Docks - Lausanne

What Docks - Lausanne does

Docks - Lausanne is a single-site live music venue and cultural centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, founded in 2005 and operated by the non-profit foundation Fondation pour les Musiques Actuelles (FMA). The venue has a capacity of approximately 1,000 people and presents a multi-genre concert programme spanning rock, electronic, indie, metal, folk, R&B, jazz, and world music, including 'Only Swiss Show' exclusive Swiss dates that attract audiences from across the country. Beyond concerts, Docks runs an integrated cultural portfolio: a rotating visual-arts exhibition programme on the first-floor balcony, the Proxima and Opération Iceberg artist-development initiatives, school concerts for local classes, the Sorties Relax inclusive events for sensory-sensitive audiences, and training programmes with HETSL and Eracom.

The underlying technology is conventional venue infrastructure — a concert hall, balcony gallery, foyer, café/bar, and the official docks.ch website — with no proprietary platform, app, or AI systems. Ticketing is distributed via the venue's own site and third-party partners Petzi, See Tickets, and Fnac; merchandise is sold through a Payrexx-powered online store. Revenue is generated from ticket sales (typically 28-74 CHF per ticket depending on artist and tier), merchandise, and venue rental for private hire, supplemented by public funding from Ville de Lausanne, Canton de Vaud, Loterie Romande, Pro Helvetia, and the EU Creative Europe programme (via Liveurope).

The venue markets its programme primarily through its own website, a weekly French-language newsletter, and organic social media, with audience reach amplified by artist fanbases and ticketing partners. Customer segments include general music enthusiasts, school-age audiences, accessibility-focused audiences via Sorties Relax, and visual-arts visitors. Docks has been operating continuously for over 20 years and celebrated its 20th anniversary in November 2025 with the '20 years, 20 memories' exhibition.

Name

Docks - Lausanne

Legal name

Fondation pour les Musiques Actuelles

Website

https://docks.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Docks - Lausanne is a 1,000-capacity live music venue and cultural centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, operated by the non-profit Fondation pour les Musiques Actuelles since 2005. It presents multi-genre concerts, visual-art exhibitions, artist-development programmes, school and inclusive events for diverse Swiss and European audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Live music venue
• Concert programming
• Cultural exhibitions
• Artist development
• Music festivals

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales: The primary revenue stream for Docks comes from ticket sales for concerts, events, and exhibitions. Tickets are sold through the venue's own platform and third-party ticketing partners (Petzi, See Tickets, Fnac), with prices ranging from approximately 28 CHF to 74 CHF per event depending on the artist and seating category.
2. Merchandise sales: Docks operates an online merchandise store selling branded merchandise to visitors and fans.
3. Venue rental and event hire: The venue offers its facilities for private hire (Demande de location), generating rental income from external event organisers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Docks operates a 1,000-capacity live music venue in Lausanne, Switzerland, hosting concerts across rock, electro, pop, hip-hop, metal, folk, and world music genres. Beyond concerts, it offers a rotating visual arts exhibitions programme on its first-floor balcony, artist development initiatives (Proxima, Opération Iceberg), educational school concerts, inclusive Sorties Relax performances, guided venue tours, private venue hire, and branded merchandise sales, all under the Fondation pour les Musiques Actuelles non-profit foundation.

