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At Baltic Ventures, our mission is to support game-changing founders who are building the solutions and businesses of tomorrow.
In line with this, we recently sat down with two distinguished figures in the immersive technology sector: Dr David Tully from Scenegraph Studios and Clemens Wangerin from Digital Advisors. Their journeys offer invaluable lessons for early-stage tech founders navigating the evolving landscape of immersive media.
David Tully’s transition from academia to entrepreneurship underscores the importance of adaptability. His early work with Unreal Engine in non-gaming applications revealed the vast potential of game technology in addressing real-world challenges. This realisation led him to establish a company focused on delivering practical solutions beyond entertainment. His experience highlights the necessity for founders to remain open to unexpected applications of existing technologies.
Clemens Wangerin’s extensive tenure at Sony provided him with deep insights into large-scale studio management and product launches. His subsequent move to smaller, service-based businesses reflects a strategic shift towards fostering innovation within more agile environments.
For founders, Clemens’ path illustrates the value of leveraging corporate experience to inform and enhance entrepreneurial ventures.
In a market often captivated by the latest trends, both David and Clemens advocate for a problem-first approach to innovation. In our discussion David emphasised that true innovation stems from addressing specific challenges using existing tools effectively, rather than pursuing technology for its own sake. Clemens concurred, cautioning against open-ended innovation without clear use cases. Their perspectives serve as a reminder for founders to ground their innovations in real-world applications that deliver tangible value.
The journey from concept to commercialisation is fraught with obstacles. David’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, where initial assumptions about client conversions were tested, underscores the importance of adaptability and a clear commercialisation strategy. Clemens’ insights into the pressures of high-stakes studio work highlight the need for resilience and a focus on autonomy. These narratives underscore the importance for founders to remain flexible and responsive to unforeseen challenges.
Both leaders expressed a desire to see the North realise its potential as a centre for immersive technology. David points out the need for equitable funding across industries, advocating for greater recognition of digital tech’s economic contributions. Clemens emphasises the role of persistent advocacy and the presence of institutional champions to drive change. Their insights highlight the importance of creating an ecosystem that supports and nurtures tech innovation outside traditional hubs.
Effective leadership is pivotal in steering tech companies towards success. David values a straightforward, action-oriented approach, emphasising the importance of honest feedback and self-initiative. Clemens brings a structured perspective, focusing on strategic vision and team development. For founders, these insights underscore the need to cultivate a leadership style that balances decisiveness with strategic planning.
While creativity fuels innovation, aligning it with commercial objectives is essential. David advises founders to prioritise client needs and effective marketing to ensure that creative solutions translate into business success. Clemens advocates for maintaining a commercial mindset, ensuring that innovation aligns with market demands. This balance is crucial for building sustainable and impactful tech ventures.
Misconceptions can hinder progress in the tech industry. David and Clemens caution against overemphasis on trends like the “metaverse” without understanding user behaviour and market realities. They stress the importance of practical skills and a deep understanding of the technology, encouraging founders and investors to look beyond the hype and focus on substantive, user-centred solutions.
Clarity of purpose and realism are key indicators of promising founders. David looks for entrepreneurs who can clearly articulate the problems they are solving, while Clemens values teams that demonstrate commercial grounding and a commitment to execution. These qualities are essential for navigating the complexities of the tech landscape and achieving long-term success.
The next few years hold exciting prospects for immersive technology. Clemens is particularly interested in advancements in robotics and AI integration, noting developments from companies like NVIDIA and Boston Dynamics. David anticipates a shift towards enterprise applications of VR, especially in training and development. Founders should stay attuned to these emerging trends and consider how they can leverage them to create innovative solutions.
At Baltic Ventures, we are committed to supporting founders who embody these principles, providing them with the resources and networks needed to accelerate their growth. By fostering a community that values purposeful innovation and strategic execution, we aim to contribute to the development of impactful tech solutions that address real-world challenges.