Virtual Regatta
Virtual Regatta is a France-based eSailing platform that operates the world's largest virtual sailing community across web, iOS, and Android, offering free-to-play offshore and inshore racing simulations tied to real-world sailing events and generating revenue from in-game purchases, B2B sponsorship, and private race hosting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersIssy-les-moulineaux, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Virtual Regatta does
Virtual Regatta, headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France and founded in 2006 by Philippe Guigné, operates the world's largest eSailing platform, serving both recreational sailors and competitive e-skipper communities. Its portfolio comprises two core products: Virtual Regatta Inshore, a short-format (5–10 minute) tactical multiplayer regatta simulator featuring boats such as F50, ILCA, J70, Flying 75 and 49er; and Virtual Regatta Offshore, a real-time ocean racing simulation that mirrors major real-world events including the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre and The Ocean Race, integrating live NOAA weather data refreshed four times daily with 7-day forecast interpolation. The platform supports thousands of concurrent players across multiple boat classes (IMOCA, Figaros, Class 40, Mini 6.50, Super Maxi 100) and is the official virtual game partner of the most prestigious offshore race organizers and of World Sailing for the eSailing World Championship (eSWC).
The company monetizes through a hybrid consumer/B2B model. Consumer revenue derives from in-game purchases of boat skins, Full Packs and virtual goods distributed via the Apple App Store, Google Play and the company's web platform under a free-to-download model. B2B revenue streams include custom sponsorship packages (branded boats, 3D Marina integration, in-game product placement), private race hosting for corporate team building and client entertainment, and bulk Full Pack sales. Distribution combines self-serve mobile/web channels with direct enterprise sales and event-activation partnerships with sailing federations (FF Voile, FIV, RYA and others). The go-to-market motion is product-led and event-driven, with engagement and sponsorship tied to the real-world ocean-racing calendar. The company is privately held with 11–50 employees and no disclosed external funding.
Virtual Regatta firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Virtual Regatta
- Legal name
- Virtual Regatta
- Website
- https://virtualregatta.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Virtual Regatta is a France-based eSailing platform that operates the world's largest virtual sailing community across web, iOS, and Android, offering free-to-play offshore and inshore racing simulations tied to real-world sailing events and generating revenue from in-game purchases, B2B sponsorship, and private race hosting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Virtual Regatta industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Virtual Sailing Simulation / eSailing Gaming
- NAICS
- Spectator Sports (71121), Other Spectator Sports (711219)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Virtual Sports & Esports Live Events (Broadcast + Interactive Viewing) (MPAGAOAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online/Remote Esports Tournaments (MPAGANAH), Virtual Awards Ceremonies & Competitions (Judging, Voting) (MPAGAOAN)
Keywords
Where Virtual Regatta is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Issy-les-moulineaux
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Virtual Regatta business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- In-Game Virtual Goods (Skins/Boats): Players purchase virtual boat skins, customization items, and Full Packs through the in-game shop. These items enhance the player's experience and visual identity in races.
- B2B Sponsorship & Advertising: Corporate sponsors can create custom boats in their branding, place product placements, and advertise during races. This includes immersive advertising options such as 3D Marina integration, virtual clock advertisements, and strategic in-game placements during major events.
- Private Race Hosting: Companies can purchase private race packages for team building, corporate events, and client entertainment. These custom races are designed for specific business needs and include dedicated support.
- App Store Distribution: Revenue generated from mobile app downloads and in-app purchases distributed through Google Play and Apple App Store.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Virtual Regatta product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Virtual Regatta operates the world's largest eSailing platform, offering two core simulation games: Virtual Regatta Inshore (short-format tactical regattas of 5-10 minutes) and Virtual Regatta Offshore (realistic ocean racing simulation mirroring real-world events like the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, and Transat Jacques Vabre). The platform combines real-time NOAA weather data, multiplayer racing, and official licensing partnerships with major sailing federations and events. Revenue is generated through in-game virtual goods (boat skins, Full Packs), B2B sponsorship and private race packages, and app store distribution.
