What Engineer the Future does

Engineer the Future (Danmarks Tekniske Alliance) is a Danish nonprofit association (F.M.B.A., CVR 35807403) founded in 2014 and headquartered at Kalvebod Brygge 31-33 in Copenhagen, co-located with IDA (Ingeniørforeningen). The organization operates an alliance of over 50 partners spanning major Danish employers (Coloplast, LEGO, Ørsted, Novo Nordisk, Rambøll, A.P. Møller – Mærsk, Equinor, KK Wind Solutions), all Danish engineering universities (DTU, Aalborg University, Aarhus University, SDU, University of Copenhagen), teacher training colleges (VIA, Københavns Professionshøjskole, Absalon), and interest organizations, with IDA serving as the host. Its mission is to address Denmark's projected STEM workforce shortfall (13,000-20,000 graduates by 2030) by strengthening technology and science competencies among children and youth through three signature initiatives: Engineering methodology programs in primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools; Book en ekspert, a free role-model visit program connecting classrooms with industry volunteers; and Studievalg study-choice campaigns targeting 15-24-year-olds.

The core technology is the proprietary Engineering Didactics framework — a practice-based teaching methodology built on a seven-step Engineering Design Process (Understand the challenge, Investigate, Generate ideas, Concretize, Construct, Improve, Present) that is iterative and allows backtracking between subprocesses. The framework is documented across 15 chapters and updated in 2026 to include mathematics and crafts/design alongside natural sciences. Supporting products include the free online Book en ekspert booking platform, annual Engineering Day events reaching 48,000 children in 2025, teacher professional development programs, climate-focused course packages (Klimaforløb), and a comprehensive content library of 30+ engineering challenges. Program effectiveness is evaluated by VIVE (the Danish national research and analysis center) using SCOPE data in matching designs, with reported outcomes including 74% of students rating themselves as good at problem-solving post-course (up from 61%) and 78% associating STEM with creativity after participation.

The business model is grant-funded and non-commercial. Engineer the Future does not charge schools, teachers, municipalities, or students for any program or material; all services are provided free of charge. Operating income derives primarily from multi-year foundation grants (Villum Fonden, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Lundbeckfonden, William Demant Fonden, A.P. Møller Fonden, Thomas B. Thriges Fond, Region Hovedstaden, Industriens Fond) and partner contributions. Donations are not tax-deductible under Danish law. The alliance employs approximately 14 consultants with expertise in didactics, science subjects, diversity, study choice, and program management. Distribution is exclusively domestic (Denmark), executed through municipal partnerships, direct gymnasium engagement, the self-serve expert booking platform, an annual Folkemødet Tech Tent, and multi-channel content marketing via newsletters, social media, and a published knowledge base.

Name

Engineer the Future

Legal name

Engineer the Future F.M.B.A.

Website

https://engineerthefuture.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Engineer the Future is a Danish nonprofit alliance of 50+ companies, universities, and organizations that delivers free STEM education programs and teacher training to Danish primary, secondary, and upper secondary schools, funded by foundation grants, to address the country's projected engineering workforce shortage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering Design & Project-Based Learning Programs (EDAMADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG), Engineering Design & Applied STEM Challenges (Non-Robotics) (EDAMABAK)

Keywords

• STEM education
• Engineering didactics
• Teacher professional development
• Educational alliance
• STEM outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

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. Foundation Grants and Donations: As a nonprofit organization (F.M.B.A. - forening med begrænset ansvar), Engineer the Future operates through grants primarily from foundations including Villum Fonden, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Lundbeckfonden, A.P. Møller Fonden, Industriens Fond, Region Hovedstaden, and Thomas B. Thriges Fond. Donations come as one-time contributions or recurring support payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Engineer the Future is a Danish non-profit alliance that develops and delivers free STEM education programs, teacher training, and study choice campaigns to children, youth, schools, and municipalities across Denmark. Its core offering is built around three signature initiatives: Engineering (implementing engineering didactics in primary schools and gymnasiums via a seven-step Engineering Design Process), Book en ekspert (free role model visits from STEM professionals to classrooms), and Studievalg (career guidance campaigns inspiring youth aged 15-24 to pursue engineering, IT, and science education).

