Naturvidenskabernes Hus

What Naturvidenskabernes Hus does

Naturvidenskabernes Hus is a Danish non-profit organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Bjerringbro, Denmark. It operates as the national center for school-business cooperation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, serving Danish primary schools (Folkeskole), upper-secondary schools (Gymnasiums), daycare institutions, municipalities, and corporate partners. Its portfolio of programs includes Naturfagsmaraton (Denmark's largest science competition for grades 5-6, reaching approximately 23,000 students annually), Science Day (annual company-hosted visits attracting 25+ students per event), Minimaraton (preparatory program for grades 0-2), Tekcases (upper-secondary modules with company visits at 280+ locations), ESERO Danmark (European Space Education Resource Office operated on behalf of ESA), Kloge Hænder (vocational inspiration), and Girls' Day in Science. The organization also runs the Tektanken portal, a network of 280+ free teaching programs with company visits across Denmark, and hosts ESERO Danmark, which celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2025.

The business model is multi-stream non-profit financing rather than commercial revenue. Funding comes from major Danish charitable foundations (Poul Due Jensens Fond, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Villum Fonden, LEO Fondet), annual municipal subsidies (DKK 750,000 from Viborg Kommune as of 2025), and tiered corporate memberships (kernemedlem, støttemedlem, interessemedlem). The nine core members include Coloplast, Danfoss, Grundfos, Novo Nordisk, Novonesis, PPG, TDC NET, Topsoe, and Fremstillingsindustrien. Core programs are free for public schools in municipalities with cooperation agreements, which now cover more than half of Denmark's 98 municipalities. Total organizational reach is approximately 45,000 children and youth annually. The organization operates with 36 employees and is governed by a board and an industry presidium (Erhvervspræsidium) drawn from member companies. No proprietary technology platform or AI capability is described; technology infrastructure is limited to two websites (nvhus.dk and naturfagsmaraton.dk) and program-management tools.

Name

Naturvidenskabernes Hus

Legal name

Naturvidenskabernes Hus

Website

https://nvhus.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Naturvidenskabernes Hus is a Danish non-profit national center founded in 2009 that runs STEM education programs (Naturfagsmaraton, Science Day, Minimaraton, Tekcases, ESERO Danmark) connecting schools, municipalities, and corporate members across Denmark.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Advanced STEM & Competition Coaching (MathCounts/AMC/AIME/USAMO, Science Olympiad, Physics/Chem Olympiads) (EDANAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Competition Coaching & Training Programs (AMC/AIME/USAMO/MathCounts) (EDAMAEAA)

Keywords

• School-business cooperation
• STEM education programs
• Science curriculum integration
• Teacher professional development
• Corporate education partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bjerringbro

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and fund grants: Primary revenue source is charitable foundation funding. Major grants include DKK 13.65M from Poul Due Jensens Fond (largest single grant), DKK 12.5M from Novo Nordisk Fonden, DKK 5.8M from Villum Fonden (2025, for Naturfagsmaraton and Minimaraton through 2028), DKK 5M from Poul Due Jensens Fond, and DKK 6.55M from Novo Nordisk Fonden (2016). These grants fund program development and operations.
2. Municipal government subsidies: Annual municipal subsidies provide operational funding. Viborg Kommune provides DKK 750,000 per year (2025 budget). This represents a recurring public funding stream from the host municipality.
3. Corporate membership fees: Companies join as kernemedlem (core member), støttemedlem (supporting member), or interessemedlem (interested member), with access to programs like Science Day and Naturfagsmaraton. Membership fees represent a commercial revenue stream from the business community.
4. Free programs (social mission): Core programs such as Naturfagsmaraton and Minimaraton are free for public schools in municipalities with cooperation agreements. Programs are funded entirely through grants and subsidies, not program fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Naturvidenskabernes Hus is a non-profit national center based in Bjerringbro, Denmark that designs and delivers curriculum-aligned STEM teaching programs connecting Danish schools with industry partners. Its flagship Naturfagsmaraton competition reaches approximately 23,000 students annually in 5th and 6th grade across more than half of Denmark's 98 municipalities, complemented by Science Day company visits, Minimaraton for younger students, Tekcases for upper secondary schools, Kloge Hænder vocational inspiration, and management of ESERO Danmark (ESA's European Space Education Resource Office).

