Compáz
Compáz is a Neuchâtel-based Swiss non-profit association and art-science incubator that creates exhibitions and installations translating building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology into accessible artistic experiences for EU Horizon 2020 research consortia, museums, and public institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNeuchâtel, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Compáz does
Compáz is a Swiss non-profit association registered in Neuchâtel that operates as an art-science incubator, producing exhibitions and permanent installations that translate building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and emerging solar technologies into accessible artistic experiences for general audiences. The organization is led by a four-person core team — founders Laure-Emmanuelle Perret (director of LMNT Consultancy and a photovoltaic technology specialist), Lats Kladny and Raphaël Pizzera (CEO-Associé and Creative Director-Associé of Inox Communication), and project coordinator Yvanna Paiva Ferreira — operating from the shared Bureau du 111 workspace in Neuchâtel.
The portfolio centers on twelve named projects that pair solar technology with creative expression, including the Watt is Art exhibition series (EPFL Pavilions in March 2021 and Théâtre du Passage from September to December 2022), the Figli del Sole permanent photographic portrait installation in Oliveri, Sicily, the emersion photovoltaic fresco at the Laténium museum (generating approximately 2.4 kWp, reported to power one-third of the museum), the Protocol+ panoramic mural at the Swiss Federal Palace in Bern, and the Photo-synthesis installation at the National Museum of China in Beijing. Underlying technologies include high-resolution image integration on photovoltaic panels developed with CSEM and Solaxess, and the Hiperion consortium's planar optical micro-tracking system, which is reported to deliver 50% more energy than conventional PV.
Compáz's revenue model is grant-based, anchored in three European Union Horizon 2020 research consortium memberships (Be-Smart grant N° 818009 launched in 2018, Hiperion grant N° 857775 launched in 2019, and MEZeroE grant N° 953157 launched in 2021), supplemented by local public funding from Suisse Energie, Loterie Romande, and the City and Canton of Neuchâtel. The go-to-market is event-driven and project-based: the organization contributes communication, dissemination, and artistic direction to EU consortia while cultivating cultural-institution, government, and healthcare-facility partnerships for installation deployments across Switzerland, China, Japan, Norway, Italy, the United Kingdom, and France. No commercial pricing or recurring fee-based revenue streams are disclosed, and the organization is structured as an association rather than a for-profit entity, with no equity investment or external institutional ownership.
Compáz firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Compáz
- Legal name
- Compáz
- Website
- https://compaz.art
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Compáz is a Neuchâtel-based Swiss non-profit association and art-science incubator that creates exhibitions and installations translating building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology into accessible artistic experiences for EU Horizon 2020 research consortia, museums, and public institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Compáz industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Art-Science Project Management
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Graphic Design Services (541430), Commercial Photography (541922)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions (THAJADAJ)
Keywords
Where Compáz is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Neuchâtel
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Compáz business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- EU Research Programme Funding: Funding through Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme participation. Compáz is a member of multiple EU consortium projects (Be-Smart, Hiperion, MEZeroE) receiving grants for art-science collaboration on photovoltaic innovation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Compáz product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Compáz is a Swiss non-profit artistic and scientific collective that functions as an idea incubator, creating art-science projects that integrate photovoltaic technology with artistic expression. It delivers commissioned art installations, exhibitions, and permanent photovoltaic artworks for museums, cultural institutions, government buildings, and healthcare facilities, while also serving as communication, dissemination, and artistic-direction partner for EU Horizon 2020 research consortia (Be-Smart, Hiperion, MEZeroE). Its output translates complex solar technologies into accessible, emotionally resonant experiences through exhibitions, video content, identity design, and consortium publishing.
Product overview
Compáz is not a traditional product company but rather an artistic collective and project incubator that creates installations combining art and photovoltaic technology. Their portfolio includes exhibitions (Watt is Art, Kaleo), permanent installations (Figli del Sole, emersion), and contributes to EU research projects (Be-Smart, Hiperion, MEZeroE). The organization serves as a project manager and communication specialist for EU Horizon 2020 initiatives focused on building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), translating complex solar technologies into accessible artistic experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Watt is Art (Exhibition series) Artistic exhibition series showcasing multifunctional solar panels with artistic themes, demonstrating that photovoltaics can serve as construction materials and artistic media. Exhibited at EPFL Pavilions and Théâtre du Passage.
