Founded in 2015 by Michael Ilako and CEO Brian Afande, BlackRhino VR is an extended reality and creative startup offering virtual reality, augmented reality, visual effects (VFX), and animation services.
BlackRhino developed MediAR with €180, 000 (~$200,000) funding raised under the Ignite Culture Programme introduced by the British Council and HEVA Fund in East Africa.
With no-code VR platforms, one can create virtual reality experiences and applications without programming or manual coding experience. It also provides pre-built templates and visual programming techniques.
MediAR allows users to manage projects, licences, and orders in addition to creating content. The platform also shows the total number of views for a project, the duration of each view (dwell), and the clicked external links. 20% of the view price goes towards paying creators on the platform, where commission is based on paid views.
No-code VR platforms have existed in the VR industry, but BlackRhino’s MediAR is said to be the first in Africa. Other notable no-code VR platforms include ZapWorks, XR+, and PlugXR.
According to BlackRhino VR, MediAR will empower African youths to build digital solutions, foster an economy that leverages AR goods, products, and services, and address the misconception that Africa is primarily a technology consumer.
A Gartner report projects that by 2024, low-code or no-code development platforms—which include VR applications—will be used for 65% of all application development. BlackRhino VR aims to contribute to building Africa’s creative sector and make reality technologies accessible to African youths.
Kenyan creators can increase their revenue streams by producing content and making money on MediAR.
Kenyan President William Ruto recently announced that Meta has agreed to allow Kenyan content creators to monetise their Facebook and Instagram audience.
