BIG SEE

What BIG SEE does

BIG SEE (legal entity: Zavod BIG, so.p.) is a Slovenia-based platform for architecture and design founded in 2001 and led by Director Zmago Novak. It serves creative professionals across 21 countries in Southeast Europe and beyond, operating an integrated ecosystem of four pillars: (1) seven annual award programs spanning Architecture, Interior Design, Product Design, Wood Design, Tourism Design, Fashion Design, and Perspectives; (2) BIG SEE Magazine, a digital publication covering works, people, signals, reports, and themed questions; (3) a live events portfolio anchored by the annual BIG SEE Festival in Ljubljana and the BIG SEE In regional debate series held across cities including Tirana, Bucharest, Athens, Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Budapest; and (4) the BIG SEE Network, a curated community of designers, companies, and institutional, media, and platform partners. Additional offerings include the BIG SEE Innovations showcase for building materials and technologies, an annual thematic survey, and the Visionaries recognition program.

The underlying technology is not proprietary software; the platform is a content, community, and event business delivered through a public website (bigsee.eu), email newsletter, and active social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). Its core assets are brand recognition, a multi-decade archive of award winners dating to 2018, and the convening power of its festival and debate formats. Named participants include award winners such as Feld72 Architekten (Austria), MORPHAROS (Croatia), DP Architects (Singapore), Enrico Muscioni Architect (San Marino), FRÜCH Architekturbüro (Austria), and Veltra Bikes (Romania), with materials and fixtures sponsorship from EGGER and Hansgrohe.

BIG SEE generates revenue primarily through transaction fees on award entries, ticket and exhibitor fees at the festival and regional debates, recurring magazine/newsletter subscriptions and network participation, and sponsorship income from manufacturers and brand partners. The entity is registered as a Slovenian social enterprise (so.p.) with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or institutional investment, and is operated as a private, founder-led organization.

Name

BIG SEE

Legal name

Zavod BIG, so.p.

Website

https://bigsee.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BIG SEE is a Slovenia-based platform for architecture and design operating across 21 countries, running seven annual award programs, a digital magazine, an annual festival in Ljubljana, a six-city regional debate series, and a professional designer network serving architects, interior designers, product designers, and fashion designers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Design Awards & Events

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (541430)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction, Building Materials & Real Estate Shows Organizers (THAHABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Architecture awards
• Design awards
• Interior design awards
• Design festivals
• Design magazine

Headquarters

HQ city

Ljubljana

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Award Programs: BIG SEE organizes multiple annual award programs including Architecture, Interior Design, Product Design, Wood Design, Tourism Design, Fashion Design, and Perspectives awards. Entry fees and sponsorship from partners generate revenue.
2. Festival & Events: Annual BIG SEE Festival brings together architects, designers, and industry professionals. Revenue generated through ticket sales, conference fees, trade show participation, and exhibitor fees.
3. Magazine & Content: BIG SEE Magazine publishes curated content including Works, People (interviews), Signals, Reports, and Questions. Newsletter subscriptions with curated insights from 21 countries.
4. Network & Community: BIG SEE Network connects architects, interior designers, product designers, fashion designers, and companies. Features institutional partners, media partners, platform partners, and country coordinators.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BIG SEE runs a portfolio of curated professional award programs in architecture, interior design, product design, wood design, tourism design, fashion design, and architectural perspectives, accepting submissions from designers, studios, and companies. Alongside the awards, the organization publishes a design magazine, produces an annual BIG SEE Festival and a BIG SEE In regional debate series, and operates a professional network (Visionaries) that connects designers, manufacturers, and sponsors across 21 countries in Southeast Europe and beyond.