Product overview

Naturvidenskabernes Hus is a non-profit national center for school-company cooperation focused on natural sciences and technology education. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs: the flagship Naturfagsmaraton competition for grades 5-6 reaches ~23,000 students annually; Science Day connects students with companies for hands-on STEM experiences; Minimaraton prepares younger students for competition-based learning; and Tekcases provides upper secondary modules with company visits. Supporting infrastructure includes ESERO Danmark (space education), the NAFA Dialog podcast, Girls' Day in Science, Kloge Hænder (vocational inspiration), and municipal competence development programs. All offerings emphasize practice-near teaching where students tackle real-world challenges from partner companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tektanken: A national portal for school-business collaboration, previously known as Jet-Net.dk, offering over 280 free teaching programs with company visits across Denmark.
• Naturfagsmaraton
• Science Day
• ESERO Danmark

Products and services

• Naturfagsmaraton Denmark's largest science competition for 5th and 6th graders, where students work on real-world science and technology challenges from partner companies and compete at local competition days. Reaches approximately 23,000 students annually across more than half of Denmark's 98 municipalities. Free for folkeskole in partner municipalities.
• Science Day Annual event where students visit companies, organizations, or educational institutions to participate in hands-on STEM workshops and meet role models. Targets students from 4th grade to 3.G (upper secondary). Held on a fixed autumn date each year.
• Minimaraton Preparation program for Naturfagsmaraton designed for early elementary students (grades 0-2). Includes 'En sej snurretop' (spinning top) and 'En sej svæver' (glider) modules that teach investigative work and iterative design.
• ESERO Danmark European Space Education Resource Office - ESA's education program in Denmark, managed by Naturvidenskabernes Hus. Brings space and astronomy into teaching through resources, teacher support, and classroom activities linked to ESA missions including astronaut Andreas Mogensen's missions.
• Tekcases / Virksomhedscases Free teaching modules with company visits for upper secondary (gymnasium) students. Developed in collaboration with Danish companies, covering topics like sustainability, water management, satellites, and enzyme technology. Available across 280+ locations in Denmark through the Tektanken portal.
• Kloge Hænder Program aimed at inspiring more young people to pursue vocational education through school-company collaborations and visits to vocational schools and companies.
• Kompetenceudvikling (Competence Development) Teacher training and professional development programs to help educators implement practice-near teaching and school-company cooperation effectively, delivered in partnership with municipalities.
• Girls' Day in Science Annual event specifically aimed at encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by connecting female role models with students.
• Dialogmøder (Dialogue Meetings) Strategic dialogue sessions with municipalities to support and strengthen school-company cooperation at the local level.
• NAFA Dialog Podcast Podcast series produced by NAFA, Naturvidenskabernes Hus, and ESERO Danmark, featuring conversations about science education, company visits, and practical learning experiences.
• Corporate Memberships (Kernemedlem, Støttemedlem, Interessemedlem) Three-tiered corporate membership (kernemedlem, støttemedlem, interessemedlem) giving companies access to Science Day, Naturfagsmaraton, gymnasium programs, and other cooperation opportunities. Core members (Coloplast, Danfoss, Grundfos, Novo Nordisk, Novonesis, PPG, TDC NET, Topsoe, Fremstillingsindustrien) have highest engagement including program design and governance participation.
• Municipal Cooperation Agreements Strategic cooperation agreements with Danish municipalities that grant all schools in the municipality access to the full program portfolio (Naturfagsmaraton, Science Day, teacher training, etc.). More than half of Denmark's 98 municipalities have active agreements. Includes dedicated municipal consultant support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of teachers are satisfied or very satisfied with Naturfagsmaraton overall; 95% satisfied with competition day; 92% found academic level appropriate
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core member, program partner, strategic partner, research partner, host municipality and vendor.

