Ungdomsøen
Ungdomsøen is a Danish commercial foundation operating a youth-focused venue, accommodation, and event platform on the historic Middelgrundsfortet sea fort near Copenhagen, serving under-31 youth (with 30% Robin Hood discount), schools, scouts, and corporate clients through bookable facilities, activities, and a year-long Giv-Et-År volunteer program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersNyhavn, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ungdomsøen does
Ungdomsøen (The Youth Island) is a Danish commercial foundation (Fonden Ungdomsøen, registered as an erhvervsdrivende fond) that operates a youth-focused venue, accommodation, and programming platform on Middelgrundsfortet, a historic sea fort in the Øresund strait about 30 minutes by ferry from Copenhagen's Nyhavn. The site comprises approximately 70,000 square meters — 16,500 square meters indoors across venues such as Hangar C (230 m², capacity 200), Raketværkstedet, Foodlab, Artilleriværkstedet, four dining rooms, two gymnasiums, and an amphitheater, plus 2.5 kilometers of underground tunnels, 15 dormitories, 6 shelters, and a campsite for up to 1,000 tents. The organization was established after Nordea-fonden and A.P. Møller Fonden purchased the island in 2015 and gifted it to Danish youth; the platform opened in August 2019 following four years of renovation that absorbed 70,000 volunteer hours.
The organization serves two primary customer cohorts through distinct but integrated products. Youth aged 15–30 (and youth organizations, schools, scouts) consume guided tours, Demokratiløbet, lasertag, Militærhistorisk Stratego, kayak and paddleboard rental, Musikstudiet, Lydvandring, shelter and tent accommodation, and participate in a year-long Giv-Et-År volunteer program and an Ø-rådet democratic body with voting rights over events and budgets. Corporate and business clients consume packaged meeting and event offerings (day meetings, overnight meetings, seminars, company parties, cooking schools, Christmas parties, New Year receptions), bookable via a dedicated booking team and weekly "Åben Ø" inspiration tours. A small secretariat of approximately ten staff is complemented by six Giv-Et-År youth who live on the island each year.
Ungdomsøen operates a "Robin Hood" pricing model in which under-31 visitors receive roughly 30% discounts on most services, with the gap funded by adult and corporate pricing. Revenue is generated through (i) commercial trading — youth accommodation and activities, corporate event packages, on-site catering by the island chef, school programs (Ryste-sammen trips), and harbor fees from visiting boat owners — and (ii) foundation and public funding from Nordea-fonden, A.P. Møller Fonden, Tuborgfondet, Københavns Kommune, Tryg Fonden, Hempelfonden, Det Obelske Familiefond, Velliv Foreningen, Spar Nord Fonden, and Ø stifterne. The platform reaches customers through direct booking (website, email, phone, BookYourStay webshop, Billetto ticketing), owned social channels (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Discord), a MailChimp newsletter, and partner-driven referrals from Spejderne, FFD, Roskilde Festival, and DUF; physical access is controlled by partnerships with Spar Shipping (ferry from Nyhavn 71) and Actionboat.dk (RIB boat from Langeliniekaj 5). The Giv-Et-År methodology has been exported to other cultural institutions, beginning with Platformen in Esbjerg in 2021, with funding from Lauritzen Fonden and Tuborgfondet.
Ungdomsøen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ungdomsøen
- Legal name
- Fonden Ungdomsøen
- Website
- https://ungdomsoen.dk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ungdomsøen is a Danish commercial foundation operating a youth-focused venue, accommodation, and event platform on the historic Middelgrundsfortet sea fort near Copenhagen, serving under-31 youth (with 30% Robin Hood discount), schools, scouts, and corporate clients through bookable facilities, activities, and a year-long Giv-Et-År volunteer program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ungdomsøen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Event Venue & Accommodation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student & Youth Hostels (Youth Organization/HI-style) (THAGAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI), Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB), Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK)
Keywords
Where Ungdomsøen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nyhavn
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ungdomsøen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Youth Accommodation & Activities: Dormitory sleepsaver rentals (2-10 persons), shelter bookings, and tent campsites for youth groups. Activities include guided tours (105-150 DKK/person), kayak/paddleboard rental (125-185 DKK/person/hour), campfire equipment rental, and facilitated programs like Demokratiløbet and lasertag.
- Corporate Events & Meetings: Day meetings (712 DKK/person), day meetings with dinner (1,072 DKK/person), overnight meetings (1,976 DKK/person), seminars (3,112 DKK/person), company parties (796 DKK/person), cooking school (1,116 DKK/person), Christmas parties (995 DKK/person), and New Year receptions. Includes transport, food, and activity packages for businesses.
