Member Spotlight | Elumenati

THRIVE: Who are The Elumenati?

ADAM: The Elumenati is a design and engineering firm specializing in immersive visualization environments and interactive experiences. We develop turn-key solutions and custom installations that push the boundaries of storytelling, education, and engagement. For over two decades, we’ve blended innovative design with intuitive technology to create inspiring experiences across museums, science centers, planetariums, visitor centers, corporate lobbies, engagement centers, themed entertainment, experiential marketing, and the arts.

Our GeoDome product line—including the Panorama, Theater, Portal, Cyclorama, Globe, and new Compass—delivers transformative storytelling through projection-based and LED display solutions. We pioneered the use of OmniFocus™ projection systems in domes, panoramas, and spheres, and we continue to lead with OmniLED™, our ultra-fine-pitch LED technology. Featuring industry-leading dual-flex technology, OmniLED™ creates the most seamless compound curve LED solutions available today, with pixel pitches from 0.8mm and up—bringing unparalleled brightness, contrast, and clarity to immersive environments. Available as turn-key solutions or fully customized installations, our systems set the industry standard for high-impact, interactive displays.

All our systems are powered by WorldViewer, a real-time content engine that enables dynamic exploration of scientific data, global stories, and custom media. Each year, hundreds of thousands of learners experience a new approach to Earth and space narratives through our GeoDome immersive learning environments and digital globes. Our custom installations leverage our interactive software and unique user interface design, blending artistic sensibility, pedagogy, and communications strategy to create uniquely effective tools for science communication, corporate storytelling, and beyond.

We collaborate with a range of visionary organizations, including NASA, NOAA, the American Museum of Natural History, the Indianapolis Zoo, and OceanX. Our partnerships also extend to the themed entertainment, arts, and experiential marketing sectors, working with companies such as DreamWorks, Cirque du Soleil, and NVIDIA. Whether designing planetarium domes, immersive brand activations, or interactive learning experiences, we bring creativity, expertise, and cutting-edge technology to every project—helping audiences explore, discover, and engage in new ways.

THRIVE: How long have you been in business?

ADAM: We incorporated in 2003, but the minds behind our technology have been dreaming up immersive or virtual experiences since the mid 90’s!

THRIVE: What inspired you to create your business?

ADAM: I didn’t create The Elumenati, but I’m proud to be part of a company with such an innovative and visionary foundation. The business was founded by D’nardo Colucci and David McConville, who had previously worked together at Elumens—a company focused on simulation technology. While their work in simulation was groundbreaking, they saw a bigger opportunity: using immersive visualization to revolutionize education, science communication, and the arts.

At the time, virtual reality as we know it today was still in its infancy, and immersive experiences were mostly limited to specialized industries. Our founders recognized the potential of dome projection, interactive displays, and custom-designed immersive environments to make complex information more intuitive and engaging. Their goal was to take this technology beyond simulation and into museums, planetariums, classrooms, and public spaces—democratizing access to immersive storytelling and data visualization.

Now, more than two decades later, Elumens has been closed for nearly 20 years and The Elumenati continues to push the boundaries of immersive technology. We’ve delivered hundreds of turn-key systems and custom installations worldwide, collaborating with organizations ranging from NASA to leading cultural institutions. It’s incredible to see how far the industry has come and how our work continues to evolve, shaping new ways for people to learn, explore, and experience the world around them.

THRIVE: What was your biggest success in the past year?

ADAM: One of our more recent successes has been the launch of the Immersive Learning Labs, starting with Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (HIES)—a project that exemplifies our passion for education and our commitment to transforming learning through immersive technology. This custom-designed GeoDome installation, powered by our WorldViewer software, has become a powerful tool for experiential learning, allowing students to explore subjects like astronomy, history, and environmental science in a fully immersive environment.

Building on this success, we’ve seen growing momentum in the adoption of Immersive Learning Labs, with several more schools and institutions integrating our technology into their curricula. These labs serve as interdisciplinary spaces that foster engagement, creativity, and a deeper understanding of complex topics, reinforcing our belief that immersive environments are the future of education.

To further this vision, we are organizing IMPACT— Immersive Media Powering Advanced Comprehension in Teaching. This coalition will bring together immersive learning installations, educators, and industry professionals to collaborate on advancing the affordability, accessibility, and impact of immersive learning labs. Our goal is for IMPACT to grow into its own charter, creating a network of institutions dedicated to pushing the boundaries of immersive education and ensuring that these transformative tools are available to more students worldwide.

Education has always been at the heart of what we do, and with projects like the HIES Immersive Learning Lab and the formation of IMPACT, we’re shaping a future where immersive technology is a fundamental part of learning—empowering the next generation to explore, discover, and innovate like never before.

THRIVE: How has Thrive supported your business?

ADAM: We have enjoyed being part of the Thrive family since fall of last year.  The Ballpark location offers easy access for our global visitors and through partnerships with Thrive we are excited to see how our immersive experiences can spark innovation and creativity in fellow members.

THRIVE: What recent challenge did you face?

ADAM: One recent challenge we faced was designing an interactive solution for the David Rumsey Map Collection at Stanford University. The library houses an extensive archive of high-resolution historical maps, some dating back to the 16th century, and wanted an immersive way to explore them in ultra-high detail.

We created a digital magnifying glass using an Android-based application paired with a custom 3D-printed mount that integrates both an Android device and a laser pointer. This setup allows users to project a laser onto an 8K digital globe, selecting specific areas of interest. In return, the system retrieves an ultra-high-resolution image of the selected region, enabling users to zoom in and out for enhanced detail and clarity.

This innovation bridges cutting-edge technology with historical cartography, allowing scholars and visitors to explore these incredible maps in unprecedented depth.

THRIVE: What’s your favorite piece of advice?

ADAM: “Always start with the user experience—everything else should be built around it.”

At The Elumenati, this principle drives every decision we make when designing immersive environments. Instead of beginning with technology and then figuring out how to use it, we start by asking: What do we want the participants to feel? How do we make the experience intuitive, seamless, and engaging? From there, we develop the hardware and software solutions that best serve that vision.

This approach is why we offer a range of GeoDome configurations—from portals and panoramas to full domes and globes—because different spaces and use cases require different solutions. A large-scale theater demands a seamless, high-resolution projection environment that immerses audiences completely, while an interactive exhibit might require touch-free navigation and responsive real-time content. The experience dictates the tools, not the other way around.

It’s also why we’ve developed flexible, scalable solutions rather than one-size-fits-all systems. Some installations need ultra-high brightness for vivid projection in ambient light, while others require portability for outreach programs. By focusing on how people interact with the technology—whether they’re standing inside a 360° dome or engaging with a globe in a museum—we ensure that the hardware serves the experience, creating engaging, memorable, and impactful moments for every audience.

THRIVE: What’s your favorite quote that would inspire other entrepreneurs and business leaders for 2025?

ADAM: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

I like this quote because it embodies the entrepreneurial spirit—focusing on innovation and action to shape the future rather than waiting for it to unfold – which is the Elumenati way. It’s a great reminder that success comes from vision, strategy, and the willingness to take bold steps forward.