Immersive technology has long promised to redefine how we experience the world, albeit to mixed success. However, Catherine Seys and her company, Excurio, are delivering on that promise in ways that feel rather extraordinary. With cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) systems and a unique approach to storytelling, Excurio invites audiences to traverse time and space, all without ever boarding a plane.
Excurio specializes in immersive expeditions, which are 45-minute VR experiences designed for families, friends, and adventurers to explore expansive virtual worlds together. Whether walking through the ancient corridors of Egypt’s Great Pyramid, stepping into the streets of Paris during the first Impressionist exhibition, or observing the evolution of life on Earth, these experiences are digital recreations created to feel alive, emotional, and deeply interactive.
Redefining the VR Experience
Unlike traditional VR setups, which are known to feel solitary or limited by physical constraints, Excurio’s technology is built for freedom. Guests don headsets and roam through large venues, with the system ensuring they never collide with walls or each other. This is thanks to an intricate network of markers and real-time tracking systems that keep movements safe and seamless.
The result is a VR environment that feels natural and intuitive. No special skills needed, Seys explains. All you have to do is put on the headset, and you’re ready to take off.
Turning History Into a Living Experience
Excurio’s productions blend tech with rigorous historical research. One standout example is The Horizon of Khufu, an experience that takes users inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid, even venturing into chambers typically off-limits to the public. But it doesn’t stop there. The journey transports participants back to the time of Pharaoh Khufu’s funeral, creating a vivid and emotionally resonant portrayal of history.
For Seys, authenticity is key. Collaborating with experts like Egyptologist Peter Der Manuelian from Harvard University ensures that every detail — from the architecture to the cultural rituals — is as accurate as possible. “We want to make cultural content accessible, and by accessible, I mean really putting the best top scholar knowledge available to anyone,” Seys says.
Similarly, Excurio’s Tonight with the Impressionists, co-produced with France’s Orsay Museum, brings the pioneers of Impressionism to life. Participants meet the young, uncertain painters as they prepare their first groundbreaking exhibition in 1874. The experience offers a rare glimpse into their world — complete with fears, dreams, and raw creativity — before stepping into a traditional art exhibition with newfound context and connection.
A Bold Pivot into Immersive Expeditions
Excurio’s path wasn’t accidental. With nearly two decades of expertise in immersive technology, the company initially catered to luxury brands, designing bespoke experiences using VR and augmented reality (AR). However, Seys and her team recognized a greater opportunity in creating shared, narrative-driven adventures.
The pivot wasn’t without challenges, particularly as the VR industry has experienced its share of ups and downs. But Excurio’s large-scale VR venues have proven not only popular but profitable. In fact, the company now holds the record for the most simultaneous users in a VR environment — over 100 participants. For Seys, this milestone underscores the viability of location-based entertainment (LBE) as a sustainable business model.
What’s Next for Excurio?
The company is far from resting on its laurels. Seys outlined three main avenues for growth: advancing the technology to enable even smoother interactions, opening the platform for other VR creators, and expanding their library of immersive expeditions. Their latest production, Tonight with the Impressionists, is set to debut in New York City this December, with a brand-new intellectual property (IP) slated for release in April next year.
And yes, space is on their radar too. While recreating the vastness of the cosmos presents unique challenges, Seys and her team are undeterred.
A Vision Beyond Entertainment
At its heart, Excurio’s mission goes beyond entertainment. By combining top-tier scholarship with engaging narratives, Seys believes the company is making cultural content more accessible and inspiring.
Through projects like The Horizon of Khufu and Life Chronicles, a collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Paris, Excurio is fostering connections between audiences and the past, one immersive journey at a time.
For those eager to explore uncharted dimensions, Excurio’s expeditions are a gateway to experiences that are as enlightening as they are exhilarating. After all, when you step into their world, you’re not just visiting history, you’re living it.