- Figli del Sole (Permanent exhibition) Permanent exhibition of 40 photographic portraits of Oliveri, Sicily residents printed on photovoltaic panels in a public park, following the sun's trajectory throughout the day.
- Queens Ingrid's Garden Norwegian patterns scaled up to 200m² creatively reinterpreted on photovoltaic panels with ceramic-printed designs featuring local quotes and poetry, designed for dementia patients in Oslo.
- MEZeroE Open ecosystem for development, testing and upscaling of smart and biobased, human-centric building envelope products, combining infrastructure facilities with academic and industry expertise. Compáz handles communication, identity design, and annual manifesto publication.
- Be-Smart EU Horizon 2020 consortium project demonstrating new cost-effective building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product concepts with high-quality architectural design across four European building demonstrators. Compáz contributes communication, dissemination, and artistic direction.
- Hiperion EU Horizon 2020 project developing hybrid photovoltaic modules using planar optical micro-tracking technology that concentrates sunlight on multi-junction solar cells, achieving 50% more energy than conventional PV. Compáz produces the Watt if web series and project communication.
- Photo-synthesis Techno-botanical installation exhibited at the National Museum of China in Beijing, demonstrating the aesthetic potential of photovoltaic panels as artistic media through plant imagery.
- Protocol+ Panoramic photovoltaic mural commissioned by the Protocol Office at the Federal Palace in Bern, featuring Swiss Alps imagery integrated with locally developed photovoltaic technology.
- emersion Photographic and photovoltaic fresco representing the UNESCO-listed palafitte site at 1:1 scale, installed at Laténium museum, generating approximately 2.4 kWp to power one-third of the museum.
- Face à Phase Trompe-l'oeil photovoltaic artwork using CSEM and Solaxess technology to integrate high-resolution images onto functional solar modules, generating positive energy.
- Ante meridiem Forest-themed photographic artwork printed on photovoltaic panels exhibited at Science Museum London, depicting a journey from midnight to midday.
- Kaleo / Exposition photos-Voltaïque World's first photovoltaic photo exhibition featuring five 2x1.6m portraits distributed across ten photovoltaic panels, developed with CSEM aesthetic PV technology.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 900,000 live exhibition attendees across major events
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Compáz
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Compáz technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Compáz partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- MEZeroE ConsortiumcoreEU Horizon 2020 project (grant N° 953157) for smart, biobased envelope products for nearly Zero Energy buildings. Compáz handles communication, identity design, and annual manifesto publication.
- Hiperion ConsortiumcoreEU Horizon 2020 project (grant N° 857775) developing hybrid photovoltaic modules with 50% higher efficiency using planar optical micro-tracking technology. Compáz produces Watt if web series and project communication.
- Be-Smart ConsortiumcoreEuropean Union Horizon 2020 research project (grant N° 818009) focused on building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Compáz contributes communication, dissemination, and artistic direction. Demonstrated through Watt is Art exhibitions and Figli del Sole installation.
- LMNT ConsultancycoreLaure-Emmanuelle Perret's company focused on ecological and energy transition. Contributes scientific expertise in photovoltaic technologies to Compáz projects.
- Inox CommunicationcoreLats Kladny and Raphaël Pizzera's communication agency providing brand strategy and creative direction. Both founders' agency shares Bureau du 111 space with Compáz.
- CSEM (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology)coreSwiss research center pioneering aesthetic photovoltaic solutions. Developed Solaxess technology for high-resolution image integration on solar panels. Technology partner in emersion, Face à Phase, and Photo-synthesis projects.
- SolaxesscoreSwiss manufacturer of photovoltaic panels with aesthetic printing technology. Partnered with CSEM to enable image-integrated solar modules used in Compáz art installations.
- Tsinghua UniversitysupportingBeijing university that issued call for projects leading to Photo-synthesis installation. Compáz selected for double photovoltaic installation at National Museum of China.
- Swissnex ChinasupportingSwiss global network for education, research and innovation in China. Supported Photo-synthesis project at Tsinghua University.
- LaténiumcoreSwitzerland's largest archaeological museum hosting emersion project. First Swiss museum with Minergie status. Collaborative public-private partnership with Compáz.
- EPFL PavilionscoreEPFL laboratory for experimental museology. Hosted Watt is Art exhibition (March-April 2021) featuring artistic BIPV panels. Sarah Kenderdine, Director, participated in opening session.
