A VR entertainment program on board an airplane? This could certainly make some long-haul flights more entertaining. Inflight VR specializes in this topic and is working hard to ensure that we'll soon be able to wander through virtual worlds at an altitude of 10,000 meters.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
My name is Nikolas Jaeger, 30 years old, and I studied Management and International Relations in Vienna. Moritz Engler, 28, studied Strategy & International Management in St. Gallen, where we met. Together we founded Inflight VR in October 2014 and now employ nine people.
In-flight VR sees itself as the “Virtual Reality Solution Provider for the Aviation Industry.” We develop a sophisticated Virtual Reality Inflight Entertainment System for passengers during flights. On the one hand, virtual reality is an ideal medium for entertaining passengers in new and innovative ways. On the other hand, conventional VR applications quickly reach the limits of an optimized cabin. As an example, one can imagine that a passenger in the VR world runs the risk of accidentally restricting their seat neighbor and bothering them with arm movements, for example. Furthermore, it is essential for airlines to be able to maintain contact with passengers at all times. A third aspect is that many VR applications are not optimized, which can lead to the occurrence of “motion sickness.”
Inflight VR is working in close cooperation with Airbus to solve these problems and enable safe and problem-free consumption of VR on aircraft.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
If you have ever flown with an airline that distributed VR glasses, please contact us 😉 .
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Finding the first external investor with a "high-tech" idea in conservative Europe. No, we don't do e-commerce!
Tests planned for summer
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
We've been able to attract prominent investors and have already raised approximately half a million euros in funding. We've also negotiated a good deal with Airbus and will be testing our product with two airlines this summer. At the moment, we're optimistic about the future, but with a startup, things always go up and down.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich is home. I grew up in Munich, and Inflight VR was founded here.
More of a unicorn than a failure
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
If you're not convinced you'll succeed, you shouldn't start a startup, but you shouldn't be afraid of failure either. To win, you have to take risks, and that includes taking a hit sometimes. We're working hard and firmly convinced that VR will be a major new technology wave and thus also has a place in the travel entertainment industry. So, more of a unicorn than a failure.
7. Fish on a stick or pork knuckle?
Pork knuckle.
