Danish Center for Mindfulness

What Danish Center for Mindfulness does

Danish Center for Mindfulness (Dansk Center for Mindfulness) is a research center established in 2013 within the Institute of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark. It is the country's first dedicated academic center for mindfulness and compassion research, operating as a government/academic state entity under Aarhus University's CVR registration (31119103). The center delivers evidence-based Mindfulness-Based Interventions including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Training in Compassion (TiC), all rooted in methodologies originally developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and adapted for Danish healthcare, workplace, and community contexts.

The center's core technology comprises manualized 8-week curricula (MBSR: 28 teaching hours plus daily home practice; MBCT: depression relapse prevention; TiC: compassion cultivation), adapted versions for vulnerable populations (psychosocially vulnerable pregnant women, informal caregivers of people with mental illness), and workplace-tailored 10-week MBSR programs for small and medium-sized enterprises. Courses are delivered in-person (Aarhus, Copenhagen, Herning) and online via Zoom, including a self-paced online program developed with Mind Online. Programs are administered through Aarhus University's continuing education arm, AU Cetera. Professional teacher training in MBSR and compassion is offered, with graduates populating a certified teacher directory across Jutland and Zealand.

The business model rests on four revenue streams: self-pay course fees (standard MBSR priced at 4,995 kr. ex VAT, approximately 6,243.75 kr. including VAT, with a 2,000 kr. discount for students/unemployed/pensioners); customized B2B corporate training; foundation research grants (notably TrygFonden, Velliv Foreningen at 2.7M DKK, Østifterne, Mary Fonden); and healthcare-system-referred MBSR delivery free to patients in Region Midtjylland. The center serves a hybrid customer base including individual consumers, private companies, municipalities (Aarhus, Køge, Frederiksberg), Danish Parliament staff, hospitals (Aarhus, Odense, Bispebjerg, Amager/Hvidovre), and healthcare professionals seeking certification. No formal revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Danish Center for Mindfulness

Legal name

Dansk Center for Mindfulness, Aarhus Universitet

Website

https://mindfulness.au.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mindfulness and Mental Health Training Services

NAICS

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (62133), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Mindfulness-Based Coaching & Training (MBSR/MBCT-style) (HSADAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate/Workplace Mindfulness & Stress-Reduction Programs (HSADAJAG), Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF)

Keywords

• Mindfulness-based stress reduction
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
• Compassion cultivation training
• Evidence-based mental health programs
• Professional mindfulness teacher training

Headquarters

HQ city

Aarhus

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Direct course fees from participants. Standard MBSR course fee is 4,995 kr. ex VAT (6,243.75 kr. including VAT). Students, unemployed, and pensioners receive 2,000 kr. discount. Payment can be split into installments.
2. Corporate Training: Customized MBSR programs for private companies and organizations. B2B sales through direct engagement with HR departments and workplace wellness programs.
3. Research Grants: External funding from foundations for research projects. TrygFonden funded the 'Stress Reduction on Prescription' project. Velliv Foreningen supported workplace mindfulness research (2.7 million DKK). Additional funding from Østifterne, Mary Fonden for Good Start project.
4. Healthcare System Referral: MBSR courses provided at no cost to patients through the 'Stress Reduction on Prescription' program, funded by TrygFonden, with referral through general practitioners in Region Midtjylland.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Danish Center for Mindfulness delivers evidence-based mindfulness and compassion training programs, including the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Training in Compassion (TiC) curricula, along with professional teacher training, seminars, and retreats. Courses are offered in-person in Aarhus, Copenhagen, and Herning, as well as live online via Zoom and through a self-paced online platform. The center also runs the Stress Reduction on Prescription project (physician-referred MBSR in Region Midtjylland) and the Good Start project for vulnerable pregnant women, and conducts associated clinical research published in peer-reviewed journals.

Product overview

Danish Center for Mindfulness operates as a research center at Aarhus University offering a portfolio of mindfulness and compassion-based programs. The core offerings include Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as evidence-based 8-week courses, alongside Training in Compassion (TiC). Additional offerings include the shorter Mindfulness Tools (4-day intensive) and Compassion, Research and Evidence courses. Professional teacher training programs in both MBSR and compassion are available for those seeking to teach these methods. The center also runs specialized programs including the Stress Reduction on Prescription project (healthcare-referred MBSR) and the Good Start project for vulnerable pregnant women. Courses are offered in Danish primarily, with some offerings in English, and include in-person, online (via Zoom), and hybrid delivery formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 8-week scientifically documented group program that strengthens well-being and reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and pain through intensive mindfulness training. Meets 2.5-3.5 hours weekly plus one full day, with 45-60 minutes of daily home practice six days per week. Available in-person and online.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) 8-week mindfulness-based therapy program for individuals who have or have had depression, aimed at preventing relapse. Recommended by the Danish Health Authority and NICE guidelines as a preventative treatment for recurrent depression.
• Training in Compassion (TiC) 8-week compassion training program focused on handling uncomfortable emotions, developing courage and strength to be with pain and suffering, and providing tools for healthier relationships.
• Mindfulness Tools Intensive 4-day residential course drawing upon elements and exercises from the 8-week MBSR program. Suitable for both first-time MBSR participants and those wishing to refresh or deepen their existing practice.
• Compassion, Research and Evidence (CFE) 8-topic course providing insights into the newest research on compassion with deeper understanding of the field. Includes practical compassion exercises with loving kindness meditation as a common thread.
• Teacher Training in MBSR Professional training programs for those aspiring to become teachers of MBSR, aligned with highest quality standards, scientific evidence, and best practices. Part of the Global Mindfulness Collaborative network of 15 member organizations in 13 countries.
• Teacher Training in Compassion Professional training programs for those aspiring to become teachers of compassion-based interventions.
• Stress Reduction on Prescription (Stressreduktion på recept) 8-week MBSR program offered as a healthcare treatment for adults with stress-related issues in Region Midtjylland. Referral-based through general practitioners, with courses available in-person in Aarhus and Herning and online via Zoom, with rolling intake starting in January, April, August, and October.
• Good Start (God Start) Developmental and research project creating a model for an empowered treatment offer for vulnerable pregnant women and their partners, using adapted MBSR. Implemented at Familieambulatoriet, Amager and Hvidovre Hospital.
• Seminars Four times yearly seminars held in Copenhagen and Aarhus covering topics from mindfulness and compassion fields, including inquiry, psychiatry, and stress. Open to those working professionally with mindfulness and compassion.
• Retreats Retreats hosted at different locations in Denmark on an ongoing basis, led by experienced and recognized mindfulness and meditation teachers. Mandatory part of teacher trainings in mindfulness and compassion.

