Forskerfabrikken AS

What Forskerfabrikken AS does

Forskerfabrikken AS (legal entity: Scientist Factory AS) is a privately held Norwegian educational company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Oslo. It engages children in STEM learning through three coordinated channels: in-person courses — including summer schools (Sommerskole) for ages 8-12, kindergarten courses for ages 1-6, and SFO/AKS after-school programs for ages 6-9 — delivered at multiple physical locations across Norway; professional development courses that train kindergarten and after-school educators in hands-on science pedagogy; and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store (store.forskerfabrikken.no) selling proprietary science kits, lab equipment, math workbooks, and apparel.

The product portfolio is built on an in-house 'fagavdeling' (academic department) staffed by former researchers and educators. Technical content centers on chemistry experiment kits — the flagship 'Mitt første laboratorium full pakke' bundles three modules with 19 hands-on experiments, real borosilicate glassware, safety gear, and a 32-page instructional booklet — alongside lab equipment (microscopes at 40-400x and 20-40x, telescopes, Erlenmeyer flasks, pH paper) and proprietary learning materials such as 'Mattearmbånd' silicone multiplication/letter bands and 'Gangehefte'/'Vi regner med brøk' math workbooks. Founder Hanne S. Finstad authored a complementary parent-facing book, 'Ditt smarte barn.'

Revenue is generated from one-time course fees (VAT-exempt), e-commerce hardware and kit sales via a Klarna-integrated online checkout, unit-priced book sales, and professional services for educator training. Distribution is single-country/domestic, primarily through the company's own storefront and direct enrollment, supplemented by paid acquisition on Facebook, Instagram, and Google Display, including a co-marketing relationship with Hydro. The firm cites 151,000+ online customers and over 500,000 children inspired since founding, operates with 11-50 employees, and is led by founder Hanne S. Finstad with no disclosed external investors.

Name

Forskerfabrikken AS

Legal name

Scientist Factory AS

Website

https://forskerfabrikken.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forskerfabrikken AS is a Norwegian STEM-education company founded in 2002 that delivers in-person science courses, summer schools, and educator training for children aged 1-12, and sells proprietary science kits, microscopes, and math workbooks through its own e-commerce store.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's STEM Education

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH), Teacher Training & Curriculum Providers (Robotics/Maker Education) (EDAMADAM), Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused) (EDAMADAN), Children’s Activity & Practice Books (Workbooks, Puzzles, Handwriting) (EDAGAIAE)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Children's summer camps
• Science experiment kits
• Teacher professional development
• Educational toys retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Course and Summer School Fees: Revenue from in-person science courses, summer schools (Sommerlab), kindergarten courses, and SFO/AKS programs held at various locations across Norway.
2. E-commerce Product Sales: Online store sales of educational toys, science kits, microscopes, math workbooks, books, and laboratory equipment for children. Products include chemistry sets, building blocks, telescopes, and educational books.
3. Book Sales: Sale of parent-focused educational books including 'Ditt smarte barn' (Your Smart Child) by founder Hanne S. Finstad, priced at 249 NOK.
4. Professional Development Courses: Continuing education courses for kindergarten and school educators on how to conduct science experiments with children.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forskerfabrikken runs hands-on STEM courses and summer schools for children aged 1-12 across Norway, professional development courses for kindergarten and SFO/AKS educators, and operates an online store selling proprietary chemistry experiment kits, microscopes, telescopes, math workbooks, learning bands, books, and lab accessories developed by its in-house academic team.

Product overview

Forskerfabrikken (Scientist Factory AS) is a Norwegian educational company founded in 2002 offering science education for children through three main channels: (1) courses including summer schools and regular research courses for children aged 8-12, (2) professional development courses for kindergarten and SFO/AKS teachers, and (3) an online store selling educational products. The product portfolio includes chemistry experiment kits (kjemisett) such as 'Mitt første laboratorium' and 'Slimete slimdyr', laboratory equipment including microscopes (40-400x, 20-40x) and telescopes, math learning materials like 'Mattearmbånd' multiplication bands and 'Gangehefte' workbooks, science toys such as 'Voksekuler' water beads and 'Kunstig snø' artificial snow, books including 'Ditt smarte barn', and accessories like lab coats and safety goggles. The company serves over 151,000 satisfied customers and has inspired over 500,000 children since 2002.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sommerskole (Sommerlab): Summer school program for children offering science courses during summer break
• MATTEHEFTER
• Ditt smarte barn

