Digital Essence
Digital Essence is a France-based private company founded in 2014 that develops the HeavyM video projection mapping software ecosystem, EYS media servers, and Olga hardware kits, serving enterprise clients in retail, corporate events, and architectural installations worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMontreuil, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Digital Essence does
Digital Essence SAS is a France-based private company founded in 2014 that builds video projection mapping software and hardware for enterprise audiovisual deployments. Its core technology stack centers on the HeavyM ecosystem, comprising tiered software licenses (HeavyM basic, Pro, Pro+), the EYS Designer creation tool, and EYS Server dedicated media servers with 4-output and 6-output configurations. Advanced features include edge-blending across multiple projectors, OSC/MIDI/DMX show-control protocol support, Syphon/Spout/NDI real-time video stream integration, and audio-reactive sound analysis. The company also produces the Olga hardware kit for projection installations and co-developed Lightdrop with CTN Group, a turnkey digital decoration product bundling ultra-short-throw projectors with HeavyM Pro+ for retail and hospitality surfaces.
The company operates a dual business model combining bespoke professional services with packaged software and hardware sales. Revenue streams include one-time HeavyM software licenses sold through the heavym.net e-commerce storefront, hardware sales (Olga kits, media servers, video projectors), customized technical studies and consulting, and end-to-end project delivery covering technical study, installation, programming, and on-site support. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven, with direct expert consultation booked through Calendly and channel partnerships with Optoma (projectors), CTN Group (Lightdrop co-creation), and Waves System (media server design). Customer logos span retail (Galeries Lafayette, Samsung, Puma/Courir, Free), technology (Google France, IBM USA), automotive (Mercedes), energy (Engie), luxury (Kenzo Parfums), healthcare (Accuray), sports (Asics), education (Audencia), and government (Hôtel de Ville de Paris), with named projects executed across France, Spain, and the United States.
Digital Essence is led by founder Etienne Mathé, who serves as CEO and publication manager, alongside Arnaud Berthonneau as Marketing and Sales Director. The firm operates from La Madeleine in Northern France, with a registered address in Montreuil, and is structured as a privately held French SAS (RCS Lille, VAT FR55 800 709 180) without disclosed external institutional investors or funding rounds. The company claims more than 5,000 projects executed worldwide across its 10-year history and positions itself as a 'world leader in the development of software using video projection.'
Digital Essence firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Digital Essence
- Legal name
- Digital Essence SAS
- Website
- https://digitalessence.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Digital Essence is a France-based private company founded in 2014 that develops the HeavyM video projection mapping software ecosystem, EYS media servers, and Olga hardware kits, serving enterprise clients in retail, corporate events, and architectural installations worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Digital Essence industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Projection Mapping Software
- NAICS
- Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Creator Tools & Production (Overlays, Alerts, Encoding, Editing, Audio) (MPAFAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Video Creation, Editing & Publishing Tools (Creator Software) (MPACABAD)
Keywords
Where Digital Essence is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montreuil
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Digital Essence business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (HeavyM): Professional video projection mapping software sold through dedicated heavym.net website. HeavyM ecosystem includes creation software and broadcast/diffusion software.
- Hardware Products (Olga Kit, Media Servers): Professional hardware including Olga projection kits, dedicated media servers, and video projectors. Products available through product range offerings.
- Professional Services: Customized technical studies, hardware consultation, training programs, specific developments, and support & assistance services delivered by engineers and technicians.
- Custom Project Solutions: End-to-end video mapping project delivery including technical study, installation, programming, and on-site support for corporate events, retail installations, and architectural mapping.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Digital Essence product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Digital Essence develops and sells the HeavyM ecosystem of video projection mapping software (with EYS Designer for creation and EYS Server for broadcasting) along with complementary hardware including the Olga Kit and dedicated media servers. The company also delivers end-to-end professional services such as technical studies, hardware consultation, installation, programming, and on-site support for bespoke immersive visual installations across retail, corporate events, trade shows, and architectural mapping projects.
Product overview
Digital Essence offers a comprehensive video projection mapping ecosystem centered around the HeavyM software platform. The product portfolio spans creation software (EYS Designer, HeavyM variants), broadcast software (HeavyM Pro+, HeavyM Pro, HeavyM basic), and dedicated media server hardware (EYS Server, EYS Server Max). The HeavyM ecosystem is positioned as complete and robust creation and broadcasting tools for audiovisual professionals. Additionally, Digital Essence co-created Lightdrop with CTN Groupe as a turnkey immersive decoration solution using ultra-short-throw projectors. The company also offers hardware kits (Olga) and provides customized technical services including technical studies, hardware advice, training, and specific developments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HeavyM: A complete ecosystem of creation and broadcast software for video projection mapping, used by audiovisual professionals.
- EYS
- Lightdrop
Products and services
- HeavyM
Quantifiable outcome
- 5,000+ projects completed worldwide
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Digital Essence
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Digital Essence technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Digital Essence partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- OptomacoreCollaboration with Optoma for video projection technology. Digital Essence was invited to Optoma's ISE booth to present HeavyM and EYS software. Used Optoma ZU1050 laser projectors (10,000 lumens Full HD) in projects. Strategic partnership for delivering integrated projection solutions.