Product overview

Docks - Lausanne is a music venue operated by Fondation pour les Musiques Actuelles (FMA), offering a comprehensive portfolio of live entertainment and cultural programs. The core offering centers on the concert venue (accommodating up to 1,000 people) hosting diverse music genres including rock, electro, pop, hip-hop, metal, and folk. Supporting products include an exhibitions program featuring visual arts on the first floor balcony, educational initiatives (school concerts, training programs), and accessibility-focused performances (Sorties Relax). The venue also provides venue visit programs, artist support initiatives (Proxima, Opération Iceberg), and digital services including an online merchandise store, video content gallery, photo gallery, and newsletter. The venue maintains partnerships with ticketing platforms (Petzi, See Tickets, Fnac) for ticket distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Concert Venue Services Live music venue hosting concerts across various genres including rock, electro, pop, hip-hop, metal, folk, R&B, jazz, and world music. The venue accommodates up to 1,000 people and features an intimate concert hall setting, with tickets priced from approximately 28 CHF to 74 CHF depending on the artist.
• Exhibitions Programme Visual arts exhibitions held on the first-floor balcony and foyer gallery featuring photographs, drawings, paintings, and other artwork by Swiss and international artists. Exhibitions typically run for approximately two months each.
• School Concerts Educational concert programme for local Lausanne-area school classes offering 30-minute performances followed by moderated Q&A sessions with artists, accompanied by an educational preparation pack for teachers. Past artists include NNAVY, Imelda Gabs, Comme1Flocon, Broken Bridge, and Lily Gasc.
• Sorties Relax inclusive concerts Inclusive evening performances developed in collaboration with Sorties Relax (relax-culture.ch), featuring softer lighting, reduced sound levels, fewer attendees, and volunteer support, designed for audiences who find standard concerts overwhelming.
• Venue Visit Programme Guided venue tours introducing the world of live music and different professions (technical, production, programming, administration, communication, catering) for community groups, schools, and other organisations.
• Training Programme Initiation and training opportunities in live music including traineeships in technical and production fields, educational partnerships with HETSL and Eracom, and individual interview sessions.
• Proxima emerging artist programme Support programme for emerging artists providing residencies, training (Arrimages), and concert opportunities (Grands bains) with professional coordination from sound engineers, musicians, and communication experts.
• Opération Iceberg French-Swiss cultural project supporting 11 emerging artists/groups through residencies (Immersions), training courses (Arrimages), and concerts (Grands bains), developed by 13 cultural actors including Les Eurockéennes de Belfort and La Fondation cma.
• Private venue hire Hire of the 1,000-capacity venue, foyer, café/bar, and exhibition space for external event organisers via the "Demande de location" channel.
• Online merchandise store E-commerce platform at lesdocks.payrexx.com selling branded Docks merchandise to visitors and fans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Venue capacity: approximately 1,000 people per event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LiveuropecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Liveurope is the first pan-European initiative supporting concert venues in their efforts to promote emerging European artists. Docks participates in Liveurope, hosting concerts such as Kid Francescoli + Woody and Sam Sauvage + Paolo. The initiative is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and supported by Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council. Liveurope helps Docks access and promote emerging European artists while providing institutional backing and visibility.
• Collection de l'Art BrutminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Docks collaborated with the Collection de l'Art Brut for an evening event featuring Astéréotypie on 03.10.2026, as part of the Collection's 50th birthday celebrations. The event included a documentary screening at the Cinématographe.
• Jumeaux Jazz ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Docks collaborated with the Jumeaux Jazz Club for the Cory Wong 'The Fretboard Odyssey' concert on 08.12.2026, a joint programming and promotional effort combining the jazz club's network with Docks' venue.
• Sorties Relax (relax-culture.ch)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Since 2024, Docks collaborates with Sorties Relax to offer inclusive evening concerts suitable for all audiences, including people with sensory sensitivities. Sorties Relax events feature softer lighting, reduced sound levels, fewer attendees, and volunteer support. The collaboration represents a co-developed inclusive programming initiative.
• Takk-ABcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTakk-AB is a co-presenter of select Docks events, including Fontaines D.C. and Kneecap. As presenting partner, Takk-AB shares in the promotion and organisational responsibility of specific concerts, contributing to audience development and event logistics.
