cBrain headquarters in Copenhagen viewed from the street

Our
journey

Explore key milestones in our journey

2002

Founded in Copenhagen

cBrain® was founded by Per Tejs Knudsen and Thomas Qvist with a mission to revolutionize how governments work. From the very beginning, we set out to challenge existing processes and prove that digital government could be simpler, faster, and more sustainable.

Morgentrafik i København med cyklister og udsigt til Christiansborg.

2006

IPO: Building trust through transparency

cBrain went public just four years after its founding. The IPO was driven by our urge to challenge established ways of working, and it gave us visibility, credibility, and momentum. Being listed created trust with customers and partners and supported our process-oriented approach to building software.

2007

Researching the Digital Bureaucracy model

We began developing the Digital Bureaucracy model — a process-first framework that formalizes how governments actually operate. This model became the foundation for our F2 platform, ensuring that our technology was always grounded in real public-sector needs.

Two female cBrain employees in conversation

2008

First SKI frame agreement

cBrain was included in a Statens og Kommunernes Indkøbsservice (SKI) frame agreement for the first time — Denmark’s largest framework contract to date for ESDH solutions. The Ministry of Welfare became one of our first major customers, marking a turning point in our journey with government.

2009

Launch of cBrain F2® & early expansion

We officially launched cBrain F2 as standard software for government. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Interior joined as early customers, reinforcing momentum behind our public-sector focus. This year also saw our first mobile product — extending F2 into new ways of working.

Male and female cBrain employees in conversation in front of a computer screen

2010

Fastest implementation to date

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities implemented F2 in only eight weeks — a record compared to typical public IT projects. Rudersdal Municipality also joined, proving that F2 could scale across both central and local government.

2011

International outlook and national recognition

cBrain joined the Danish Vitus export program, paving the way for international expansion with an initial focus on Germany. At home, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Climate & Energy won the Digitalization Award for their successful F2 projects.

2012

Mobile government leadership

For the first time, a Danish minister, Martin Lidegaard, then Minister for Climate and Energy, managed cases directly from his iPad using cBrain F2. This highlighted the flexibility and mobility of our platform.

2014

Supporting Denmark’s digital leap

F2 supported the nationwide roll-out of mandatory digital communication between citizens and public organizations — a landmark in Denmark’s digital transformation, enabled by our platform.

2015

European standards and first UK customer

The EU spotlighted Denmark’s FESD II digital standard, powered by cBrain F2, as a model for digitalization. Internationally, we gained our first UK customer, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

Two cBrain employees in front of a laptop

2016

Entering the U.S. market

cBrain established an office in San Francisco and launched its first pilot project in the United States. New contracts with Liverpool City Council in the UK and customers in Germany underscored momentum in our international expansion.

2017

Digital bureaucracy and awards

The concept of Digital Bureaucracy was formally launched, codifying our research into a practical model. By this year, 12 Danish ministries were running on cBrain F2. Familieretshuset won a Digital Award for its work with F2.

2018

Expanding beyond Europe

cBrain F2 was launched in the United Arab Emirates, marking our entry into the Middle East. Adoption in Germany also gained momentum as more agencies joined the platform.

2019

International milestones

cBrain won its first U.S. federal order and new contracts in the UAE. These international breakthroughs demonstrated the global relevance of cBrain F2 and the Digital Bureaucracy model.

2020

Global reach

We delivered our first project in South America and formally shifted our business model to a subscription-based offering — making F2 more accessible and scalable for customers worldwide.

2021

New partnerships for climate software

cBrain partnered with Nortal in Germany and launched new offerings in climate software, strengthening our position as both a digital government and climate technology leader.

2022

New headquarters and climate projects

We moved into our new headquarters at Utzon House in Copenhagen. Internationally, we delivered climate software to Egypt and Kenya, expanding our impact across continents.

2023

Expanding partnerships and AI

We entered Romania with a new partner and customer, launched a tree crop system in Ghana, and established a joint venture in India. At the same time, we announced the integration of AI capabilities into cBrain F2.

2024

Scaling impact

Highlights included a proof of concept in Nigeria, extended producer responsibility projects in Thailand, and a new UNDP agreement. We were recognized with an ESG Transparency Award and continued expansion in the Middle East with Elm in Saudi Arabia.

2025

Strategic focus for the future

cBrain sharpened its global strategy around two niches: Paperless Ministries and Environmental Permitting. We are proud to support Denmark’s largest reforestation grant program, pioneering U.S. environmental permitting standards, and helping governments worldwide lead the way in digital transformation.