cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Launch Pad 2016 Announcement

cybereality
Grand Champion

Virtual reality is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing branches of the tech industry, but to reach its full potential, it needs a diverse team of creators. That’s why we started Launch Pad!

Launch Pad is a program designed to support promising VR content creators so they can take their unique ideas and bring them to market. Starting with a one-day bootcamp and potentially leading to a fully-realized VR app.

VR is for everyone, and the best way to foster a widely-appealing breadth of content is to incorporate the full range of unique perspectives from our development community.

We hope to inspire developers that represent our global audience. By investing in developers with unique perspectives, we can bring more exciting content to VR fans everywhere. This includes women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and anyone who is willing to share how their perspective adds to the “diversity of thought” in our community.


What to Expect

Launch Pad Bootcamp at Facebook HQ

Launch Pad Bootcamp is a one-day course, held May 21, that focuses on helping up to 100 professionals grow as emerging leaders. Those who are selected to participate (subject to verification) will receive a Samsung Gear VR and admission to the bootcamp, which includes hands-on courses to help support their passions for VR development, on-site meals during the bootcamp, and a travel stipend of $1,000.

Launch Pad Scholarships Booster Funds

Launch Pad participants will be challenged to make their dreams a reality. Oculus will provide feedback and mentorship on our Oculus Forum from May 21 through August 27.Oculus may award scholarships in the amounts between $5k and $50k to leaders in the program, helping them take their concepts to the next level. Check back for more information about potential scholarship opportunities.

Future Launch Pad Mentor

After leaving this program, developers will be better equipped to bring their skills and expertise to the VR industry. Plus, top performers will be encouraged to return in following years as mentors to the new classes.


How to Apply

Applications will be accepted now through April 8, and candidates will be chosen and notified by the end of April. If you think you’re ready to share your perspective in games and VR development, please fill out this simple form (or encourage any professional you know who has a lot to offer the industry to do so): Launch Pad Application.  
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X | MSI X370 Titanium | G.Skill 16GB DDR4 3200 | EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 | Corsair Hydro H110i Gigabyte RX Vega 64 x2 | Samsung 960 Evo M.2 500GB | Seagate FireCuda SSHD 2TB | Phanteks ENTHOO EVOLV
18 REPLIES 18

Gnometech
Protege
Looks like this is only open to those in the US?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PcfRStZ74RuiXlul34ip-8CDrLjOcAFrCgCW8l3fSmI/edit

- Dave

David Wyand www.gnometech.com @Gnometech Game in progress: The Field -- Multiplayer, battlefield-style VR FPS GearVR Store: Circumpaint -- Paint and animate on a dome around you

WormSlayer
Adventurer
Awesome! ... Oh, USA only? 😞

CubicleNinjas
Protege
How amazing. Thank you all for creating this!  🙂

franbo
Honored Guest
This looks great; what a fantastic idea! It looks only to be catering to US applicants for now though, which could be a little at odds with the idea of inspiring developers that represent a global audience. It'd be great to see this expanded in future to provide opportunity to people all around the world. I wish you all the best with the initiative; can't wait to see what comes from it!

Gypsy816
Expert Protege
Yes, this is US focused for now. Apologies for any inconvenience! 
Oculus Community Manager - kweh!

matthewgard1
Honored Guest
This sounds great!

psteinbach
Honored Guest
Any chance to edit an application after submission? The "Submit" button looks exactly like "go to page 2"!

Gypsy816
Expert Protege


Any chance to edit an application after submission? The "Submit" button looks exactly like "go to page 2"!


I believe so but let me double check...
Oculus Community Manager - kweh!

Gypsy816
Expert Protege


Any chance to edit an application after submission? The "Submit" button looks exactly like "go to page 2"!


Looks like you can't edit a submitted application. I'd fill out a new one if you can! Apologies for the inconvenience. 
Oculus Community Manager - kweh!