VIDAVEO was established in 2016 as a video production company, focussing on Heritage, Education and Corporate clients. Begun in 2019, ‘Mind Hopping’ was an interactive 360 video project developed by VIDAVEO and funded by XR Stories, a research and development initiative funded by the AHRC and based at the University of York. During the first lockdown of 2020 VIDAVEO pivoted their business towards more virtual experiences, including 360 Virtual Tours of Heritage and Hospitality sites.
VIDAVEO are members of the University’s Phase One Incubator that supports new start business and entrepreneurs with free workspace, workshops and business support.
VIDAVEO decided to take on two part time interns, one current student and one recent graduate at the University of York. The internships are wholly funded by XR Stories with recruitment support provided by the University’s Student Internship Bureau. They are tasked with developing a new approach to 360 virtual experiences. One intern is focusing on the technical developments required to progress this new venture, whilst the second intern is looking at the commercial development aspects.
The 12 week internships are about half way through and have already proved very useful, providing insights into both the technical and commercial challenges of this new venture. The interns have joined Adam on various Zoom meetings with App Developers and other specialists.
Phase One has helped VIDAVEO focus their business plans. The App Development that they are working on with the Interns (‘Playground of Possibilities’) is a development of the project that they were preparing under Phase One (The World of Possibilities). It is a virtual response to the new reality brought about by Covid.
Working with the University of York, XR Stories and Phase One has been of enormous value to VIDAVEO and I believe that we will continue to build upon this experience. I would welcome the opportunity to hire more interns from the University of York to support our business growth in the future. Adam Gill, VIDAVEO
