What Virtual Switzerland does

Virtual Switzerland (legally Virtual Switzerland Association, also operating as SwissXR) is a Geneva-based non-profit association founded in 2016/2017 that functions as the only national network for immersive technologies and virtual environments in Switzerland. Originally established with Innosuisse National Thematic Network designation (2017–2020), the organization coordinates Swiss activity across three pillars — Production and Creation, Industry and Integration, and Innovation and Research — connecting XR (virtual, augmented, mixed reality) companies, academic and research institutions, and Swiss businesses seeking digital transformation. Its core offering is community-led: it runs semi-annual member gatherings, workshops, hackathons, and an annual conference, and provides strategic advisory on XR implementation.

The organization monetizes through three streams: (i) tiered annual membership subscriptions for companies (CHF 500–2,500/year based on size) and academic labs (CHF 300+), (ii) fee-based advisory and agency services covering XR implementation strategy, business development, exclusive event space, and delegations, and (iii) a low-margin e-commerce shop selling digital illustration products priced at $5–$12 each. Distribution is direct-to-member, with semi-annual in-person engagements and a digital marketing layer spanning social media, newsletter, and a content website.

Governance is anchored by President Caecilia Charbonnier and Laetitia Bochud (President of XR4Europe and lead of the IMPULSE European XR Accelerator), with operational back-office provided by main sponsor and fiduciary Synergix in Geneva. The organization is a founding member of XR4Europe (European XR association) and the Foundation for Digital Creation in Geneva, extending its reach beyond Switzerland. Underlying technology is coordination/community infrastructure rather than proprietary XR platforms; the organization does not develop or license XR software itself.

Name

Virtual Switzerland

Legal name

Virtual Switzerland Association

Website

https://virtualswitzerland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Virtual Switzerland is a Geneva-based non-profit association and Switzerland's national network for Extended Reality (VR/AR/MR) technologies, connecting XR companies, research institutions, and adopting businesses through memberships, events, advisory services, and ecosystem advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

XR Industry Network Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

akta.pro primary industry

Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds (BPAMAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

XR/AR/VR/MR Development Frameworks & Toolchains (MPAFAFAF)

Keywords

• XR industry network
• Immersive technology association
• Virtual reality networking
• XR consulting services
• Digital illustration products

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership subscriptions for companies and academic labs with tiered pricing based on company size or lab type.
2. E-commerce Shop: Digital illustration products sold through the online shop with prices ranging from $5 to $12 per item.
3. Advisory & Agency Services: Fee-based strategic advisory services for XR implementation, business growth and development, exclusive event space, and delegations with logistics support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Virtual Switzerland operates as a national network that promotes the adoption of Extended Realities (XR) technologies across Switzerland. It offers tiered membership programs for companies and laboratories, provides advisory and agency services to support XR project implementation, and runs a small e-commerce shop selling digital illustration products.

Product overview

Virtual Switzerland operates as a national network for Extended Realities (XR) technologies, promoting augmented, mixed, and virtual reality adoption in Switzerland. The organization offers digital illustration products through its online shop, categorized as Creative and Illustration offerings. The core offering consists of membership programs with networking, visibility, and PR benefits, alongside advisory and agency services for XR implementation strategy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CompanyS Membership Tiered small-company membership providing Swiss XR companies with networking, visibility, and PR benefits within the national XR ecosystem.
• CompanyM Membership Tiered medium-company membership for Swiss XR companies seeking expanded networking, visibility, and PR benefits.
• CompanyL Membership Tiered large-company membership providing Swiss XR companies with the highest level of networking, visibility, and PR benefits.
• LabS Membership Tiered small-laboratory membership for Swiss academic and research labs participating in the national XR network.
• LabM Membership Tiered medium-laboratory membership for Swiss academic and research labs with expanded networking and visibility benefits.
• Advisory & Agency Services Consulting and implementation services that support organizations in adopting and deploying XR technologies, provided to Swiss companies and laboratories.
• Digital Illustration Products

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• XR4EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual Switzerland is a founding member of XR4Europe, an association dedicated to supporting and uniting European XR professionals. The organization's president Laetitia Bochud serves as president of XR4Europe.
• Foundation for Digital Creation in GenevacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual Switzerland is a founding member of the Foundation for Digital Creation in Geneva, contributing to the development of digital creation initiatives in the region.
• SynergixcoreOthersMain partner and sponsor of Virtual Switzerland, providing fiduciary services. Located at Rue de Neuchâtel 8, Geneva.
• Pôle de Création Numérique (PolNum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss digital creation network partner collaborating on industry events and initiatives.
• XRMustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing and visibility partner for XR industry content.
• Nomads FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting immersive technology initiatives.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• VR/AR Association (VRARA): Global industry association connecting XR (VR/AR) professionals, brands, and developers through chapters, events, and member services. Operates a similar membership-driven community model for the XR ecosystem, though at a much larger global scale.
• Laval Virtual: European XR organization based in France that runs the long-running Laval Virtual event plus year-round programs promoting VR/AR adoption and industry networking. Comparable as a European XR network/events organization with similar community-led mission.
• XR Association: US-based XR industry trade association promoting the responsible growth of the XR ecosystem through research, advocacy, and member programs. Comparable as an XR industry body focused on policy advocacy and member services.
• XR4Europe: Pan-European XR association dedicated to supporting and uniting European XR professionals. Virtual Switzerland is a founding member and shares its President (Laetitia Bochud), making it the closest strategic and operational peer.
• Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA): Enterprise-focused XR industry alliance helping companies adopt AR and related immersive technologies through member resources and best-practice sharing. Comparable member-driven model focused on XR adoption in business.
• Pôle de Création Numérique (PolNum): Swiss digital creation network that is an explicit community partner of Virtual Switzerland, collaborating on industry events and initiatives. Closely aligned mission around fostering Swiss digital/immersive creation with overlapping member bases.

Broad incumbents

• Swissnex: Swiss global innovation network with outposts worldwide promoting Swiss research, education, and innovation internationally. Comparable as a publicly-supported Swiss network driving international visibility, but with a much broader technology/science mandate beyond XR.

Others

• Innosuisse: Swiss Innovation Agency that originally funded Virtual Switzerland as a National Thematic Network (2017-2020). Analogous public-sector enabler of Swiss innovation rather than a direct competitor — relevant because it represents both historical sponsor and potential future funding pathway.

Emerging players

• Augmented World Expo (AWE): Long-running XR conference and community organizer hosting flagship events and year-round content. Comparable as an XR ecosystem builder and convener, though primarily event-driven rather than network/membership-driven.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/VirtualSwiss
• Facebookfacebook.com/virtualswiss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virtual-switzerland
• Instagraminstagram.com/virtual.switzerland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Virtual Switzerland