Applications for XR Awards 2025 are open and close on April 11. Submit your application now!
The XR Awards 2024 once again celebrated the innovative and forward-thinking minds within the extended reality industry. Among the categories, the ‘Rising Star’ award stands out for recognizing emerging companies and projects that are making significant strides in XR technology.
The Finalists
Last year, the finalists for the ‘Rising Star’ category were:
- Thrive Pavilion
- European Space Agency
- X-Reality Safety Intelligence
- Zaubar
Each of these finalists presented innovative solutions addressing real-world problems with scalable applications across various geographies and use cases. The competition was a testament to the high level of creativity and potential within the XR industry.
Criteria for Selection
The ‘Rising Star’ award focused on four key criteria:
- Novelty: The solution needed to be new and different, showcasing unique innovation.
- Problem-Solving: The submission had to address a real problem, demonstrating practical and impactful applications.
- Scalability: The solution had to have wide-scale applicability, capable of being adapted across different use cases and regions.
- Acceleration: The project needed to be on an upward trajectory, indicating significant growth and potential for future success.
Announcing the Winner
After thorough deliberation, the winner of the ‘Rising Star’ category was announced as Zaubar. This recognition highlights Zaubar’s exceptional innovation and forward momentum in the XR industry.
“Receiving the Rising Star Organization award from XR Today is a testament to our team’s dedication and creativity in the AR/AI space. We are enhancing on-site customer and visitor interactions for retail brands, creative agencies, and cultural institutions, focusing on location-based digital experiences. This recognition motivates us and shows we are on the right track.”
– Stefan Marx, CEO, Zaubar
Special Recognition
While Zaubar took the top honor, the judges also gave special commendations to Thrive Pavilion and X-Reality Safety Intelligence. Both of these finalists were recognized for their innovative approaches and significant contributions to the XR field.
Why Zaubar Stood Out
Zaubar’s submission impressed the judges with its novel approach and practical application. By addressing a real problem with a solution that is both innovative and scalable, Zaubar demonstrated the qualities that define a true rising star. Their forward trajectory and potential for future success set them apart from the competition.
The XR Awards 2024 once again highlighted the trailblazers and emerging talents that are shaping the future of extended reality. Zaubar’s recognition as the winner of the ‘Rising Star’ category underscores the importance of innovation, practical problem-solving, and scalability in today’s fast-paced XR industry. Congratulations to Zaubar and all the finalists for their remarkable contributions. A special commendation to Thrive Pavilion and X-Reality Safety Intelligence for their highly commended solutions.
XR Awards had 14 categories last year – the Best Virtual Reality Solution award went to ELB Learning, and the Most Innovative Product award went to Pfizer! For more information about XR Awards, including a full list of our 2024 winners, click here.
You can also apply for this year’s XR Awards – Applications close on April 11 2025!
