Mark Nilsson

Anders Kjærsgaard and Mark Nilsson founded First-8 after serving as first aid instructors and sergeants in the Danish army. The network built in the military became a resource for the business, with sergeants and officers from the military teaching first aid.

First-8 has grown organically, without bank loans or investors, from a turnover of 64,000 DKK in the start-up year 2015 to almost 18 MDKK and a strong position in the Danish market just eight years later. They found a clear need in the market and successfully marketed themselves using online marketing as their main channel. But after reaching a certain position, they wanted something else.

"We wanted to build a full-service offering within safety, and when Presto contacted us in early 2023, we saw the possibility to achieve our goals with their support. This ended up in Presto acquiring us and afterwards two more companies, SafetyGroup and Parat. Together, we have created a solid offering in all areas of first aid. Our next big step is to utilise all the knowledge within the group and create a strong full-service safety offering for the Danish market," says Anders Kjærsgaard.

According to him, the timing was perfect; when Presto reached out, First-8 were in the market looking for an investor to help them grow. "When Presto contacted us, we decided to meet and listen to their vision. It turned out that they had plans similar to ours, but from a larger perspective, with the aim of Presto becoming the leading supplier in Europe."

"Everybody we met in our due diligence was super nice, and the chemistry was just right, so we are now part of Presto. We are happy to have all the support that Presto can give us, and we can still keep our inner entrepreneur as we are at heart. I know that the acquisition by Presto sent shockwaves through the market, and rightly so, because we will change the Danish market — to benefit those who need our products," says Anders, and continues: "Together with the Swedish company Dahl Medical, acquired by Presto in 2023, and the Norwegian company Trygg Kurs and the Finnish company Safedo, acquired by Presto in 2022, we have a Nordic offering that can serve all types of customers, large and small."

The Danish defibrillator market is entirely private; no state or municipal regulations require them, unlike fire safety, a highly regulated market. As many as 90% of all defibrillators sold in Denmark are placed outdoors. In Denmark, around 5,000 people die from cardiac arrest outside hospital every year — the chance of survival is currently around 10%, but figures from Norway and Finland show that wider defibrillator access can lift that to around 40%.

• Founded 2015, from a turnover of 64,000 DKK
• Grown to almost 18 MDKK, with no bank loans or investors
• Acquired by Presto in 2023
• 2,360 defibrillators deployed in Denmark since launch
• 2,604 safety-training hours completed every year
• +600 customers become safer with First-8 every year
  

Visit First-8 or Presto Denmark