Products and services

• Kurs for Barn (Barnas forskerkurs) Science courses for children aged 8-12, including regular research courses in natural sciences, mathematics, and research held at various locations throughout Norway.
• Sommerskole (Sommerlab) Summer school program offering science courses for children during summer break, held at locations across Norway.
• Etterutdanningskurs for Pedagoger Professional development (etterutdanning) courses for kindergarten teachers and SFO/AKS staff, teaching them how to conduct science experiments with children aged 1-6 and 6-9 years.
• Ditt smarte barn – Slik hjelper du barnet å lære Book written by founder Hanne S. Finstad providing parents with concrete tips on child brain development, learning, math, reading, digital media use, music, and creativity for children aged 0-10. Priced at 249 NOK.
• Kjemisett (Chemistry Sets) Chemistry experiment kits for children, including 'Mitt første laboratorium' (My First Laboratory), 'Slimete slimdyr', 'Såpefabrikk' (Soap Factory), and crystal growing kits, designed based on 20 years of experience conducting experiments with over 150,000 children.
• Mitt første laboratorium – full pakke Complete laboratory kit for children containing 'Mitt første laboratorium', 'Slimete slimdyr', and 'Lag supre såpestykker' with 19 different experiments, real lab equipment, 32-page instruction booklet, safety goggles, and pH paper. Priced at 998 NOK (originally 1,397 NOK).
• Mikroskop 40-400x – pakketilbud Quality microscope package for beginners and advanced users, enlarging 40, 100, or 400 times. Includes microscope, cover slips, object glasses, pipettes, petri dishes, tubes with cork, and wooden storage box. Priced at 2,223 NOK.
• Mikroskop 20-40x Entry-level microscope for children, enlarging 20-40x. Priced at 3,999 NOK.
• Teleskop for barn Telescope designed for children. Priced at 1,099 NOK.
• Forskerfabrikkens mattearmbånd (Multiplication Learning Bands) Multiplication table learning bands in 8 different colors covering times tables 2-9, made of non-toxic silicone. Help children develop a linear mental number line.
• Forskerfabrikkens gangehefte Three workbooks totaling 80 A4 pages covering multiplication tables 2-9, designed based on brain science for optimal learning. Priced at 299 NOK.
• Vi regner med brøk (Fractions Workbook) Two workbooks (20 and 28 pages) teaching fractions, equivalent fractions, addition and subtraction of fractions with different denominators, for children aged 9-12.
• Labfrakk for barn (Children's Lab Coat) Real lab coats for children made of 70% polyester and 30% cotton, with Forskerfabrikkens circular logo printed on chest. Available in sizes 3-5, 5-8, 8-10, and 12-14.
• Eksperimentbriller for barn (Children's Safety Goggles) Safety goggles for children aged 4-7, designed to protect eyes during experiments with substances or liquids. Priced at 29 NOK.
• Slimete mark og vakre perler (Slimy Worms and Beautiful Beads Chemistry Kit) Chemistry kit to make slime without contact lens solution using sodium alginate and calcium chloride. Includes instructions for creating worms and beads. Priced at 129 NOK.
• Flaskedykker (Cartesian Diver) Cartesian diver toy teaching children about buoyancy and pressure. Children squeeze a bottle to make the diver sink and release to make it rise. Priced at 69 NOK.
• Kunstig snø 250ml (Artificial Snow) Artificial snow powder that absorbs up to 300 times its weight in water. Made of CE-approved polymer, non-harmful to the environment and reusable. Priced at 399 NOK.
• Voksekuler 250 g (Water-Absorbing Beads) Water-absorbing beads that grow in water, teaching children about polymers and evaporation. Made of hydrophilic polymer similar to diaper material. Priced at 104 NOK (originally 149 NOK).
• Vi rydder skogen (Environmental Board Game) Environmental board game teaching children about recycling, waste sorting, numbers, nature, sustainability, and social skills. For 2-6 children aged 4+. Priced at 479 NOK.
• Erlenmeyerkolbe (Erlenmeyer Flask) High-quality 250ml Erlenmeyer flask made of borosilicate glass, dishwasher safe, for young scientists wanting their own laboratory. Priced at 129 NOK.
• pH-papir (pH Paper) pH paper on a roll (5m) to measure whether a liquid is acidic, basic, or neutral. Includes color chart and instructions. Priced at 99 NOK.
• Målesylinder i plast (Plastic Measuring Cylinder) Measuring cylinder in polypropylene plastic with pouring spout and base. Available in 100ml, 250ml, 500ml, and 1000ml sizes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500,000 children inspired to explore natural sciences since 2002
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• HydrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerHydro is mentioned as a co-sender of marketing information alongside Forskerfabrikken through third-party advertising channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Google Display Advertising.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MEL Science: MEL Science ships hands-on chemistry and physics experiment kits for children, closely mirroring Forskerfabrikkens 'Mitt første laboratorium' and Kjemisett kits in target audience and product format.
• Thames & Kosmos: Thames & Kosmos designs and sells science kits covering chemistry, physics, and biology for kids, directly comparable to Forskerfabrikkens experiment-kit portfolio.
• KiwiCo: KiwiCo delivers subscription STEM/STEAM activity crates for children, a direct analog to Forskerfabrikkens combination of science kits and structured learning activities.
• Mad Science: Mad Science runs in-person STEM programs, camps, and after-school workshops for children globally, directly comparable to Forskerfabrikkens Sommerlab/sommerskole and SFO/AKS delivery model.
• Steve Spangler Science: Steve Spangler Science develops and sells science experiment kits and educational content for kids, overlapping with Forskerfabrikkens hands-on chemistry and physics kit offerings.

Broad incumbents

• LEGO Education: LEGO Education is a broad incumbent in hands-on STEM/STEAM learning products and curriculum for schools, comparable to Forskerfabrikkens blend of physical kits and educator-facing programs but at much larger scale.
• Crayola: Crayola offers a broad portfolio of children's educational and creative products, including STEM-adjacent lines, competing for the same shelf and gift-channel consumer spend as Forskerfabrikkens e-commerce range.
• National Geographic Kids: National Geographic Kids is a broad incumbent in children's science content, books, and kits, competing for parental wallet share alongside Forskerfabrikkens product and book offerings.

Emerging players

• Little Passports: Little Passports delivers monthly subscription science and geography kits for children, an emerging subscription-model peer to Forskerfabrikkens e-commerce kit business.

Regional players

• Experimentarium: Experimentarium is a Danish science center offering hands-on STEM experiences and educational programs for children; a Nordic regional peer that competes for the same cross-border parental demand for STEM enrichment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forskerfabrikken-as

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 Forskerfabrikken AS