VirZOOM

VirZOOM transforms exercise into an immersive virtual-reality experience.

Using a VR headset and digital sensor, riders can plug its VZfit system into stationary bikes, and pedal their way across the globe. Additionally, users can engage in exciting full-body workouts while flying, battling, and playing in various VR landscapes and simulations.

Perhaps an article from Forbes describes the experience best:

“Last night, I flew on a winged horse in a magical land, piloted a helicopter through a peril-filled river canyon, rode a horse in an old West stampede, and blasted tanks in a desert landscape. Oh, and I burned a few hundred calories, too, all from a stationary bike in my bedroom… The best part? I barely noticed I was working out.”

Nearly seventy-three billion dollars is expected to be spent on VR technology in 2024. And that includes the rising demand for VR headsets. Today, there are about ten million headsets globally. But by 2025, that number is projected to reach 132 million.

VirZOOM’s team knows how to create engaging, immersive content. Prior to starting the company in 2015, its leaders created a pair of successful video games: Rock Band (two billion dollars in lifetime sales) and Guitar Hero (one billion dollars in lifetime sales).

Team Background

Eric Malafeew - Co-Founder & CTO

Eric has more than 20 years in the videogame industry.

He developed popular games such as Guitar Hero ($2 billion in sales) and Rock Band ($600 million in sales).

Before starting VirZOOM, he worked for 15 years at Harmonix Music Systems, a video game development company, serving as a lead engineer and technical director.

Outside of the video game industry, Eric gained technical experience as a simulation engineer with Lockheed Martin.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.

Eric Janszen - Co-Founder & CEO

Eric brings a wealth of financial and business experience to VirZOOM.

Prior to starting the company, he was an economic analyst for Twin Focus Capital Partners, a company offering investment and financial solutions to high-net-worth individuals and businesses.

In addition, he previously founded iTulip, an online financial services company that attracted more than 8 million visitors. This platform was credited by the New York Times for accurate financial forecasts, and CNBC called it “the place to go for a contrary view of the markets.”

For five years, Eric served on the Board of Directors for TruTouch Technologies, a company that developed a fingerprint sensor that automatically detects a person’s blood alcohol content.

He was previously Managing Director of a seed investment firm that was part of six successful exits.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Resource Economics from the University of Massachusetts.

Rob Kay - Lead Game Designer

Rob has been a game designer for 14 years. He specializes in games featuring virtual reality, cameras, motion controllers, and robotics.

He previously served as Lead Game Designer for Anki, an open-sourced gaming platform.

In addition, he was Director of Design for Harmonix Music Systems.

Rob earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Visualization from Bournemouth University.

Co-Investors