MDAD (Maritime Digital Art and Design Ltd.)

What MDAD (Maritime Digital Art and Design Ltd.) does

MDAD (Maritime Digital Art and Design Ltd.) is a Halifax, Nova Scotia–based interactive multimedia studio founded in 2014 to serve the architectural visualization, VR/AR, 3D modeling, and training simulation markets. The company operates through three primary lines: ArchViz, which delivers realistic 3D visualizations and interactive media for built and unbuilt environment projects to architecture firms and real estate developers; Paracosm Studio, an internal VR entertainment division that develops and retains IP for immersive games such as Daggerwoods VR and Poi VR Dance; and a Training and Simulations practice historically delivered via subcontracting with Bluedrop Training & Simulation (2015–2021). Underlying technology spans interactive multimedia software, VR/AR content, 3D modeling and illustration, and simulation development, with all VR intellectual property owned by the parent entity.

MDAD monetizes almost exclusively through project-based professional services delivered via direct enterprise sales, with pricing quoted on a per-project basis rather than disclosed publicly. Its go-to-market is concentrated in direct outreach to architectural firms, real estate developers, and training organizations, supplemented by community-driven brand building through the Interactive Society of Nova Scotia (ISNS), GameDev Atlantic, game jams, scholarships, co-op and Mitacs programs with Dalhousie University, and partnerships with Ubisoft's Women and Non-Binary Employee Resource Group. The company has stated an explicit intent to expand from production into publishing and to materially increase VR/AR title output.

The company is privately held, 100% Canadian-owned and operated, incorporated in Nova Scotia, with no disclosed institutional investors and a founder-led management structure under Sadegh Mahjoobnia. No financial disclosures, headcount figures, or funding rounds are publicly available, and the absence of revenue and quantitative growth data limits the depth of any forward-looking assessment.

Name

MDAD (Maritime Digital Art and Design Ltd.)

Legal name

Maritime Digital Art and Design Ltd.

Website

https://mdad.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MDAD is a Halifax-based interactive multimedia studio delivering project-based architectural visualization, VR entertainment (via Paracosm Studio), and training simulation services to architecture firms, real estate developers, and training organizations across Canada and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Halifax

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Project-Based Services: MDAD generates revenue through custom project engagements including 3D visualization, VR/AR development, simulations, and training applications. Revenue is project-based with direct client engagements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MDAD is a project-based multimedia studio that develops interactive multimedia software, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, 3D modeling and illustrations, and safety and educational training applications. It delivers custom architectural visualization services through its ArchViz division and VR entertainment products such as Daggerwoods VR and Poi VR Dance through its Paracosm Studio division. Engagements are delivered as bespoke projects to enterprise clients including architectural firms, real estate developers, and training organizations.

Product overview

MDAD (Maritime Digital Art and Design Ltd.) is a 100% Canadian-owned studio founded in 2014, headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The company operates a platform-plus-sub-brands architecture consisting of its core interactive multimedia and VR/AR development services (MDAD), supplemented by ArchViz for architectural visualization, and Paracosm Studio for VR entertainment. Supporting these products are Training and Simulations offerings developed in partnership with Bluedrop Training & Simulation. The company also maintains a community engagement portfolio including GameDev Atlantic, Game Jams, Halifax Indie Devs Play & Tell, Women & Non-Binary Meet-ups, ISNS membership, and Scholarship/Internship programs. All VR products and intellectual property are owned by MDAD.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ArchViz: Architectural Visualization studio creating realistic visualizations and interactive media for the (un)built environment. 100% Canadian-owned and operated, located in downtown Halifax Nova Scotia, with projects across the globe.
• Paracosm Studio

Products and services

• ArchViz Architectural Visualization Custom architectural visualization studio service creating realistic 3D visualizations and interactive media for the built and unbuilt environment, delivered as project engagements to architectural firms and real estate developers in Canada and internationally.
• Paracosm Studio VR Entertainment Virtual Reality entertainment division creating detailed imaginary and immersive worlds for users to experience, including VR titles such as Daggerwoods VR and Poi VR Dance. MDAD retains all intellectual property rights on its VR products.
• Training and Simulations Development Custom safety and educational training application and simulation development services delivered through project engagements with training organizations, including subcontracted work for Bluedrop Training & Simulation between 2015 and 2021.
• Virtual Reality Experiences Development Custom VR development service ranging from basic simulations to high-end VR games, with MDAD retaining all intellectual property rights on the resulting products.

