Explora

What Explora does

Explora Events AG is a privately held Swiss live-events company founded in 2005, headquartered in Lucerne with an administrative office in Bern. The company operates as a curated live-show platform specializing in adventure, travel, and photography storytelling for German-speaking audiences across Switzerland. Its portfolio centers on two formats: individual touring live-shows performed at venues in approximately ten Swiss cities (including Zurich, Winterthur, Luzern, Aarau, Cham, Jona, Rorschach, Nottwil, and Wetzikon), and the annual Discovery Days festival held at the Waldhaus Arena in Flims. The 8th edition featured 20 shows with 1,000+ daily attendees, and the 9th edition (September 24-26, 2026) will showcase 18 shows selected from 132 submissions, awarding 20,000 CHF in total prize money.

The core technology stack is comparatively lean: a newly deployed 4K projector delivering 20,000 ANSI lumens (used in ~80% of shows), a website built on standard Google tools (Analytics, Tag Manager, Maps, Web Fonts), an e-commerce ticketing storefront powered by Payrexx AG, and embedded media from YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook. No APIs, SDKs, mobile apps, or proprietary software platforms are documented. Business model revenue is generated primarily through per-show ticket sales and gift voucher sales (Geschenkgutscheine, both physical and print-at-home), supplemented by photography and sketching workshops (e.g., PERFEKTE REISEFOTOS, URBAN SKETCHING, watercolor) and curated travel experiences (e.g., a trip to reindeer nomads in Mongolia). Distribution runs through the explora.ch e-commerce platform, physical presale at Globetrotter and Transa outdoor retail stores, and direct ticketing at live venues.

The company pursues a hybrid GTM combining event-driven (live shows, flagship festival) and direct-to-consumer (DTC e-commerce) motions, supported by a sponsorship stack anchored by Edelweiss (flagship travel partner), Nikon (primary equipment sponsor and photography content partner), and Transa and Globetrotter (channel partners and equipment sponsors). Minor supporting partners include CEWE, Swica, Leapmotor, TEVA, and Cotopaxi. Ownership appears founder/management-controlled with no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, or external funding rounds. Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees.

Name

Explora

Legal name

Explora Events AG

Website

https://explora.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Explora Events AG is a Swiss live-show platform that produces adventure, travel, and photography storytelling performances across multiple Swiss cities and an annual Discovery Days festival in Flims, serving German-speaking adventure enthusiasts and emerging storytellers via ticketed shows, workshops, and curated travel experiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Travel & Adventure Shows (MPAGAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA), Retail, Consumer Goods & Lifestyle Shows Organizers (THAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Live storytelling shows
• Adventure travel events
• Photography storytelling festivals
• Travel lecture series
• Live event ticketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lucerne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Live Show Ticket Sales: Ticket sales for individual live shows and the Discovery Days festival constitute the primary revenue stream. Shows are performed at multiple venues across Switzerland.
2. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers (Geschenkgutscheine) sold for live shows, available as physical cards or print-at-home digital versions. These are described as bestsellers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Explora Events AG operates a Swiss live-show event platform that hosts touring multimedia presentations on adventure, travel, and photography, anchored by the annual Discovery Days festival in Flims. The company sells individual show tickets, festival passes, gift vouchers, photography workshops, and curated travel experiences through its own e-commerce storefront and presale partners such as Globetrotter and Transa.

