The VAR Lab @ Penn State Behrend

Name

The VAR Lab @ Penn State Behrend

Legal name

Penn State Behrend - Virtual and Augmented Reality (VAR) Lab

Website

https://var.psu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immersive Technology Research & Education

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Lab & Science Virtual Labs (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) (EDAFAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Labs, Remote Labs & Hands-On Practice Tools (EDAFABAH), STEM & Lab Simulation Media (Virtual Labs, AR/VR) (EDAGALAF), Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs (EDAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Immersive technology research
• Virtual reality development
• Augmented reality applications
• AI/ML research
• Robotics engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: Funded through grants, awards, and gifts totaling $1.35M from 38 funded grants, with additional proposals under review. Funding sources include federal grants ($1,185,796), corporate and private support ($65,895), and student awards ($41,700).
2. Academic Core Operations: Core operations funded by Penn State University including faculty effort (~$630,818), facilities (~$228,249), and visiting scholars ($162,283). Primarily a cost center serving educational mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The VAR Lab is an academic research unit at Penn State Behrend, established in 2019, that develops immersive technology (VR/AR/XR), AI/ML, and robotics solutions through applied research, creative media production, and educational programs. It operates three integrated units: VAR Lab (applied research), VAR Studios (creative production and makerspace), and VAR Edu (academic programs) serving students, faculty, industry partners, K-12 schools, and community organizations in the Erie, Pennsylvania region.

Product overview

The VAR Lab @ Penn State Behrend is an educational research hub at Penn State focused on emerging immersive technologies, operating through three strategic units: VAR Lab (research and implementation), VAR Studios (immersive makerspace with specialized studios including Matchbox Studio for 3D modeling, XR Cast for podcast/mixed reality production, Mobile Operations for off-site capture, and Aerial Operations for drone-based data capture), and VAR Edu (academic immersive experiences with the XR Catalog). The organization also maintains the XR Classroom as one of the nation's first classroom-scale immersive facilities. The portfolio includes AI and machine learning research, autonomous robotics development, and reality capture/3D digitization services. Notable projects include the Liberty Bell Digital Twin Project for America250 preservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VAR Studios: Immersive makerspace providing faculty and students with infrastructure to create immersive content using VR/AR/XR technologies
• VAR Edu
• XR Classroom
• Matchbox Studio
• XR Cast
• Mobile Operations
• Aerial Operations

Products and services

• VAR Lab Applied Research Services
• VAR Studios Creative Production and Makerspace Creative media production and makerspace services including 3D printing, motion capture, 360-degree video, and fabrication services. Designed for students, faculty, industry partners, and community collaborators needing creative technology production.
• VAR Edu Academic Programs Academic programs and curriculum integration in VR/AR/XR, AI/ML, and robotics for Penn State Behrend students and faculty, including K-12 educational outreach and STEM engagement programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.6% 2nd-year retention rate for VAR Lab Researchers (vs 75.4% college average)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• National Park ServiceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for Liberty Bell digital preservation project. VAR Lab worked with NPS at Independence National Historical Park to create high-resolution 3D scans and digital twin of the Liberty Bell for America250 celebration.
• FARO CreaformcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Technology partner providing FARO measurement-grade scanning technology for Liberty Bell digital preservation project. FARO highlighted VAR Lab's work on their media channels.
• LenovominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lenovo featured VAR Lab's Liberty Bell digital preservation work in their StoryHub platform.
• SkydiocoreTechnology or IntegrationDrone technology partner. VAR Studios acquired Skydio X2E and Skydio 2+ drones for aerial operations and reality capture capabilities.
• MatterportcoreTechnology or Integration3D capture technology partner. VAR Studios acquired Matterport Pro3 Camera for mobile operations and space digitization.
• Artec 3DcoreTechnology or IntegrationStructured light scanner provider. VAR Studios acquired Artec Space Spider and Evo scanners for small-to-large object 3D digitization.
• US SteelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in Penn State network of collaborations.
• Erie InsuranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional industry partner in Penn State network of collaborations.
• STERISminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in Penn State network of collaborations.
• Hagen History CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for historical preservation. VAR Lab created interactive exhibits with 3D scanned objects and AR experiences for Hagen History Center's 'Story of Us' exhibit.
• Carnegie Mellon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner in Penn State's 7+ campus network and academic collaborations.
• University of MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner in Penn State's academic network and immersive technology collaborations.
• Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPenn State system partner for XR Catalog development and educational technology integration. Co-developer of unified experience catalog.
• Girl Scouts Western PennsylvaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for outreach and engagement programs in the Erie region.
• Asbury WoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner for environmental and educational programs.
• Carnegie Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience education partner in community outreach network.
• UFCSPA (Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partner in Brazil.
• Sungkyunkwan University (Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partner in South Korea.
• VARIA LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPenn State Behrend partner contributing to XR Catalog development and immersive technology education.
• Penn State Behrend Black School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading partner unit within Behrend, collaborating on immersive learning experiences for business students.
• Snap-tite HoseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew industry partnership starting in 2025 for immersive solutions for industry.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Smithsonian 3D Digitization Program: Smithsonian's institutional 3D scanning and digital preservation initiative. Comparable as a public-sector program producing openly accessible high-resolution 3D models of cultural heritage assets.
• CyArk: Nonprofit specializing in high-resolution 3D digitization of cultural heritage sites. Comparable given VAR Lab's reality-capture work on the Liberty Bell, lighthouses, and museum artifacts.
• Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL): Stanford's academic VR research lab focused on immersive experiences, education applications, and behavioral research — a comparable university-based VR lab producing peer-reviewed outputs and educational programs.
• MIT Media Lab: MIT's broad emerging-tech research lab covering AR/VR, AI, robotics, and digital fabrication. Comparable as an academic research unit operating across immersive technology, AI/ML, and autonomous systems.
• VARIA Lab (Penn State): Penn State sister XR research and education unit that co-develops the XR Catalog with VAR Lab. Closest direct peer given shared Penn State affiliation, similar AR/VR/XR mission, and overlapping student/faculty audiences.
• USC Mixed Reality Lab: USC's academic XR research center exploring immersive media, education, and cultural applications. Comparable as a top-tier university XR lab referenced in the same external rankings as VAR Lab.

Broad incumbents

• Immerse: Commercial VR language and corporate training platform. Comparable as a broader incumbent in immersive education/training, but operates commercially rather than as an academic research unit.
• STRIVR: Enterprise VR training platform used by large employers for workforce training. Comparable as a commercial incumbent in immersive workforce training overlapping VAR Lab's industry partnership goals.

Others

• Matterport: 3D space capture platform and VAR Lab technology partner. Comparable as an enabling technology vendor rather than a direct competitor, but adjacent in the digital twin ecosystem.
• FARO Technologies: Measurement-grade 3D scanning hardware provider and VAR Lab technology partner. Comparable as an enabling technology supplier used by VAR Lab for the Liberty Bell project rather than as a competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPjSAB4tKVI3ctBHYpS7SEg
• Facebookfacebook.com/psuvarlab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/varlabpsubehrend
• Instagraminstagram.com/varlab_psu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 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 The VAR Lab @ Penn State Behrend