- CTN GroupcoreCo-creation of the Lightdrop product with CTN Group. Lightdrop is a turnkey digital decoration solution for transforming spaces visually using ultra-short-throw projectors and HeavyM Pro+ software. This is a joint product development partnership resulting in a commercial product line.
- Buro23minorEvent agency collaboration for ISE trade show installation. Buro23 worked with Digital Essence on the Optoma booth video mapping installation.
- MythologiescoreRecurring creative agency partnership for corporate events. Collaborated on Mercedes A-Class launch, Engie La Défense project, Google YouTube anniversary, and Kenzo convention projects. Agency provides creative direction while Digital Essence delivers technical video mapping execution.
- Bonjour LabminorCreative agency collaboration for Galeries Lafayette 'Planet Tree' interactive experience. Bonjour Lab designed and produced the installation; Digital Essence provided mapping and blending on site.
- MeaningsminorEvent agency collaboration for TDF 40th anniversary party. Co-created scenic video mapping installation with Digital Essence.
- Ossature ProductionminorSet design/agencement partner for Galeries Lafayette project, providing structural elements for the interactive installation.
- AP-01 StudiominorMultimedia integration partner for Galeries Lafayette interactive experience, handling technical implementation aspects.
- Passage PiétonminorEvent agency collaboration for Paris Marathon visual identity and tunnel installation for Asics.
- CenterlineminorAmerican creative agency that commissioned Digital Essence for IBM Z System promotional video set design. Digital Essence shipped Olga kits to the US and supervised construction remotely.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Digital Essence competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ArKaos: ArKaos offers media servers and mapping software used in live events and shows; comparable to HeavyM/EYS Server in delivering professional projection mapping toolchains for events and venues.
- Disguise: Disguise (formerly d3) provides integrated media server hardware and software for large-scale projection mapping and live events; it overlaps with Digital Essence's combined media-server-plus-software offering for premium installations.
- MadMapper: MadMapper is a dedicated projection mapping software tool that competes head-to-head with HeavyM for creators and AV professionals producing visual mapping projects on physical surfaces.
- Resolume: Resolume (Arena/Avenue) is VJ and projection mapping software widely used by AV professionals; it overlaps with HeavyM on live event, club, and mapping use cases with similar ease-of-use positioning.
- Modulo Pi: Modulo Pi is a French media server and show control vendor for projection mapping and immersive installations; comparable to EYS Server in providing turnkey media server solutions for AV integrators.
- AV Stumpfl (Pixera): AV Stumpfl's Pixera media server ecosystem offers real-time video processing and projection mapping for events and installations; competes with EYS Server and HeavyM Pro+ for premium mapping projects.
- Dataton: Dataton provides WATCHOUT show control and media server systems widely used in museums, trade shows, and permanent installations; directly comparable to Digital Essence's permanent installation / museum use cases.
Broad incumbents
- Christie (Pandora Box / Coolux): Christie's Pandora Box platform (acquired from Coolux) is a projection mapping and real-time show control offering bundled with Christie projectors; it competes in the same AV/professional projection market as Digital Essence, with broader projector hardware reach.
Others
- Optoma: Optoma is a core strategic partner supplying projectors used with HeavyM and EYS Server (e.g., ZU1050 10,000-lumen units); complementary rather than competing, but relevant as a tightly coupled ecosystem peer for projection-based delivery.
Emerging players
- Touchdesigner (Derivative): Derivative's TouchDesigner is a node-based real-time creative platform used by many AV professionals for projection mapping; an indirect competitor/alternative creator pipeline for the same HeavyM user base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Digital Essence social profiles
Digital presenceDigital Essence financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Digital Essence leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Digital Essence funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Digital Essence 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 Digital Essence
What does Digital Essence do?
Digital Essence develops and sells the HeavyM ecosystem of video projection mapping software (with EYS Designer for creation and EYS Server for broadcasting) along with complementary hardware including the Olga Kit and dedicated media servers. The company also delivers end-to-end professional services such as technical studies, hardware consultation, installation, programming, and on-site support for bespoke immersive visual installations across retail, corporate events, trade shows, and architectural mapping projects.
Is Digital Essence a public or private company?
Digital Essence is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Digital Essence founded?
Digital Essence was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Digital Essence based?
Digital Essence is headquartered in Montreuil, France, in the Europe region.
How does Digital Essence make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (HeavyM) is the primary driver. The others are hardware Products (Olga Kit, Media Servers), professional Services and custom Project Solutions.
Who are Digital Essence's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ArKaos, Disguise, MadMapper, Resolume, Modulo Pi, AV Stumpfl (Pixera) and Dataton. Christie (Pandora Box / Coolux) is listed as a broad incumbent. Optoma is listed as an others. Touchdesigner (Derivative) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Digital Essence have an API?
No public API is recorded for Digital Essence.
What industry is Digital Essence in?
Digital Essence's product category is Video Projection Mapping Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAEAC, Creator Tools & Production (Overlays, Alerts, Encoding, Editing, Audio), with a secondary code of MPACABAD, Video Creation, Editing & Publishing Tools (Creator Software). Its NAICS code is 51219 and its SIC code is 7812.