Partner Article

Digital Catapult has selected six VR and AR startups for Augmentor programme

A company pioneering virtual reality physiotherapy, a mixed reality board game and a startup utilising VR content to combat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s are just some of the innovative concepts that will be nurtured and supported at the first-ever Augmentor accelerator programme.

Organised by Digital Catapult and Seedcamp and housed at the Immersive Lab at Digital Catapult’s London hub, the ten-week programme will provide participating startups with access to mentoring, workshops, masterclasses and the opportunity to collaborate with research experts from University College London, University of Bath and Bournemouth University.

Announced earlier in the year, Digital Catapult and Seedcamp have now revealed the six companies who will be taking part in the first immersive technology programme beginning later this month.

These include:

• Gravity Sketch – The multi-platform 3D creation tool which allows users to create 3D models, scenes, and artwork
• Immersive Rehab – An interactive physical and neuro-rehabilitation virtual environment which can help to support patient recovery
• Kinicho – Developer of 3D audio tools that helps producers develop immersive audio
• Koski – The mixed reality gaming platform that brings augmented reality to board games
• Reality Zero One – A platform which allows users to replicate real objects so that they can be streamed into virtual, augmented or mixed reality
• VRTU – A compnay developing virtual reality content providing care givers and patients therapeutic resources to combat symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

To support the six businesses, the programme has corralled some esteemed names in VR and AR, including HTC Vive Europe’s Product Head, Graham Breen, Blippars EMEA Commercial Director, Mikela Eskenazi, and Digital Catapult’s new Immersive Fellow, Mel Slater.

Ahead of the programme’s launch, Aurelien Simon, who is Head of Immersive at Digital Catapult, said that the organisation been impressed by the volume and quality of applications that had been received from across the UK’s VR and AR space.

He added: “The six companies selected represent a brilliant range of capabilities in the virtual, augmented and mixed realities space. Their products and solutions will have a strong impact on our Industry globally. We are looking forward to working with them all to help progress their ideas in the areas of digital manufacturing, healthcare and the wider creative industries.”

Dave Haynes, from Seedcamp’s investment team, commented: “Over 70 AR/VR startups expressed interest in Augmentor and it’s great to see such a strong pipeline of UK talent in the sector.

“The six companies selected are out to solve a diverse set of real world problems; from healthcare and industrial design to audio tools and retail. We can’t wait to see them develop and work closely with them throughout the course of Augmentor.”

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