Product overview

Engineer the Future is Denmark's Technological Alliance—a nonprofit coalition of over 50 companies, educational institutions, and interest organizations. Rather than a unified software product, the organization operates a portfolio of educational programs and resources centered on three signature initiatives: Engineering (with programs for primary schools and high schools), Book en ekspert (a free school visit program connecting students with STEM role models), and Studievalg (career guidance campaigns). The core offering is the Engineering methodology, which provides a pedagogical framework teaching students to solve authentic real-world problems through a seven-step engineering design process. Additional offerings include annual Engineering Day events, comprehensive teaching materials and lesson plans, climate-focused courses, and professional development for teachers. The organization reaches students from early childhood through upper secondary education, with programs funded primarily by Danish foundations including Villum Fonden, Novo Nordisk Fonden, and Lundbeckfonden.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Engineering i Skolen: Engineering education program for primary and lower secondary schools
• Book en ekspert
• Engineering Day
• Engineer the Future for everyone

Products and services

• Engineering i Skolen (Engineering in Schools) An educational program that teaches primary and lower secondary school students (grades 1-10) to solve real-world problems using engineering design processes, building prototypes and developing STEM competencies through hands-on learning. Implemented in Danish schools via teacher professional development and curriculum support.
• Engineering i Gymnasiet (Engineering in High School) A national development project implementing engineering methodology in upper secondary school science education across 25 STX and HTX gymnasiums in Denmark (2023-2026). Includes teacher professional development and student engagement programs.
• Book en ekspert (Book an Expert) A free school visit program connecting Danish schools with volunteer role models from STEM professions who visit classrooms (in-person or virtual) to inspire students and connect teaching to real-world practice. In 2025, 7,500 children and youth met a role model through this program.
• Studievalg (Study Choice) Career guidance initiatives and campaigns helping young people aged 15-24 explore engineering, IT, and science education paths, including the 'Engineer the Future for Everyone' campaign. Has reached over half of Danish youth aged 15-24.
• Engineering Day An annual nationwide engineering challenge event where students from kindergarten through upper secondary school participate in engineering design activities. In 2025, 48,000 children participated, with free material kits and educational resources provided to schools nationwide.
• Klimaforløb (Climate Courses) Climate-focused engineering courses for primary schools (grades 1-10) with student-centered and solution-oriented learning materials, developed in collaboration with Københavns Professionshøjskole.

