Jessica Manins is on a mission to make the virtual worlds more social, inclusive, and fun. She is the co-founder and co-CEO of the New Zealand-based virtual gaming studio Beyond. With her background in theatre and technology, Manins brings a unique perspective to making VR games. She cares deeply about the user experience, the "why" when building, and ensuring games are as accessible as possible.

Manins established the New Zealand VR/AR Association, co-founded an R&D lab for spatial computing innovators and was a Wellingtonian of The Year science and technology finalist for her VR therapy work. With her leadership at Beyond, the company has created the world's first free-roam VR game "Oddball" and the sold-out virtual Burrows collection showcased at SXSW in 2022. The team is currently working on Runaways, an endless runner for Apple Vision Pro.

As a prominent advocate for women in the tech sector, Manins champions initiatives aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs and highlighting the vital role of the creative tech industry in the New Zealand economy. Her dedication to innovation and empowerment has earned her recognition as a driving force in the field.

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