“Virtual reality gave me the freedom to explore worlds far beyond the hospital room,” he recalled. “Soon, I wasn’t just using VR to play; I wanted to understand how these worlds were built.”
That spark turned into a mission shared with his father, technologist and entrepreneur Sonal Ahuja. The duo began experimenting, learning, and building together, a process that would eventually lead to VRAcademi, a Dubai-based immersive education and innovation hub built around creativity, technology, and empowerment.
Building the classroom of the future
Founded in 2020, VRAcademi teaches children and adults essential future skills through practical, technology-driven programs. Today, its state-of-the-art lab features immersive VR, robotics, motion capture, and metaverse labs. Courses span AI, coding, game development, and virtual art, blending creativity with experience.
Aggelos remains deeply involved in shaping the curriculum. “Our biggest success has been seeing how far our students grow,” he said. “We’ve had children as young as six build VR art exhibitions, teenagers design entire game environments, and adults, including one aged 82, embrace immersive technology with confidence.”
The company’s growing list of collaborations includes the Ministry of AI, with whom it hosts youth camps on AI and coding, and VR4Clima, an EU-backed Erasmus+ project that uses immersive technology to raise climate awareness.
The UAE advantage
Launching in Dubai felt almost inevitable to the Ahujas. “Dubai and the UAE understand the future,” said Sonal. “This is one of the few places where creative technology, education, AI, and entrepreneurship are encouraged at the highest level.”
He added that the local environment, from government initiatives to schools and parents, has been exceptionally receptive. “The UAE’s support system for innovation is real. It’s not just about funding; it’s about ecosystems that help you grow and connect.”
VRAcademi has been recognised by several institutions for its role in future-skills training. “We want to be key partners in the UAE’s growth story and help millions learn the skills of tomorrow,” Sonal said.