Esplora Interactive Science Centre
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersValletta, Malta
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Esplora Interactive Science Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Esplora Interactive Science Centre
- Legal name
- Esplora Interactive Science Centre
- Website
- https://esplora.org.mt
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Esplora Interactive Science Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Interactive Science Centre
- NAICS
- Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), University & Educational Venue Operations (Auditoriums, Campus Arenas) (MPAGALAI), Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)
Where Esplora Interactive Science Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Valletta
- HQ country
- Malta
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Esplora Interactive Science Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Visitor Admissions: Entry tickets for individual visitors, tourists, and families visiting the science centre attractions including exhibitions, planetarium, and activities.
- Membership Programmes: Educators Exclusive Membership Card at €30 per year offering unlimited visits, free family access for educators plus up to three guests per visit, discounts on workshops and events.
- School Bookings and Educational Programmes: Schools book structured educational experiences including science shows, workshops, planetarium films, and gallery activities. 50% deposit required at booking, remaining 50% payable before or on day of visit.
- Summer Programme and Special Events: Summer programmes with themed activities, science shows, and workshops for families and children during holiday periods.
- Group Bookings and Corporate Events: Team building activities and group bookings for corporate clients and organisations.
- Facility Rentals and Events: Venue hire for events including Villa Bighi events space.
- On-site Retail and Food Services: EsploraCafé food and beverage services and EsploraShop (gadget shop) merchandise sales.
- Children's Parties: Birthday party packages for children at the science centre.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Educators Exclusive Membership Card |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | School Group Bookings |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Arduino Summer Club |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Esplora Interactive Science Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Esplora Interactive Science Centre operates a Malta-based visitor attraction featuring over 200 interactive science exhibits across interconnected historic buildings at Villa Bighi in Kalkara. Its core services include hands-on exhibition access, a 10.7-metre Planetarium with full-colour 4K theatre projection, structured school educational programmes, workshops, science shows, planetarium films, and themed summer programmes. The centre also sells annual memberships (Educators Exclusive Membership Card), children's birthday parties, corporate team-building packages, and on-site food and merchandise through EsploraCaf\u00e9 and EsploraShop.
Product overview
Esplora Interactive Science Centre is Malta's leading interactive science visitor attraction, officially opened in 2016 with EU funding. The centre operates a unified platform combining physical exhibitions with educational programming, digital content, and special programmes. The core offering comprises over 200 interactive exhibits across historic buildings with landscaped gardens, supplemented by signature attractions including the Planetarium Experience (10.7m dome with 4K theatre), the Luzzu Experience, and Racing Car Simulator. Educational products include structured school programmes (Education Programme 2025/2026), the Educators Exclusive Membership Card, and seasonal Summer Programmes. STEM engagement is served through STEAMalert national initiatives, competitions (CanSat, FameLab), and coding programmes (Arduino Summer Club, CoderDojo). Digital extension through Online Science (YouTube, Research Zone, Science Blog) and Erasmus+ collaborative projects round out the offering. Visitor amenities include EsploraCafé, EsploraShop, comprehensive accessibility services, and group/party packages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Planetarium: A signature attraction featuring a 10.7-metre-diameter dome and full-colour 4K theatre system offering immersive full-dome shows and live presenter-led journeys through astronomy.
- STEAMalert
- Educators Exclusive Membership Card
- EsploraCafé
- EsploraShop
- Little Esploras
- Sail to Science – Luzzu Experience
- Racing Car Simulator
Products and services
- Esplora Interactive Science Centre Exhibitions The main science centre offering walk-in access to 200+ interactive exhibits across interconnected historic buildings and outdoor spaces at Villa Bighi. Designed for visitors of all ages, with hands-on learning experiences across STEAM themes.
- Planetarium Experience Immersive full-dome theatre experience with a 10.7-metre diameter dome and full-colour 4K theatre system, offering presenter-led journeys through astronomy and scientific themes. Adjacent exhibition explores the Universe, the cosmos, and life in space.
- Luzzu Experience (Sail to Science) A signature attraction featuring a traditional Maltese fishing boat (luzzu) that connects visitors to maritime science and Malta's seafaring heritage through interactive experience.
- Racing Car Simulator An interactive racing simulation attraction allowing visitors to experience motorsport science and physics principles firsthand through a driving simulator.
- Education Programme 2025/2026 School-focused educational programme offering science shows, workshops, planetarium films, exhibition gallery activity packs, artistic performances, events, and continuing professional development (CPD) for educators. Schools book via a dedicated bookings office with a 50% deposit required.
