What Terranum does

Terranum Sàrl is a Swiss geoscience software and consulting firm founded in May 2011 as a spin-off from the University of Lausanne's Institute of Earth Sciences, headquartered in Bussigny, Switzerland. The company is owned and operated by three founding partners (Dr Pascal Horton, Dr Clément Michoud, Dr Thierry Oppikofer), all graduates of that institute, and operates with a headcount of 1–10 employees. Its commercial footprint spans five proprietary software products — Flow-R (gravitational hazard propagation modeling using empirical run-out algorithms), AtmoSwing (statistical precipitation forecasting via the analogue technique, run operationally four times daily), ToolMap (open-source geological digitisation software co-developed with swisstopo), Riskko (an online natural hazard risk calculator built on the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment's EconoMe 5.1 standard), and the discontinued Coltop3D (3D point cloud structural analysis) — alongside expert consulting in natural hazards, geology, hydrology, meteorology, environment, remote sensing, and GIS/custom software development, including AI-based modeling.

The company's revenue mechanics combine three streams: subscription and perpetual licensing of Flow-R (priced in EUR across Personal/Floating and Pro/Lite tiers with academic and volume discounts), freemium/open-source distribution of ToolMap monetized indirectly through consulting and professional services, and bespoke consulting engagements for public administrations, cantonal authorities, and geoscience consulting firms. Go-to-market is dual-mode: sales-led for enterprise/government software (Riskko deployed to the cantons of Vaud, Ticino, Fribourg, and Jura) and product-led/open-source for ToolMap, supported by scientific publications, comprehensive documentation, a helpdesk at help.terranum.ch, and direct online licensing via licenses.terranum.ch. Core customer segments are Swiss federal and cantonal authorities (FOEN, swisstopo, hydrological services), geoscience consulting firms, and academic/research institutions.

Name

Terranum

Legal name

Terranum Sàrl

Website

https://terranum.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Terranum Sàrl is a Swiss university spin-off (founded 2011, University of Lausanne) that develops specialized geoscience software — Flow-R, AtmoSwing, ToolMap, and Riskko — and provides expert consulting in natural hazards, geology, hydrology, meteorology, and GIS for Swiss federal/cantonal authorities, swisstopo, consulting firms, and academic institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geoscience Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms (BPAMANAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

Keywords

• Geoscience software
• Natural hazard modeling
• Gravitational hazard mapping
• Precipitation forecasting software
• Geological mapping software

Headquarters

HQ city

Bussigny

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing (Flow-R): Flow-R Pro and Flow-R Lite sold as monthly/yearly subscriptions or perpetual licenses with personal and flexible (floating) options. Academic discounts of 60% available.
2. Open Source Software (ToolMap): ToolMap distributed as free open-source software. Revenue model based on community adoption and professional services/support.
3. Consulting Services: Expert consulting services in natural hazards, geology, hydrology, meteorology, environment, remote sensing, and GIS/software development tailored to geoscience needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Terranum develops and sells proprietary geoscience software for natural hazard assessment, including Flow-R (gravitational hazard propagation modeling), AtmoSwing (statistical precipitation forecasting), ToolMap (open-source geological GIS digitization), and Riskko (online natural hazard risk calculator). The company also provides expert consulting services in natural hazards, geology, hydrology, meteorology, environment, remote sensing, and tailored GIS/software development for the geoscience community.

Product overview

Terranum offers a portfolio of specialized geoscience software products complemented by consulting services. The product lineup includes Flow-R (gravitational hazard propagation modeling), AtmoSwing (statistical precipitation forecasting), ToolMap (open-source geological digitisation), and Riskko (online natural hazard risk calculator). Coltop3D was discontinued in 2021 but support is maintained for existing customers. The company also provides GIS and software consulting services, including AI-based model development using machine learning and deep learning techniques for hydrology and climate applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Flow-R: Software for rapid, reliable, and user-friendly propagation modeling of natural hazards at local and regional scales. Optimized for susceptibility mapping of gravitational hazards such as debris flows, rockfalls, rock avalanches, shallow landslides, and snow avalanches.
• AtmoSwing
• ToolMap
• Riskko
• Coltop3D

