XR2LEARN OC2 analysis

XR2Learn Open Call 2: Mapping the Applicants: Where They Come From and Where They’re Going

Open Call 2 applications: who are they?

The project’s Open Call 2, that ran between  , closed with a total of 147 applications from all over Europe. The following deep-dive into of the applicants provides valuable insights into the geographic origins, target markets, and valuation of the SMEs that applied. The target audiences were small consortia of up to three partners consisting of XR-developing industrial partners, training organizations and XR-application user/adopters.

Countries of origin

A large number of countries were covered, thanks to dissemination efforts in getting participants from eligible countries. So, this Open Call received proposals from 14 eligible countries. Greece (20,5%), Italy (14,5%), Germany (9,6%), Spain (8,4%), France (7,2%), Turkey (7,2%), were the 6 most represented countries. 

SME’s ages

The objective of the Open Call #2 is to perform test, piloting, evaluate and validate the user acceptance of new or already developed XR-based applications in real life settings. In consequence, SME’s from various ages, with 69,2% of the companies being 10 years or less. 

Raising capital

Regarding scaling-up, it turns out that only 16.8% of the SMEs applying to the open call were actively seeking investment at the time of application. This suggests that a significant portion of applicants may be seeking other forms of support, such as access to markets, mentorship, or technology partnerships, to scale their businesses. 

Valuation

The valuation of the applicant SMEs revealed a diverse landscape. A significant portion (35.3%) were valued between 1 and 4 million, indicating a focus on early-stage growth. While 17.6% command a valuation between 20 and 25 million, suggesting more mature and potentially higher-growth companies.
11.8% of the applicants were valued at less than a million, highlighting the presence of early-stage ventures seeking initial traction.
The remaining valuations were distributed across 5-9 million (11.8%), 10-14 million (11.8%), and 15-19 million (11.8%), showcasing a range of company stages and growth trajectories within the applicant pool.

Markets 

We can see a range of target markets for the applicant SMEs. Software emerged as the most prominent one, with 31.6% of applicants targeting this sector. XR technologies followed closely with 16.4%, reflecting the core focus of the XR2Learn project. Education and healthcare count as significant markets, with 13.2% and 11.8% of applicants respectively. Artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D applications were also well-represented. Finally, a smaller part of the application focused on data-related solutions, and on blockchain, indicating the growing importance of data-driven approaches and emerging technologies within the XR2Learn ecosystem.

NB: With respect to the targeted sectors, a minimum of 70% will be dedicated to XR-application relevant to industry 5.0 technologies and relevant skills and a maximum of 30% will be allocated to sub-projects targeting other educational sectors (e.g. healthcare and medical, manufacturing, construction and engineering.

Gender balance

 
The applicant SMEs revealed a significant gender imbalance across leadership and employee levels, as it tends to be the case overall in the ecosystem. Overall, 80.7% of applicants were male-led, while 19.3% were female-led. This disparity was reflected at the leadership level, with 81.5% of CEO positions held by men. While a slightly higher percentage of women were observed in co-founder roles (20.7%), male co-founders still constituted a majority (79.3%). Finally, the employee level also exhibited a similar gender imbalance, with 81.3% of employees being male.

 

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XR2Learn Team group photo

XR2Learn Exploitation Workshop: Empowering Open Call 1 Winners to Unlock Their Potential

On November 28th, XR2Learn hosted an engaging Exploitation Workshop for the winners of its Open Call 1. The event brought together seven outstanding projects—CARATE, EVR-OSH-5, PAPERXR, PROXIMA, X-ALFY, XR2IND, and XR4HRC—each pushing the boundaries of XR-based solutions in education and training.

The workshop, conducted virtually, focused on helping participants refine their project vision by identifying their target customers, understanding customer pain points, defining the unique value of their solutions, and positioning themselves in the competitive landscape. To foster collaboration and creativity, the session utilized an interactive Miro Board, with breakout rooms, ensuring personalized guidance for each team.