• Coloplastcore memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem) of Naturvidenskabernes Hus. Coloplast participates in programs including Science Day and has provided case studies for gymnasium programs such as 'Når teknologi bliver livsnødvendig' (stomiprodukter).
• Danfosscore memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). Danfoss co-developed the 'Luft ud' (Ventilate) task for Naturfagsmaraton, focused on indoor air quality and building ventilation. Also partner in 'Den grønneste energi er den, vi sparer' gymnasium case.
• Grundfoscore memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). Grundfos participates in Science Day and gymnasium programs including 'Vand til fremtiden' (sustainable pump solutions) and previously hosted HTX students for tekcase kickoff on sustainable water pumping.
• Novo Nordiskcore memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). Hosted Science Day 2024 at Global Research Technologies in Måløv. Students measured medicine in blood and isolated DNA from strawberries. Strong engagement with 82% positive STEM perception change among participants.
• Novonesiscore memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). Novonesis participates in gymnasium programs including 'Bæredygtighed med enzymer' (sustainability with enzymes) and has been involved in previous Naturfagsmaraton task development.
• PPG (formerly Hempel)core memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). PPG participates in Naturfagsmaraton with the 'Mal med PPG' (Paint with PPG) task involving paint production and conveyor belt building.
• TDC NETcore memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). TDC NET participates in Naturfagsmaraton with the 'Forbind med TDC NET' (Connect with TDC NET) task about internet usage and digital connectivity.
• Topsoe (Haldor Topsøe)core memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). Topsoe partners on gymnasium programs including 'Power-to-X' and the Erhvervspræsidium (Business Presiding Board). CEO Jakob Haldor Topsøe is on the Erhvervspræsidium.
• Fremstillingsindustrien (Danish Manufacturing Industry)core memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member (kernemedlem). Industry association representing manufacturing companies. Palle Damborg from Fremstillingsindustrien sits on the Erhvervspræsidium. Association contributes to Tekcases with member companies.
• GomSpaceprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany partner providing satellite-related tasks for Naturfagsmaraton ('Seje satellitter med GomSpace') and gymnasium programs ('Optimering af strømforsyning til satellitter', 'Fremstilling af stjernekamera til satellitter'). Hosts company visits for students.
• TotalEnergiesprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company providing the 'Lad op med TotalEnergies' task about energy, electricity, and building rubber band-powered cars for Naturfagsmaraton.
• COWIprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy partner providing the 'Byg højt' (Build High) task for Naturfagsmaraton, focused on structural engineering, triangular constructions, and lattice structures.
• DA Åben Virksomhed (Danish Employers' Confederation)strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation with DA Åben Virksomhed to expand school-business cooperation. ~150 of Tektanken's programs are available on DA's aabenvirksomhed.dk portal. Jointly published the report 'Virksomheder i samarbejde med skoler'.
• Engineer the Futurestrategic partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Engineer the Future on research (report on company-school cooperation) and shared mission to strengthen STEM education in Denmark.
• ESA / ESERO Danmark (European Space Education Resource Office)program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerESERO Danmark is a project under the European Space Agency. Naturvidenskabernes Hus hosts ESERO Denmark, manages the Rumrejsen (Space Journey) national outreach project tied to astronaut Andreas Mogensen's missions, and participates in EU STEM Coalition with chairmanship of a European working group on school-business cooperation.
• NAFA (Nationalt Center for Fremme af Naturfagsundervisning)program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAFA and Naturvidenskabernes Hus jointly develop the NAFA Dialog podcast about science education. NAFA is the national center for science teaching promotion in Denmark.
• Danish Universities (DTU, KU, SDU, AAU, AU)research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Danish universities collaborate on the Ormstrup Sø research project. Naturvidenskabernes Hus develops teaching materials from the research for schools and gymnasiums. Partners include DTU, KU, SDU, AAU, and AU.
• Copenhagen Business School (CBS)research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in the project 'Organisering af samarbejde mellem grundskoler og erhvervsliv i Danmark' (Organizing cooperation between primary schools and business in Denmark), supported by Innovationsfonden. Mathilde Hjerrild Carlsen is a postdoc at both Naturvidenskabernes Hus and CBS.
• Viborg Kommunehost municipalityStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost municipality providing annual subsidy of DKK 750,000. Hosts the national center in Bjerringbro. Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen visited in September 2025. Strong civic support for the organization.
• MorningtrainvendorTechnology or IntegrationDigital agency that developed the new dedicated website platform for Naturfagsmaraton (naturfagsmaraton.dk), launched May 2026. Built with user-specific experiences for students, teachers, judges, and municipal coordinators.
• PLIXXENTprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany partner for the gymnasium case 'Fremtidssikring af polyurethan' (Securing the future of polyurethane), focusing on circular economy and plastic lifecycle.
• DEIFprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the gymnasium program 'Energioptimering af en global festival – fra sort til grøn energi?' on energy optimization and green energy transition.
• Termaprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace technology company partner for the gymnasium program 'Mod det uendelige univers – og ned på vores egen Jord' on astronomy and space technology.
• Klimatoriumprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the gymnasium program 'Klimasikring af kyst og vandløb' (Climate adaptation of coasts and waterways) using climate data.
• Envidanprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the gymnasium program 'Klimatilpasning på dit eget gymnasium' (Climate adaptation at your own gymnasium) on flood resilience.
• DHIprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the gymnasium program 'Satellitdata – et vigtigt værktøj' (Satellite data – an important tool) on satellite data applications.
• WaterITechprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the gymnasium programs 'Søens digitale tvilling' (The lake's digital twin) and 'Fosfor – Fra problem til løsning', collaborating with Aarhus University.
• DIS/CREADISprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the gymnasium programs 'Design en sø-robot' (Design a lake robot) and the Ormstrup Sø phosphorus restoration research project.
• LIFE (Lærer, Idræt, Forskning og Ernæring)program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFE Campus partners on gymnasium programs 'Hjerteblod' (Heart's blood) and 'Vandkamp' (Water battle) on health research and climate adaptation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Science Buddies: US-based nonprofit providing free STEM education resources, project ideas, and teacher support. Comparable in non-profit STEM education mission and free-school-distribution model, though US-focused and digital-first.
• Science Museum Group: UK nonprofit operating the Science Museum and related informal STEM learning venues. Comparable as a major STEM education nonprofit with national-scale reach, corporate partnerships, and school programming.
• Exploratorium: San Francisco-based nonprofit science museum and center for informal STEM education. Comparable in mission-driven STEM education, teacher professional development programs, and corporate foundation funding.