Products and services

• Flow-R Distributed empirical software for regional susceptibility assessments of gravitational hazards (debris flows, rockfalls, rock avalanches, shallow landslides, snow avalanches) using multiple empirical run-out algorithms. Targets public administrations, cantonal authorities, and geoscience consulting firms.
• AtmoSwing Software for real-time precipitation forecasting based on the analogue technique downscaling method with automatic processing 4 times daily. Used for hydro-meteorological forecasting in flood management and electricity production contexts.
• ToolMap Free, open-source digitisation software for producing complex multi-layer vector GIS maps, particularly suited for vectorising geological maps or natural hazard maps with topologically consistent datasets. Developed in collaboration with Swiss Federal Office of Topography swisstopo.
• Riskko Online natural hazard risk calculator for rapid assessment of risk to people and objects exposed to rockfalls, landslides, snow avalanches, debris flows, floods, and bank erosion. Based on EconoMe 5.1 concepts from the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Flow-R is approximately 45× faster than previous versions (Flow-R 0.9.x) with multi-threaded processing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of LausannecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll Terranum partners are graduates from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Lausanne. Flow-R and AtmoSwing were originally developed at the University of Lausanne. The company operates as a Swiss university spin-off with ongoing academic connections.
• Swiss National Geological Survey (swisstopo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToolMap developed in collaboration with the Swiss National Geological Survey of swisstopo. Used in production of the 1:25'000 Geological Atlas of Switzerland.
• Swiss Cantons (Vaud, Ticino, Fribourg, Jura)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRiskko is provided by and deployed for Swiss cantons of Vaud, Ticino, Fribourg and Jura for natural hazard risk assessment using EconoMe 5.1 standards.
• Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)coreTechnology or IntegrationRiskko is based on concepts, risk equations and standard values of EconoMe 5.1 provided by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Valdorisk 2.1 tool developed at University of Lausanne is also referenced.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Geobrugg: Geobrugg is a Swiss-headquartered specialist in natural hazard protection systems (rockfall, debris flow, avalanche barriers). Comparable to Terranum because it addresses the same end customer base (Swiss cantons, hazard managers) with natural hazard expertise, though it sells physical protection rather than software.
• QGIS: QGIS is the leading open-source desktop GIS application. It is a direct peer because ToolMap's free, open-source positioning targets the same user base (geoscientists, GIS professionals) with vector mapping and digitisation capabilities.
• BGC Engineering: BGC Engineering is a geoscience consulting firm specializing in natural hazards, slope stability, and risk assessment. Directly comparable to Terranum's consulting practice, with similar expertise in debris flows, rockfalls, and avalanche modeling.

Emerging players

• Planet Labs: Planet Labs operates a commercial satellite constellation providing daily Earth observation imagery. Comparable to Terranum's remote sensing expertise and use of satellite imagery in natural hazard monitoring, though at vastly different scale and as an upstream data provider.

Regional players

• Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI): NGI is a leading European geotechnical research and consulting center specializing in natural hazards, landslides, and offshore engineering. Comparable to Terranum for similar hazard assessment and modeling expertise, though it serves Norway and broader Nordic markets rather than Switzerland.
• BRGM: BRGM is France's geological survey and a leading European geoscience public institution providing geological mapping, natural hazard assessment, and groundwater research. Comparable as a state-affiliated peer with overlapping geological mapping, hazard modeling, and software development missions.

Broad incumbents

• Trimble Geospatial: Trimble offers geospatial hardware and software for surveying, mapping, and 3D point cloud analysis. Comparable to Terranum through overlap in LiDAR/photogrammetric point cloud processing and geological mapping workflows.
• Esri: Esri is the global leader in GIS and spatial analytics with ArcGIS platform. Highly relevant because Terranum's ToolMap competes in the geological/natural hazard GIS niche against Esri's broader offerings, though Esri serves a much wider geography and customer base.
• Seequent (Bentley): Seequent, now part of Bentley Systems, provides geoscience analysis software including Leapfrog for 3D geological modeling. Comparable to Terranum because it addresses structural geology and 3D point cloud analysis similar to Coltop3D, at a much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Hexagon Geospatial: Hexagon Geospatial provides Power Portfolio (ERDAS, IMAGINE) for remote sensing and geospatial data management. Comparable because Terranum's GIS, remote sensing, and 3D measurement capabilities overlap with Hexagon's enterprise offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/terranum-ch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Terranum