Overview

Oculus Launch Pad is a program designed to support promising VR content creators from diverse backgrounds, so they can take their unique ideas and bring them to market.

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 Oculus Launch Pad—a program designed to support promising VR content creators from diverse backgrounds, so they can take their unique ideas and bring them to market.

We kick things off with a two-day boot camp held at Facebook/Oculus HQ in Menlo Park on June 23 and 24, helping up to 100 professionals grow as emerging leaders in the field. Those who are selected to participate (subject to verification) will receive a complimentary Gear VR headset and admission to the boot camp, which includes hands-on courses to support their passion for VR development, on-site meals during the boot camp, and a travel stipend of $1,500 USD.

After boot camp, all Launch Pad participants receive three months of livestreamed educational programming. They’ll join a growing online community of peers with additional coaching from Oculus experts as they develop their projects into a working prototype. And toward the end of the program, participants will have the opportunity to compete for a limited number of prestigious Oculus Launch Pad Scholarships.

VR is for everyone, and the best way to grow a vibrant content ecosystem with mass appeal is to incorporate the full range of unique perspectives from our development community. We hope to inspire developers that represent our global audience to share their voices with the world. 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.

Program Timeline

PHASE 01

Bootcamp

JUNE

PHASE 02

3 month Live Developer Education

JUN - SEP

PHASE 03

Prototype Submission

SEP - OCT

PHASE 04

Grant Winners announced

MID NOV

Agenda

Day 1

  • Kickoff & Welcome
  • Gaming Overview : Launch Your Own
  • Experiences or Game Studio
  • Best Practices in Legal for Gaming, VR and Beyond
  • Working Session for Games and Experiences and 360 film
  • Storytelling in Immersive technology
  • Fireside Chat with Oculus Studios Team
  • How to grow your team
  • Mixer, Networking & Demos

Day 2

  • Building a winning prototype Panel
  • Overview of Interaction Design
  • Working Session : Unity Class
    • Beginner/Intermediate
    • Advanced
  • Education, Health and Empathy: Impact and Content
  • VR Project Proposal - Working Session
  • Lightning Talk
  • Fireside Chat with Oculus Studios Team
  • Wrap up & Recap

*some classes are subject to change

Grant

Launch Pad participants will be challenged to make their dreams a reality. Following a two-day onsite boot camp, Oculus will provide feedback and mentorship on our Oculus Forum from June 11 through August 20. While the formal program ends at that time, Oculus will provide ongoing networking opportunities and continue to support members of the Launch Pad community.

Future Launch Pad Mentor

Oculus may award competitive scholarships in the amount of $5K – $50K USD totaling up to $250K, helping the most promising candidates take their concepts to the next level.

Candidates

After completing the Launch Pad 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 for the next wave of diverse VR content creators.

Application Process

Applications are now closed.

Participants will be selected and notified by May 27.

Stipend Support

All participants will receive a $1,200 USD Prepaid Visa Gift Card to assist in travel expenses to be used on hotel, flights, and travel meals. Cash can be taken from the Prepaid Gift Card by going to an ATM kiosk. The stipend will include fees to remove cash from the card if this is the preferred choice of financial support.

Judging Criteria

Criteria will be based on three main focuses:

  • Passionate understanding of VR (35%)
  • Represents diversity of thought in the industry (35%)
  • Demonstration of Technical Ability (30%)

Requirement of Submission for Funding

  1. Full attendance at the onsite Oculus Launch Pad Boot Camp
  2. Maintain weekly developer blog posts after boot camp attendance
  3. Build must include the following:
    • Submission overview
    • Complete upload of file to the Oculus Store
    • Image assets for project
  4. Submission demo must be a minimum experience of 30 seconds

Official Rules / Privacy

Click here to access the Full Contest Rules.