Virtuware, a technology studio based in the United Kingdom, is focused on building thoughtful digital environments across virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Its mission is to create accessible experiences considerate of how people spend time in immersive spaces. Through a blend of technical craftsmanship and human-centred design, the company approaches innovation as a means of supporting meaningful interaction and creative expression.
The business began as a consulting practice founded by software engineer Hamza Qureshi, whose early career developed alongside the evolution of social virtual reality. “I spent a lot of time working inside a major social VR environment, which gave me a clearer sense of how its systems and communities actually operated,” he shares. “It showed me how much creativity these shared spaces can spark, while also revealing the kinds of tensions that appear when design, moderation, and accessibility evolve at different paces.”

That period shaped Virtuware’s ethos and set the foundation for a broader ambition that gradually moved beyond advisory work. As the company’s perspective evolved, Virtuware shifted from client services into product development. This transition led to the creation of StageTime, its flagship social VR application.
“This move drew on the work we’d already been doing, building tools, learning from different communities, and paying attention to how people actually interact in immersive spaces. Moving toward our own product felt like a natural next step,” Qureshi says. He observed that many environments encouraged extended immersion through open-ended design, while offering limited guidance for newcomers.
Safety tools and moderation systems also varied widely, which, according to Qureshi, sometimes left users feeling uncertain during their first encounters with VR. These reflections informed Virtuware’s decision to design a platform where well-being and trust sit alongside creativity. “At Virtuware, we believe that technology carries responsibility. When you invite someone into an immersive space, you’re also shaping how they behave and connect. That deserves care,” Qureshi states.
This philosophy runs through StageTime’s architecture. The app’s design centres on shared activities that aim to give people a reason to gather, creating interactions that feel focused and easy to join. Performances, games, and collaborative moments set the tone, while pacing systems encourage balanced use and help sessions feel coherent. Built-in safeguards support both new and returning users, and moderation tools are placed where they’re simple to access, contributing to an environment that feels intentional and supportive.

“Whenever someone tries VR for the first time, we want StageTime to feel approachable from the moment they arrive,” Qureshi says. “We guide people with straightforward prompts, so they’re not left guessing about what to do next.” Navigation is designed to be intuitive, and the environment intends to avoid unnecessary stimulation, helping newcomers to settle into the social experience and build confidence at their own pace.
Development of StageTime continues with a near-term addition scheduled for release soon, introducing fresh ways for users to engage while maintaining the platform’s safety-first principles. This update forms part of a longer roadmap that expands creative options and interaction styles, all guided by the same design lens.
Longer-term plans focus on refinement and responsiveness. Virtuware intends to evolve StageTime through continuous feedback, adapting to changing expectations and emerging standards across immersive technology. The aim involves strengthening community tools, broadening activity formats, and supporting users as co-creators of shared experiences. This evolution reflects a commitment to longevity built on trust and adaptability.
Virtuware’s broader capabilities continue to support this vision. Alongside StageTime, the studio develops immersive applications, games, and digital tools across multiple platforms, drawing on experience in mobile, desktop, and spatial computing. Consulting remains part of the company’s DNA, informing how emerging technologies integrate into real-world strategies. This blend of services and product thinking keeps Virtuware attuned to both industry movement and user needs.
As Virtuware seeks investment to accelerate this journey, the company presents an opportunity rooted in responsibility and experience. Investors are invited to engage with a platform shaped by years of hands-on development, a clear philosophy around well-being, and a product that aligns technical excellence with social care. With momentum building and conversations underway, Virtuware approaches its next chapter with purpose.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.