storage scheme.
• Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon ShippingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Consortium member working on sustainable fuels for shipping and aviation sectors as part of Øresund CCUS project.
• DTU – Technical University of DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Research partner in Lighthouse for Water project providing research capacity and advanced test infrastructure.
• Aarhus UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Research partner in Lighthouse for Water project contributing to innovation collaborations.
• Teknologisk Institut (Danish Technological Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025GTS institute partner in Lighthouse for Water project providing testing facilities and technical expertise.
• Aarhus Vand A/ScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Utility partner in Lighthouse for Water providing test facilities and challenge identification for innovation collaborations.
• Energy Cluster DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Lead of Carbon Capture to Korea (C2K) project bringing Danish CCUS expertise to South Korea. Clean participates as partner.
• Innovation Centre Denmark (Seoul)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Partner in C2K project providing connections to Korean innovation ecosystem and market entry support.
• INNO-CCUS (DTU Chemistry)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025Danish anchor in Danish-American Research and Innovation Network on Carbon Removal and CCUS, hosting Stanford University delegation.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025US partner in Danish-American Research and Innovation Network, participating in delegation on carbon removals with focus on biochar and enhanced rock weathering.
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025US partner in Danish-American Research and Innovation Network on Carbon Removal and CCUS.
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025US partner in Danish-American Research and Innovation Network on Carbon Removal and CCUS.
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research KielcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Project lead in RECOVER Interreg project developing digital model of Baltic Sea using microalgae as biological indicators. Clean participates as network partner.
• University of Southern Denmark (SDU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Danish partner in RECOVER project developing AI-supported data processing and simulation platform for Baltic Sea monitoring.
• AL-INVEST Verde ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2025European program under which Green Impackt project was implemented, connecting Colombian SMEs with European circular economy expertise.
• Odense RoboticsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration partner in 'Talent to a Green Denmark' project developing new recruitment methods for international specialists.
• Copenhagen CapacitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration partner in 'Talent to a Green Denmark' project working to attract and retain international talent for Danish companies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Water Valley Denmark: Danish water technology cluster organization based in Aarhus that connects companies, utilities, and research institutions. Direct peer to Clean as it operates in the same national water innovation ecosystem and co-organizes events such as Tech Tour Water Tech.
• Copenhagen Capacity: Copenhagen-based investment promotion and cluster organization. Direct peer collaborating with Clean on the 'Talent to a Green Denmark' project, sharing a focus on attracting international talent and investment to Danish green industries.
• Energy Cluster Denmark: Danish national cluster for energy innovation headquartered in Copenhagen. Direct peer operating under the same Danish cluster designation framework and partnering with Clean on cross-thematic initiatives like the Carbon Capture to Korea (C2K) project.
• Odense Robotics: Danish national cluster for robotics and automation based in Odense. Direct peer that collaborates with Clean on talent attraction and is part of the same national cluster ecosystem supported by Danish Board of Business Development.
• Green Hub Denmark: Danish green transition cluster organization. Direct peer that co-leads the Capture North CCUS project with Clean, demonstrating overlapping mandate in green innovation ecosystem coordination.

Others

• NIRAS: International engineering and consulting firm with strong water and environment practice. Adjacent peer that partners with Clean on Tech Tour Water Tech 2026, providing consulting services to the same water sector ecosystem Clean facilitates.
• Alexandra Institute: Danish GTS-institute providing applied IT and sensor technology services. Adjacent peer that supports Clean member innovation projects with sensor testing and data analysis expertise (e.g., vibration sensor testing for RUNI).

Broad incumbents

• Water Europe: European-wide water stakeholder platform organized under the European Commission. Broad incumbent peer serving a similar water innovation coordination role but at the pan-European level rather than the national level.
• International Cleantech Network (ICN): Global network of cleantech clusters headquartered in Denmark. Broad peer that supports Clean on EU funding programs and Innovation Camp Nairobi, providing a wider international cleantech cluster umbrella.

Regional players

• Sweden Water Research: Swedish water research and innovation organization. Regional peer that collaborates with Clean on the ReCircWater Interreg South Baltic project, focused on stormwater research with comparable mission but operating in Sweden.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cleancluster

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Clean