The Impact Circle

The Impact Circle is an exclusive, invite-only matchmaking event in Belgium that connects pioneering corporates and investors with pre-screened, impact-driven startups. The 2026 edition (July 22–24) spans across Brussels and Boom, culminating at the Love Tomorrow Summit and Tomorrowland. Co-presented by Love Tomorrow and the European Innovation Council (EIC), the event focuses heavily on quality and relevance rather than sheer size, limiting attendance to 500 reviewed participants.

Introduction

Virtual Worlds, solving real world problemsVirtual Worlds (VW) represent a transformative convergence of physical and digital realities, creatingimmersive environments where users can interact, work, learn and play in unprecedented ways. ThisStrategic Research and Innovation Agenda identifies the required foundational concepts andtechnological advancements driving VW, highlighting their potential to revolutionise various sectors,including industry, entertainment, education, and commerce. By examining the interplay betweenAugmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), or Mixed Reality (MR) and other emerging technologies likeDigital Twins (DT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of VWs'prospects and associated research and innovation gaps. A deeper exploration of VWs' impact on societyand the economy gives context to the application and technology perspectives.VW are persistent, immersive environments, based on technologies including 3D and extended reality(XR), which make it possible to blend physical and digital worlds in real-time, for a variety of purposessuch as designing, making simulations, collaborating, learning, socialising, carrying out transactions orproviding entertainment1. They encompass a wide range of digital experiences, from fully i

During a 25-minute session on stage, we will dive into the strategic landscape shaping the future of European Virtual Worlds.

Through three interconnected areas:

The Virtual Worlds Partnership: We will start by introducing the Virtual Worlds Partnership, a Public-Private Partnership between the European Commission and the Virtual Worlds Association, highlighting the federating role of the Virtual Worlds Association (VWA) to properly represent the private side in this Partnership.
The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). How this official document produced with the VWA community and updated yearly serves as as official recommendation to the elaboration of Horizon Europe calls in relation to Virtual Worlds and the Web 4.0
Media & Entertainment Chapter Focus: Finally, we will zero in on the SRIA’s Media and Entertainment chapter, exploring the specific priorities, challenges, and opportunities earmarked for this sector.

Representatives:

Mike Matton, Board member and M&E SRIA Chapter penholder
Laszlo Arnould, Vice-President

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Meet us

November 3, 2026

2nd International Workshop on XR for Challenging Environments

This is the second edition of the XR for Challenging Environments (XR4CE) workshop series, building directly on the successful CHI 2026 workshop in Barcelona. That first gathering brought together 22 position papers and a vibrant community spanning emergency response, aviation, healthcare, industrial operations, and military contexts. The upcoming workshop in Valencia (Nov 3, 2026), a satellite event of EuroXR 2026 and VWP Annual Forum 2026, will deepen that work. Extended Reality combined with Artificial Intelligence holds transformative potential for professionals in Challenging Environments (CEs) — contexts defined by complexity, risk, and unpredictability that push human decision-making to its limits. Yet XR research still struggles to meet the unique demands of embodied, mission-critical work. The workshop is co-organized by AIT (Austrian Institute of Technology), the University of Zagreb, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, and Leif Oppermann (Fraunhofer FIT & Vice-President of the Virtual Worlds Association).

November 2, 2026

VWP Annual Forum 2026

The Virtual Worlds Partnership (VWP) Annual Forum is a reference meeting point for Europe’s immersive technologies ecosystem. The Annual Forum reflects this mission: it is where strategic priorities are discussed, cross-sector alliances are formed, and Europe’s Virtual Worlds agenda takes shape. In 2026, we invite you to join us in Valencia to collectively define the next phase of Europe’s immersive transformation.

July 22, 2026

The Impact Circle

July 8, 2026

Webinar on the SRIA Update

📢 Registrations are now open for the Virtual Worlds #SRIA Update Seminar – Members Only! Join us for an exclusive opportunity to contribute to the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) that will shape the future of #virtualworlds technology. Connect with fellow experts, researchers, and industry innovators from across the European ecosystem. 📅 July 8, 2026 ⏰ 09:30–10:30 CET