Meet the Six Startups Selected for the First RLab Accelerator Cohort
We’re thrilled to introduce the six startups selected for the inaugural RLab Accelerator cohort. In collaboration with resident venture capital firm Super Ventures, RLab reviewed applications from more than 100 startups across 16 countries. From applications in media, entertainment and marketing to the enterprise, health and education, these startups have the potential to transform the way we think about XR and spatial computing.
Meet the Startups
apelab
Apelab is developing immersive technologies for education. Founders from Geneva and Los Angeles have converged in New York City for the RLab Accelerator to further develop their creation toolkit for immersive content in education and bring it to more schools.
holo|one
holo|one is developing “sphere” — an out-of-the-box solution for enterprise augmented reality. As a single unified platform, sphere is the first enterprise solution that does not rely on heavy and expensive customization. From the ground up, it is built to operate at scale, with plug-and-play integrations into a company’s existing IT ecosystem.
LexSet
LexSet uses synthetic data generated from 3D models to build and improve systems for companies ranging from retailers to industrial part manufacturers and robotics companies. For customers who are building visual artificial intelligence, LexSet has pioneered a technique that utilizes 3D content to simulate real-world objects and environments, in order to create training data that reflects all possible lighting conditions, backgrounds, and camera angles — generating massive amounts of data to train AI systems.
Poplar
Poplar is a platform that empowers the world to easily create AR experiences. They activate a new generation of global AR creators and provide collaborative tools that make AR production affordable and quick. Launched in 2018, Poplar works with music labels (Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music), game publishers (King, Wargaming), entertainment studios (Warner Bros, Disney, Fox, NBCU, Viacom), Beauty & Luxury brands (L’Oréal, YSL) and consumer goods/F&B (Speedo, RB, Bacardi Jack Daniels, Pernot Ricard Absolut, Red Bull, William Hill), among others. Poplar has integrated partnerships with social platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, as well as agencies like Publicis, Havas and Dentsu. Poplar was also selected in January as 1 of 5 global companies to join the Google 3D Advertising Trusted Partner Program.
Vermeer
Vermeer is an augmented reality tool that enables users to design drone shots before taking flight — and then create, order, and receive custom drone footage in one app. Patented AR technology puts the user in the drone pilot’s seat, allowing the user to fly the camera. Once a user records preferred shots, a network of drone pilots create the desired footage.
Virti
Virti’s mission is to make experiential training and patient education affordable and accessible for everyone. Virti uses virtual and augmented reality coupled with AI to transport users into difficult to access environments and safely assesses them under pressure to improve their performance. Virti is used in the UK and US by medical and nursing schools, simulation centers, residency training programs, hospitals and corporations, and is the only education company to be part of the UK National Health Service’s National Innovation Program.
An Accelerator for XR
The RLab Accelerator offers unique benefits catered to the needs of new ventures in XR and spatial computing. During a 3-month residency at RLab’s Brooklyn Navy Yard facility, startups selected for the Accelerator will have access to events, education programs, and targeted introductions to investors, industry partners, and researchers across RLab’s network. The goal is to build strong companies that will create opportunities for New Yorkers.
Though the fall 2019 cohort is the first selected for the Accelerator program, it will benefit from a program team with extensive experience in new ventures. Program director Adaora Udoji is a frequent mentor and advisor to XR startups around the globe, and RLab Executive Director Justin Hendrix has long been at the center of the city’s efforts to support commercialization of emerging technologies as the leader of NYC Media Lab’s Combine program. The program also connects startups to a world-class roster of mentors — including technology and innovation leaders, CEOs and investors. Ori Inbar, founder of Super Ventures and resident venture capitalist at RLab, also co-founded AWE, the world’s largest XR event series. Startups selected for the Accelerator this fall will exhibit at the upcoming AWE EU conference in Munich October 17–18, 2019.
Future Opportunities at RLab
apelab, holo|one, LexSet, Poplar, Vermeer and Virti will be in residence at RLab through December 2019. If you are interested in learning more about these startups or attending a corporate or investor showcase, sign up for the RLab newsletter to learn about upcoming events or contact us to schedule a meeting.
If you are interested in applying for the next RLab Accelerator cohort, which will launch early in 2020, sign up for the RLab newsletter to get notified when the next round of applications is open.
A partnership between New York City and its universities, RLab is the nation’s first city-funded center for research, education and entrepreneurship in virtual and augmented reality and related technologies. The New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment selected NYU Tandon School of Engineering as the administering institution and a consortium of participating universities, including Columbia University, CUNY, and The New School to manage and operate the RLab space. The new multi-university center is critical to the City’s plans to establish New York City as the next global leader in immersive technologies and will create hundreds of new jobs in the field. Learn more at www.rlab.nyc.
