8i (virtual reality)
8i is a virtual reality software company focusing on volumetric human capture. The company was founded in Wellington, New Zealand and has since expanded to Los Angeles and San Francisco.History
8i was founded in May 2014 by Linc Gasking, Eugene d'Eon, Sebastian Marino and Joshua Feast to develop software that can capture, analyze, compress, and recreate all the viewpoints required for volumetric capture, a process that enables virtual reality headset users to freely lean toward or walk around the captured subject.
The company has built a team experienced in light field research, visual effects, consumer platforms and growing communities by recruiting employees from Weta Digital, YouTube, Nvidia, PayPal, Microsoft Research, Sony Computer Entertainment, DreamWorks, Digital Domain, Industrial Light & Magic, Pixar and Valve.
In October 2015, 8i raised a $13.5 million Series A. Investors included RRE Ventures, Founders Fund Science, Samsung Ventures, and Dolby Family Ventures.
In January 2016, 8i premiered #100humans at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival as part of its New Frontier exhibit. The program featured four VR projects that placed characters captured using 8i technology in distinct environments ranging from a dystopian wasteland to the Grand Canyon.
In January 2017 Steve Raymond was named CEO.
In February 2017, the company secured $27 million from media, tech, and telecommunications strategic investors.
