Virtual Reality Start-up Attracts NZ$20 Million in Funding

8i, a Wellington-founded virtual reality start-up has raised NZ$20 million (US$13.65 million) from technology investors including Samsung Ventures, Dolby Family Ventures and Sound Ventures, a fund owned by actor Ashton Kutcher.

The virtual reality venture wants to make virtual reality more human.

“8i is a consumer media platform that lets you create, experience and share the most immersive 3D video of real people, for virtual reality, augmented reality and the web. The experience is truly life-like and intimate, allowing you to walk around someone in VR as if you’re in the same room,” as stated on their website.

“In the future Mom is going to drop into your kitchen for a quick chat before dinner — but this time teleporting in with 3D VR facetime,” said Linc Gasking, 8i founder and CEO.

Gasking emphasizes that the technology needs “to have its iPhone moment” before that future can become reality – the technology needs to be simplified.

8i is a virtual reality company that was founded in Wellington in 2014 by Joshua Feast, Linc Gasking and former Weta digital staffer Eugene d’Eon. Their focus is to create “software that can transform standard video of people into realistic 3D.”

Article Source: Mashable, Ariel Bogle, October 15, 2015.

Image Source: Youtube