Invest Manchester today welcomed Euronext-listed technology company Virtualware (EPA: ALVIR) to Greater Manchester after it acquired Virtalis, where the company set out its plan to one of the largest Real-Time 3D technology groups in Europe.
Unai Extremo, CEO and founder of Virtualware, David Fried, Managing Director of Virtualware UK, and Andrew Connell, Chief Product and Strategy Officer, met with the Invest Manchester team, and a group of local dignitaries including Paula Gill, CEO, North West Aerospace Alliance, Jack James, Principal Innovation Officer, GMCA, Coral Grainger, Innovation Projects Director, GM Colleges Group, Carl Diver, Director of Innovate Manufacturing, Manchester Metropolitan University, Peter Boulton, Network Director, TfGM, and Alejandro Mata Polanco, Consul General of Spain in Manchester, and Allison Brierley, Principal Officer Inclusive Economy and Communities Team, Trafford Council.
Founded in 2004 in Bilbao, Spain, Virtualware is a global provider of enterprise 3D, XR, simulation, and digital twin solutions, supporting organisations across defence, education, aerospace, transport, and energy. With more than 20 years’ experience delivering immersive and digital transformation technologies, the company has decided to expand its footprint in the UK in order to build new partnerships and opportunities.
“Our acquisition of Virtalis is a very important step for our organisation. We plan to be in Manchester for the long term, and it’s from here that we will expand the Virtualware Group in the United Kingdom,” said Unai Extremo.“The team that built Virtalis into what it is today have earned the trust of British and global industry clients over more than two decades. Now, they will build upon that with the resources of a listed European group behind them. We are committed to Manchester and the UK, and our goal is to create more jobs and invest more here.”
The Virtualware group employs 71 people in five countries including Spain, the UK, Sweden, Canada and the United State. It builds specialized software that lets organisations build full-scale digital replicas (known as “Digital Twins), of the plants, vehicles and infrastructure they design, build operate and maintain. These can then be used for high level immersive training for workers.
Virtualware’s clients include General Electric Vernova, Volvo, Gestamp, Alstom, Bosch, Biogen, the Kessler Foundation, Invest Windsor Essex – Canada, McMaster University, Ohio University and numerous public institutions across Europe and America.
Joe Manning, Managing Director of Invest Manchester, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Virtualware to Greater Manchester following the acquisition of Virtalis. Its decision to make Manchester a long-term base for its UK growth demonstrates why our city-region continues to attract ambitious international technology businesses, with the talent, innovation and sector strengths they need to succeed. We look forward to supporting Virtualware as it grows, creates new opportunities and becomes an integral part of Greater Manchester’s tech community.”
Virtalis, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Manchester, specializes in virtual reality and RT3D visualization software. Its main product, Visionary Render, is one of the graphic engines used in technology for industrial and defence engineering. Its technology is used by BAE Systems, Blue Origin, Lam Research, Seaspan, Subsea 7, Vestas, Thales, Lockheed Martin and Ford.
“The United Kingdom is the market where Virtualware group intends to become a reference in our industry, and with this move, we now have the products and the scale to do it,” said David Fried.“Teams in the defence, advanced manufacturing, nuclear and rail sectors are all being asked to design faster, train more people and minimize risks before any product is manufactured or any plant is built with workers operating in them. The Northwest of England has the industrial base, the universities and the supply chain to make this a very large market for us, and we intend to become an integral part of it.”
The company is headquartered in Bilbao, Spain, listed on Euronext Growth Paris since June 2025, with offices in Orlando, Toronto and Skövde.
