Tenacious Pioneer Delving Deep into the Realms of Virtual Reality
A virtual reality and 360° video agency named Inod was established on March 21, 2016, in Laval, France. Initially focusing on real estate and construction, Inod has since expanded into other sectors, notably becoming a 3D design studio. In 2020, the company ventured into virtual solutions for events. This piece traces Inod's evolution under the guidance of co-founder Anthony Hacques.
Hacques, along with Julien Ranchoux, embarked on their entrepreneurial journey, setting up shop at la Licorne, a hub for innovative companies in Laval's VR/AR ecosystem. The surroundings were teeming with VR/AR industry heavyweights such as Savvy and CLARTE.
Intrigued by the potential of virtual reality, Hacques, a Mayenne native, threw himself into immersive technologies despite having no prior knowledge. His background in the construction industry prompted his departure from his previous company, as he observed a lack of visualization tools.
"I saw people relying on 2D plans, which was inadequate for imagining the final build result," Hacques explained.
Inod's origins can be traced back to constructing a virtual reality environment for professional visits before building commenced. Its signature product, the ScaleView software, veered away from the typical subscription-based model, offering virtual reality as a standalone solution for industry professionals.
As the years passed, Inod expanded its portfolio to cater to various sectors beyond real estate. With their 3D production studio and app creation wing, they now offer completely customized solutions based on clients' needs. For instance, Inod created a 3D dragon from scratch for the Vendeé Globe and Maxime Sorel's racing team, representing a testament to their capabilities.
In 2020, Inod ventured into the digital realm for events, weaving a new thread into its repertoire. This bold move saw them weathering the COVID crisis, which dealt a heavy blow to their business in the early stages of the year, as they primarily created applications for physical events. However, a resurgence began in June as Inod rolled out its virtual exhibition solution, where it hosted events like the LAFI trade show, welcoming heavyweights like Microsoft, Intel, AMD, HP, and Acer.
For the foreseeable future, Inod remains committed to fulfilling orders for its clients, with a virtual exhibition solution set for continuous evolution, parallel to their ScaleView software. They also pin their hopes on virtual showrooms for businesses with international relations. When asked about the longevity of virtual events beyond the crisis, Hacques expressed optimism: "I believe in it."
Hacques, exploring opportunities beyond real estate for Inod, saw potential in applying virtual reality technology to business events, marking a significant shift in the company's focus. He envisioned virtual solutions as a promising avenue for financial growth, considering the increasing demand for digital offerings in the post-COVID era.
With the successful implementation of virtual exhibition solutions, Inod expanded its portfolio further, incorporating technology into various business domains. Hacques anticipated that businesses, particularly those with international relationships, would prefer virtual showrooms for their efficiency and convenience in the future, making technology an integral part of Inod's business strategy.
