The technological revolution is also happening outside the screens. Virtual reality (VR) immerses people in virtual worlds, enjoying unique experiences around real scenes and objects created by computer technology. Companies and institutions are increasingly realizing the potential and value of incorporating and integrating virtual solutions into their processes.
Virtualware is a Basaura-based company that has been providing solutions based on the use of VR as a business tool since 2004.
How can virtual reality (VR) and its application in companies contribute to their sustainable development?
We believe in combining virtual reality and Sustainability as a breakthrough technology that can positively impact the sustainability of industry and education. That’s why we work to improve and accelerate the use of VR, enabling companies and institutions of all sizes and sectors to integrate this technology in a simple way and without limitations.
For the most practical purposes, VR reduces the need for physical production and prototyping in design and engineering processes, and allows for reduced travel and relocation in teaching or learning processes. This results in a significant reduction in the carbon footprint. It also allows you to improve processes, optimize resources more effectively, helping organizations to be more sustainable in their activities thanks to virtual reality.
How do you rate the ecosystem of innovation and technology in Euskadi?
There are several organizations, institutions and companies that work effectively on promotion innovation and technological development. For example, Virtualware is part of Innobasque and our CEO Unai Extrema is a member of the board of directors. In Bizkaia, we regularly collaborate with the Department of Economic Promotion and count on its help to develop innovations in processes and services, as well as in products and technologies.
Euskadi is already one of the most advanced regions in terms of innovation, and this is one of its strengths. However, we lack commitment to the technology industry. We see a clear and strong commitment to Basque industry and related technology services, but at the same time we would also like to see this commitment extended to technology companies with a global vision that can provide valuable services to industry, local or not. Although it may seem the same, the approach is completely different.
Could you summarize your commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular SDG 9?
In 2021, we identified them through internal analysis ARV in which we as a company could contribute more and create value. Since then, we have established a strategic sustainability committee where we review, launch actions and define indicators to be able to measure our impact on the SDGs.
In relation to SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure, one of the key areas we identified was privacy and data protection and intellectual property. As a result, we received the 27001 Information Security certification in 2022 in order to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information of our customers, related companies and partners worldwide.
A recent and concrete action in this sense is the GOOGAZ project, which we are organizing together with BBK KUNA and the Bizkaia Provincial Council. This initiative aims to bring the SDGs closer to Basque youth with virtual reality as the main axis.
You define yourself as an inclusive organization made up of diverse talent. What profiles do your teams have?
At Virtualware we work with around 45 people based in Bilbao, Madrid and Ontario (Canada) with different training profiles and different nationalities. As a technology company, we suffer from a lack of STEAM careers among young people and a shortage of female talent.
For this reason and since we started in 2021, we have identified SDG 5 Gender Equality among our objectives. In particular, we have focused on attracting female talent with technical profiles through specific actions in our recruitment processes. We have also worked intensively in collaboration with other institutions so that the female talent available at Virtualware can serve as a reference for young women deciding which training to choose.