Product overview

BIG SEE is a comprehensive platform for architecture and design spanning Southeast Europe and beyond, operating as an awards organization, publication, event producer, and professional network. The core offering consists of multiple award programs (Architecture Awards, Interior Design Awards, Product Design Awards, Wood Design Awards, Tourism Design Awards, Fashion Design Awards, and Perspectives Award) that recognize excellence across design disciplines. These awards are complemented by BIG SEE Magazine, a digital publication featuring works, people interviews, signals, and reports. The platform produces two major event formats: the annual BIG SEE Festival (combining conferences, trade shows, award ceremonies, and networking) and BIG SEE In regional debates held across multiple cities. Additional offerings include the Innovations showcase for new building materials and technologies, the BIG SEE Survey for community engagement on thematic questions, and the BIG SEE Network connecting creative professionals. The platform covers 21 countries and serves architects, designers, manufacturers, and design enthusiasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BIG SEE Architecture Awards Annual award program recognizing architectural projects submitted by practices and individual architects operating across Southeast Europe and the broader BIG SEE region; intended for studios seeking regional visibility and editorial coverage.
• BIG SEE Interior Design Awards Annual award program recognizing interior design projects submitted by design studios across the BIG SEE region; intended for interior designers seeking curated regional recognition.
• BIG SEE Product Design Awards Annual award program recognizing product design submissions from designers and manufacturers; intended for product designers and brands seeking regional validation.
• BIG SEE Wood Design Awards Annual award program recognizing wood-based design, furniture, and joinery submissions; intended for wood-product manufacturers and designers in the region.
• BIG SEE Tourism Design Awards Annual award program recognizing design-led tourism projects, destinations, and experiences; intended for tourism boards, destinations, and hospitality brands.
• BIG SEE Fashion Design Awards Annual award program recognizing fashion design work submitted by designers and brands in the region; intended for fashion labels seeking regional recognition.
• BIG SEE Perspectives Award Annual award program recognizing visionary, speculative, or perspective-driven architectural work; intended for architects and designers pushing conceptual boundaries.
• BIG SEE Magazine Subscription-based design magazine (print and digital) covering regional architecture, interior design, product design, and award winners; intended for design professionals and design-literate readers.
• BIG SEE Festival Annual live festival bringing together award winners, designers, architects, brands, and the public for exhibitions, talks, and networking; intended for design professionals and sponsors seeking visibility and live engagement.
• BIG SEE In (Debates) Series of regional debate events addressing architecture, design, and culture across BIG SEE member countries; intended for design professionals, sponsors, and institutional partners.
• BIG SEE Visionaries (Network) Professional network and community connecting award-winning designers, architects, manufacturers, and sponsors across the BIG SEE region; intended for members seeking ongoing visibility and peer connections.

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• EGGERminorOthersEGGER is mentioned as a sponsor/partner on BIG SEE award-winning projects. They provide materials (likely wood-based products) used in award-winning architectural projects featured on the platform.
• HansgroheminorOthersHansgrohe is mentioned as a sponsor/partner on BIG SEE award-winning projects, providing bathroom and kitchen fixtures used in award-winning projects.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• A' Design Award: International design awards program spanning architecture, interior, product, and furniture design. Directly comparable as a multi-category annual design award platform charging entry fees.
• ArchDaily: Largest architecture media platform with project database, news, and awards. Comparable in the architecture content and recognition dimension, though broader in global reach.
• Architizer: Architecture marketplace and A+ Awards program. Directly comparable as a digital platform connecting architects with recognition, manufacturers, and clients.
• Red Dot Design Award: Annual product design competition with ceremony, museum, and year-round content. Comparable in the annual product-design award and event-driven revenue model.
• iF Design Award: Long-running international design award with annual ceremony and online showcase. Directly comparable as a recurring entry-fee design award program across multiple design disciplines.
• Designboom: Online architecture and design magazine covering works, interviews, and competitions. Comparable as a media-driven design platform with awards adjacent to BIG SEE's editorial model.
• Dezeen: Global architecture and design media platform with awards, magazine content, and event coverage. Closely comparable to BIG SEE's magazine-plus-awards model, but operating at significantly larger global scale.
• Salone del Mobile (Milano Design Week): Annual Milan-based furniture and design trade fair with conferences, exhibitions, and awards. Comparable as a flagship industry event combining trade show, conference, and award ceremony formats — the same mix as the BIG SEE Festival.
• Maison & Objet: Paris-based biannual design and lifestyle trade show. Comparable as a recurring design industry trade show with exhibitor fees and conference programming.

Broad incumbents

• Wallpaper*: Global design and architecture magazine with associated awards and events. Comparable as a design media brand with editorial, awards, and event extensions, but at significantly larger international scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bigseeeu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-see-where-life-is-creativity
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigsee.makesense
• Xx.com/BIGSEE_Design

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 BIG SEE