- Théâtre du PassagecoreTheater in Neuchâtel hosting second Watt is Art exhibition (September-December 2022) showcasing Be-Smart project activities.
- OslobyggsupportingOslo municipal building entity providing solar cell initiative for Queen's Ingrid's Garden project. Supplied EPoG panels through EU Be-Smart initiative.
- Swiss Embassy in ChinasupportingEmbassy supporting Swiss art-science initiatives in China including Photo-synthesis installation at Tsinghua University.
- Swiss Embassy in the United KingdomsupportingInvited Compáz to present Ante meridiem at Science Museum London exhibition 'The Sun: Living with our Star'.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Compáz competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Studio Roosegaarde: Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde's studio creates large-scale techno-art installations that fuse design, technology, and sustainability themes (e.g. SMART Highway, Space Waste Lab). Highly comparable to Compáz as an art-science collective translating emerging technology into public-facing installations.
- FoAM: FoAM is a Brussels-based studio for speculative and experiential art, operating as a collective combining art, science, and technology. Comparable to Compáz in structure (small collective), mission (bridging art and science for public engagement), and project-driven grant model.
- Studio Tomás Saraceno: Aerocene-inspired art studio producing installations at the intersection of art, science, and sustainability themes. Comparable to Compáz as a high-profile art-science collective using exhibitions to communicate scientific concepts to broad audiences.
- Solaxess: Solaxess is a Swiss technology company producing aesthetic photovoltaic panels with image integration capabilities. It is a direct technology peer and existing Compáz partner for projects such as Face à Phase and emersion, addressing the same niche of visually integrated solar modules.
- Cape Farewell: UK-based cultural organization commissioning artists and scientists to address climate change through creative projects. Comparable to Compáz as an art-climate collective bridging scientific research and public communication, with a similar project-based, grant-funded model.
Broad incumbents
- CSEM (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology): Swiss applied research center that developed Solaxess's aesthetic PV technology. Functions as a broader incumbent in the BIPV research space and is a current Compáz partner. Comparable as a Swiss research-and-innovation organization in photovoltaic aesthetics.
- Tesla Energy (Solar Roof): Tesla's Solar Roof product is a mainstream aesthetic BIPV offering at scale. Broad incumbent demonstrating the commercial potential of visually integrated solar that Compáz's communication work supports at the cultural and demonstration level.
- Onyx Solar: Spanish manufacturer of photovoltaic glass used as building material for facades and skylights. Comparable as an established player in aesthetic BIPV where Compáz contributes art-direction and project communication.
Emerging players
- ISSOL: Specialized company developing high-efficiency and aesthetic photovoltaic solutions for building integration. Emerging peer in the same BIPV niche where Compáz operates as a creative communicator.
Others
- Inox Communication: Swiss communications agency co-founded by two of Compáz's co-founders (Lats Kladny, Raphaël Pizzera) and operating from the same Bureau du 111 space. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant providing branding and digital transformation services.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Compáz social profiles
Digital presenceCompáz financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Compáz leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Compáz funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Compáz 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 Compáz
What does Compáz do?
Compáz is a Swiss non-profit artistic and scientific collective that functions as an idea incubator, creating art-science projects that integrate photovoltaic technology with artistic expression. It delivers commissioned art installations, exhibitions, and permanent photovoltaic artworks for museums, cultural institutions, government buildings, and healthcare facilities, while also serving as communication, dissemination, and artistic-direction partner for EU Horizon 2020 research consortia (Be-Smart, Hiperion, MEZeroE). Its output translates complex solar technologies into accessible, emotionally resonant experiences through exhibitions, video content, identity design, and consortium publishing.
Is Compáz a public or private company?
Compáz is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Compáz founded?
Compáz was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Compáz based?
Compáz is headquartered in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Compáz make money?
One revenue line is on record: EU Research Programme Funding.
Who are Compáz's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Studio Roosegaarde, FoAM, Studio Tomás Saraceno, Solaxess and Cape Farewell. Broad incumbents are CSEM (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology), Tesla Energy (Solar Roof) and Onyx Solar. ISSOL is listed as an emerging player. Inox Communication is listed as an others.
Does Compáz have an API?
No public API is recorded for Compáz.
What industry is Compáz in?
Compáz's product category is Art-Science Project Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAJ, Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions. Its NAICS code is 7121 and its SIC code is 7330.