Overview
Oculus Launch Pad is a programme designed to support promising VR content creators from diverse backgrounds so that 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 programme designed to support promising VR content creators from diverse backgrounds so that they can take their unique ideas and bring them to market.
We're kicking things off with a two-day boot camp held at Facebook/Oculus HQ in Menlo Park on 23 and 24 June, 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 USD 1,500.
After boot camp, all Launch Pad participants will receive three months of live-streamed 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 towards the end of the programme, 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 who 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 colour, members of the LGBTQ community and anyone who is willing to share how their perspective adds to the "diversity of thought" in our community.
Programme Timeline
PHASE 01
Boot Camp
JUNE
PHASE 02
Three-month Live Developer Education
JUNE TO SEPTEMBER
PHASE 03
Prototype Submission
SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER
PHASE 04
Grant Winners Announced
MID-NOVEMBER
Agenda
Day 1
- Kick-off & Welcome
- Gaming Overview: Launch your Own
- Experiences or Game Studio
- Best Legal Practices 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 on-site boot camp, Oculus will provide feedback and mentorship on its Oculus Forum from 11 June to 20 August. Although the formal programme ends at that time, Oculus will provide on-going 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 USD 5,000-50,000, totalling up to USD 250,000, helping the most promising candidates take their concepts to the next level.
Candidates
After completing the Launch Pad programme, developers will be better equipped to bring their skills and expertise to the VR industry. In addition, 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 27 May.
Stipend support
All participants will receive a USD 1,200 prepaid Visa gift card to assist in travel expenses to be used on hotel, flight and travel meal costs. Cash can be taken from the prepaid gift card by going to a cash machine. 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%)
- Representing diversity of thought in the industry (35%)
- Demonstration of technical ability (30%)
Requirement of submission for funding
- Full attendance at the on-site Oculus Launch Pad Boot Camp
- Maintenance of weekly developer blog posts following boot camp attendance
- The build must include the following:
- Submission overview
- File fully uploaded to the Oculus Store
- Image assets for project
- The submission demo must be an experience lasting at least 30 seconds
Official rules/privacy