EP #433 - Christian Hirt: Virtual Reality Training in Switzerland
Sep 1, 2024
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Christian Hirt, co-founder and CEO of Atlas VR, shares insights from his journey in creating innovative virtual reality solutions for vocational training. He discusses how VR is transitioning into a 'sweet spot' for widespread adoption, overcoming challenges like product-market fit and securing funding through the Swisspreneur Syndicate. Hirt highlights Atlas VR's unique approach in transforming traditional training methods, particularly in high-risk industries, while revealing personal anecdotes and his vision for the future of VR in education.
Atlas VR was founded to fill a significant gap in the virtual reality training market in Switzerland, especially for vocational training solutions.
The startup overcame challenges in establishing product-market fit by pivoting from the conservative machine tool industry to more receptive sectors like construction and mobility.
Deep dives
The Birth of Atlas VR
The motivation behind starting Atlas VR stemmed from a series of requests for specialized virtual reality (VR) training solutions from various companies. The co-founders, who previously collaborated on different research projects at ETH, recognized a significant gap in the market for VR training, especially in Switzerland. After encountering multiple situations where there were no suitable providers for VR training, they decided to establish their company to address this need. This proactive decision to launch Atlas VR marked the beginning of their journey into developing customizable VR training environments.
Timing and Technology Advancements
The timing for Atlas VR's launch aligned perfectly with advancements in virtual reality technology, which had matured significantly since 2018. By 2023, the equipment used for VR had become more accessible, powerful, and affordable, significantly lowering entry barriers for potential users. For instance, they highlighted how the Meta Quest 3, priced at around $500, allows individuals to step into the VR training space without needing extensive setup. This technological evolution not only benefitted their startup but also catered to the growing interest from companies wanting to adopt VR training solutions.
Navigating Challenges in Product Market Fit
One of the toughest challenges for Atlas VR was establishing a solid product market fit, particularly within the conservative machine tool industry. Initially, the founders faced difficulties convincing companies in this sector to invest in VR training as they were focused primarily on selling machinery. The team decided to pivot towards the construction and mobility industries, where they found better receptiveness and significant use cases. A key example highlighted was their work with the electric vehicle sector, allowing employees to practice safety protocols in a controlled VR environment, ultimately mitigating potential risks.
2:33 - Why virtual reality is in a perfect sweet spot
6:10 - The challenge of product-market fit
8:45 - Having a boring competitive landscape
10:29 - Fundraising through the Swisspreneur Syndicate
About Christian Hirt:
Christian Hirt is the co-founder and CEO of AtlasVR, a startup harnessing the power of virtual reality for vocational training. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ETH and previously worked for Rheinmetal Air Defence and the Swiss Armed Forces before starting Atlas VR in 2022.
AtlasVR provides a solution to complement and substitute industrial vocational training, while eliminating many challenges faced by traditional training. They achieve this by harnessing the potential of virtual reality technology, which allows trainees to learn and practice industrial tasks such as operating complex production machines in an interactive virtual environment.
AtlasVR has planned to raise a total of CHF 900K in 2024, of which CHF 200K have already been closed. They hope to close the remaining CHF 700K until the end of October, and will be doing so partially through the Swisspreneur Syndicate. Click here to learn more about the deal.