The Lightning Pitch: ExChimp, advanced all-in-one mid-range VR headset

Company: ExChimp

Headquarters: Sunnyvale, CA

Founder: Serial Entrepreneur Stefan Ponsold

Why we like it: Unlike the Samsung Gear, the ExChimp AI1 All-in-One VR Headset doesn’t need you to put a hot smartphone close to your face. This headset also isn’t going to cost thousands of dollars either, while retaining a Quad HD display and being able to connect different brands of controllers, Bluetooth and more.

You also don’t need to have this linked up to a high-end PC to get great performance.

Google has announced an All-In-One VR system for the end of this year but Exchimp’s headset will ship to customers this August/September.

Other awesome specs that set ExChimp apart from all the competition include an impressive seven-hour battery life, is 30% lighter (just 389 grams) than its competitors, and retains a Quad HD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440, which about doubles industry standards.

With this ground-breaking technology, ExChimp is now looking to help educators use the power of Virtual Reality to immerse students in new learning experiences they would otherwise never have.

“We’ve been hearing from schools that they want to be using VR, but the cost point is just too high, so we’re hoping that this new headset will allow them to use apps like Star Chart, but at lower price,” ExChimp CEO Stefan Ponsold.

The AI1 All-in-One VR Headset smashed its 30,000 Euro goal on Kickstarter in just four hours and this experienced team has raised more than  $400,000 USD via previous crowdfunding campaign, always delivering to their backers on time.