Sidequest

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SideQuest LTD, commonly known as SideQuest VR, is a private technology company and virtual reality (VR) content discovery platform headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The company was founded in 2019 by Shane Harris and Orla Harris as an alternative distribution hub for VR applications and early-access content, particularly for headsets such as the Meta Quest. Its platform serves as a marketplace and community-driven ecosystem where developers can publish and promote VR games, applications and experimental projects that may not appear on official app stores, and where users can explore and install that content. SideQuest has been noted for fostering a significant VR developer and user community, providing tools for feedback, discovery and engagement. In its early funding rounds, the company raised seed and venture capital from investors including Boost VC and Palmer Luckey, among others, and later secured a Series A investment including $12 million from Google’s GV to support expansion of its platform and services. SideQuest has also participated in initiatives such as co-funding investment programs to support independent VR developers.

History

SideQuest LTD, operating as SideQuest VR, was founded on 23 May 2019 by Shane Harris and Orla Harris in Belfast, Northern Ireland, shortly after the launch of the original Oculus Quest virtual reality headset. The platform began as a side project intended to provide an easier way for developers to upload and distribute virtual reality applications outside traditional, heavily curated storefronts, allowing users to discover experimental and early access content. Early development took place in the founders’ home, and the project quickly grew as VR developers and enthusiasts adopted its sideloading and discovery tools.

SideQuest grew into a de facto alternative distribution hub for VR content, particularly for Meta Quest devices, supporting thousands of applications and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of independent developers and users. Its services expanded beyond simple sideloading to include tools for community engagement, discovery and feedback, contributing to its recognition as a key part of the broader VR development landscape

Funding

SideQuest’s early funding began with a pre-seed round in 2020, in which the company raised approximately USD 650,000. This round was led by the startup accelerator Boost VC with participation from angel investors including Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR, and venture firm The Fund. The funding was intended to support the development of the platform, including testing services and tools for VR developers.

In October 2021, SideQuest secured a $3 million investment from a group of investors, including PROfounders Capital, Ada Ventures, Connect Ventures and strategic angels, at a valuation of around $10 million. This round aimed to scale the company’s services and grow its user and developer base.

The company later completed a Series A funding round in 2022, led by Google Ventures (GV), raising approximately $12 million to further expand its platform and developer services. The investment demonstrated continued confidence in SideQuest’s role as a discovery and distribution platform for VR content and its potential to support broader XR ecosystem development

Community and Ecosystem

SideQuest has positioned itself as a community-driven platform connecting VR content creators with users and developers around the world. It hosts thousands of applications spanning experimental, indie and early access titles that may not be available through official app stores. Developers can use the platform to share work-in-progress builds, gather user feedback and build communities around their projects.

By providing a space for discovery and engagement outside of official storefronts, SideQuest has supported a large and active community of developers and users. As of its fifth anniversary, the platform reported thousands of developers and millions of active users monthly, contributing to the growth and diversity of VR content.

References

This article "Sidequest" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Sidequest. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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