What Verdens Bedste Nyheder does

Verdens Bedste Nyheder (VBN) is a Copenhagen-based independent Danish media organization founded in 2010 that produces constructive journalism focused on positive global developments and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The platform targets Danish readers fatigued by negative news cycles and covers progress across climate, health, equality, sustainability, and Danish domestic topics (Kloden, Mennesker, Teknologi, Danmark). According to Epinion measurements, 81% of Danes recognize the SDGs, a positioning metric VBN leverages as the leading Danish outlet for SDG-related reporting.

VBN's product portfolio centers on its main website (verdensbedstenyheder.dk), a free weekly Monday-morning email newsletter, audio articles (Lydartikler), and multiple podcast properties including "Verdens Bedste Morgen" and "De Utålmodige," the latter co-hosted with former EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and SDG expert Kathrine Richardson. The technology stack is a standard digital news publishing platform with audio/podcast hosting and email newsletter distribution; no proprietary technology, app, API, or AI capabilities are disclosed. The organization has also published a free book, "På vej mod Verdensmålene," distributed to all members of the Danish Parliament (Folketinget). Its editorial team is led by editor-in-chief Sophie Rytter Skjoldager.

VBN operates as a private for-profit entity with a freemium business model in which all content is freely accessible and revenue is derived from reader donations and support (STØT OS), supplemented likely by institutional grants related to its public-interest SDG mission. With 11-50 employees and a market scope limited to Denmark (Nordic/Baltic region), VBN is a small-scale media outlet whose position is supported by strong domestic brand recognition and high-profile strategic partnerships rather than disclosed financial scale metrics.

Name

Verdens Bedste Nyheder

Legal name

Verdens Bedste Nyheder

Website

https://verdensbedstenyheder.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Verdens Bedste Nyheder is a Copenhagen-based independent Danish media organization that publishes constructive journalism covering the UN Sustainable Development Goals and positive global developments for Danish readers via website, weekly newsletter, audio articles, and podcasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Support (STØT OS): The platform appears to rely on reader donations and support, with a dedicated 'STØT OS' (Support Us) section on the website. The content is provided free to readers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Verdens Bedste Nyheder is an independent Danish media organization that produces and publishes constructive journalism focused on positive global developments and progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Its offerings include original written articles on its website, a free weekly email newsletter (Nyhedsbrev), audio versions of articles (Lydartikler), the morning segment Verdens Bedste Morgen, and the podcast series De Utålmodige. All content is provided free to readers.

Product overview

Verdens Bedste Nyheder operates as a unified news platform focused on constructive journalism, delivering positive global news across categories including climate, health, equality, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The portfolio includes the core website, a newsletter subscription service, audio article capabilities (podcast-style content), a morning news segment (Verdens Bedste Morgen), an educational guide book on Sustainable Development Goals, and a podcast series. The products work together to provide comprehensive positive news coverage to Danish audiences, with content also accessible via social media channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Verdens Bedste Nyheder Website The main news publication platform publishing constructive journalism about global positive developments, covering topics such as climate, health, equality, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Free access for all readers.
• Nyhedsbrev (Newsletter) A free weekly email newsletter delivering positive news, hope, and progress updates to subscribers every Monday morning.
• Verdens Bedste Morgen A morning news segment delivering positive news updates to listeners, part of the Verdens Bedste Nyheder portfolio of multi-format content.
• De Utålmodige (Podcast) A podcast series co-hosted by Connie Hedegaard and Kathrine Richardson discussing pathways to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of the 'Dansker, kend dine Verdensmål' project.
• På vej mod Verdensmålene (Book) A free guide book on the UN Sustainable Development Goals providing an overview of progress in Denmark and globally, distributed to members of the Danish Parliament.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Connie HedegaardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer climate minister and EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard co-hosts the podcast 'De utålmodige' (The Impatient Ones) as part of the 'Dansker, kend dine Verdensmål' project, exploring why Denmark hasn't made more progress on Sustainable Development Goals despite knowing what needs to be done.
• Kathrine RichardsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor and UN expert Kathrine Richardson co-hosts the podcast 'De utålmodige' (The Impatient Ones) as part of the 'Dansker, kend dine Verdensmål' project, investigating pathways to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
• 2030-paneletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVerdens Bedste Nyheder collaborated with 2030-panelet on the 'Dansker, kend dine Verdensmål' project, creating educational content about the Sustainable Development Goals for Danish audiences.
• EpinionminorOthersEpinion conducted surveys measuring Danish public awareness and recognition of UN Sustainable Development Goals, with 81% recognition rate reported.
• FolketingetminorOthersVerdens Bedste Nyheder distributed copies of their book 'På vej mod Verdensmålene' to all members of the Danish Parliament (Folketinget).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• De Correspondent: Dutch reader-funded journalism platform. Highly comparable to VBN on the donation/membership-driven revenue model and on building a community around a defined editorial mission, although broader in topic coverage.
• Good News Network: Online media outlet dedicated to positive news stories. Comparable to VBN on editorial niche (constructive journalism) and audience mission, but operates in English at global scale rather than as a Danish-language outlet.
• Positive News: UK-based media outlet dedicated to constructive and solutions journalism. Directly comparable to VBN on editorial positioning (positive news focus) and reader-supported model, though operating in English and a larger market.
• Zetland: Danish reader-funded digital magazine focused on long-form, in-depth journalism. Closely comparable to VBN on business model (membership/donations) and Danish-language digital news market, but covers a broader editorial remit rather than SDG-focused constructive journalism.

Broad incumbents

• Solutions Journalism Network: US-based nonprofit that trains and supports newsrooms in solutions-focused reporting. Adjacent to VBN's constructive journalism approach but functions as an industry infrastructure/training body rather than a direct news outlet.
• Tortoise Media: UK-based reader-funded ('slow') journalism outlet. Comparable on the membership-driven, considered-journalism model, though broader in topic scope and focused on UK/international readers.
• Information (Danish newspaper): Established Danish daily newspaper. Comparable as a Danish-language news outlet competing for the same reader base, though operating a much broader editorial remit and traditional subscription model rather than donation-funded constructive journalism.
• Politiken: Major Danish broadsheet newspaper. Competes for Danish news consumers' attention and donor/subscription wallet, though VBN's constructive-journalism focus is more narrowly defined.

Emerging players

• The New Humanitarian: Independent, donor-funded news outlet covering humanitarian and development issues. Comparable to VBN on donor-supported revenue model and on covering global progress/challenges with a values-driven editorial stance.
• Reasons to be Cheerful: Constructive journalism project focused on solutions-oriented reporting. Comparable editorial model to VBN but operates primarily in English at smaller scale than established positive-news outlets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/VerdensBedsteNyheder
• Instagraminstagram.com/verdensbedstenyheder
• Xx.com/vbnyheder
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verdens-bedste-nyheder

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Verdens Bedste Nyheder