Shownotes Transcript
In 2014, Annie Eaton started a networking event for people in Atlanta interested in immersive technology, specifically virtual reality and augmented reality. Businesses quickly approached her and asked how to use XR in their companies, which led to her founding Futurus. Now, Futurus develops VR and AR apps for some of the biggest companies in the world. How did Futurus get their start? What does it take to be a successful VR developer for enterprise?
In this episode, Brad and Will interview founder and CEO Annie Eaton of Futurus. They discuss the startup journey, how to be successful in VR/AR pilot programs, common pain points for organizations using XR, measuring the impact of XR in business, and more.
Quote:
"It takes an internal XR champion to understand that VR is still highly experimental and there is a lot to define. Our job is to produce a proof-of-concept that will be helpful for business, but also, to help create a process that hasn’t been defined for your organization or your industry yet."
Timestamps:
- Growing from an XR consultant to XR app developer (02:40)
- Startup journey and learning what to say “No” to (05:40)
- Specializing in training with AR and VR (07:05)
- Specializing in industry verticals (08:30)
- How to be successful in VR/AR pilot programs (09:34)
- Example of a pilot program with Mars Wrigley, INC (11:45)
- How to set timelines for XR pilot programs (14:21)
- How can you measure the impact of a VR training app? (16:13)
- What are the pain points of enterprise customers using XR? (20:40)
- What is the VR content pipeline like from concept to deployment? (24:02)
- Advice for XR champions in companies who want to show proof of concept? (27:01)
- What is the future of XR? (29:00)
- What’s a favorite use case you’ve seen in XR? (30:13)
About Annie Eaton:
Annie Eaton is an immersive content producer specializing in engaging and interactive virtual reality and augmented reality experiences. She currently serves as the CEO of Futurus, an Atlanta-based software development company, and Executive Producer of Amebous Labs, a virtual reality-focused game studio. She serves as the volunteer Director of Arts Programming with Women in Technology, and as an advisor for the virtual reality hardware startup Unlocked Reality. As a Georgia Tech graduate, she stays involved in the Atlanta technology community, managing XR Atlanta, a community organization that now boasts over 1,500 members. Annie is also involved with Women in XR Atlanta, Women in Technology (WIT), and The Academy of International Extended Reality (AIXR).
Various organizations have recognized her for her work in tech, including Women in Technology (Woman of the Year Award), Women in IT (Rising Star Award), and Technology Association of Georgia (Young Professionals’ Technologist of the Year Award). Her projects have won recognition from Fast Company in their Innovation by Design award series. Annie has vast public speaking experience, having been invited as a speaker for conferences, podcasts, educational institutions, and corporate events to share her love and knowledge of immersive technology.
About ArborXR:
ArborXR helps organizations confidently manage VR & AR devices at scale, remotely install content, and control what users can see and do in the headset. Our mission is to help people live more meaningful lives through the power of XR. Learn more at https://arborxr.com).
Links & Resources:
- Connect with Annie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annieeaton/)
- Connect with Annie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/futurusannie/)
- Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-scoggin/)
- Connect with Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willstackable/)