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Play Labs is a new startup incubator/accelerator program for MIT-affiliated startups using playful technologies in any industry. Playful technologies (see definition below) come in many forms, including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, 3d Modeling, Gamification, AI, which can be applied to industries such as Video Games, eSports, Healthcare, Simulation, Manufacturing, etc.
The first batch of Play Labs will be in the summer of 2017, and will consist of 5-10 MIT-affiliated startups who will receive hands-on mentoring and a curriculum of speakers and advisors designed to help them make their startups successful.
Play Labs is a private venture run by Bayview Labs (www.bayviewlabs.com) , and its executive director is Riz Virk, MIT ‘92, a successful entrepreneur in both video games and enterprise software, and angel investor in many playful companies. Play Labs is hosted by the MIT Game Lab, whose faculty and researchers will be involved hands on with startups, and will take place on the MIT Campus.
Play Labs is being run in partnership with the Seraph Group (www.seraphgroup.net), a seed stage venture capital investment firm that invests in technology startups. Also participating is VR@MIT, a student organization on campus dedicated to fostering VR/AR/MR entrepreneurship at MIT (vratmit.com).
The first batch of Play Labs will be in the summer of 2017, and will consist of 5-10 MIT-affiliated startups who will receive hands-on mentoring and a curriculum of speakers and advisors designed to help them make their startups successful.
Play Labs is a private venture run by Bayview Labs (www.bayviewlabs.com) , and its executive director is Riz Virk, MIT ‘92, a successful entrepreneur in both video games and enterprise software, and angel investor in many playful companies. Play Labs is hosted by the MIT Game Lab, whose faculty and researchers will be involved hands on with startups, and will take place on the MIT Campus.
Play Labs is being run in partnership with the Seraph Group (www.seraphgroup.net), a seed stage venture capital investment firm that invests in technology startups. Also participating is VR@MIT, a student organization on campus dedicated to fostering VR/AR/MR entrepreneurship at MIT (vratmit.com).
Overview
Investment Type
Venture Capital; Accelerator
Mentions in press and media 8
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| Mar 19, 2019 | Simulations, SAFEs, and China beats America in AI patents | Editor’s Note The most consistent feedback we have gotten from Extra Crunch members is that I write too much, and the Daily emails are too long for mortals (and apparently my mother) to read. This is great feedback: a huge focus for Extra C... |
| Mar 18, 2019 | How to build The Matrix | Rizwan Virk Contributor Rizwan Virk is executive director of Play Labs @ MIT, a serial entrepreneur and author. Released this month 20 years ago, “The Matrix” went on to become a cultural phenomenon. This wasn’t just because of its ground-b... |
| Aug 21, 2017 | These Are the Latest Startups From MIT Play Labs | Last week saw the debut of the Play Labs demo event, which marked the inauguration of a new summer accelerator from MIT Game Lab. The Play Labs accelerator is dedicated to “playful” technology, and it's cohort of 13 startups. The coolest te... |
| Jun 21, 2017 | MIT accelerator Play Labs announces class of 13 AR/VR startups | We are excited to bring Transform 2022 back in-person July 19 and virtually July 20 - 28. Join AI and data leaders for insightful talks and exciting networking opportunities. Register today! Play Labs, a summer accelerator at the Massachuse... |
| Jun 21, 2017 | MIT accelerator Play Labs announces class of 13 AR/VR startups | Play Labs, a summer accelerator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), announced its first batch of 13 startups that are developing augmented reality and virtual reality technology. The focus of the startups will be to develop ... |
| Jan 18, 2017 | MIT launches Play Labs to help AR, VR, and AI startups get off the ground | Did you miss a session from GamesBeat Summit 2022? All sessions are available to stream now. Learn more. Bayview Labs, Seraph Group, and MIT Game Lab are creating Play Labs to accelerate startups in augmented reality, virtual reality, and a... |
| Jan 18, 2017 | MIT launches Play Labs to help AR, VR, and AI startups get off the ground | Bayview Labs, Seraph Group, and MIT Game Lab are creating Play Labs to accelerate startups in augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. The accelerator is targeted at students and alumni of the Massachusetts Institute... |
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FAQ about Play Labs
What has the press written about Play Labs?
Parsers VC has collected 8 articles mentioning Play Labs, among them “Simulations, SAFEs, and China beats America in AI patents” (Mar 19, 2019) and “How to build The Matrix” (Mar 18, 2019).
Is Play Labs still active?
Yes, Play Labs is active; its latest activity on Parsers VC dates from Apr 9, 2020.