Interactive Media Foundation

What Interactive Media Foundation does

Interactive Media Foundation (IMF) is a German non-profit organization (gGmbH) founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin with a second site in Ludwigsburg. It operates at the intersection of art, science, education, technology, and social transformation, producing immersive media projects — including Virtual Reality experiences, 360° interactive documentaries, large-scale projection installations, interactive web experiences, and cross-media campaigns — that stage complex societal topics such as climate change, biodiversity loss, digital manipulation, and democratic participation. Its flagship project portfolio comprises MYRIAD (animal migration, built on telemetry data from more than 22,000 animals via the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior), Inside Tumucumaque (Amazon rainforest VR), Your Data Mirror (data-ethics and algorithmic-profiling awareness, developed with the University of Cambridge Psychometrics Centre and Tactical Tech), Not Just Celsius (climate-justice campaign), and Tinkertank, a permanent creative-technology education program with its own makerspace.

The organization runs a roughly 23-person core team supplemented by an extended collaborator and freelancer network, with named co-managing directors Saskia Kress (Development and Partners) and Michael Grotenhoff (Creative Direction). Technically, IMF combines artistic media production (film, music, theatre, games, installations) with scientific datasets and real-time interactive technologies; named technology partners include Artificial Rome (digital staging) and Miiqo Studios (VR/creative technology). Projects have been exhibited at tier-one international venues including the Venice Biennale, ZKM Karlsruhe, Hamburger Bahnhof Berlin, Frankfurter Kunstverein, Centre Phi Montréal, and festivals such as re:publica, Silbersalz, Ars Electronica, and CPH:DOX, generating award recognition including ADC Grand Prix-level awards, Red Dot Gold, Japan Prize, Webby/Lovie Awards, and the BKM Federal Award for Cultural Education.

IMF's business model is a hybrid non-profit mix: grants and institutional funding from cultural foundations, public funders, and partners such as Fonds Soziokultur and Deutsche Postcode Lotterie; project commissions and co-production agreements with museums, cultural institutions, and international festivals; and earned revenue from Tinkertank workshops, mentor training, and tailored professional development programs for companies, municipalities, and schools across Germany. Marketing and distribution rely on earned media (awards, festival presence, press coverage), organic social channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Vimeo, YouTube), email newsletters, and partner-amplified networks rather than paid advertising, consistent with its mission-driven, impact-oriented operating posture.

Name

Interactive Media Foundation

Legal name

Interactive Media Foundation gGmbH

Website

https://interactivemedia-foundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Interactive Media Foundation is a Berlin-based non-profit founded in 2013 that produces award-winning immersive media projects — VR, 360° films, and installations — on climate, biodiversity, digital ethics, and democracy, partnering with museums, scientific institutions, and festivals while running the Tinkertank creative-technology education program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immersive Media Production for Social Impact

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM & Lab Simulation Media (Virtual Labs, AR/VR) (EDAGALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s & Youth Educational Entertainment (Edutainment) (EDAGALAK), K–12 Instructional Video & Multimedia (EDAGALAA), Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons) (EDAFACAG), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)

Keywords

• Immersive media production
• Virtual reality experiences
• Documentary installations
• Creative technology education
• Multimedia storytelling

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grants and Institutional Funding: IMF is a non-profit organization (gGmbH) that operates primarily through grants, institutional funding, and project-based support from cultural institutions, foundations, and public funders. This is the primary revenue stream enabling the development of innovative narrative formats at the intersection of art, education, technology, and social transformation.
2. Project Commissions and Cultural Institution Partnerships: IMF develops projects in collaboration with museums, cultural institutions, and festivals. Revenue is generated through project commissions, co-production agreements, and presentation fees from institutions such as ZKM Karlsruhe, Hamburger Bahnhof, Frankfurter Kunstverein, and international festival venues. Projects like Inside Tumucumaque and MYRIAD are presented and co-funded by these cultural partners.
3. Tinkertank Educational Programs and Training: Tinkertank, IMF's permanent initiative, generates revenue through workshops for children, youth, and adults, as well as mentor training programs and tailored professional development programs for companies, municipalities, and institutions seeking to foster creative self-expression and tech literacy.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Interactive Media Foundation is a German non-profit (gGmbH) that creates immersive media projects — VR experiences, 360° documentaries, large-scale interactive installations, multimedia campaigns and educational maker programs — at the intersection of art, science, education and technology. Its portfolio addresses climate justice, biodiversity, data ethics and cultural participation, and includes flagship projects MYRIAD, Inside Tumucumaque, Not Just Celsius, Your Data Mirror and the Tinkertank educational initiative.

Product overview

Interactive Media Foundation is a non-profit organization developing innovative narrative formats at the intersection of art, education, technology, media, and social transformation. The organization's portfolio includes immersive VR experiences (MYRIAD, Inside Tumucumaque), multimedia campaigns (Not Just Celsius), digital literacy projects (Your Data Mirror), and the educational initiative Tinkertank. Together, these offerings use artistic and creative means to make complex societal issues tangible and inspire active participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tinkertank: IMF's educational initiative and creative lab for technology education with an artistic approach. Fostering technical understanding, interdisciplinary thinking, and the ability to tackle complex challenges through playful exploration. Offers workshops, labs, mentor training, and professional development programs. Located in Ludwigsburg with its own makerspace.

