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.

 

  • Learn More: Visit our website for detailed information: XR2Learn Website.
  • Join the Conversation: Connect with experts and peers on the XR2Learn Forum: Visit Forum.
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.

XR2Learn at the MobileHCI Conference in Athens, Greece

Exploring Boundaries: XR2Learn Immerses MobileHCI 2023 Attendees in the Future of Interaction

XR2Learn showcased its immersive capabilities at the MobileHCI 2023 conference, a hotspot for mobile technology and human-computer interaction. The event, sponsored by ACM SIGCHI, gathered a vast international community. XR2Learn’s presence included XR demos and enlightening presentations. Discover the XR2Learn project’s impact on the future of interaction.

Read the full article for insights into these groundbreaking projects.

Interview

Unlocking the XR2Learn Open Call 1: A Conversation with XR2Learn partners, Filisia Melissari and Benjamin Capel

Discover the scope and objectives of the XR2Learn Open Call 1 in this exclusive interview with Filisia Melissari, Software Engineer at Synelixis Solutions S.A., and Benjamin Capel, Chief eXperience Officer – UX Team Manager at LS GROUP. Gain insights into the innovative potential of XR technology in education and how XR2Learn is leading the way.

XR2Learn Open Call webinar 2

XR2Learn Open Call Info Webinar #2: Your Path to XR Education Innovation

Discover all you need to know about XR2Learn’s Open Call at the Info Webinar #2. Join us on Thursday, September 7, from 10 to 11am CEST, online. This insightful webinar covers project introduction, Open Call details, F6S platform application guidance, evaluation insights, and an engaging Q&A session. If you’re part of SMEs, mid-caps, or industries involved in XR-based application development, this is your opportunity to dive into the world of XR education innovation. Don’t miss out on this transformative event!

OC1 promotion webinar

Insights from the XR2Learn Open Call #1 Webinar

Discover key insights from the XR2Learn Open Call #1 Webinar, where practical discussions on integrating Extended Reality (XR) technology in education took center stage. Explore the event’s focus on XR2Learn’s innovative project, navigating Open Call specifics, streamlining the application process, and engaging in an informative Q&A session. Gain pragmatic insights into the potential of XR technology in transforming the education landscape. Whether you attended the webinar or are new to the topic, this recap provides a grounded perspective on the future of XR in education

OC1 promotion webinar

XR2Learn Open Call #1 webinar

Join our webinar to explore new opportunities in Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (XR), and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies for education. XR2Learn Open Call 1 is now open, offering benefits for SMEs, mid-caps, and industries in the field. Discover the application process and eligibility criteria on July 24, 2023, from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST. Don’t miss out on this chance to learn and engage with industry experts.