Quantifiable outcome

• 74% of students rate themselves as good at problem-solving after engineering course (up from 61%)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• IDA (Ingeniørforeningen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014IDA (The Danish Union of Chartered Engineers) is the leading interest organization in the partnership. IDA hosts Engineer the Future at their headquarters on Kalvebod Brygge in Copenhagen. The organization has historically led the alliance since founding in 2014.
• VIA University CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey educational partner contributing to development of engineering didactics, teacher education, and professional development for teachers in partner municipalities.
• Københavns Professionshøjskole (KP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes to development of engineering didactics, after-education of teachers at teacher training institutions, and teacher development in municipalities including Jammerbugt, Skanderborg, Ringkøbing-Skjern, Svendborg, Ishøj and Vejen.
• Professionshøjskolen AbsaloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes to development of engineering didactics and participates in Engineering i Skolen collaboration.
• Astra (Nationalt Naturfagscenter)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national science center contributes to national anchoring through its regional centers and qualification of teaching resources for Engineering i Skolen.
• ColoplastmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner company in the alliance contributing to STEM talent pipeline and supporting educational initiatives.
• LEGOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company supporting the alliance and contributing to engineering education initiatives.
• ØrstedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the alliance supporting STEM education and future workforce development.
• A.P. Møller - MærskmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner company in the alliance, also supported phase 1 of Engineering i Skolen through A.P. Møller Fonden.
• Naturvidenskabernes HuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes to development of new engineering courses and school-enterprise cooperation in Engineering i Skolen phase 3.
• Dansk MetalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes with strategic communication and policy work for Engineering i Skolen phase 3.
• VIVE (Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts project evaluation for Engineering i Skolen using SCOPE data in a matching design to measure program effectiveness.
• DTU (Technical University of Denmark)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Tech Tent at Folkemødet alongside University of Southern Denmark, Aalborg University, Aarhus University, and IDA. DTU researchers lead debates on technological sovereignty, skills development, and ethics.
• Aalborg Universitet (AAU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in 'for everyone' study choice campaign 2021-2023, working to inspire young people to choose engineering, IT or science education.
• Aarhus Universitet (AU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in 'for everyone' campaign, contributing to efforts to increase STEM enrollment among young people.
• KU SCIENCE (Københavns Universitet)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'for everyone' study choice campaign. The science faculty at University of Copenhagen collaborates on inspiring youth toward STEM careers.
• Syddansk Universitet (SDU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in the 'for everyone' campaign, supporting study choice initiatives for engineering and science education.
• University of Southern Denmark (SDU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Tech Tent at Folkemødet alongside DTU, Aalborg University, Aarhus University, IDA, and Engineer the Future.
• Aalborg Universitet (AAU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in Tech Tent collaboration at Folkemødet with other Danish universities and engineering organizations.
• Aarhus Universitet (AU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in Tech Tent collaboration at Folkemødet alongside other Danish universities and engineering organizations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): US-based nonprofit inspiring youth in STEM through mentor-based programs (FIRST Robotics, etc.). Directly comparable mission of engaging young people in engineering with industry volunteers, though anchored in robotics competition format rather than K-12 curriculum methodology.
• EngineeringUK: UK-based national alliance promoting engineering to young people, with similar structure of corporate partners, schools, and government engagement. Closest direct peer: same mission (inspire youth into engineering), partner-driven nonprofit model, and country-specific STEM shortage framing.
• STEM Learning UK: UK national STEM education resource and CPD provider for teachers, with extensive teaching materials, school programs, and an evidence-based approach. Comparable in offering teacher training, curriculum resources, and engineering-focused methodology to schools and youth.
• STEM Coalition (Netherlands): Dutch national platform connecting companies, schools, and government to strengthen STEM education and the technical talent pipeline. Directly comparable in scope: cross-sector alliance model, focus on K-12 teacher training and student engagement, and addressing a quantified national STEM shortage.
• Society for Science: US-based nonprofit operating the Science Talent Search, Regeneron ISEF, and Broadcom MASTERS to inspire youth in STEM. Directly comparable mission of engaging and inspiring young people in science/engineering through competitions, mentorship, and recognition pathways.

Broad incumbents

• IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology): UK professional engineering body with significant education and outreach programs (IET Education). Broader incumbent with engineering certification, professional standards, and member services, plus a STEM education arm; not a pure peer but a relevant incumbent in the same domain.
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE): US-based organization focused on engineering education at all levels including K-12 outreach. Comparable in promoting engineering as a teaching practice and supporting educators, though operates as a US professional/academic society rather than a national delivery alliance.

Regional players

• Teknikcollege / Teknikföretagen: Swedish industry-led initiative promoting engineering and technical education through school partnerships and industry-school cooperation. Highly comparable methodology and target audience, but operates in Sweden rather than Denmark, making it a regional peer rather than direct competitor.
• WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education): Qatar-based global initiative advancing education and innovation, including STEM learning. Comparable in mobilizing multi-stakeholder alliances and influencing national education agendas, but operating at a global policy level rather than direct K-12 delivery.

Others

• Naturalis Biodiversity Center (NL) Education Programs: While primarily a natural history museum, Naturalis operates large-scale K-12 STEM education programs in the Netherlands that intersect with science-and-engineering enrichment. Included as adjacent European peer providing school-facing STEM programming at national scale.

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/etfdk
• Facebookfacebook.com/engineerthefuturedk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/engineer-the-future
• Instagraminstagram.com/engineerthefuturedk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Engineer the Future