Got Unity skills? 3D chops? A portfolio you want to level up? Come build something real.

VR Build Lab, brought to you by TECHNATION and ELIXR Simulations, is a free, hands-on event for post-secondary students in Edmonton who already have some experience with development, real-time engines or digital art and want to push those skills into VR.

You’ll learn how free-roam VR works, get introduced to new development and AI-assisted workflows, then team up to tackle a real-world industry challenge. Over the weekend, you’ll build, test, break, fix and present a working VR prototype — something tangible you can actually add to your portfolio.

At the end, teams will pitch their builds to industry judges, with cash prizes for the top solutions. You’ll also get the chance to meet people working in XR, see how immersive technology is being used outside gaming, and get hands-on with tools and workflows you may not have had access to before.

• November 9 or 10 | Virtual Training (3 hours, time TBC – attend one of the two sessions)
  Learn the fundamentals of free-roam VR development, explore the challenge and get the tools you’ll need to get started.
• November 14-15 | 10:00 AM-6:00 PM | In-Person in Edmonton
  Build, test and present your prototype using free-roam VR hardware. Projects will be judged by XR industry leaders, with cash prizes for winning teams. 

The virtual session will get you ready for the build weekend, including an introduction to the technology, tools and challenge. You’ll then have a few days to start thinking through your approach before coming together in Edmonton for the two-day build.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for post-secondary students who are already familiar with some of the tools and skills below and are comfortable jumping into a fast-paced team build:

• Unity, Unreal Engine or other real-time engines
• Programming and software development
• 3D modelling, digital art, animation or asset creation
• XR development, SDKs or immersive technologies
• Collaborative development and project-based work

You don’t need to be a VR expert — that’s part of what you’ll learn. But because the build happens over a short period of time, this experience is best suited to students who already have a solid foundation and are ready to apply their skills quickly.

The goal is that you leave the weekend with new technical experience, industry connections, and a finished project you can actually show off.

Applications are open until November 5, 2026. Space is limited, and participants will be selected based on their existing skills and experience.