SXSW Startups: CieAR Transforms Stories
The Forrest Four-Cast: February 4, 2018
At the 2018 SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event, 50 finalists from around the world will make their pitches before a panel of judges. Half will pitch on Saturday, March 10 and the remaining 25 companies on Sunday, March 11. A winner in each of 10 categories will be announced at the SXSW Accelerator Award Ceremony, 7 pm Sunday, March 11, at the Hilton Austin.
CieAR is a developer of an augmented reality platform, tools and customized interactive and immersive augmented reality content that takes storytelling to a new level, completely changing the cinematic experience. The CieAR AR platform enables unique interactive film experiences with unprecedented interactivity, and integration of life-size 3D virtual characters. Based in Canada, with offices in Quebec City and Montreal, CieAr will pitch as a finalist in Augmented & Virtual Reality Technology at 3:30 pm Saturday, March 10, in the Hilton Austin, Salon AB.
CieAR President Robert Young offered his take on the company (pictured above in middle on top row).
What inspired your team to apply for SXSW Accelerator?
It was a perfect fit! We felt we had an excellent chance because our product, our people and our investment history has led us to a very special place. We’re ready to tell the world about everything we are. SXSW Accelerator is so prestigious and high profile — it was a natural next step.
Has anyone on your team been to SXSW before?
As a company, we participated in 2017 in the Startup areas and we were also a part of the Team Quebec’s exhibit. It was an incredible experience for three of our partners — myself, CTO Mathieu Dupont and Game Designer Olivier Asselin.
What were some of their most memorable experiences?
I think the most outstanding memory was the reaction to our CieAR Platform and how we knew, almost instantaneously, that participating at SXSW was the right thing to do — attendees were sharp, engaged and seriously looking for the next best thing.
Who are you aiming to network with at SXSW 2018?
Municipal leaders, film studios, event organizers, tourism and historical site administrative staff — we can offer them clear new ways to generate new revenue streams with our interactive, immersive AR film.
Tell us about some of your other experiences at tech conferences.
Last year we participated in a number of events. Among these were AWE 2017 and AWE Europe 2017. We were invited to premiere our film at the international FIVARS Interactive AR/VR Festival in Toronto. I was also a panel participant on immersive entertainment at AWE Europe in October 2017.
How long has the CieAR team been together?
Many of us have known each other for more than 10 years but the company was founded in 2015 and that’s when we all started coming together again — the stars aligned!
What are your favorite parts of the startup experience?
Everything. We’ve all bought into the manic, 24/7 thrill that is owning and operating a startup! I think none of us would have it any other way. Sometimes it’s painful — but we’re learning all the time. Day-to-day can be massively different — because each thing you do has an impact and that involves follow-up that takes you on new trailblazing adventures. The thrill you get when clients and others outside the company clearly see why you do what you do, because they recognize the value in your offering is unparalleled. Also how close-knit the team gets and how they see their individual contributions drive those in the team forward. It’s a wild, wacky and wonderful way of life.
CieAR is based in Québec. How would you characterize the startup ecosystem in this Canadian province?
CieAR has two offices — one in Montreal and the other in Quebec City. Montreal is a tech startup and talent hub. Many advertising and public relations agencies are based in Montreal and there is a lot of creative talent here. Montreal is also one of the AI hubs in Canada. Startups in this city have a lot of resources, government and otherwise, to help them succeed, including a huge pool of tech and creative expertise. There are a number of visibility and mentoring programs and events that happen in this city to help startups get their feet on the ground and flourish. Not to mention the incredibly cool vibe this city has to offer. We consider ourselves lucky to live and work here — Québec’s unique culture makes it that much more fabulous.
What is your competitive advantage?
The CieAR Platform offers a multi-scene mobile AR film experience allowing for incredibly immersive and interactive experiences and a profound attachment to the script with unforgettable realism. Great freedom of movement and full mobility leaves visitors in awe of how real the experience feels. The CieAR platform also includes advanced geo-location for enhanced interactivity with life-size 3D characters.
Person, company, thing or goal. What inspires your team to work harder?
The answer is “persons.” Not just one person, not just one vision or one way of thinking. We are such a tight team, a rapidly moving target with a million moving pieces. We are evolving every day, so the bond we form as a team is the inspirational constant that drives us toward our goals.
Look for interviews with other SXSW Accelerator finalists in this space between now and March. Startups already profiled as part of this series include 70MillionJobs, Bluefield, Cambridge Cancer Genomics, DashTag, HealthTensor, Instreamatic, PolyPort, Sceenic, and UPGRADED.
Or, click here to browse the full lineup of startups for SXSW Accelerator 2018.
Hugh Forrest serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW, the world’s most unique gathering of creative professionals. He also tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often cover tech-related trends; other times they focus on books, pop culture, sports and other current events.