- Food & Beverage Sales: On-island catering by ø-cook (Thomas) featuring seasonal, local, organic, and sustainable produce. Meals include breakfast (55 DKK), lunch (85 DKK), dinner (150 DKK), and custom catering packages. Kiosk sells snacks, drinks, and merchandise.
- School Programs: Shake-together day trips (195 DKK/person) and overnight stays (325 DKK/person) for schools, including activities (lasertag or military stratego), dormitory/shelter/tent accommodation, kitchen access, and campfire wood.
- Foundation & Public Funding: Operating support from Nordea-fonden and A.P. Møller Fonden (who purchased the island in 2015 and donated it to youth), plus Tuborgfondet, Københavns Kommune, Tryg Fonden, Hempelfonden, Det Obelske Familiefond, Velliv Foreningen, Spar Nord Fonden, and Ø stifterne.
- Harbor Fees: Boat owners pay harbor fees (40 DKK/person for youth, 60 DKK/person for 31+) when staying overnight in their own vessels at Ungdomsøen's harbor.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Youth (under 31) activity pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Adult (31+) activity pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Youth dormitory (sovesal) pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Adult dormitory (sovesal) pricing |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Corporate meeting packages (excl. VAT) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | School program pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Ungdomsøen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ungdomsøen operates a youth-governed experience venue on the historic Middelgrundsfortet sea fort, offering venue rentals, dormitory/shelter/tent accommodations, facilitated activities (lasertag, kayaking, Demokratiløbet, guided tours), corporate meeting packages, and school programs. The platform combines a Robin Hood pricing model (30% youth discount) with foundation-backed funding to make experiences accessible to youth aged 15-30 while generating revenue from corporate bookings.
Product overview
Ungdomsøen is a unified youth experience platform built on the historic Middelgrundsfortet sea fort near Copenhagen, offering venues, activities, accommodations, and engagement programs. The platform integrates venue rentals (Hangar C, Raketværkstedet, Spisesalene, Foodlab, Artilleriværkstedet, Gymnastiksale, Amfiteatret, Kanonstillingerne) with accommodation options (Sovesale, Shelter, Teltplads) and facilitated activities (Rundvisning, Lasertag, Demokratiløbet, Militærhistorisk stratego, Kajak, Paddleboard, Musikstudiet, Lydvandring, Fotoløb, Ø-ture). Corporate packages include Dagsmøde, Døgnmøde, Seminar, Firmafest, Kokkeskole, and Julefrokost. The platform also supports youth engagement through the Giv-Et-År year-long volunteer program, Ø-rådet democratic body, and Ungeobservatør board representation. Self-service activities include Badning, Havespil, Bål, and Biblioteket. All offerings operate under a Robin Hood pricing model providing 30% youth discount for those under 31.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Giv-Et-År: A year-long programme where young people (18–30) move into the organization as full-time volunteers, contributing to events, operations, communication, and project development.
- Ø-rådet
- Faglig Forstyrrelse
- Ungeobservatør
- Robin Hood-modellen
Products and services
- Corporate Meeting Packages (Dagsmøde, Dagsmøde med middag, Døgnmøde, Seminar) Full-service meeting packages for corporate groups (minimum 10-30 guests) including venue hire across Hangar C, Raketværkstedet, dining rooms, and gymnasiums; AV equipment with projectors and speaker systems; catering (coffee, snacks, lunch, cake, dinner, breakfast); and dormitory or shelter accommodation for overnight stays.
- Corporate Celebration Packages (Firmafest, Kokkeskole, Julefrokost, Nytårskur) Celebration-focused packages for corporate clients: company parties with welcome drink and seasonal dinner, cooking school experiences in the Foodlab over open fire with the island chef, Christmas lunch packages including ferry transport and lasertag or guided tour activities, and New Year's receptions with activities and three-course dinner.
- Sovesale (Dormitory Accommodation) Renovated dormitory sleeping rooms available in 2-person (730 DKK youth / 1,040 DKK adult), 4-person (900 DKK / 1,250 DKK), 8-person (1,150 DKK / 1,700 DKK), and 10-person (1,250 DKK / 1,800 DKK) configurations, plus individual beds at 185 DKK youth / 260 DKK adult per night.
- Shelter Accommodation Six shelters built under historic rocket platforms with capacity for 8-10 persons, power outlets, and buried campfire pits with panoramic Øresund views, available for 660 DKK youth / 950 DKK adult for the whole shelter.
