ArtTech Foundation

Name

ArtTech Foundation

Legal name

ArtTech Initiative

Website

https://arttechfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts & Culture Nonprofit Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technology & Innovation Expos Organizers (THAHABAE), STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Arts technology ecosystem
• Cultural innovation programs
• Startup prize competition
• Nonprofit community network
• Cultural sector partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ArtTech Foundation (now ArtTech Initiative) is a Lausanne-based nonprofit that operates as a bridge between the cultural sector and innovative technology startups. It runs an annual prize competition for eight startups, an annual forum, partnership programs connecting cultural institutions with startups, and a recurring conversations series. It also maintains a community network of past prize winners and partner organizations since 2017.

Product overview

ArtTech Initiative (formerly ArtTech Foundation) operates as a bridge organization between the cultural sector and innovative technology start-ups. The organization functions as an ecosystem rather than a single product, offering multiple interconnected programs: the ArtTech Prize (annual competition for start-ups), ArtTech Partnerships (connecting institutions with start-ups), ArtTech Forum (annual event), and ArtTech Conversations (discussion series). The organization also maintains a community network platform featuring member companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ArtTech Prize Annual competition and award program that invites startups to compete, providing recognition, visibility, and funding opportunities for innovative companies working at the intersection of arts and technology. Targeted at entrepreneurs and startups in the ArtTech space.
• ArtTech Partnerships Partnership program connecting cultural institutions (museums, galleries, theaters) with innovative startups, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange within the ArtTech ecosystem.
• ArtTech Forum Annual flagship forum event bringing together top companies, cultural institutions, and researchers to present work and discuss the intersection of technology and the arts.
• ArtTech Conversations Recurring discussion series (virtual and regional) exploring questions about technological innovation in the arts and how cultural institutions can leverage technology, including events such as ArtTech Conversation x Swissnex in San Francisco.
• ArtTech Community Network Community network connecting thinkers, influencers, investors, and entrepreneurs in the global ArtTech space, featuring member companies such as Polkatulk, MATIS, DEEPART, Codex, and AI Music.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Swissnex in San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborative partnership for ArtTech Conversation events. Swissnex in San Francisco co-hosted an ArtTech Conversation event in 2025, bringing together the ArtTech community with Swissnex's global network of science and technology hubs.
• EPFL Innovation ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtTech is based at EPFL Innovation Park, which provides office space and access to the broader EPFL innovation ecosystem. This location partnership enables ArtTech to connect with researchers and start-ups from one of Europe's leading technical universities.
• ConciliominorGTM or Marketing PartnerConcilio is listed as an ArtTech partner. Concilio Ltd is a consulting/advisory firm that likely supports ArtTech's mission through networking or advisory services.
• PolkatulkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolkatulk is a 2019 ArtTech Prize winner, featured as part of the ArtTech network/ecosystem. Being a prize winner creates an ongoing relationship with ArtTech as part of the community of emerging talents.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Eyebeam: New York-based nonprofit art and technology center that supports artists working at the intersection of art, technology, and culture. Comparable as a nonprofit hub offering residencies, programming, and a curated community of practitioners in the art-tech space.
• Sundance Institute New Frontier: Sundance's New Frontier program supports artists working at the convergence of film, art, and emerging technology. Comparable as a foundation-backed program that nurtures innovative creators bridging cultural and technology domains via labs, festivals, and prizes.
• NEW INC (New Museum): New Museum's cultural incubator supporting artists, designers, and technologists building creative enterprises. Directly comparable as an arts+tech incubator with cohorts, programming, and institutional backing serving similar entrepreneur and cultural-institution audiences.
• Ars Electronica: Long-running Linz-based festival and institute exploring the intersection of art, technology, and society. Directly comparable to ArtTech as a recurring arts+tech convening body with prizes, exhibitions, and a community of artists/researchers.
• Pioneer Works: Brooklyn-based nonprofit that merges arts, sciences, and education through residencies, concerts, and exhibitions. Comparable as a nonprofit community hub fostering cross-disciplinary creators, similar in mission and programming mix to ArtTech.

Others

• CERN & Society Foundation: Foundation channel for CERN supporting arts+science collaborations, education, and innovation. Comparable as a science-rooted foundation that funds arts-and-technology programs and bridges research institutions with cultural outputs.

Emerging players

• Swissnex Network: Swiss global network connecting Switzerland's research and innovation community with the world. Comparable as an ecosystem partner used by ArtTech for international activations, operating a similar bridge/convener role between research, startups, and culture.

Broad incumbents

• Barbican Centre (Creative Innovation programs): Major London arts center with extensive programming in music, film, visual arts, and technology-driven installations. Comparable as a large cultural venue convening arts-and-technology audiences via events, festivals, and partnerships.
• Nesta (arts & cultural innovation programs): UK innovation foundation running programs at the intersection of arts, culture, and technology. Comparable as a larger, better-funded foundation operating in adjacent mission territory with structured funding programs, research, and convening events.
• Serpentine Galleries (Centre for Possible Studies): London-based leading contemporary art institution with a long-running technology and digital arts program. Comparable as a much larger incumbent cultural institution that runs arts+tech programming and partnerships, representing both a peer and a potential competitor for cultural-sector mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arttech-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ArtTech Foundation