4th XRBASE Investor Event, the VR edition

part of Laval Virtual World

Presented by HTC’s Vive x and XRCROWD
with VR Broadcast & Technical Support by Less Media Group

Your Orientation Guide

The XRBASE Investor Event returns for a 4th 'VR pilot' edition
at Laval Virtual World, for the first time fully online and in VR.
Together with HTC’s Vive X and Laval Virtual, we aim to connect startups
with VCs in a new way and on new platforms, and collaboratively learn
from the experience while making valuable connections.
Selected startups are invited to pitch in front of a panel of expert VCs and
the online audience during the public pitch event.
A panel on the impact of the current crisis on our emerging XR industry and
the VC model will be hosted by Daan Kip of XRBASE.
We will facilitate one-on-one meetings between selected startups and VCs
and decision makers, and we will host a social mixer in VR.
PLATFORMS: VR & DESKTOP
ENGAGE
The main activities of the XRBASE Investor Event will take place in the
ENGAGE platform, where attendees can be in the space live with VC’s,
startups, decision makers, and more.
ENGAGE is accessible through several brands of VR headsets as well as
Windows 10 (older versions of Windows, Mas OS and Linux are not
supported). Click here for a full list.
VirBELA
The Start-up Pitches, the Q&A, the Expert Panel Discussion can be viewed
in the VirBELA platform, the primary platform for Laval Virtual World.
VirBELA is a desktop-only platform and does not require a VR headset.
** You must be registered (for free) through Laval Virtual World in order
to attend and view any activities in VirBELA. **
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
All times in Central European (CEST)
Throughout the day: 1-on-1 Meetings between VC's & Selected Start-ups
Platform: Zoom or similar video conference
2:30 – 3:00pm: Common space available for guests to join and mingle
Platform: ENGAGE
3:00 – 4:00pm: XRBASE Investor Event begins with Start-up Pitches
Platform: ENGAGE (visible through VirBELA)
4:00 – 5:00pm: Q&A between VC's & Start-ups; Expert Panel Discussion
Platform: ENGAGE (visible through VirBELA)
5:00 – 6:00pm: Social Mixer
Platform: ENGAGE
6:00 – 6:30pm: Jury deliberates on pitches
Platform: Zoom or similar video conference
7:00 – 7:30pm: Winner announced during Laval Virtual World Awards
Platform: VirBELA
Laval Virtual World registration required to attend Awards
* Short breaks are scheduled between each hour.
 Setting up in ENGAGE

Step 1

Create an account on ENGAGE.

Step 2

Edit your profile.

This is more easily done in a web browser than through the ENGAGE virtual platform:
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1: Import a clear photo 3: Select your gender

- ENGAGE does not support high resolution images. - You can select Unspecified, Male, Female or Non-binary.
- However, your avatar will be Male or Female in ENGAGE’s virtual world.

2: Write your full name as your avatar’s Display Name 4: Set your avatar’s height
- ENGAGE supports a maximum of 18 characters. - If you are appearing onstage during the event, set your height to 170cm
- Engage supports commas and periods as special characters. (Metric) or 5ft 7in (Imperial).
Step 3
Download the ENGAGE platform for your preferred device.
Each link includes detailed installation instructions.

PC VR Headsets Oculus Quest HTC’s Vive Focus Plus Steam VR Pico

Windows 10 Desktop (Non-VR version)

Step 4

Open ENGAGE and prepare for the event!

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1: Create/Edit Your Avatar

2: Familiarize yourself with the controls

3: At the time of the event, click here to join

the session.
- You will receive an email with the session name
1 and password to join the event.
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 Technical Considerations & Best Practices
Software Updates

ENGAGE occasionally releases software updates which require users to download and install prior to accessing the system. You are encouraged
to join the event with enough time to spare should you need to update your version of ENGAGE.

Computer & VR Headset/Controller Battery Life

Most computers and VR headsets (and/or controllers) will not have enough battery life for the entire event.
If you’re running ENGAGE from your computer, be sure to close all unnecessary applications and plug your computer in.
If you’re running ENGAGE from a standalone VR headset, it may be helpful to plug in your headset throughout the event or during breaks.
Make sure you have spare batteries on hand for controllers if necessary.

Headphones/Microphone

Your overall experience will be improved if you use headphones (with a built-in microphone) rather than your device’s built-in audio.

External Noise

Make sure you are in a quiet space during the event, as much as possible free from external noises.
You also have the ability to mute yourself in ENGAGE so as not to disrupt other guests.

Technical Issues

If you encounter any technical issues, please visit ENGAGE’s support site.
 Things to Remember When in VR
Remember that you are there

It can be easy to forget that you have a body and that people can see you in a VR experience, but you do. That means that your behavior
should conform in many ways to what you would expect in the real world. In general, try to be conscious of polite behavior. For example,
during presentations and panels, don’t stand or move around in front of the stage or try to get onto the stage.

Taking a break from your device

Taking your headset off and placing it on a table can also make your avatar appear in an unnatural and distracting position. When you in a VR
event, it’s best that you be actively wearing your headset and holding your controllers. If you need to take an extended break from wearing
your VR device, it is usually best that you leave the virtual room and return when you’re ready to continue. Many of the events are being
streamed through other communication channels, so you’ll be able to follow along without wearing your headset.

Respect personal space

Moving around in VR can take a little while to get used to and you may find it challenging at first to move precisely. You or another person may
suddenly move into the same space you’re standing or seated in. In general, try to maintain a comfortable and appropriate distance between
you and another person’s avatar. In VR, people standing too close can make someone feel uncomfortable, just as in real life social interaction.

Moving around in VR

You will have two standard methods of moving around in a VR environment: teleportation and what can be called “smooth motion”. If you are
not an experienced VR user, you should exclusively use teleportation to comfortably move around. Smooth motion can lead to headaches or
discomfort after a while if you are not used to it. For similar reasons, if this is your first time in VR then try not to teleport too rapidly.
 Effective Conversation in VR
Find a good, quiet place

Talking to others in a crowded environment can be challenging, and this is true in VR as well. In order to have a comfortable setting in which to
speak, it is best that you and your colleagues find a nice place far enough away from other groups so as not to hear their voices too loudly. The
event venues will provide places that provide a bit of privacy from the larger group. You may also relocate to the café room to have more
private conversations.

Be aware of how you sound

Speaking through any digital medium creates the potential for occasional delays or audio distortion. Be patient and don’t be afraid to confirm
from time to time that your colleagues hear you well if you are uncertain. Your user interface will have a button to mute yourself when you’re
not speaking, which can be useful to make your conversations more comfortable. If you are using PC, you may also consider testing your
microphone settings through your audio control panel prior to joining the VR session.

Be aware of how you appear

When socializing with an avatar, where you are looking and what your hands are doing will be clearly visible. That means that looking away
from the speaker for an extended time may convey the same disinterest that it would in face-to-face communication. Also, looking down at
your controllers or holding your controllers at an abnormal angle can distract from the conversation.

For more engaging conversations, maintain eye contact with other avatars and feel free to gesture with your hands (and controllers) or just
keep them at your side. Your virtual hands can be effective tools to emphasis your points, as you might expect.

Disengaged respectfully

In digital experiences, it is easy and maybe even convenient to simply leave a conversation when you no longer wish to continue with it.
However, doing so in VR middle of a conversation appears rude or at best impolite. When you need to leave or simply want to move on to
another conversation, remember to politely communicate that to your colleagues before moving on or exiting the VR session.