Diving into the Essentials of Exploitation

The core of the workshop revolved around several critical elements that contribute to the success of any innovation:

  1. Target Customers: Teams were guided to identify their key customers—the individuals or organisations experiencing the problem their solution aims to address. Participants brainstormed their target audiences and narrowed them to the most crucial segment.
  2. Customer Problems: Once customers were identified, teams stepped into their shoes to explore challenges from the customer’s perspective. This exercise emphasised understanding real-world needs and building solutions that resonate.
  3. Customer Values: The discussion then shifted to what matters most to the customer. Teams reflected on the unique benefits their projects could bring and how their solutions could alleviate pain points or improve efficiency.
  4. Investment Worthiness: Participants were encouraged to think like investors, articulating why their projects are worth backing and how they align with business goals and KPIs.
  5. Competitive Landscape: Teams analysed their competitors and considered what sets their solutions apart, helping them better define their unique positioning in the market.

Crafting the Unique Value Proposition

The highlight of the workshop was the creation of a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) statement—a concise and compelling expression of each project’s core value. Using a simple sentence structure, participants distilled their ideas into statements that clearly communicated their offerings and their relevance to their target customers.

For example, one UVP might look like this:
“Our [product/service] helps [customer segment] who want to [goal or job to be done] by [addressing a pain point] and [delivering a specific benefit].”

This exercise helped teams articulate not only what they offer but also how their solutions uniquely address their customers’ needs.

Closing the Workshop

To conclude, each team presented their UVP statement to the group, showcasing their progress and insights. This activity highlighted the diversity of ideas and approaches among the projects, while reinforcing the importance of clarity and customer focus.

Looking Ahead

The XR2Learn Exploitation Workshop was a resounding success, equipping participants with tools and strategies to maximize the impact of their XR-based solutions. As the projects evolve, we look forward to seeing how these insights shape their journeys, helping them bring their innovative ideas to life in education and training.

Stay tuned for more updates on the incredible projects coming out of the XR2Learn program!

XR2LEARN Open Call #2 launched: Join the European XR industry technologies to empower immersive learning and training!

XR2LEARN Open Call #2 launched: Join the European XR industry technologies to empower immersive learning and training!

We are proud to share that LS Group, one of the partners in the XR2Learn project, presented our innovative project at VivaTech 2024, held from May 22-25 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup and technology event, is a vibrant annual conference dedicated to innovation and startups, bringing together visionaries from around the globe.

XR2Learn Shines at VivaTech 2024 with LS Group

XR2Learn Shines at VivaTech 2024 with LS Group

We are proud to share that LS Group, one of the partners in the XR2Learn project, presented our innovative project at VivaTech 2024, held from May 22-25 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup and technology event, is a vibrant annual conference dedicated to innovation and startups, bringing together visionaries from around the globe.

Meet the winners of the XR2Learn Open Call 1: EVR-OSH project

Meet the winners of the XR2Learn Open Call 1: EVR-OSH project

Meet the dynamic team behind EVR-OSH – Zengo, a burgeoning force in VR and educational content development, and TopSafe, a prominent figure in occupational health and safety. With a combined experience spanning over a decade, these two entities have joined forces to embark on an ambitious journey within the XR2Learn project. Their shared mission? To revolutionise traditional learning paradigms through immersive technologies. Let’s delve into their story, aspirations, and the exciting project they’re bringing to the table.

Meet the winners of the CR2Learn Open Call 1: X-Alfy project!

Meet the winners of the CR2Learn Open Call 1: X-Alfy project!

Meet the visionary team behind X-Alfy: VENAKA TreeLeaf GbR (VTG). In this exclusive interview, VTG shares insights into their groundbreaking project, X-Alfy, which aims to provide advanced XR tools for forestry education and environmental awareness. Discover how X-Alfy evolved from VTG’s passion for addressing climate change challenges and how it’s poised to benefit end-users by enhancing forestry practices and fostering environmental consciousness.

XR2Learn Project Holds General Assembly to Chart Future Course in Educational Innovation

XR2Learn Project Holds General Assembly to Chart Future Course in Educational Innovation

To revolutionise the education landscape through immersive technologies, the XR2Learn project conducted its much-anticipated General Assembly in Paris, France in the period 20 – 21. March 2024. Hosted by LS Group, the assembly served as a pivotal moment for the project, marking a significant stride towards reshaping traditional learning paradigms through the innovative spirit of the 7 companies that were supported under XR2Learn’s first open call.