What Ōma Cinema does

Ōma Cinéma is a Paris-based architecture and design firm (founded 2017, ~11 employees) that has developed and patented a modular pod-based cinema auditorium concept intended to replace the conventional tiered seating layout that has dominated cinema design for over 50 years. Each auditorium comprises independent viewing platforms ("pods") of 2–18 seats arranged at varying slopes and heights across the full height of the screen, with central projector placement and proximity-based 7.1+ sound placement to ensure distortion-free sightlines and an immersive experience for every spectator. The system is modular and configurable (minimum 5 pods on a ~280 sqm footprint with 8m ceiling height), enabling operators to mix VIP boxes, family pods and standard seating within a single room, and supports add-on hospitality services such as in-pod table service and exclusive lounge access.

The firm monetizes through a B2B licensing-plus-professional-services model: operators pay upfront licensing fees (with potential ongoing royalties) for the proprietary pod architecture, and Ōma provides preliminary architectural drawings and technical specifications, with local architects executing the build under Ōma's oversight. Ancillary revenue opportunities exist via F&B revenue-sharing on table-service and VIP hospitality. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales to cinema operators/exhibitors (with Pathé and UGC listed as core business partners), municipalities, and real estate developers, primarily driven by earned-media coverage and inbound inquiries. Ōma currently operates two Ōma-branded pilot sites (Mougins, France, opened April 2024, 150 seats; Dubai, UAE, opened April 2025, 255 seats) and has announced further locations in Chartres (Sep 2025), Casablanca (late 2025), Delhi (2027) and Shanghai. The company is privately held and founder-led by architect Pierre Chican (CEO) and Nicolas Chican (COO), with no disclosed external institutional investors or funding rounds.

Name

Ōma Cinema

Legal name

Ōma Cinéma

Website

https://omacinema.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ōma Cinéma is a Paris-based architecture firm that licenses a patented modular pod-based cinema auditorium design to cinema operators, municipalities and developers globally, generating revenue through upfront licensing fees, professional design services and ancillary hospitality arrangements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cinema Architecture and Design

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Cinema Chains & Multiplex Operators (MPADAKAA)

Keywords

• Modular cinema design
• Cinema architecture licensing
• Pod seating auditoriums
• Premium cinema experiences
• Cinema design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Modular Cinema Design Licensing: Ōma licenses its patented modular cinema architecture to cinema operators and exhibitors worldwide. Operators pay for access to the proprietary design, architectural specifications, and brand, customizing pod configurations to fit their venues. Revenue is derived from upfront licensing fees and potentially ongoing royalties per location.
2. Architecture and Design Professional Services: Ōma provides architectural design services to implement the modular pod concept. The company creates preliminary drawings and technical specifications; local architects then develop the project under Ōma's guidance. This represents a professional services revenue stream for each new cinema implementation.
3. In-Theater Food & Beverage and Hospitality Services: The unique pod configuration enables table service, VIP lounge and bar access, and private box sales, creating ancillary hospitality revenue opportunities for operators and potentially for Ōma through revenue-sharing arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ōma Cinema designs, patents, and licenses a modular pod-based cinema auditorium architecture in which audience members view films from independent viewing platforms ("pods") at varying heights and slopes, ensuring every seat is the best seat in the house. The offering combines architectural design services, proprietary structural engineering, and licensed use of the patented pod system for cinema operators, exhibitors, and municipalities worldwide.