Product overview
Virtual Regatta operates as a dual-product platform for virtual sailing simulation. The core offering consists of two distinct games: Virtual Regatta Inshore, featuring short-format tactical regattas (5-10 minute races) with multiplayer competition and legendary boat classes (F50, ILCA, J70, Flying 75, 49er, Barcolana); and Virtual Regatta Offshore, providing realistic offshore ocean racing simulation that replicates major real-world competitions (Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre) using actual weather data from NOAA. The platform also includes a B2B enterprise solution for corporate team building, private races, and sponsorship, plus a merchandise shop. The company positions itself as the world's leading eSailing platform, partnering with World Sailing and official race organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Virtual Regatta Inshore: Short, intense sailing races with players competing on technical courses worldwide, featuring boats like F50, ILCA, J70, Flying 75, and 49er.
- Virtual Regatta Offshore
Products and services
- Virtual Regatta Inshore
- Virtual Regatta Offshore
- B2B Solutions (Corporate Team Building & Private Races)
- Virtual Regatta Shop
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of B2B customers recommend Virtual Regatta's private race solution
Companies that use Virtual Regatta
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Virtual Regatta technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Virtual Regatta partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Vendée GlobeflagshipVirtual Regatta is the official virtual game partner for the Vendée Globe, allowing players to compete in virtual versions of the famous solo around-the-world race.
- Route du RhumflagshipOfficial partnership for the Route du Rhum transatlantic race, with virtual recreations available in the game.
- Transat Jacques VabreflagshipOfficial partnership for the Transat Jacques Vabre double-handed transatlantic race.
- The Ocean RaceflagshipOfficial partnership with The Ocean Race (formerly Volvo Ocean Race), offering virtual race experiences.
- Solitaire du Figaro PapreccorePartnership for the Solitaire du Figaro, the premier solo sailing race in France.
- Transat Café L'OrcoreSponsor partnership for the Transat Café L'Or ocean race.
- IMOCAcorePartnership with IMOCA (International Monohull Open 60 Association), the class of boats used in Vendée Globe and other major races.
- Ultim SailingcorePartnership with Ultim Sailing for Ultim trimaran races.
- OC SportminorPartnership with OC Sport, a leading sailing event organizer.
- CIC Normandy Channel RaceminorPartnership for the CIC Normandy Channel Race.
- FF Voile (Fédération Française de Voile)corePartnership with the French Sailing Federation for official competitions and championships.
- Globe 40minorPartnership with Globe 40 sailing event.
- World Sailing (World Sailing Federation)flagshipOfficial partnership with World Sailing for the annual eSailing World Championship (eSWC), the official world championship of virtual sailing.
- FIV (Federazione Italiana Vela)corePartnership with the Italian Sailing Federation for national competitions and Virtual Regatta Inshore championships.
- RYA (Royal Yachting Association)corePartnership with the British sailing federation for official competitions.
- Sail Voile CanadaminorPartnership with the Canadian sailing federation.
- Svenska Seglarforbundet (Swedish Sailing Federation)minorPartnership with the Swedish sailing federation.
- Watersportverbond (Dutch Watersports Federation)minorPartnership with the Dutch watersports federation.
- Norske Seilforening (Norwegian Sailing Association)minorPartnership with the Norwegian sailing association.
- Koninklijke Watersportverbond (Belgian Sailing Federation)minorPartnership with the Belgian watersports federation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Virtual Regatta competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zwift: Zwift operates a virtual endurance sports platform (cycling and running) with freemium gameplay, in-app purchases, B2B team events, and federation partnerships. Same core business model as Virtual Regatta — virtual sport simulation with esports and B2B monetization — applied to indoor cycling rather than sailing.
- Sailaway Community Sailing Simulator: Sailaway is a sailing simulation game with realistic physics and global ocean navigation. Direct competitor in the virtual sailing category, though smaller in community size and lacking official race-organization partnerships.
