Green Solutions Centre - Københavns Universitet

What Green Solutions Centre - Københavns Universitet does

Green Solutions Centre (GSC) is a cross-disciplinary research center housed at the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet) that coordinates researchers from all UCPH faculties — Science, Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Health — to co-create solutions for the green transition. Its core activities include three Living Labs (Our Plant-based Future, Urban Solutions to Green Transitions, and Land Use Change for the Green Transition), 14 thematic research networks spanning agricultural soils, biodiversity, biosolutions, carbon capture, energy, forestry, governance, plant-based foods, urban areas, and related fields, and a GSC Fellowship program with five active fellows. The center funds cross-disciplinary student projects (up to DKK 15,000 per student) and pilot projects (DKK 100,000–300,000, max 1.5 years) sourced from its institutional budget.

GSC's collaborative model is community-led: it engages private companies (e.g., Novonesis, Chr. Hansen, Compass Group, Spora/Munk Food, HOFOR, European Energy, DRYK, FÆRM, Casheury), public authorities (municipalities including Silkeborg, Sorø, Holbæk, Kalundborg; Naturstyrelsen; Klimarådet), and academic partners (Universitas Indonesia, Monash University Indonesia, BRIN, Aalborg Universitetshospital) through research partnerships, Living Lab co-creation, and policy advisory engagements. Its technology stack is fundamentally a research coordination platform rather than a commercial product; notable IP includes a transport-engineering technology for glucosinolate reduction in plants (up to 95% reduction in models, with rapeseed translation). AI capabilities are research-oriented, including generative AI for spatial planning visualization and computer vision for satellite-based environmental monitoring.

As a non-commercial research center under a public university, GSC does not generate product revenue. Funding flows through institutional University of Copenhagen research grants, project-based funding, and partnership contributions. The center employs a secretariat of approximately 6 staff plus 5 GSC Fellows (8 total), and its activities include producing the GSC Knowledge Gap Report, Green Research Missions, newsletters, and knowledge materials. Marketing is conducted through the greensolutions.ku.dk website, LinkedIn, and a triannual-to-quarterly newsletter.

Name

Green Solutions Centre - Københavns Universitet

Legal name

Green Solutions Centre – University of Copenhagen

Website

https://greensolutions.ku.dk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Green Solutions Centre is a cross-disciplinary research center at the University of Copenhagen that coordinates faculty-wide research on green transition through Living Labs, research networks, and fellowships in collaboration with companies, municipalities, and international universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAF

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYEDAHAEAL

Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Technical & Polytechnic Universities

Keywords

• Green transition research
• Cross-disciplinary research
• Living lab experimentation
• University research center
• Sustainability research

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. University Research Funding: Green Solutions Centre operates as a research center under University of Copenhagen, funded through institutional research grants and project-based funding for cross-disciplinary green transition research.
2. Student Project Grants: Provides funding up to DKK 15,000 per student for cross-disciplinary projects relevant to the green transition, sourced from GSC budget.
3. Pilot Project Funding: Funds small-scale pilot projects (DKK 100,000-300,000 per project, max 1.5 years) for developing and testing solutions within plant-based food transition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Green Solutions Centre is a cross-disciplinary research hub at the University of Copenhagen that coordinates green transition research across natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and law. It delivers this through three Living Labs (Our Plant-based Future, Urban Solutions to Green Transitions, and Land Use Change for the Green Transition), research fellowships, student project grants, pilot project funding, and 14 thematic research networks. Services are aimed at UCPH researchers, students, public authorities, private companies, and NGOs collaborating on climate, biodiversity, and environmental solutions.

Product overview

The Green Solutions Centre (GSC) at the University of Copenhagen is a cross-disciplinary research center that does not operate as a commercial product company but rather as a research coordination and collaboration hub. Its offerings include three Living Labs (Our Plant-based Future, Urban Solutions to Green Transitions, and Land Use Change for the Green Transition) that serve as platforms for applied research and experimentation. Additional offerings encompass GSC Fellowships for researchers, Student Funding Programs for cross-disciplinary projects, Green Solutions Research Networks across 14 thematic areas, GSC Research Projects, Green Research Missions, Pilot Projects Funding, and Knowledge Materials. These components work together to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, students, and external partners to co-create solutions for the green transition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Our Plant-based Future Living Lab A university-driven Living Lab at UCPH focused on plant-based food and food systems, partnering with researchers, students, and external organizations to co-create solutions for transitioning to more plant-based food systems.
• Urban Solutions to Green Transitions Living Lab
• Land Use Change for the Green Transition Living Lab
• GSC Fellowships
• Student Funding Program
• Green Solutions Networks
• GSC Research Projects
• Green Research Missions
• Pilot Projects Funding
• Knowledge Materials

