23 – Finding Your Place in a Niche Industry, XR and VR

This week on Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Lesley Klassen and John Luxford, Co-Founders of Flipside XR Inc. (once called The Campfire Union), a real-time animation and XR broadcast company - and creators of Flipside Studio, a virtual production software for animation companies. Think of it as a television studio inside of virtual reality that is used to make animated content.

Flipside’s founders talk about choosing to work in a niche industry, difficulties raising capital, and managing team emotions using VR. Lesley and John share their story of almost being acquired by one of tech’s Big 5, as well as what it is like to work with major brands like VR headset manufacturer Oculus.

If you are a tech start-up hoping to catch the attention of tech giants, then don’t miss this episode!

For full show notes and resources directly from our guests, visit www.StartPodcast.ca, and Subscribe Now wherever you’re listening to never miss an episode.

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In This Episode, You Will Learn:

0:28 to 8:45                 The Story of Flipside

8:46 to 11:39               How to Work with Big Tech Companies

11:40 to 14:20             Creating Accessible Technology       

14:21 to 19:06             Working in a Niche Industry – VR Animation Explained

19:15 to 24:13             Raising Capital – Why They Failed

24:14 to 28:54             Almost Being Bought by One of the Big 5

29:00 to 31:23             SPEED ROUND

31:42 to 34:06             Covid-19 Effects on XR / VR Market

34:07 to 39:54             Mental Health & Managing Emotions Using VR

39:55 to 45:17             Start-Up Competitions and Manitoba Support Agencies

45:18 to 52:40             The Future of Flipside and Their Recommended Resources

 

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Follow Flipside – And Let Them Know What You Learned From This Episode:

flipsidexr.com Instagram @FlipsideXR Facebook @FlipsideXR YouTube @FlipsideVR Twitter @FlipsideXR LinkedIn @FlipsideXR

 

Follow Start Podcast – And Share What You Learned From This Episode:

startpodcast.ca Facebook: @StartPodcast Instagram: @StartPodcast LinkedIn: @StartPodcast Twitter: @MargauxAMiller YouTube: @MargauxMiller

 

Find Your Start - Episode Resources:

The Big 5 Tech Companies – FAANG or FAAMG Lift’Off Venture Challenge by Innovate Manitoba (no longer operating) Y Combinator Podcast New Media Manitoba – Support for Manitoba new media companies Tech West Canada – Support for global conference access Oculus – VR headset and equipment manufacturer