SAN FRANCISCO, October 13, 2016 — HTC Corporation (“HTC”), a pioneer in innovative, smart technologies, today announced that its VIVE X accelerator fund for virtual reality start-ups is accepting new applicants. VIVE X is a $100 million USD fund for investment in promising VR technologies, and the fund is fueling more than just content creation for VR. VIVE X is building on HTC’s vision for VR as the next mass medium with support for start-ups providing a variety of new tools and applications that can help grow the VR ecosystem. With nearly three dozen companies already in its portfolio, VIVE X partners are developing solutions in areas such as social, analytics, advertising, content generation tools, rendering, search, education and more.
VIVE X is accepting applications now through the deadline on December 1, 2016 at www.htcvive.com/us/vivex/
“VIVE X has quickly ramped up to be a global leader in accelerating early stage VR companies,” said Marc Metis, VP at HTC Vive and global head of the VIVE X program. “We are looking forward to serving the next round of innovative companies that can make a difference in the space.”
VIVE X start-ups receive much more than financial investment. Partners are given the opportunity to work at VIVE X accelerator locations around the world, where they get special access to advanced VR technology and the mentorship, networking and even hands-on coaching that comes with working side by side with leading VR experts. As companies progress through the program, they can participate in VIVE X demo days where they have an opportunity to showcase their products to investors and additional partners, and begin developing their go-to-market solutions.
“Becoming a part of the HTC VIVE X program has been a transformative experience for ObEN,” said Nikhil Jain, co-founder and chief executive officer at ObEN. “The network, knowledge and resources the program provides has enabled our company to accelerate our progress on a number of crucial fronts, especially product development. ObEN is proud to partner with HTC as we work to bring our unique AI-based VR technology to the world.”
“Through VIVE X, we were able to gain insights into the industry and form key relationships that would not have been possible otherwise. It has been an incredibly valuable resource for us,” said Norman Wang, Co-founder and CEO, Opaque Studios, an award-winning creator of VR apps for entertainment as well as scientific and medical use.
“To be able to join VIVE X and get connected with the technical team that made this possible, key company executives that are singularly focused on VR, and other developers at the forefront of this technology has been a dream come true,” said Arthur Goikhman, CEO of SurrealVR, a creator of virtual reality games inspired by social experiences.
“We are delighted with the support that the HTC team has given us during our time here in the VIVE X program,” said Lee Jacobson, CEO of Apmetrix. “With their help we are really breaking new ground in spatial and emotion based analytics for content creators.”
VIVE X launched in August of this year in four cities – Taipei, San Francisco, Beijing and Shenzhen – and is now accepting applicants for these locations. The program will continue to grow globally including the addition of locations in Europe coming soon.
Visit www.htcvive.com/us/
