Launch Pad Boot Camp is an immersive weekend experience, held June 10 and 11, that focuses on helping up to 100 professionals grow as emerging leaders. 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 $1,200 USD.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted now through April 30.

Participants will be selected and notified by May 10.

To be eligible to apply you must be a US Citizen or Visa Resident holder.

If you think you’re ready to share your perspective in games and VR development, please fill out this simple form—or encourage a colleague who has a lot to offer the industry to apply.

APPLY NOW – Requires Oculus Account to log in & complete the application process

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 Launch Pad.

Launch Pad is a program designed to support promising VR content creators so they can take their unique ideas and bring them to market. We kick things off with a weekend boot camp, followed by continued mentoring and support as participants develop their own VR experiences.

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 that 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 color, members of the LGBTQ community, and anyone who is willing to share how their perspective adds to the “diversity of thought” in our community.

Launch Pad Fund

Launch Pad participants will be challenged to make their dreams a reality. Oculus will provide feedback and mentorship on our Oculus Forum from June 11 through August 20.

Oculus may award scholarships in the amount of $5K – $50K USD to leaders in the program, helping them take their concepts to the next level.

Future Launch Pad Mentor

After completing the Launch Pad program, developers will be better equipped to bring their skills and expertise to the VR industry. Plus, top performers will be encouraged to return in following years as mentors for the next wave of diverse VR content creators.

Published by cypheroftyr

Tanya DePass is the founder and Director of I Need Diverse Games, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, which is dedicated to better diversification of all aspects of gaming. I Need Diverse Games serves the community by supporting marginalized developers attend the Game Developer Conference by participating in the GDC Scholarship program, helps assist attendance at other industry events, and is seeking partnership with organizations and initiatives. Tanya is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves everything about gaming, #INeedDiverseGames spawn point, and wants to make it better and more inclusive for everyone. She founded and was the EIC of Fresh Out of Tokens podcast where games culture was discussed and viewed through a lense of feminism, intersectionality and diversity. Now she’s a co-host on Spawn on Me Podcast. Along with all of that, she’s the Programming Coordinator for OrcaCon, she often speaks on issues of diversity, feminism, race, intersectionality & other topics at multiple conventions throughout the year. Her writing about games and games critique appears in Uncanny Magazine, Polygon, Wiscon Chronicles, Vice Gaming, Paste Games, Mic, and other publications.