Ballast
Ballast Technologies builds waterproof VR systems (VRSlide for waterslides, DIVR for pool snorkeling) plus gamification add-ons, selling primarily to enterprise waterpark and resort operators across 16 countries via direct sales and channel partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ballast does
Ballast Technologies, Inc., founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a privately held developer of aquatic virtual reality systems purpose-built for waterparks, resorts, and large-format water amenities. The company's core platform combines proprietary waterproof VR headsets with real-time sensor-based tracking to synchronize digital content with physical rider motion on waterslides (VRSlide) and during pool snorkeling (DIVR). Its product suite has expanded to include DIVR+ (a haptic-feedback upgrade co-developed with Sub Sea Systems) and Ballast Arcade, a gamification module that overlays competitive daily scoring on VRSlide and DIVR. The company serves a primarily B2B enterprise customer base of waterpark operators, resort groups, and crystal lagoon developers, with installations across 45+ locations in 16 countries.
Ballast monetizes through a mix of usage-based per-rider fees, hardware sales, and software/content licensing, with top-performing VRSlide sites generating up to $40,000 per month and operators typically recouping investment within approximately one year (per the Therme Erding example). Distribution is hybrid: direct enterprise sales supplemented by channel partners such as wiegand.maelzer (Europe) and Altitude Sports Ventures (Middle East), plus a flagship Preferred Vendor relationship with Crystal Lagoons covering 1,100+ potential projects. The company emphasizes a perfect safety record across 1M+ uses since 2018, supported by waterproof headset engineering, liquid contact indicators, and cloud-connected monitoring. Operating geographies span North America (US, Mexico), Europe (Germany, Sweden, Hungary), Asia (Thailand, South Korea, Singapore), and the Middle East (UAE). The company is founder-led by CEO Stephen Greenwood, with a leadership team including a President of Sales & Business Development and VPs of Engineering and CX/Marketing; the organization is small (1–10 employees) and has not publicly disclosed institutional funding rounds.
Ballast firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ballast
- Legal name
- Ballast Technologies, Inc.
- Website
- https://ballastvr.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ballast Technologies builds waterproof VR systems (VRSlide for waterslides, DIVR for pool snorkeling) plus gamification add-ons, selling primarily to enterprise waterpark and resort operators across 16 countries via direct sales and channel partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ballast industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aquatic VR Technology
- NAICS
- Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VR & Immersive Esports/LBE Venues (VR Arenas, Sim Racing Pods) (MPAFALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- VR/AR Gaming Hardware (Headsets & Controllers) (HDACANAD)
Keywords
Where Ballast is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ballast business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Per-Use VR Experience Fees: Ballast generates revenue by charging waterparks and resorts per-use fees for VR experiences. VRSlide systems generate as much as $40,000 USD per month at top performing parks. Revenue is tied to guest throughput and usage volume.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary waterproof VR headsets, sensors, and related equipment. Headsets are designed for durability, easy sanitization, and upgradeability when parts wear down after normal use.
- Software Licensing: Licensing of proprietary VR software platform, including user experience, interface, store, and social features. Licensees can use Ballast Content (experiences) through the Licensed Products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | DIVR VR Snorkeling experience with gamification features |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | VRSlide waterslide VR enhancement |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ballast product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ballast designs, manufactures, and licenses aquatic VR systems (VRSlide for raft waterslides and DIVR for pool-based snorkeling) consisting of proprietary waterproof VR headsets and real-time sensor-based tracking arrays that overlay immersive digital content onto real-world water rides. The systems are sold or licensed to waterpark and resort operators who charge guests per-use fees, with top installations generating up to $40,000 USD per month and operators recouping investment in roughly one year.
Product overview
Ballast is a product suite of aquatic VR experiences for waterparks and resorts, comprising four distinct products: VRSlide (core product for waterslides), DIVR (core product for pools/VR snorkeling), Ballast Arcade (add-on gamification module for both VRSlide and DIVR), and DIVR+ (premium upgrade to DIVR with haptic feedback). The products share a common waterproof VR headset platform and cloud-connected analytics system, allowing operators to monetize existing water attractions through immersive digital experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VRSlide: VR technology for waterslides - waterproof headset system that tracks riders in real-time and synchronizes VR content with slide movement. Can be added to existing raft waterslides.
- DIVR
- Ballast Arcade
Products and services
- VRSlide Waterproof VR system for raft waterslides that adds immersive digital experiences to existing waterslides. Guests wear a waterproof headset and are tracked in real-time by proprietary sensors along the slide path while riding, experiencing synchronized digital worlds (Safari, Flight, Space, Dragons, etc.) that correspond to physical slide contours and movement. Targeted at waterpark and resort operators; achieves 120-180 riders/hour throughput.
