VirtualExpo is a French company that operates business-to-business (B2B) online marketplaces. Founded in 1998 by Corentin Thiercelin and headquartered in Marseille, France, the company operates sector-specific online marketplaces serving the manufacturing, architecture, healthcare, agriculture, aviation and maritime sectors.
History
VirtualExpo was founded in Marseille in 1998 by engineer Corentin Thiercelin.
Its first marketplace, DirectIndustry, was launched in 2000 as an online exhibition platform for industrial equipment and components. Following the launch of DirectIndustry, VirtualExpo expanded into other sectors by launching NauticExpo (boating and maritime) in 2003, ArchiExpo (architecture and design) in 2007, MedicalExpo (medical equipment) in 2012, and AeroExpo and AgriExpo in 2016.
In 2013, VirtualExpo moved to new headquarters in Marseille as the company continued expanding its online marketplace activities.
Between 2017 and 2019, the company was included in the French Great Place to Work rankings. In 2018, the company was developing a new version of its platforms intended to transition its online exhibition model toward B2B e-commerce and marketplace functions. By 2019, VirtualExpo operated six sector-specific online platforms and employed about 200 people in Marseille.
In July 2020, VirtualExpo launched marketplace functions across its six sector-specific platforms, expanding their original online exhibition model to include quotation and transaction functions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, French media reported increased demand for online sourcing platforms as many trade fairs were cancelled or postponed. In 2020, VirtualExpo expanded the DirectIndustry marketplace by opening its B2B marketplace to international buyers and suppliers.
In 2022, VirtualExpo launched Shop DirectIndustry, an e-commerce marketplace for industrial professionals, as the first stage of the company's e-commerce strategy.
In August 2024, VirtualExpo established its China headquarters in the Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, also known as Optics Valley of China.
In May 2025, VirtualExpo entered into a partnership with Business France to support the international expansion of French small and medium-sized enterprises through its sector-specific B2B marketplaces.
Operations
VirtualExpo operates online marketplaces for professional buyers and suppliers in several sectors, including industrial manufacturing, architecture and design, medical technology, agriculture, aviation and maritime equipment. The marketplaces allow professional buyers to search for products, compare suppliers and request quotations from manufacturers and distributors. The company operates the DirectIndustry, ArchiExpo, MedicalExpo, AeroExpo, AgriExpo and NauticExpo marketplaces. According to Le Journal des Entreprises, about 90% of the company's revenue comes from international markets, particularly Germany, Italy and the United States.
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