Immersive Economy Report 2022

Background

Launched in 2018, the UKRI Audience of the Future Challenge has invested £39.3 million in the development of new immersive technologies, and commissioned research to better understand audiences for immersive productions.

The challenge has invested in design foundations support for projects exploring human centred design, production innovation for immersive content, a demonstrator programme of XR experiences covering four main entertainment sectors, an immersive technology investment accelerator to support early-stage businesses, and a new national centre for immersive storytelling - StoryFutures Academy.

Immerse UK is an immersive technology Innovation Network delivered by KTN. The network was founded in 2016 and brings together a network of leading professionals, academics, high growth entrepreneurs, investors and public sector stakeholders to help to grow the UK's XR ecosystem. Immerse UK delivered the first UK Innovate UK-funded Immersive Economy Report in 2018 with NESTA, which can be accessed here. This was followed by the second Immersive Economy Report in 2019 with Digital Catapult, which can be accessed here.

Aim and Objectives

This third immersive economy report will look at trends in the XR industry post-COVID. This report aims to reflect on the advances made in technology adoption and business model transformation in the UK since the last report was published in 2019. The report will also look at application growth areas, the investor ecosystem, and success stories from government funded R&D programs. It will explore further opportunities for innovation in the sector, and make recommendations about what is needed to enable the industry to keep growing.

Service providers must submit an electronic copy (in PDF format) of their response to the RFP to asha.easton@ktn-uk.org by Monday 16th February no later than 17:00 (GMT).