Quantifiable outcome

• A predominantly plant-based diet can reduce mortality among adults globally by 19-24% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food system by 36-66%
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Maine PFAS FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal partner for student project investigating PFAS contamination responses among Maine farmers
• HOFORminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal partner for floatovoltaics research project testing floating solar panels for algal growth suppression and evaporation reduction in freshwater reservoirs
• European EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal partner for wind farm opposition research project studying community engagement at Jammerland Bugt nearshore wind farm
• DHIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner for sustainable antifouling coating project based on seaweed chemistry
• Silkeborg KommuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal partner for research on volunteer actors in municipal biodiversity effort
• Centre for Sustainability and Society (SUSY)coreTechnology or IntegrationUCPH Centre at Faculty of Social Sciences focused on sustainability and society research
• Copenhagen Plant Science Centre (CPSC)coreTechnology or IntegrationUCPH Centre at Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences for plant science research
• The Sustainability Hub - Faculty of LawcoreTechnology or IntegrationHub at UCPH Faculty of Law focused on sustainability law and governance
• Environmental Humanities ForumcoreTechnology or IntegrationForum for researchers at UCPH Faculty of Humanities working on environmental humanities
• Sorø KommuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot project partner for Living Lab Land Use Change for the Green Transition
• Holbæk KommuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot project partner for Living Lab Land Use Change for the Green Transition
• Kalundborg KommuneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot project partner for Living Lab Land Use Change for the Green Transition
• NaturstyrelsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish Nature Agency as strategic partner for nature-based solutions and rewetting projects
• NaturfondenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature Foundation as partner for Living Lab projects
• VKSTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural advisory service partner for Living Lab Land Use Change projects
• GEUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeological Survey of Denmark and Greenland as partner for land use and geological research
• Naturpark Åmosen SekretariatetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature Park Åmosen secretariat as geographical focus for Living Lab rewetting research
• Kalundborg ForsyningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility company partner for green transition research in Kalundborg area
• Gate 21minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen transition consultancy partner for Living Lab collaboration
• Museum VestsjællandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional museum partner for historical perspective on land use changes
• KlimarådetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish Climate Council as partner for climate policy research
• Compass GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanteen provider partner for plant-based canteen pilot project at KU SCIENCE campuses
• Spora/Munk FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood company partner developing rapeseed press cake prototypes including burgers, spreads, and energy bars
• DRYKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlant-based dairy company partner for SHEAF pilot intervention study
• Casheury (Swedish Vegan Creamery)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish vegan creamery partner for plant-based dairy research collaboration
• FÆRMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood company partner for fava bean milk optimization for plant-based cheese production
• BiomassProteinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for consumer perception research on clover grass protein extract
• NovonesiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiosolutions company partner for enzyme and probiotic strategies to improve rumen fermentation and reduce methane emissions in dairy production
• Chr. Hansen A/ScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal health and nutrition company partner for feed additive research (Rumistar and Bovacillus products)
• Aalborg UniversitetshospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner for Cyperus rotundus extract research on glioblastoma cells
• Universitas IndonesiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for waste banks research in Denpasar, Indonesia
• Monash University IndonesiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for waste banks research and female leadership in waste management study
• BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment research agency partner for waste banks studies in Indonesia

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Stockholm Resilience Centre: Nordic university-based research centre advancing interdisciplinary research on social-ecological systems, planetary boundaries, and sustainability. Directly comparable in being a Nordic, university-anchored, interdisciplinary sustainability research hub.
• Wageningen University & Research: Dutch public research university with a globally leading focus on agriculture, food systems, and the green transition. Directly comparable to GSC in its interdisciplinary applied-research model spanning plant-based foods, biodiversity, and sustainable land use.
• EIT Climate-KIC: EU-backed knowledge and innovation community focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Comparable in its cross-sector convening role, Living Lab methodology, and mission to drive systemic green transition through partnerships.
• INRAE: France's national research institute for agriculture, food, and environment. Comparable in its interdisciplinary applied research on plant-based foods, livestock methane reduction, biodiversity, and land use change.
• Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK): German research institute focused on climate impact assessment, mitigation, and policy. Comparable in producing science-based evidence for climate and land-use policy, though operating at a significantly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• ETH Zurich: Leading Swiss technical university with major sustainability and climate research portfolios. Comparable as a top European technical university conducting cross-disciplinary green and energy research, though at substantially larger scale.
• Technical University of Denmark (DTU): Denmark's primary technical university with significant sustainability, energy, and climate research capacity. A domestic peer operating at much larger scale, with overlapping research areas in energy, urban sustainability, and bio-based solutions.
• Aarhus University: Major Danish public research university with strong departments in environmental science, agriculture, and climate research. Comparable as a Danish interdisciplinary green research institution, though broader in scope.

Others

• START (National Platform for Green Research Collaboration): National Danish platform coordinating green research collaboration across all Danish universities. Directly referenced by GSC as a partner; comparable as a higher-level convening structure for Danish green research.

Emerging players

• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): International research organization applying systems analysis to environmental, economic, and social challenges including climate and land use. Comparable in its cross-disciplinary, policy-oriented research model, though with a global rather than national remit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/green-solutions-centre-k%C3%B8benhavns-universitet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Green Solutions Centre - Københavns Universitet