Quantifiable outcome

• MBSR reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and pain with effects supported by brain research showing structural changes in stress-regulation areas
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mindfulness Center, Brown UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for mindfulness research and teacher training. The Global Mindfulness Collaborative originated from the Center for Mindfulness at UMass and evolved into formal association with Brown University's Mindfulness Center.
• Oxford Mindfulness CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) research for depression prevention. Includes joint supervision of PhD projects and international research publications.
• Mind & Life InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization connecting mindfulness researchers and practitioners. The center participates in Mind & Life Institute activities and events.
• Interacting Minds Centre, Aarhus UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterdisciplinary research collaboration at Aarhus University focused on understanding minds and consciousness through integrated research approaches.
• Syddansk Universitet (SDU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with University of Southern Denmark on workplace mindfulness intervention project, combining DCM expertise with SDU research capabilities.
• Amager og Hvidovre HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partnership implementing MBSR for vulnerable pregnant women through Familieambulatoriet (Family Maternity Clinic), with over 300 pregnant women completing the program.
• Terapihaven NacadiaminorOthersSpecialized treatment facility for trauma and stress-related conditions, listed as a partner organization.
• Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStanford University center focused on compassion research, contributing to the compassion cultivation training programs offered by DCM.
• Lazar Lab, Harvard Medical SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Dr. Sara Lazar's neuroscience lab studying meditation's effects on the brain.
• Global Mindfulness Collaborative (GMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of 15 MBSR teacher training organizations across 13 countries, committed to evidence-based training and highest quality standards. DCM is a member organization.
• CSV - Center for Special Education and CounselingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish center for special education providing collaboration on compassion training research for caregivers of people with mental illness.
• Region HovedstadenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital Region of Denmark healthcare authority, listed as a partner for potential future mindfulness program implementations.
• Steno Diabetes Center CopenhagenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiabetes research center exploring mindfulness interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UMass Center for Mindfulness: Originator of the MBSR program founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn at UMass Medical School. Closest protocol peer to DCM, sharing MBSR teacher training standards via the Global Mindfulness Collaborative.
• Brown University Mindfulness Center: Mindfulness research and training center at Brown University. DCM's academic partner in the Global Mindfulness Collaborative, sharing MBSR teacher training and research methodology.
• Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute: Evidence-based mindfulness and emotional intelligence program for workplace settings. Closest direct peer to DCM's workplace-adapted MBSR curriculum for corporate clients.
• UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC): University-based research center offering evidence-based MBSR/MBCT programs and teacher training. Closely comparable operating model combining research, public courses, and corporate wellness delivery.
• Oxford Mindfulness Centre: University-based mindfulness research and training center at Oxford, co-developer of MBCT for depression prevention. DCM's primary research collaborator on MBCT depression studies and joint PhD supervision.
• Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE): Stanford center developing and disseminating Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT). Source methodology for DCM's TiC program and active research collaborator.
• Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University: UK university center delivering MBSR/MBCT teacher training and research with a comparable academic-to-public-delivery model. Fellow GMC member with similar protocol fidelity focus.

Others

• Mind & Life Institute: International organization convening mindfulness researchers and contemplative scientists. DCM is a participant in Mind & Life activities; relevant as ecosystem/partner rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Calm: Major commercial meditation and mental wellness app. Broad incumbent alternative for consumers seeking stress-reduction content outside formal 8-week MBSR programs.
• Headspace Health: Largest commercial mindfulness and meditation app, offering scalable, low-cost stress-reduction content. Competes with DCM primarily on consumer-facing, self-pay mindfulness, not on clinical MBSR/MBCT protocols.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mindfulness_au
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_Qw9aXrwNtusqzJfvQergw
• Facebookfacebook.com/danskcenterformindfulness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dansk-center-for-mindfulness
• Instagraminstagram.com/dansk_center_for_mindfulness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Danish Center for Mindfulness