Product overview

Explora operates as a live-show event platform specializing in adventure, travel, and photography storytelling. The core offering consists of the annual Discovery Days festival (featuring 18-20 live shows) and individual live-shows performed at venues throughout Switzerland. The portfolio also includes photography workshops (PERFEKTE REISEFOTOS, URBAN SKETCHING, Zeichnen & Aquarellieren), gift vouchers, and exclusive travel experiences. The platform functions as a ticketing service with an integrated webshop for tickets, vouchers, and merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discovery Days Annual flagship storytelling festival featuring 18-20 live adventure, travel, and photography shows held at the Waldhaus Arena in Flims, attracting more than 1,000 attendees daily.
• Live Shows (Touring Presentations) Individual multimedia live-show presentations on adventure, travel, and photography topics performed by featured storytellers at venues across Switzerland including Zurich, Winterthur, Luzern, Aarau, Cham, Jona, Rorschach, Nottwil, and Wetzikon.
• Geschenkgutscheine (Gift Vouchers) Redeemable gift vouchers for any Explora live show, available as physical cards delivered by post within two days or as print-at-home digital versions via email.
• PERFEKTE REISEFOTOS Seminar Travel photography workflow and tips seminar led by award-winning photographer Thorge Berger, covering planning through post-processing techniques.
• URBAN SKETCHING Workshop Two-day drawing workshop combining classroom examples with practical exercises during city walks, suitable for beginners and advanced participants.
• Zeichnen & Aquarellieren auf Reisen Workshop Watercolor painting workshop on travel led by artist Jens Hübner, conducted as a hands-on workshop in Flims.
• Reisen (Curated Travel Experiences) Exclusive travel experiences such as trips to reindeer nomads in Mongolia offering insights into the daily life and traditions of the Tuva people.
• Festivalpass (Discovery Days Pass) Multi-day festival pass for the Discovery Days event held in Flims.

Quantifiable outcome

• Discovery Days festival reaches 1,000+ attendees daily over 2-3 days
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• EdelweissflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner for Explora events. Edelweiss is the travel partner, promoting the partnership to their customer base of travelers and adventure seekers.
• CEWEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhoto book company partnered as an advertiser and content provider, targeting photography enthusiasts in the Explora audience.
• GlobetrottercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss outdoor equipment retailer serves as a presale location for Explora tickets, leveraging their audience of outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.
• TransacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss outdoor equipment retailer serves as a presale location for Explora tickets and is also an equipment sponsor, providing gear partnerships.
• NikoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary partner and equipment sponsor for photography-related events and content, targeting professional and enthusiast photographers.
• SwicaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss health insurance company as a supporting partner, likely providing health and wellness content connections.
• LeapmotorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElectric vehicle manufacturer as a supporting partner, potentially for sustainability and travel-related content.
• TEVAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFootwear brand as a supporting partner, targeting outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.
• CotopaximinorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor apparel brand as a supporting partner, focused on adventure and sustainability-conscious consumers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Moth: Runs a global network of curated live storytelling events on a wide range of themes. Comparable in operating model (curated, live, ticketed storytelling shows with a flagship event and touring footprint) though their subject matter is broader than adventure/travel.
• Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival: Premier mountain and adventure film festival with a global tour of curated short films and live events. Directly comparable to Explora's Discovery Days in being a curated adventure-content festival with a touring extension.
• Red Bull Illume: Red Bull's adventure and action-sports photography competition with associated live events and exhibitions. Comparable in tying premium brand sponsorship to a curated adventure-photography event, overlapping with Explora's Nikon-anchored photography programming.
• Mountainfilm: Annual documentary/adventure film festival in Telluride followed by a touring program of films and live events. Direct match on the live, curated adventure-content festival format that Explora's Discovery Days operates.
• National Geographic Live: Operates a touring live-show series featuring National Geographic explorers, photographers, and adventurers. Closest analog to Explora's live adventure/travel storytelling model, but at significantly larger geographic and audience scale.

Broad incumbents

• TED: Operates a globally recognized live speaking-event franchise. Same DNA (curated live talks, premium production, ticket/brand revenue) as Explora, but at vastly larger scale and broader subject matter.
• Outside: U.S. adventure-media brand that produces editorial, events, and film tours (Outside Festival, etc.). Comparable in targeting adventure-active consumers with a mix of content, events, and brand partnerships, but operates at significantly larger scale and in a different geography.

Others

• Patagonia: Outdoor apparel brand that funds and hosts adventure films, events, and storytelling. Comparable in the overlap between outdoor-brand sponsorship and adventure storytelling content, but is a retailer/brand rather than an event operator.

Emerging players

• World Press Photo: Annual photojournalism competition with traveling exhibitions and live events across many countries. Comparable as a curated, photography-anchored live/exhibition event but focused on press photography rather than adventure/travel storytelling.
• Sony World Photography Awards: Global photography competition with a major annual exhibition and live events in London. Comparable as a photography-anchored curated event with live programming, though more focused on competition/exhibition than touring live shows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/explora.ch
• Instagraminstagram.com/exploraevents
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/explora-events

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Explora