51Âþ»­

51Âþ»­ graduate Anthony Woodward has launched a new digital start-up in the heart of Leicester. Opening in newly refurbished offices in Granby Street, Voyager VR will support businesses, individuals, and charities to deliver volumetric capture, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and other digital projects.

Study at 51Âþ»­

Anthony studied both a BSc in Computer Games Programming, and an MSc in Creative Technologies at 51Âþ»­. After graduating, Anthony started an ongoing PHD in Creative Arts with the University of Creative Arts, Surrey.

During his time at 51Âþ»­, Anthony knew that he wanted to start his own business. He took part in sessions with the Enterprise team, and learned a variety of skills that would help him once he graduated. Upon graduation, Anthony joined the Phoenix Incubation programme. The scheme, hosted at the Phoenix Cinema, Leicester supported him to understand the freelancing industry, and how he could take the first steps out on his own. During this time, he started working as a freelancer under the name “Twin Planets”.

Speaking of his time at 51Âþ»­, Anthony said:

“I spent four years studying at 51Âþ»­, and unfortunately the cliché of “You learn so much more than your course subject in university” is the most accurate description I can give from my experience. During my both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, I genuinely engaged with the support and personal development culture.”

Anthony knew he wanted to start his own business after graduation. He found that the university was able to support his goals during his time studying his BSc and MSc degrees.

“Beginning to understand business and funding when you aren’t studying business is the challenge. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership Team, the Enterprise Team, and the teaching faculty supported my freelance career, and equipped me with the knowledge, tools, and most importantly the paid projects to get my foot in the door.”

Supporting the university

Anthony has maintained strong links with 51Âþ»­. As an Honorary Researcher, he has contributed to projects as part of the Institute of Creative Technologies (IOCT). In this capacity, he has also delivered guest lectures at the university on topics including virtual production, game development, and extended reality (XR) which includes both VR and AR. Anthony also has plans to engage with students in the future to provide work experience at Voyager VR.

Anthony is also a Creative Director of Creative Collaborators. The company, which he runs with business partner Stacey Wragg, who is also business partner and co-founder of Voyager VR, supports freelancers, and connects them with businesses who are seeking their services. Both directors have plans to engage with students at 51Âþ»­ to support the next generation of freelancers to take their first steps into the industry.

“The super talented freelancer networked that Creative Collaborators is forming in the heart of Leicester is a positive feedback loop, giving all the businesses here at the Hub, and in our local community, the support and skills needed to launch us not only to where we have reached, but to our highest potential over the next 5 years.”

Part of the local economy

Voyager VR’s Granby Street offices feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a green screen studio, and a volumetric capture system- a tool to capture 3D objects within a piece of software.

The company is currently developing a piece of software that can democratise the volumetric capture process, meaning that anyone will be able to use the system to film 3D video. This system will reduce the costs of the technology, allowing a wider demographic to access and utilise the technology, and create a new wave of content.

Speaking of the new Leicester workspace, The Hub, and the future of Voyager, Anthony said:  

“I am proud of what we have achieved at the Hub. Although we are still at startup stage, we are already developing partnerships with national organisations and local creators. I am sure that the success so far is down to all the support, incubation and network from my outstanding time at 51Âþ»­.

I look forward both to engaging and collaborating with the amazing talent in Leicester, and showing the community the great projects we’re working on - when they are not as secret!”

You can find out more about VoyagerVR here: