Irish VR simulation company chooses Gateshead for new UK base

An Irish VR company has announced that it is expanding its UK operations and creating jobs with a new office in Gateshead.

VRAI, which is a data driven VR simulation company, is moving into Gateshead’s PROTO centre, the UK’s immersive technology cluster.

The office is part of the firm’s plan to create up to 10 new jobs by the end of 2021, including roles in software engineering, data engineering, and AI.

The new location will serve as its UK base as it plans to grow its presence across Britain.

The launch of VRAI’s new office follows funding of €1.2m from private investors, as well as continued backing from Enterprise Ireland, which encourages and supports export focus and growth for Irish companies.

Pat O’Connor, co-founder of VRAI, commented: “Opening an office in the North East of England ensures that we can continue to work closely with our UK customers, it enables us to attract talent in the UK’s only immersive technology cluster and to continue our growth in providing data driven VR simulation to organisations whose activities are Risky, Remote or Rare.

“Enterprise Ireland, through their investment and support, have always encouraged us to have a global ambition focussed on exports.

“In the UK, both DIT & Invest NE were central to making the case for opening our initial office in the UK and support out plans to continue to grow and create jobs there through 2021.”

Paul Johnston, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ireland, said: “VRAI’s commitment to investing in the UK is a culmination of the Embassy’s active engagement in recent years with Irish early-stage immersive tech and disruptive technology companies.

“VRAI’s commitment to the North East, a region with longstanding manufacturing strengths and cutting-edge immersive technology leadership, is significant.

“The North East is an ideal investment location for immersive technology applications and this investment underscores the importance of the government’s levelling up agenda.

“VRAI has successfully adapted their technology to take advantage of one of many opportunities emanating from the UK’s Industrial Strategy and its associated Grand Challenges. We look forward to continuing work with VRAI and indeed other Irish firms in this burgeoning sector.”