Eric Romo, co-founder and CEO of AltspaceVR, is joining Facebook’s Social VR team.
Following financial difficulties, which almost saw the complete shut down of the social VR app, AltspaceVR found new life when it was acquired by Microsoft back in October.
Romo, who founded AltspaceVR in January 2013, will be moving to the role of Director of Product at Facebooks’s Social VR team, the group behind Facebook Spaces.
Romo shares his thoughts in a Facebook post announcing the news:
“As I look back at my journey with AltspaceVR, I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished. We built one of the first and most vibrant places to meet in VR — starting before the first consumer headsets even shipped! But it’s really the community of passionate people that has grown around AltspaceVR that amazes me most, and continues to confirm my belief that being together with others in VR will revolutionize the way we connect with each other. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I left AltspaceVR with confidence that the team is well-placed to continue pushing forward the promise of virtual communication as part of the Microsoft mixed reality ecosystem. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do next, and wish them all the best.”
Head of Facebook’s Social VR team Rachel Rubin Franklin, says they have “ambitious plans to learn and ship even more this year. With lots to tackle in 2018, I’m thrilled to have Eric on board. VR has such immense promise to connect people in new ways, and it’s only the beginning.”