- Teltplads (Campsite) Campsite with capacity for over 600 overnight guests, offering tent pitches at 60 DKK youth / 80 DKK adult per person, with outdoor kitchen facilities, toilets, and showers provided.
- Guided Tour (Rundvisning) Guided tours of the historic Middelgrundsfortet led by young people who share historical facts, stories, and personal memories about the island, priced at 105 DKK for youth and 150 DKK for adults per person.
- Demokratiløbet (Democracy Run) A dialogue game that strengthens participants' democratic confidence through exercises where three groups build foundations for a society based on shared values, rights, decision-making, and how to celebrate failure, priced at 125 DKK youth / 185 DKK adult per person.
- Lasertag High-intensity team competition using laser guns in the fort's underground passages, featuring Capture the Flag gameplay across multiple levels.
- Militærhistorisk Stratego Military history-themed strategy game set in the island's past as Middelgrundsfortet, where teams compete to capture the enemy base and flag using characters from army, navy, and air force, played both indoors and outdoors.
- Watercraft Rentals (Kayak and Paddleboard) Kayak rental (sea kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks) and stand-up paddleboard rental for water activities in the island's harbor, priced at 125 DKK youth / 185 DKK adult per person per hour.
- Musikstudiet (Music Studio) Music studio available free for young people to record projects, podcasts, or practice music.
- Lydvandring (Audio Walk) Self-guided audio tour using QR codes at historical stops that unlock stories about life on the island through the ages, from military fort to youth island.
- Ø-ture (Self-Guided Island Tours) Self-guided island tours including 'Lær hinanden bedre at kende' (Learn Each Other Better), 'Debat og diskussion' (Debate and Discussion), and 'Blandede bolsjer' (Mixed Candies), developed by youth from Brandbjerg Højskole and Ungdomsøen community, with discussion questions and dialogue exercises for team building.
- Fotoløb (Photo Scavenger Hunt)
Quantifiable outcome
- 70,000 volunteer hours invested in renovation before opening in August 2019
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ungdomsøen
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ungdomsøen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature8 records
Ungdomsøen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Spejderne (The Scouts)coreCore partner and founding inspiration. A group of young scouts originally conceived the idea to buy the island and transform it into a youth island. Scouts participated in fort renovation and development of dogmes and vision. Today, Ungdomsøen collaborates with Spejderne and individual scout corps on annual scout days.
- Folkehøjskolernes Forening i Danmark (FFD)coreFFD represents Denmark's folk high schools. Their core value of 'democratic formation' aligns with Ungdomsøen's vision. Organized 'Young Europe is Voting' youth summit with 10 folk high schools and Nyt Europa in 2019. Ungdomsøen board chair Lisbeth Trinskjær is also FFD chair.
- Roskilde FestivalcoreNordic Europe's largest festival. Helped shape Ungdomsøen's vision and dogmes through workshops in 2015. In 2020, donated surplus to Rapolitics for Re:ACT festival on the island in 2021. Ongoing collaboration on youth creative projects.
- Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd (DUF)coreUmbrella organization for 80 youth organizations (scouts, student orgs, church groups, environmental orgs, social orgs, political youth orgs). Helped create workshops nationwide to gather youth input for dogmes and vision before the island opened. Hosts democratic youth activities including Nordic youth training for 60 participants in October 2021.
- Spar ShippingcoreFerry operator providing regular transport from Nyhavn 71 to Ungdomsøen. Operates Tuesday-Sunday year-round. 30-minute crossing. Tickets booked at sparshipping.dk (May-October) or via Ungdomsøen booking (October-May).
- Actionboat.dkmajorRIB boat operator providing high-speed transport (up to 60 knots/110 km/h) from Langeliniekaj 5 near Østerport. Appeals to corporate groups seeking adventure experiences. Booked directly through Actionboat.dk.
- Mindset FactoryminorTeambuilding and leadership development partner. Collaborates with former frogman Rune Viborg (ex-special forces) to deliver expert team development programs for corporate groups visiting the island.
- Brandbjerg HøjskoleminorCollaborated with Ungdomsøen's youth community to develop the 'Ø-tur: Lær hinanden bedre at kende' (Learn Each Other Better) self-guided island tour activity.
- Talerskolen RøstminorSpeech and communication school that partnered with Ungdomsøen's Giv-Et-År-engagerede (2024-2025 cohort) to host 'Middag og Taler' events where young people shared speeches and perspectives. Over 100 young people participated.
- ThreeDotminorOrganized Ø-FEST, a one-day hip-hop festival held in July 2025, gathering 60 young people for music and culture in the fort's historic cannon positions.
- Platformen (Esbjerg)minorCulture and civic center in Esbjerg. First partner organization to receive Giv-Et-År volunteers, with a cohort moving in August 2021. Part of the method expansion initiative supported by Lauritzen Fonden and Tuborgfondet.
- Flor KøbenhavnminorFlor Copenhagen collaborated with Ungdomsøen's Giv-Et-År-engagerede over summer 2025 to tend the island's kitchen garden, including weeding, planting, watering, and cultivation.
- SPRÆNG DanseteaterminorDance theater company experimenting with performing arts. Became a new partner with Ungdomsøen in May 2023, exploring dance and performance collaborations on the island.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ungdomsøen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Scandic Hotels Denmark: Largest Nordic hotel chain targeting business meetings and conferences. Competes for the same enterprise meeting bookings Ungdomsøen wins with dagsmøde/døgnmøde/seminar packages, but as a broad incumbent rather than a youth-led specialist.
- Roskilde Festival: Nordic Europe's largest music festival and founding partner of Ungdomsøen. Comparable in mission-aligned youth culture programming and event scale, and competes for the same summer youth-event attention budget.
Direct peers
- Fængslet (Horsens State Prison museum and event venue): Danish heritage prison converted into an experience and event venue for sleepovers, concerts, tours and conferences. Closest peer in combining a converted heritage site with overnight stays and group/event programming.
- Danhostel Copenhagen: The Danish national hostel association with multiple sites serving youth, schools and budget travelers across Denmark. Closest direct comparable to Ungdomsøen's youth-hostel-dormitory offering.
- Refshaleøen: Copenhagen industrial island reimagined as a creative-food, event and overnight destination (with Reffen street food, camping, boat-access only). Mirrors Ungdomsøen's island-experience format and youth-event positioning in the same metro.
- Generator Hostels: European youth-focused hostel and social-event venue chain. Comparable in combining budget dorm-style lodging with on-site bar/event programming for the under-30 traveler.
- DGI Byen: Copenhagen sports, event and conference complex tied to DGI (Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations). Comparable Danish indoor/outdoor multi-purpose venue serving youth clubs, schools and corporate meetings in the same metro.
- Platformen Esbjerg: Esbjerg culture and civic venue that received the first exported Giv-Et-År cohort in August 2021 with Tuborgfondet/Lauritzen Fonden support. Sister operation run on Ungdomsøen's methodology in another Danish region.
- Kulturværftet (Helsingør): Cultural center and event venue on Helsingør harbor combining concerts, conferences, food and youth programming. Comparable Danish waterfront multi-purpose venue with mixed youth/corporate audience.
Others
- KFUM-Spejderne i Danmark (The Scouts): Ungdomsøen's foundational partner and largest Danish youth association. Addresses overlapping youth demographic and group-activity use cases, but as a non-competing NGO/network partner rather than a venue operator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ungdomsøen social profiles
Digital presenceUngdomsøen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ungdomsøen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Ungdomsøen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ungdomsøen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ungdomsøen
What does Ungdomsøen do?
Ungdomsøen operates a youth-governed experience venue on the historic Middelgrundsfortet sea fort, offering venue rentals, dormitory/shelter/tent accommodations, facilitated activities (lasertag, kayaking, Demokratiløbet, guided tours), corporate meeting packages, and school programs. The platform combines a Robin Hood pricing model (30% youth discount) with foundation-backed funding to make experiences accessible to youth aged 15-30 while generating revenue from corporate bookings.
Is Ungdomsøen a public or private company?
Ungdomsøen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ungdomsøen founded?
Ungdomsøen was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ungdomsøen based?
Ungdomsøen is headquartered in Nyhavn, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Ungdomsøen make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Youth Accommodation & Activities are the primary driver. The others are corporate Events & Meetings, food & Beverage Sales, school Programs, foundation & Public Funding and harbor Fees.
Who are Ungdomsøen's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Scandic Hotels Denmark and Roskilde Festival. Direct peers are Fængslet (Horsens State Prison museum and event venue), Danhostel Copenhagen, Refshaleøen, Generator Hostels, DGI Byen, Platformen Esbjerg and Kulturværftet (Helsingør). KFUM-Spejderne i Danmark (The Scouts) is listed as an others.
Does Ungdomsøen have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ungdomsøen.
What industry is Ungdomsøen in?
Ungdomsøen's product category is Youth Event Venue & Accommodation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAGAH, Student & Youth Hostels (Youth Organization/HI-style), with a secondary code of THAGAOAI, Group Camping & Scout Camps. Its NAICS code is 712190 and its SIC code is 7000.