- Summer Programme 2026 Seasonal educational programme featuring interactive science shows, water journey workshops, storytelling sessions, dinosaur workshops, and sensory play activities for young children, themed around the forces of nature.
- Educators Exclusive Membership Card Annual membership for educators offering unlimited visits, free entry for the educator plus up to three guests per visit, discounts on workshops and events, and exclusive access to new exhibits and resources. Priced at \u20ac30/year.
- Arduino Summer Club Electronics and coding programme for teenagers aged 14-16, teaching micro-controller concepts, basic soldering skills, and programming using the Arduino open-source platform. Pricing: \u20ac95 per registration.
- CoderDojo Free programming club for young people aged 7-17 where participants learn to code, build websites, create apps or games, and explore technology in a creative social environment.
- Children's Parties Birthday party packages at the science centre providing interactive science-themed celebrations for children, with dedicated party arrangements and access to exhibits.
- Team Building Activities Corporate group activities designed for team development using interactive science experiences at the science centre, with packages tailored for businesses and organisations.
- EsploraCaf\u00e9 On-site food and beverage service with facilities for heating baby food, highchairs for families, and dietary accommodation options for science centre visitors.
- EsploraShop Gift shop at the Main Reception offering science-related merchandise and souvenirs to science centre visitors.
- Esplora Memberships Various membership options for repeat visitors, families, and special interest groups, providing ongoing access to the science centre's exhibits and programmes.
- Villa Bighi Events (Venue Hire) Venue hire at Villa Bighi for corporate events, private functions, and gatherings at the historic Grand Harbour-facing science centre setting.
Quantifiable outcome
- Thousands of young visitors inspired over 10 years of operation
Companies that use Esplora Interactive Science Centre
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Esplora Interactive Science Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Esplora Interactive Science Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Remedies ConsortiumminorHorizon Europe funded project 'Island Guardians: For a Plastic-Free Med' won through Open Call 1, addressing marine plastic pollution in collaboration with European partners under EU Mission: Restore Our Ocean and Waters.
- InizjamedcoreProject partner in Erasmus+ KA2 project 'Empowering Youths in STEM through the Arts'. Inizjamed organised online training sessions and multiplier events for youth engagement in STEM, contributing to interactive resource development targeting 16-24 year olds.
- Aġenzija Żgħażagħ (Malta Youth Agency)coreNational youth agency partner in Empowering Youths in STEM through the Arts project, facilitating youth participation and providing expertise on youth engagement strategies.
- CosmoCaixa BarcelonacoreSpanish science centre partner developing interactive resources on Transhumanism and Cyborgs for youth aged 16-18 as part of Empowering Youths project, contributing to international best practice exchange.
- NEMO Science Museum (Netherlands)coreDutch science centre partner developing interactive show 'Robots in Captivity' targeting youths 18-20 on robot ethics, participating in multiplier events and resource sharing.
- University of MaltacoreAcademic partner in C-SDGs Erasmus+ project, contributing research expertise on Sustainable Development Goals and developing educational resources through Faculty of ICT.
- Copernicus Science Centre (Poland)corePolish science centre partner in C-SDGs project addressing SDGs through creative arts, contributing to international collaboration on informal science education.
- Lignin Stories (Malta)coreMaltese storytelling organisation partner in C-SDGs project developing educational workshops on sustainability themes using narrative techniques.
- Spazju Kreattiv (Malta)coreMaltese creativity centre partner developing dance and movement-based STEM workshops as part of C-SDGs project, focusing on creative arts education.
- MCAST (Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology)coreVocational education partner in RAISE project, helping address skills mismatch by promoting VET careers within STEAM fields across 5 European countries.
- Glasgow Science Centre (United Kingdom)coreUK science centre partner in RAISE project, contributing to career guidance app development and best practices in science centre operations.
- Heureka Science Centre (Finland)coreFinnish science centre partner in staff mobility project, hosting job-shadowing experiences for Esplora staff to learn science communication best practices.
- Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST)coreParent governmental authority overseeing Esplora operations. MCST collects and processes visitor data, manages EU funding compliance, and sets strategic direction for Malta's science engagement activities.
- ARS Electronica (Austria)minorAustrian centre for electronic arts collaborated in U19 Create your World! workshops during 2017 Maltese Presidency of EU Council, bringing international expertise in digital arts and technology to Maltese youth.
- Arts Council MaltacoreNational arts authority partnered on 'Inside the Teenage Mind' Kreattiv project, combining arts and science communication to explore adolescent psychology through creative performance.