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bluedrop Training & SimulationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015MDAD was subcontracted with Bluedrop Training & Simulation from 2015-2021, contributing to training simulation projects. This partnership provided significant project experience in the training and simulation space.
• Interactive Society of Nova Scotia (ISNS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDAD has been an active member of ISNS since its formation in October 2017. Founder Sadegh Mahjoobnia serves on the Board of Directors since 2021, contributing to Education, Event, and GameDev Atlantic committees.
• Ubisoft Women and Non-Binary ERGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting Women & Non-Binary Industry Meet-up events with Ubisoft's Women and Non-Binary Employee Resource Group and ISNS to foster inclusive workplace in the gaming community.
• Mitacs (Accelerate Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDAD sponsors students under Mitacs Accelerate program in collaboration with Dalhousie University, supporting graduate student research and development.
• Mitacs (Elevate Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mitacs Elevate program in collaboration with Dalhousie University for doctorate student support.
• Dalhousie UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership through co-op programs, Mitacs sponsorship, and graduate hiring. MDAD has hired multiple Dalhousie graduates and hosted co-op students since 2021.
• NSCAD UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMDAD served as main sponsor for NSCAD University's Design Graduation Exhibition, supporting design students and fostering industry connections.
• New Brunswick Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting co-op students from New Brunswick Community College as part of internship program to develop future talent.
• GameDev AtlanticminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProud sponsor of GameDev Atlantic (GDA), supporting the game development industry in Atlantic Canada through conference sponsorship and ISNS Mentor Lounge support.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Luxigon: Paris-based architectural visualization studio serving international architects and developers with high-end CGI — directly comparable to MDAD's ArchViz in service type and customer profile.
• DBOX: Award-winning visual effects and design firm producing CG imagery, animation, and immersive experiences for real estate developers and architects — a close comparable to MDAD's ArchViz in scope and premium clientele.
• The Boundary: Premium CGI and visualization studio serving architecture, real estate, and luxury brands with photoreal imagery, animation, and VR — overlapping with MDAD's ArchViz service offering and end-markets.
• Bluedrop Training & Simulation: Canadian training and simulation company focused on aerospace, defense, and emergency-response learning solutions — MDAD's prior 2015-2021 subcontract partner and closest comparable in the training & simulation vertical.
• Resolution Games: VR-first game studio publishing multiplayer and entertainment VR experiences across Meta Quest and other platforms — directly comparable to Paracosm Studio in VR publishing strategy and IP ownership.
• nDreams: UK-based virtual reality game studio publishing and developing VR entertainment titles — directly comparable to MDAD's Paracosm Studio division in content type, platform, and target consumer.
• Brick Visual: Architecture-focused CGI and visualization studio producing stills, animation, and VR walkthroughs for international architectural firms — closely comparable to MDAD's ArchViz output and target customers.
• Neoscape: Boston/New York-based architectural visualization studio producing renderings, animations, and interactive media for real estate developers and architects — directly comparable to MDAD's ArchViz division in services, customer base, and delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Montreal-headquartered global leader in simulation-based training for civil aviation, defense, and healthcare — operates at vastly larger scale than MDAD but competes in the same enterprise training/simulation buyer category.

Regional players

• Ubisoft Halifax: Atlantic Canada game development studio operating within the same regional ecosystem MDAD supports via ISNS board membership, GameDev Atlantic sponsorship, and Women & Non-Binary meet-ups — relevant as a regional employer/ecosystem anchor rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MDAD-Maritime-Digital-Art-and-Design-103444329062105
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mdad-ca
• Instagraminstagram.com/maritimedigitalartanddesign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 MDAD (Maritime Digital Art and Design Ltd.)