- iRacing: iRacing is a subscription-based multiplayer motorsport simulation with esports leagues, real-world racing series partnerships, and dedicated community racing. Closest comparable business model for paid multiplayer racing simulation with official motorsport partnerships.
- Tour de France by Zwift: Tour de France virtual events run on Zwift replicate major real-world cycling races for global online participation. Direct parallel to VR's mirroring of Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, and Transat Jacques Vabre in a sister endurance-sport vertical.
- F1 Esports (Formula 1): F1 Esports is the official esports championship of Formula 1, run on the F1 video game platform with federation sanctioning and global viewership. Direct comparison to the eSailing World Championship model — official racing federation running a virtual championship series.
Emerging players
- eSailing (World Sailing app): The World Sailing federation's own eSailing initiative and app, which runs national eSailing championships. While VR co-operates with World Sailing on the eSWC, the federation app remains an adjacent platform for sanctioned eSailing competitions in national contexts.
- Virtual Skipper: Virtual Skipper is a longstanding PC-based sailing simulation that competed with early Virtual Regatta. Niche sailing sim with smaller community footprint but overlapping target audience of sailing simulation enthusiasts.
Broad incumbents
- Gran Turismo (Sony Interactive Entertainment): Gran Turismo is a flagship racing simulation franchise published by Sony with official FIA partnerships, esports championships, and global retail reach. Represents the scaled, broad-market version of what VR pursues in a vertical niche.
- Forza Motorsport (Microsoft / Turn 10): Forza Motorsport is a major console/PC racing simulation franchise from Microsoft with esports leagues and car-brand sponsorships. Represents scaled racing-simulation competition with broader publisher backing.
Others
- Twitch (Amazon): Twitch is the live streaming platform used by Virtual Regatta for race broadcasts and esports competitions. Important ecosystem participant — both a distribution channel for VR's tournament broadcasts and a competing platform for esports attention.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Virtual Regatta social profiles
Digital presenceVirtual Regatta financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Virtual Regatta leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Virtual Regatta funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Virtual Regatta 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 Virtual Regatta
What does Virtual Regatta do?
Virtual Regatta operates the world's largest eSailing platform, offering two core simulation games: Virtual Regatta Inshore (short-format tactical regattas of 5-10 minutes) and Virtual Regatta Offshore (realistic ocean racing simulation mirroring real-world events like the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, and Transat Jacques Vabre). The platform combines real-time NOAA weather data, multiplayer racing, and official licensing partnerships with major sailing federations and events. Revenue is generated through in-game virtual goods (boat skins, Full Packs), B2B sponsorship and private race packages, and app store distribution.
Is Virtual Regatta a public or private company?
Virtual Regatta is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Virtual Regatta founded?
Virtual Regatta was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Virtual Regatta based?
Virtual Regatta is headquartered in Issy-les-moulineaux, France, in the Europe region.
How does Virtual Regatta make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. In-Game Virtual Goods (Skins/Boats) is the primary driver. The others are B2B Sponsorship & Advertising, private Race Hosting and app Store Distribution.
Who are Virtual Regatta's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zwift, Sailaway Community Sailing Simulator, iRacing, Tour de France by Zwift and F1 Esports (Formula 1). Emerging players are eSailing (World Sailing app) and Virtual Skipper. Broad incumbents are Gran Turismo (Sony Interactive Entertainment) and Forza Motorsport (Microsoft / Turn 10). Twitch (Amazon) is listed as an others.
Does Virtual Regatta have an API?
No public API is recorded for Virtual Regatta.
What industry is Virtual Regatta in?
Virtual Regatta's product category is Virtual Sailing Simulation / eSailing Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAOAH, Virtual Sports & Esports Live Events (Broadcast + Interactive Viewing), with a secondary code of MPAGANAH, Online/Remote Esports Tournaments. Its NAICS code is 71121 and its SIC code is 7900.