Today global technology company Epson has announced further support for the augmented reality (AR) industry with its inaugural sponsorship of Super Ventures. Super Ventures is a combined incubator and investment fund focused on promoting growth and development within the AR field.
Epson has been involved with AR for sometime through its Moverio AR smart eyewear platform such as the Epson Moverio BT-300 headset. The Super Ventures fund invests in early-stage startups developing new AR technologies. While the incubator provides business and technical mentoring to entrepreneurs looking to build companies in the AR space.
“Over the past five years, our AR partners have built thriving businesses around the Moverio platform in such fields as dentistry, remote support, manufacturing, drone piloting and more,” said Eric Mizufuka, product manager, New Ventures for Epson America. “The AR space is maturing rapidly, with many of our partners having already raised significant capital. Epson has chosen to invest in the Super Ventures incubator to support the accelerating growth of the AR ecosystem.”
“We also appreciate the deep AR industry knowledge of the Super Ventures management team,” added Mizufuka. “Having known Ori and his team for many years, we believe they bring the skills, network and mind-set to the AR space that no traditional VC firm can match.”
Through the sponsorship Epson will provide pre-production versions of the Moverio device to those using the incubator, so that they can communicate the benefits and technical details of the platform.
“With its long legacy of R&D and commitment to the AR glasses space, we are extremely proud to have Epson as out initial corporate sponsor,” said Ori Inbar, founder and general manager, Super Ventures. “We know our invested companies are excited about the prospect of working closely with such a hugely respected and well-established global tech brand.”
The Epson Moverio BT-300 will launch in late 2016, and VRFocus will continue its coverage of the device.