Products and services

• MYRIAD. Where we connect. An international, multidisciplinary, immersive project about global animal migration in the age of the Anthropocene, combining a VR experience, a 360° 3D documentary, an interactive exhibition with responsive projection elements and audio stories. Built on real scientific data from more than 22,000 tracked animals (Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior), it lets audiences follow the migration routes of birds, sea turtles and Arctic foxes.
• Inside Tumucumaque A cross-media VR experience set in the Tumucumaque nature reserve in northwestern Brazil that lets visitors experience the Amazon rainforest through the senses of five endemic animal species (e.g., harpy eagle, giant otter, bat), built with hundreds of handcrafted models and original field sound recordings in multi-user installation and single-user VR formats.
• Not Just Celsius A multimedia campaign on climate justice that connects climate change with human rights, using cultural narrative to bring young voices to the highest court on the climate crisis.
• Your Data Mirror A multi-format project revealing how publicly available Instagram data can be condensed into psychological profiles for targeted political messaging and disinformation, combining an interactive web experience, an information hub and an Instagram campaign aimed at young adults (Gen Z).
• Tinkertank IMF's permanent educational initiative and creative lab for technology education with an artistic approach, fostering technical understanding, interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving through workshops, mentorship programs, professional development and mobile makerspaces for children, youth and adults.

Quantifiable outcome

• MYRIAD exhibition at Frankfurter Kunstverein: 18,000+ visitors (Oct 2023 – Mar 2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Max Planck Institute of Animal BehaviorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMF collaborated closely with the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior to gather real migration data from more than 22,000 animals, providing the scientific foundation for the MYRIAD immersive experience about global animal migration and ecological interdependence.
• Museum für Naturkunde BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum für Naturkunde Berlin collaborated with IMF on both MYRIAD and Inside Tumucumaque, contributing scientific expertise, data, research access, and exhibition space. The partnership enables the translation of natural history science into immersive public experiences.
• University of Cambridge Psychometrics CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Psychometrics Centre at the University of Cambridge provided current research on psychometric profiling for the Your Data Mirror project, enabling IMF to incorporate scientifically rigorous findings on algorithmic manipulation into its educational campaign targeting young adults.
• Tactical TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTactical Tech contributed expertise on disinformation and digital literacy to Your Data Mirror, strengthening the project's educational impact and credibility in the field of data ethics and digital autonomy.
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF participated as a conservation partner in the MYRIAD project, contributing to the project's mission of raising awareness about the fragility of global ecosystems and biodiversity loss.
• Artificial RomecoreTechnology or IntegrationArtificial Rome served as the digital staging artist partner for both Inside Tumucumaque and MYRIAD, responsible for the artistic visualization, spatial design, and immersive experience creation that brought scientific content to life in VR and installation formats.
• Miiqo StudioscoreTechnology or IntegrationMiiqo Studios, led by Creative Director Lena Thiele, was the creative technology partner for MYRIAD, contributing to the design and development of the immersive interactive experience and VR components.
• Code Week Baden-WürttembergcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTinkertank has curated and coordinated Code Week Baden-Württemberg for several years as part of the Europe-wide EU initiative with 17 regional branches in Germany. This has created a strong mentor network that extends Tinkertank's reach nationwide.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Marshmallow Laser Feast: London-based experiential studio creating immersive installations combining art, technology, and storytelling for galleries, festivals, and cultural venues. Directly comparable in combining artistic staging with immersive technology for museum and festival audiences.
• INVR Space: Berlin-based VR distribution and production company supporting immersive content creators internationally. Comparable to IMF as a peer/partner in the European immersive VR ecosystem, with overlap in distribution and production of VR content for cultural venues.
• Artechouse: US-based operator of digital art exhibition spaces presenting immersive technology-driven installations. Directly comparable to IMF's museum distribution model, though Artechouse operates its own venues whereas IMF co-produces with museums.
• Felix & Paul Studios: Montreal-based immersive VR studio producing cinematic VR experiences and installations for museums, brands, and cultural institutions. Directly comparable to IMF's MYRIAD and Inside Tumucumaque in terms of immersive VR format and museum distribution.
• Atlas V: Paris- and Montreal-based VR storytelling studio producing award-winning immersive narratives and interactive experiences. Directly comparable to IMF as a creator of high-end VR experiences and immersive films for cultural and editorial partners.
• Tactical Tech: Berlin-based non-profit working on digital literacy, data privacy, and the social impacts of technology — and a named partner on IMF's Your Data Mirror project. Comparable in mission, geography, and focus on societal-impact media around digital ethics.
• Baobab Studios: US-based animation and interactive VR studio producing award-winning immersive stories. Comparable to IMF in producing high-quality immersive VR content for cultural and entertainment audiences, though more focused on narrative animation than documentary/scientific subjects.

Broad incumbents

• teamLab: Japan-based interdisciplinary art collective producing large-scale immersive digital installations exhibited in museums and permanent venues worldwide. Comparable to IMF in staging immersive art-tech installations, though teamLab operates at much larger scale and as a for-profit.
• Moment Factory: Montreal-based multimedia studio specializing in immersive environments and large-scale installations. Comparable to IMF in producing immersive museum and public-space experiences, but operating at significantly larger scale and across broader commercial verticals.

Others

• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature): Global conservation non-profit and named partner on IMF's MYRIAD project. Comparable as a funder/partner in the science-communication and biodiversity storytelling space where IMF's projects operate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@interactive.media.foundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interactive-media-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/interactivemediafoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Interactive Media Foundation