- DIVR Underwater VR snorkeling system for pools where guests wear a waterproof headset anchored to the pool floor and freely swim to explore digital environments for approximately five minutes per experience. Transforms existing pool infrastructure into immersive VR experiences with content themes such as Ocean, Mountain, Canyon, Space, and Atlantis. Targeted at waterparks, resorts, and Crystal Lagoons amenity operators.
- DIVR+ Premium enhanced version of DIVR featuring haptic feedback through handlebars, thrust jets simulating speed, and synchronized bubbles coordinated with VR content. Built in partnership with Sub Sea Systems, Inc. Expands throughput and capacity while adding thrill-ride elements to the underwater VR experience.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million guests delighted in 5 years across 45 locations in 16 countries
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Ballast
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ballast technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Ballast partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, regional and core.
- Crystal LagoonsflagshipPreferred Vendor Agreement to bring DIVR VR snorkeling to Crystal Lagoons amenities worldwide. Crystal Lagoons has over 1100 projects in development across 160 countries, making this a major distribution channel for Ballast.
- Altitude Sports VenturesregionalSports management company that enabled the Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi partnership. Specializes in strategic development programs for UAE companies.
- wiegand.maelzercorewiegand.maelzer installs VRSlide systems for Ballast in the European market. Partnership began with Therme Erding installation in 2018, one of Europe's largest water parks.
- Sub Sea Systems, Inc.coreDeepened partnership with Sub Sea Systems to create DIVR+, adding haptic feedback through handlebars, thrust jets, and bubbles synchronized with VR content. Sub Sea Systems brings expertise in underwater equipment and passenger submarine operations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ballast competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sub Sea Systems: Sub Sea Systems is Ballast's co-development partner on DIVR+ and a leading operator of underwater passenger experiences (submarines, diving attractions). It is directly comparable as a builder of turnkey underwater experiences for commercial venues and was named partner of record for DIVR+.
- Sandbox VR: Sandbox VR operates a global chain of location-based VR entertainment venues with a similar business model of delivering immersive VR experiences for a per-session fee. Comparable to Ballast as a VR LBE experience provider using proprietary tracking and headsets.
- Zero Latency: Zero Latency is a free-roam, multiplayer VR LBE operator with a global licensee network. Comparable to Ballast as a VR experience company that combines proprietary tracking hardware with monetized immersive content sold on a per-session basis.
- Hologate: Hologate is a leading VR LBE systems provider selling turnkey VR arena solutions to FECs and entertainment venues worldwide. Comparable to Ballast as a B2B provider of immersive VR attraction systems, including hardware, software, and content.
Broad incumbents
- Whitewater West Industries: Whitewater West is one of the largest designers and manufacturers of waterpark attractions and rides globally. Comparable to Ballast as a vendor of premium water-based attractions to the same waterpark and resort customer base.
- Polin Waterparks: Polin Waterparks is a major global manufacturer of waterpark slides and aquatic attractions. Comparable to Ballast as an established supplier of turnkey waterpark attractions serving the same enterprise operator customers.
- ProSlide Technology: ProSlide is a premier water ride manufacturer known for high-profile waterpark installations worldwide. Comparable to Ballast as a vendor of premium water-based attractions that compete for capital budgets at the same waterpark and resort operators.
Regional players
- wiegand.maelzer: wiegand.maelzer is Ballast's European channel partner and installer, responsible for flagship deployments such as Therme Erding. Comparable as a regional European waterpark ride designer and operator that distributes Ballast VR systems into its home market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ballast social profiles
Digital presenceBallast financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ballast leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Ballast funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ballast 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 Ballast
What does Ballast do?
Ballast designs, manufactures, and licenses aquatic VR systems (VRSlide for raft waterslides and DIVR for pool-based snorkeling) consisting of proprietary waterproof VR headsets and real-time sensor-based tracking arrays that overlay immersive digital content onto real-world water rides. The systems are sold or licensed to waterpark and resort operators who charge guests per-use fees, with top installations generating up to $40,000 USD per month and operators recouping investment in roughly one year.
Is Ballast a public or private company?
Ballast is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ballast founded?
Ballast was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ballast based?
Ballast is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ballast make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Per-Use VR Experience Fees are the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales and software Licensing.
Who are Ballast's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sub Sea Systems, Sandbox VR, Zero Latency and Hologate. Broad incumbents are Whitewater West Industries, Polin Waterparks and ProSlide Technology. wiegand.maelzer is listed as a regional player.
Does Ballast have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ballast.
What industry is Ballast in?
Ballast's product category is Aquatic VR Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFALAE, VR & Immersive Esports/LBE Venues (VR Arenas, Sim Racing Pods), with a secondary code of HDACANAD, VR/AR Gaming Hardware (Headsets & Controllers). Its NAICS code is 7131 and its SIC code is 7900.