EXO Insights allows trainees to safely fail in a controlled, risk-free simulated environment using VR

Fernando Muniz-Simas began leveraging virtual reality (VR) for market research for Supermarkets and grocery stores to determine how well a new product would sell. He realized that no matter what questions they would ask customers there was no way to completely avoid bias, resulting in projective answers instead of hard data. Fernando decided to integrate VR into their research process to remove the element of asking questions and collect data based on their reaction to the virtual experience. After just one test run, they received extremely objective results, enabling them to put users in different virtual scenarios and measure their behavior.

After receiving such positive results conducting research for Supermarkets and grocers, Fernando decided to use their research and analytics tool for higher-risk activities than shopping. In 2016, Fernando enrolled his organization, EXO Insights, into the Startup Visa Program through the AC. Once Fernando learned the ins and outs of running a business in the Canadian market, EXO Insights joined The Accelerator Program® and started focusing on disrupting the industrial training and mining sector.

“Simply put, there wouldn’t be an EXO Insights without the AC methodology. Relentless mentorship brought method to our dreams, and patiently corrected our course, quite frequently I must admit,” said Fernando, Founder of EXO Insights. “Looking back, it astonishes me the breadth and depth of knowledge that was conveyed to us during years that, in hindsight, zipped past us.”

Five years later, EXO Insights is graduating from The Accelerator Program and is already one of the most trusted names in Human Performance Management. It provides custom, hyper-realistic training solutions for industries with high-risk, mission-critical environments, with a specific focus on the nuclear power and defense sector. Using digital twins and biometric sensors, EXO Insight’s advanced human performance improvement platform improves the judgment, self-awareness, and performance of trainees. The platform then consolidates the trainee's knowledge and behavioral data to provide organizations with actionable insights to address industrial safety and productivity, while maximizing operational efficiency to minimize the risk of revenue-threatening events and operative downtime due to errors.

“It’s overwhelming that we’ve managed to break ground with such huge companies in giant markets, all with such a small team,” said Fernando. “It is pretty hard to imagine almost five years have passed. We will be proud Alumni of the AC.”

Come help us celebrate the achievements of EXO Insights at our graduation ceremony on Friday, October 22nd! They have proven that they have what it takes to join the ranks of Canada's top tech companies with their innovative and safety-first approach to high-risk working conditions.