The Rise of VR/AR: Spotlight on British Columbia

Gone are the days when virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) were dismissed as fad and gimmick. Immersive tech is today regarded as a profoundly influential technology with the power to change the way we live, work, and experience the world.

As one of the fastest growing VR/AR communities, Vancouver, British Columbia, has emerged as a top international tech leader. Home to more than 170 VR/AR companies and a thriving startup economy, the city is the ideal climate for tech investment and development.

In February of this year the Canadian Government recognized BC as a digital technology supercluster and allocated $1.4 billion CAD to fund 100 digital projects. This is on top of the $100 million in venture capital investment pledged by the provincial government just last year, along with the implementation a new tax credit specifically for VR/AR.

2017 also marked the opening of the BC Tech Cube, a 6,000 square-foot coworking space dedicated to VR/AR and mixed reality companies. The project is jointly supported by local tech leaders, like Microsoft and Archiact, and the federal government to encourage continued VR/AR/MR innovation.

The industry is further supported by the Vancouver Chapter of the global VR/AR Assocation, whose XX members and community partners span industries as diverse as enterprise, brands, education, health care, and gaming.

With the federal and provincial government on board and new investment on the way, there has never been a better time than right now for VR/AR in Vancouver.

Join representatives from top VR/AR companies Finger Food, Motive.io, VR/AR Association and Archiact to explore how Vancouver has transformed into a leading destination for tech innovation and VR/AR development.

Run of Show

• 4 – 4:30 | Networking
• 4:30 – 5:30 | Panel
• 5:30 – 9:00 | Join us after the panel at the Big Fat VR Party (take 2)

Want to check out demos first hand from these amazing BC AR/VR startups? Register for the Future of Technology Loungehappening 3/10 – 3/13.