Michael Barngrover Email & Phone Number

Belgium

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

XR4Europe is an industrial association with the mission to strengthen collaboration and integration between XR industry stakeholders across the European continent and to give diverse stakeholders voices in the conversations that inform relevant public policies. I bring my experience building XR communities globally and in Türkiye to this leadership position and am particularly motivated to elevate the recognition and appreciation of XR talents and stakeholders wherever they reside in Europe.It is my view that European XR has the ability and responsibility to lead the world in embedding humanistic and sustainable values into these diverse technologies and applications. XR4Europe works to help make that reality.

Istanbul, Turkey

Raptor Dance Studios is an immersive development studio providing bespoke immersive solutions to enterprise clients, from consulting on AR/MR/VR projects to design and execution.As founder and lead developer, I am responsible for the design and technical development of client projects while also ensuring successful collaboration between artists, modelers, animators, and client stakeholders.

I am co-founder of the XR Crowd community, which is a global community of VR and AR professionals across diverse sectors and industries. I lead the community as well as produce industry events, including expert panels, founder interviews, town-hall discussions, hackathons, and multiuser VR platform explorations and validations.I started in this role in early 2020 with the #ZeroEvents, a series of multiuser virtual platform explorations initially for the global XR industry. The series came about to help event organizers identify methods of converting physical events to virtual ones, such as Laval Virtual, in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then we have explored more than twenty multiuser VR platforms for both events, meetings, socializing, and live performance. These events later expanded to include expert panels, fireside chats of industry issues, and hackathons to learn how to create in these platforms.

I have been the producer of the Startup and Research & Medical XR tracks of the 2021 Immersive Funding Market, which is a part of the annual VRDays Europe event. The IFM connects entrepreneurs and researchers looking to commercial their work with investors and leading industry figures that can help their projects take the next step. https://vrdays.co/immersive-funding-market/In 2022, I returned to produce the Research: Healthcare & Wellness track of the funding market program, rebranded as IMPULSE.

I independently producer content for and about the XR industry, including expect panels, startup founder's talks, emerging trend roundups, and entertainment content. I work or have worked with a range of partners for distributing and producer content, including XRMust.com, Engage VR, Startup Wise Guys, and leading industry personalities.Together with Lance G. Powell Jr., I was cohost and coproducer of VR Special, a show exploring the post-Covid world from a virtual perspective. Together we looked at how the pandemic has found creative expression within popular social VR platforms, as well as how these platforms can provide perspective and relief from quarantining. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl1w-cOMymgit92xAzaIHRwWith Catherine D. Henry, I cocreated Spatialand, a weekly chat show in Altspace that reviews the latest VR content and events. We critically discussed emerging XR trends as more and more physical content experiences migrated toward virtual platforms.https://account.altvr.com/channels/Spatialand

Istanbul, Turkey

The KARMA Lab is an initiative of Koç University and Turkey's newest laboratory devoted to the research and development of immersive technologies. As coordinator, I managed projects that took place in the lab, typically supporting other academic departments and stakeholders in developing immersive tools and experiences, such as archaeological visualization and psychiatric experimentation. I also designed and executed training programs for students aspiring to design and develop immersive projects.

Istanbul, Turkey

As a thought leader of immersive technologies, which include augmented, mixed, and virtual realities, I represent the global VR First network in Turkey until its pivot and rebranding. In addition to speaking events introducing the basics of design and development, I also conducted workshops with local and international companies and startup communities to explore how immersive technologies can help their stakeholders address their challenges.VR First was launched in January 2016 to provide state-of-the-art facilities to anyone interested in exploring the power and potential of VR/AR development. The program encourages educational institutions around the world to establish dedicated VR labs on their campuses by partnering with VR hardware manufacturers and software companies.

Istanbul, Turkey

Performing business development, marketing and communication functions at the local and regional levels in support of our clients. This included managing workflows across multiple advisory and transactional practice groups as well as working closely with EMEA colleagues to promote and development the Firm's position in Turkey and the region.Primary Activities Include:Composing client presentations and proposalsCoordinating external communication from the firm, including drafting press releases, reviewing legal alerts, and strategizing with media partnersImproving the efficiency of departmental operations, specifically streamlining work flows, data collection and document managementAnalyzing market trends, competitor behavior and client profiles Identifying client's potential needs and opportunities to grow the relationshipOrganizing events and seminars

Istanbul, Turkey

Expertera is an expertise consulting firm. During my time with the firm I supported the startup by identifying and targeting prospective clients, particularly from global and regional private equities. I conducted research on competitors and of various industries in support of project and strategy planning, the result being the presentation of value-creation business opportunities and operational optimizations. I was also responsible in part for the firm's social media strategy and execution.

Columbus, Georgia Area

Karama USA Inc. was a 501(c)3 registered non-profit that stroke to provide free educational support to refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants in Istanbul, Turkey.

Palestinian Territory

I started as lead fundraiser, responsible for creating a database of prospective private and institutional supports. After two months, I move into the role of administrative assistant and volunteer program coordinator. Between the two, I was responsible for all official email communication, strategic planning, and the development and implementation of volunteer-led projects and programs.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Incompleted, Collaboration In Shared Immersive Spaces

Activities and Societies: In addition to hosting workshops and hackathons at the XR Lab, I hosted and produced the Culture Clash show.

Master Of Management, Data Driven Decision Making, 3.7

Activities and Societies: Copy editor for department professors Host and producer of Culture Clash on Bopazici RadyoAfter initially.

International Mba Exchange Program, Mba, 3.75

Activities and Societies: Arts and Culture Club, Business Analytics Club, Emerging Markets Association, Graduate Marketing Association.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Psychology, 3.2 Gpa

Associate'S Degree, Computer Game Design

Courses of study included C++, Object-Oriented Programming, Game Theory, Artificial Intelligence, 3D Modeling, Project Management.