Product overview

Ōma Cinema is a single, unified cinema experience product centered on its proprietary modular pod architecture. The core product is the Ōma Cinema Pod System, which revolutionizes traditional cinema seating by arranging intimate viewing platforms ('pods') at staggered heights, ensuring every seat is the best seat. This is complemented by premium add-on services including VIP-Corporate Hospitality Boxes and Table Service for personalized hospitality experiences. The modular design allows cinema operators to customize pod configurations (5 pods minimum, 2-18 seats per pod), screen sizes, and overall auditorium layout to fit existing or new structures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ōma Cinema Pod System A modular, patented cinema auditorium architecture featuring independent viewing platforms (pods) arranged at varying heights and slopes so that every audience member has a prime, unobstructed view of the screen. The design is customizable (2–18 seats per pod, minimum 5 pods on a 280 sqm footprint with 8m ceiling) and licensed to cinema operators and exhibitors with accompanying architectural design services.
• Architecture and Design Services for Ōma Cinemas Professional architectural and design services delivered alongside the Pod System license. Ōma creates preliminary drawings and technical specifications for each new cinema implementation, with local architects executing the project under Ōma's guidance. Targeted at cinema operators, exhibitors, municipalities, and real estate developers worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• UGC Les Halles, designed by Ōma founder Pierre Chican, sold 2.6 million tickets in 2024 — making it the most visited cinema theater in the world — validating Chican's track record in cinema architecture and design.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• PathécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathé is listed as a key business partner on Ōma's website. Pathé is one of the world's largest cinema chains with significant presence in Europe. The partnership involves collaboration in bringing Ōma's innovative cinema architecture to Pathé-operated venues. The nature of the partnership suggests co-development of flagship cinema locations featuring the modular pod design.
• UGCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUGC is listed as a key business partner on Ōma's website. UGC is a major French cinema chain. Notably, Ōma's founder Pierre Chican previously designed UGC Les Halles, the world's most-visited cinema (2.6 million tickets in 2024), establishing a deep existing relationship. The partnership likely involves ongoing collaboration on UGC cinema projects featuring the Ōma concept.
• CNC (Centre national du cinéma)supportingOthersCNC is listed as an institutional partner of Ōma. As the French national center for cinema and the animated image, CNC provides support for the development and promotion of French cinema culture. The partnership validates Ōma's cultural and innovation positioning within the French institutional ecosystem.
• La French TechsupportingOthersLa French Tech is listed as an institutional partner of Ōma. La French Tech is the French national brand representing the French startup and innovation ecosystem. The partnership signals Ōma's positioning as an innovative French technology company with international growth ambitions.
• Réseau EntreprendresupportingOthersRéseau Entreprendre is listed as an institutional partner of Ōma. It is a French association supporting entrepreneurs and business creation. The partnership likely involves mentorship, networking, and business development support for Ōma's growth.
• Institut FrançaissupportingOthersListed as a business partner on Ōma's website. The Institut Français promotes French culture and creative industries internationally. The partnership supports Ōma's international expansion by associating the brand with French cultural excellence and providing export/promotion support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IMAX Corporation: IMAX is the global leader in premium large-format cinema experiences, offering proprietary projection systems, screen formats, and content remastering. It is comparable to Ōma as a premium-format exhibitor differentiator that cinema operators license or install to command ticket premiums.
• Kinepolis Group: Kinepolis is a major European cinema chain known for premium auditorium concepts, laser projection, and luxury seating formats. It is comparable to Ōma as both a cinema operator and a developer of differentiated premium auditorium experiences within multiplexes.
• Cinépolis: Cinépolis is a leading global cinema chain with multiple premium formats (VIP, IMAX, 4DX, Junior) and luxury seating concepts. It is comparable to Ōma as a cinema operator that has aggressively rolled out premium and differentiated auditorium formats to capture higher per-capita revenue.
• CJ CGV (ScreenX / 4DX): CJ CGV operates multiplex cinemas globally and offers premium formats ScreenX (multi-projection) and 4DX (motion seats). It is a comparable exhibitor-side premium-format portfolio competing for the same operator differentiation budgets as Ōma.

Emerging players

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Alamo Drafthouse is a US cinema chain focused on differentiated, premium dine-in experiences and curated programming. It is comparable to Ōma as a cinema operator that competes on experience design and hospitality rather than pure ticket volume.
• PRIVATE Cinema / Boutique Cinema Concepts: Boutique and architect-designed cinema concepts (e.g., Everyman, Curzon) compete on premium interior design, hospitality, and intimate auditoriums. They are comparable to Ōma as premium, experience-led cinema concepts targeting audiences seeking alternatives to standard multiplexes.

Direct peers

• Dolby Cinema: Dolby Cinema is a premium cinema concept combining Dolby Vision projection, Dolby Atmos sound, and a designed auditorium experience for exhibitors. Like Ōma, it is a premium-format differentiation offering sold/licensed to cinema operators to drive ticket premiums and audience loyalty.
• Pathé: Pathé is a major European cinema operator and a listed business partner of Ōma. It is a direct comparable as a customer/partner for premium-format cinema rollout and operates premium auditoriums across its European footprint.
• UGC: UGC is a major French cinema chain and a listed business partner of Ōma, with Pierre Chican having previously designed its Les Halles flagship (world's most-visited cinema). It is a direct comparable as a customer/partner for premium Ōma-format auditoriums within a major chain.

Others

• RealD (premium 3D / format licensing): RealD licenses premium 3D projection technology and formats to cinema operators. It is comparable as a B2B licensor of cinema-enhancing technology and formats that operators adopt to drive premium pricing and audience differentiation, paralleling Ōma's architecture-licensing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OmaCinema
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C5%8Dma
• Instagraminstagram.com/omacinema

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 Ōma Cinema