The VR/AR Association (VRARA) Launches Austin Chapter at University of Texas
The VRARA is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Austin chapter, celebrated with an exciting inaugural event held at the University of Texas' Lab for Immersive Media on March 10, 2025, during the world-famous South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.
Austin has firmly established itself as a dynamic tech powerhouse, attracting major industry leaders such as Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon, NVIDIA, and Tesla. With a thriving startup culture and a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators, Austin has become a hub for creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology.
Austin is a major technology hub and is referred to as "Silicon Hills" due to its booming technology sector. Many big tech companies have a presence there, including Apple, Google, Meta, NVIDIA, Amazon, and Tesla. It's also home to Dell, which was founded in nearby Round Rock. With a thriving startup culture and a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators, Austin has become a hub for creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology and is one of the top cities for emerging technology investments in the US. Events like SXSW (South by Southwest) and Austin Tech Week attract entrepreneurs and tech talent from around the world.
“Austin is an energetic hotspot for technology and innovation,” said John Cunningham, COO of the VRARA. “As XR continues to gain momentum, companies are looking to harness its potential for enhancing product development, reducing costs, and empowering their teams. We’re excited to have visionary leaders Chris Hample from Booz Allen Hamilton and Jessica Beavers from HTC Vive spearheading our Austin Chapter, enriching the local tech community through our global VRARA network.”
Chris Hample, Director of Spatial Computing at Booz Allen and President of the Austin Chapter, added, “Our kickoff event, held in collaboration with Professor Michael Baker from UT's Department of Arts and Entertainment Technologies (AET), Booz Allen Hamilton, and HTC VIVE, featured vibrant showcases, immersive demonstrations, and insightful panel discussions around the theme ‘Where XR and Cognition Shape Human Potential.’ It was a fantastic opportunity for attendees to connect with industry leaders, researchers, and educators, further strengthening Austin’s XR community.”
We invite local professionals, innovators, and XR enthusiasts to join our Austin chapter. Members enjoy exclusive networking opportunities, access to global events, visibility across our extensive platforms, and numerous resources for continuous learning and professional growth. To learn more about membership benefits or become involved, please visit our website or contact us directly.
Join us as we continue to shape the exciting future of XR technology in Austin!
