Mixed reality virtual learning platform secures £150k seed investment

Liverpool based Focus MRS, a mixed-reality virtual learning platform, has secured a £150k seed investment from Jenson Funding Partners, the startup investment firm.

The technology is designed to enhance the teaching of practical subjects, such as construction, barbering and personal training, with educators able to pre-record or stream 360-degree videos for students in another location.

The brainchild of co-founders Mark Paddock and Damian Chan, Focus MRS aims to make mixed-reality virtual learning accessible to anyone with a smartphone, sidestepping costly HoloLens and Oculus headsets by using Google Cardboard and rubber smartphone VR viewers to transport students to different environments.

Educators are provided a 360-degree camera, with which they can capture the lesson and upload it to the Focus MRS platform. Students can then log in, review their lesson timetable, select the lecture, then slip on their viewer.

Alongside customers such as the South Staffordshire College Group, Everton FC School used the system last year. Focus MRS ensured the continuity of training as the tutor leveraged the 360-degree camera on the pitch to give remote learners an immersive coaching experience, allowing them to stay on top of tactics, shooting and drills.

Mark Paddock, CEO and founder, Focus MRS, said: “Even before the pandemic, we recognised a market gap between video conferencing tools and VR headsets, where there could have been a suitable remote learning option to teach practical subjects. Lockdown really focused us on the issue and forced us to develop a solution.

“We’re thrilled to have found the support of Jenson Funding Partners, an investor that understands what we stand for and a partner that’s enabled us to scale from our beta product to full commercial rollout.

“With Focus MRS, you don’t have to buy a £2,500 headset to support each learner and it’s our mission to make hands-on education accessible to everyone. With just a smartphone and Google Cardboard or our rubber viewer, students can experience a mixed-reality immersive educational experience.”

The investment from Jenson will be used to build out the development team and purchase new equipment to enhance the product even further.

The addition of augmented reality holograms will make the Focus experience even more immersive, as tutors will soon be able to add additional layers to streams which students can engage with, prompting a question, advice or voice note to appear.