• TCO ProdcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTCO Prod co-presents events at Docks including Zamdane, Kemmler, So La Lune, and others. The partnership involves shared promotional efforts and event production collaboration.
• Ville de LausanneminorOthersThe City of Lausanne is listed as a partner on the Docks website footer, indicating municipal support or recognition of the venue as a cultural institution. Docks is identified as a key cultural venue in Lausanne.
• Canton de VaudminorOthersThe Canton de Vaud is listed as a partner, indicating cantonal-level public support for the venue as part of the regional cultural infrastructure.
• Loterie RomandeminorOthersLoterie Romande is listed as a partner, suggesting funding or financial support from the Swiss lottery towards the venue's cultural programming.
• La NébuleuseminorOthersLa Nébuleuse is listed as a partner on the Docks website, indicating a collaborative or mutual support relationship between the two cultural entities in Lausanne.
• Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPro Helvetia is a supporting partner of the Liveurope programme at Docks, providing institutional visibility and cross-promotional support for emerging European artists at the venue.
• Opération Iceberg consortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDocks participates in Opération Iceberg, a French-Swiss cultural project led by Les Eurockéennes de Belfort (FR) and La Fondation cma (CH), involving 13 cultural actors supporting 11 emerging artists/groups through residencies (Immersions), training (Arrimages), and concerts (Grands bains). Docks supports emerging artists including Nathalie Froehlich through this programme alongside Le Romandie venue.
• PetzicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPetzi is the primary third-party ticketing partner for Docks, appearing as a ticket purchase option on all event pages alongside the venue's direct sales and See Tickets. Petzi drives ticket sales through its own platform and marketing channels.
• See TicketsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSee Tickets is an international ticketing partner referenced on Docks event pages, serving international audiences. It is one of the authorised ticket resellers for Docks concerts alongside Petzi and Fnac.
• FnacminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFnac is referenced as a physical and online ticket sales point for Docks events alongside Petzi and See Tickets.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• La Maroquinerie: Mid-size Parisian live music venue (~1000 capacity) booking indie, rock, and alternative touring artists on European club circuits. Directly comparable on capacity, programming philosophy, and mid-tier European tour routing.
• Fri-Son: Mid-size live music club in Fribourg, Switzerland, with comparable capacity (~1000), a similar multi-genre indie/rock/electronic programming focus, and a cultural-association operating model in the French-speaking Swiss market.
• Kaserne Basel: Mid-size cultural venue in Basel hosting concerts, club nights, and cultural programmes with a public-institution operating model similar to Docks' foundation structure. Comparable on capacity, mixed cultural programming, and Swiss public-support funding model.
• Mascotte: Long-running live music club in Zurich offering a similar mixed-genre indie/rock/electronic programme at mid-size capacity. Comparable on Swiss venue economics, booking model, and competing for the same touring European artists.
• La Romandie: Sister mid-size live music venue in Lausanne sharing the same local catchment and presenting partner ecosystem (including Opération Iceberg). Most directly comparable peer because of identical city, capacity range, and French-Swiss programming focus.
• Plaza: Mid-size live music venue in Zurich with comparable capacity and similar mid-career international touring artist programming. Comparable on Swiss alternative/indie concert circuit positioning.
• Bierhübeli: Mid-size concert venue in Bern, Switzerland, booking similar international and Swiss artists on European tours. Comparable on capacity, Swiss-venue economics, and competing artist bookings.
• Les Étoiles: Parisian mid-size live venue (~700-900 capacity) hosting emerging and mid-career indie, electronic, and alternative acts. Comparable on genre mix, artist tier, and French-speaking European tour-circuit positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Le Bataclan: Iconic ~1200-1500 capacity Parisian venue with broader genre reach (rock, pop, electronic, world) and stronger brand positioning than Docks. Comparable on European touring-routing role but operates at a higher commercial scale and brand recognition.

Others

• Les Eurockéennes de Belfort: Major French outdoor music festival and partner of Docks via the Opération Iceberg consortium. Thematically related (emerging artist development, French-Swiss cultural exchange) and a comparable audience-development partner rather than a direct venue competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Docks_Lausanne
• Facebookfacebook.com/dockslausanne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-docks-lausanne

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 Docks - Lausanne