At the gala conclusion of the first day of the international PODIM Conference in Maribor, company VIAR received the Slovenian Startup of the Year award. With the award, the key stakeholders of the Slovenian startup ecosystem wish to highlight and award companies and their teams, whose persistence, global achievements, and bold development vision set an example in the Slovenian and global startup environment.
VIAR developed the web platform VIAR 360 for creating content in virtual reality. This allows users who are less technically knowledgeable to create attractive interactive stories without programming in virtual reality, and publish them in their apps, websites, or social media.
Which problem does VIAR solve?
People in multi-billion industries, such as teachers, journalists, coaches in corporations … see incredible potential in the virtual reality technology and wish to use it for their work, but for 98% of these people, creating interactive VR content is simply too complicated.
The web platform VIAR 360 significantly simplifies this process, because it is the most intuitive white-label web platform for creating content, enabling users to use 360-degree photos and videos to create attractive stories in virtual reality in less time, with less effort, and without any programming knowledge.
From USA to New Zealand
After the publication, Viar’s built-in analytic tools monitor the use and behaviour of users. Viar 360 is already used by some of the best American universities, agencies, and corporations. Their products are used by companies such as Disney, Microsoft, Samsung, and Bosch, spreading from the United States of America to New Zealand.
How did the winners convince the jury?
As jury member Gregor Rebolj (Kyuriosity) explained, company VIAR convinced him “with their good business results so far, enthusiasm, and by actively giving back to the Slovenian startup ecosystem”. For jury member Boštjan Bregar (Marg), the winning team convinced him with their: “product-market fit” – large market potential, excellent product and, most importantly, proof that the product actually adds value to the final users; team – excellent individuals who complement one another; and momentum – growth of all important business indicators.”
The expert jury of this year’s Startup of the year competition included Mateja Lavrič (Kolektor Ventures), Jure Mikuž (RSG Capital), Bošjtan Bregar (Marg), Damjan Slapar (Iskratel), Gregor Rebolj (Kyuriosity) and Niko Klanšek (BizMe). When choosing the Slovenian Startup of the Year, the jury considers whether the company has successfully confirmed the value of its products on the market (if it has its first users), whether the company is led by a competent, dedicated, and well-organized team with a clear vision and complementary knowledge and experiences, and whether the company has the potential for successful business operations and growth.
500 Startups mentoring award
This year’s winner will be awarded personal consultation by Marvin Liao, partner of the elite American accelerator 500 Startups, and an all-inclusive package for the Pioneers Festival in Vienna.
Gala announcement ceremony of the Slovenian Startup of the Year 2017
The gala conclusion of the first day of the business activity in Maribor at the PODIM Conference happened at the evening award ceremony for the “Slovenian Startup of the Year 2017”, with which the key stakeholders of the Slovenian startup ecosystem wish to highlight and award companies and their teams, whose persistence, global achievements, and a bold development vision set an example in the Slovenian and global startup environment.