Emerging players

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): Global youth STEM organization running K-12 robotics competitions (FLL, FTC, FRC). Comparable in K-12 STEM competition structure and corporate sponsorship model, though with a robotics focus rather than broad STEM themes.

Regional players

• Experimentarium (Denmark): Denmark's largest science center with hands-on STEM exhibits. Both organizations target Danish STEM engagement and corporate partnerships, though Experimentarium is a physical science center while Naturvidenskabernes Hus is a school-coordination national center.
• Bloomsburg Children's Museum / similar regional STEM education centers: Smaller-scale regional STEM education nonprofits targeting K-12 students with hands-on programming and corporate partnerships. Comparable in mission but smaller geographic reach and less coordinated national footprint.

Direct peers

• Science Olympiad: US national STEM competition organization running tournament-based science and engineering events for K-12 students. Naturfagsmaraton is structurally similar — large-scale K-12 science competition with local/regional competition days and corporate sponsorship.
• NAFA - Nationalt Center for Fremme af Naturfagsundervisning: Denmark's national center for promoting science education. NAFA and Naturvidenskabernes Hus co-develop the NAFA Dialog podcast and operate in overlapping mission space around Danish STEM education teacher development and curriculum support.
• Engineer the Future (Netherlands): Dutch platform coordinating school-business cooperation in STEM. Naturvidenskabernes Hus cites Engineer the Future as a strategic partner and co-publishes research on company-school cooperation. Closest international analog in mission and structure.

Others

• EU STEM Coalition: European coalition of STEM education organizations. Naturvidenskabernes Hus is a member and chairs a working group on school-business cooperation, making it a direct ecosystem peer and partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nvhus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturvidenskabernes-hus
• Instagraminstagram.com/naturvidenskaberneshus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Naturvidenskabernes Hus