- ŻfinMalta (Malta Dance Company)minorNational dance company curated 'Movimento' project at Esplora, offering informal sessions on contemporary choreography and dance appreciation for active spectators.
- EUPA MaltaminorFacilitates Erasmus+ mobility opportunities for Esplora staff, enabling participation in European training and professional development exchanges.
- Xjenza MaltacoreNational science platform linked to Esplora, supporting broader STEM engagement initiatives and science communication efforts in Malta.
Scale indicators4 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Esplora Interactive Science Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Copernicus Science Centre: Leading Polish science centre and Esplora's C-SDGs Erasmus+ project partner. Shares the interactive exhibit model, planetarium operations, and STEAM-focused programming targeting schools and families.
- Glasgow Science Centre: Major UK interactive science centre and Esplora's RAISE project partner. Comparable in operating interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, school programmes, and corporate team-building offerings.
- NEMO Science Museum: Flagship Dutch science centre in Amsterdam and a named Esplora partner in the Erasmus+ 'Empowering Youths in STEM through the Arts' project. Operates a comparable interactive exhibit and educational programme model serving schools, families, and tourists.
- Heureka Science Centre: Finland's national science centre and Esplora partner in staff mobility projects. Operates a similar interactive exhibit, school programme, and special events model with comparable scale and visitor mix.
- CosmoCaixa Barcelona: Major Spanish interactive science museum and Esplora partner in Erasmus+ projects. Shares a hands-on science exhibit model, planetarium operation, and strong educational programming for youth.
Broad incumbents
- Science Museum Group: UK's national science museum group operating multiple large science museums. Shares the science engagement and school programming model but operates at much greater scale with broader heritage and curated collections.
- Deutsches Museum: One of the world's oldest and largest science and technology museums in Munich. Comparable as a science and technology museum with educational programming, though vastly larger in scope and collection.
- Exploratorium: Pioneering San Francisco-based interactive science museum that helped establish the modern science centre model. Comparable in interactive exhibit philosophy and STEAM education approach, though operating at significantly larger scale.
Regional players
- Città della Scienza: Italian interactive science centre in Naples operating a comparable hands-on exhibit and educational programme model for schools and families. Closest regional Mediterranean peer with similar scale and mission focus.
- Malta National Aquarium: Malta's other leading family-oriented visitor attraction. Shares the Maltese tourism market with Esplora, competing for tourist and family leisure spend, though focused on marine exhibits rather than interactive science.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Esplora Interactive Science Centre social profiles
Digital presenceEsplora Interactive Science Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Esplora Interactive Science Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Esplora Interactive Science Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Esplora Interactive Science Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Esplora Interactive Science Centre
What does Esplora Interactive Science Centre do?
Esplora Interactive Science Centre operates a Malta-based visitor attraction featuring over 200 interactive science exhibits across interconnected historic buildings at Villa Bighi in Kalkara. Its core services include hands-on exhibition access, a 10.7-metre Planetarium with full-colour 4K theatre projection, structured school educational programmes, workshops, science shows, planetarium films, and themed summer programmes. The centre also sells annual memberships (Educators Exclusive Membership Card), children's birthday parties, corporate team-building packages, and on-site food and merchandise through EsploraCaf\u00e9 and EsploraShop.
Is Esplora Interactive Science Centre a public or private company?
Esplora Interactive Science Centre is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Esplora Interactive Science Centre founded?
Esplora Interactive Science Centre was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Esplora Interactive Science Centre based?
Esplora Interactive Science Centre is headquartered in Valletta, Malta, in the Europe region.
How does Esplora Interactive Science Centre make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Visitor Admissions are the primary driver. The others are membership Programmes, school Bookings and Educational Programmes, summer Programme and Special Events, group Bookings and Corporate Events, facility Rentals and Events, on-site Retail and Food Services and children's Parties.
Who are Esplora Interactive Science Centre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Copernicus Science Centre, Glasgow Science Centre, NEMO Science Museum, Heureka Science Centre and CosmoCaixa Barcelona. Broad incumbents are Science Museum Group, Deutsches Museum and Exploratorium. Regional players are Città della Scienza and Malta National Aquarium.
Does Esplora Interactive Science Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Esplora Interactive Science Centre.
What industry is Esplora Interactive Science Centre in?
Esplora Interactive Science Centre's product category is Interactive Science Centre. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAD, Science & Technology Museums, with a secondary code of EDAMABAA, Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs). Its NAICS code is 712110 and its SIC code is 7900.