HTC unveils Vive X: $100 million global accelerator program for VR startups

HTC has announced that it will launch a $100 million global accelerator program for virtual reality (VR) startups. Called Vive X, the program is slated to begin in Beijing and also Taipei and San Francisco. The company says it will add more locations around the globe eventually. “If you are as passionate about VR as we are, come work with us,” says the company on the Vive X page on its website. With the program, HTC aims to provide startups with direct access to knowledgeable thought leaders in VR. The company has also picked VCs and mentors in the VR domain. HTC will also equip startups with networking and learning opportunities. In addition, the program will also provide the startups with help on functions such as Accounting, Finance, HR, Legal, etc. The mentors on the program include Marc Metis –who is a VP in HTC’s Vive VR group and leads Vive X San Francisco and Joel Breton, who is currently VP of Global VR Content for HTC VIVE, among others. HTC launched its Vive VR headset earlier this year. At that time, CEO Cher Wang had made it clear that the company will focus on virtual reality this year. Considering that HTC phone sales have been nothing to brag about in the past few quarters, the move does make sense. HTC has been distributing its Vive Developer Kits to game developers as well as content creators and will continue to work with various companies to create content across genres as wide as gaming, entertainment, medicine, education and so on.