XR Expo & Virtual Worlds Recap Article
Stuttgart Becomes the Center of the Metaverse: XR EXPO 2025 and "Virtual Worlds" Congress Highlight Economic and Technological Potential
For two days, Stuttgart stood at the forefront of immersive technologies, hosting over 4,000 participants from 57 countries across all inhabited continents. The XR EXPO 2025, held in tandem with the Metaverse Congress “Virtual Worlds,” transformed the region into an international hub of innovation, demonstrating how Extended Reality (XR) is already reshaping business, science, culture, and society.
Unlocking the Metaverse: A Government-Led Vision for Economic Innovation
On May 8, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg launched the “Virtual Worlds – Experiencing Opportunities in the Metaverse” Congress. Held at the Porsche Arena and in cooperation with the Virtual Dimension Center (VDC) in Fellbach and the Media and Film Society (MFG) Baden-Württemberg, the event aimed to spark curiosity for key future technologies, encourage investment, and support the recruitment of talent.
“The future of our industrial base is digital—and it’s full of opportunities,” said Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism. “By connecting the real and digital worlds, we can open a new chapter in the economic history of our region.”
Baden-Württemberg boasts a rich creative economy, a strong research landscape, and an innovative start-up scene supported by active XR and VFX (visual effects) networks. With the launch of the CyberLÄND platform, companies now have a strategic space for networking, co-creation, and knowledge transfer. The platform presents use cases in a 3D gallery and connects providers and users of metaverse-relevant technologies.
At the Congress, the Ministry introduced its White Paper on the Metaverse, offering a strategic framework for building an open and sovereign Metaverse ecosystem based on European values. A new Invest BW funding call was also announced, with a focus on “Virtual Worlds, Digital Twins, Blockchain and Cybersecurity” and “Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Security and Defense.”
International collaboration was a strong theme, with stakeholders from nine European countries and ten Ukrainian companies participating. Highlights included the Hungarian “Pannon Business Network,” the “Humanoid Robot Digital Twin” project, and the Slovak company Gametherapy with its VIRADIA health tech innovation.
XR EXPO: Where Innovation Meets Reality
Running parallel to the Congress was the XR EXPO at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle. Organized by the VDC Fellbach, it brought together 160+ exhibitors from industries including automotive, healthcare, architecture, education, and creative media. The XR EXPO Technology Stage and THE CREATIVE LÄND Stage showcased market-ready XR applications and visionary panel discussions.
The second day, May 9, featured the XR EXPO Congress, offering deep strategic insights with over 40 expert presentations and panels. Key topics included:
XR integration in industrial processes (Siemens, Festo, MTU)
Human-centered design in healthcare
The role of generative AI in XR systems
Standards, platform strategies, and funding models
“Extended Reality is no longer a future trend but a key component of digital reality,” said Prof. Dr. Christoph Runde, CEO of VDC and founder of XR EXPO. “The Metaverse is not a distant vision, it’s being built here and now.”
Additional Highlights
Top speakers: including Collin Croome (Metaverse pioneer), Luis Bollinger (Hololight), Anne Bajart (EU Commission), and Prof. Dr. Martin Eifert (Federal Constitutional Court).
Advisory services: Free consultations on cyber security, patent protection, funding, and business development.
Recruiting zone: Connecting talent with employers, particularly in immersive tech fields like XR, VFX, and gaming.
XR Expo & Stuttgart Animated Week: Collaboration with major events like FMX, Animation Production Days, and the International Trickfilm Festival, making the region a key player in media innovation.
Metaverse Market Outlook
According to studies cited by Bitkom and Meta, the Metaverse could contribute up to $5 trillion to the global economy by 2030. In Germany alone, it could increase GDP by up to €66 billion annually by leveraging technologies like XR, digital twins, blockchain, and AI, especially in design, manufacturing, and services.
About the Organizers
XR EXPO is the premier B2B trade fair for XR in the German-speaking region, emphasizing business-ready solutions and interdisciplinary exchange. It is hosted by the Virtual Dimension Center (VDC) - EuroXR Member, Germany’s leading network for XR and virtual engineering, connecting providers, users, and researchers across the full XR value chain.
CyberLÄND and the Metaverse Congress are initiatives of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, aiming to position the state as a European leader in digital transformation and immersive technologies.
Explore the CyberLÄND platform: https://event.cyberlaend.eu
