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For questions email: texasimmersive@austin.utexas.edu
Social Impact BuildFest
The Social Impact BuildFest is an annual event hosted by the Texas Immersive Institute. It is a weekend-long event that brings UT Austin students, professionals, and innovators together. Our goal is to inspire and encourage this diverse group of participants to embrace community, storytelling, design and XR in order to create solutions for real problems they see around campus and Austin every day.
Join us and be part of real social change!
In 2026, BuildFest is partnering with the Immersive Experience Alliance (IXA) on their mission to build a collaborative network that supports creators, educators, and students working at the intersection of technology and social good. The BuildFest will expand to four campuses thanks to the collective support and shared vision of IXA members, which include universities and key partners dedicated to immersive innovation and interdisciplinary learning.
Theme: Belonging
Belonging is the feeling of being seen, accepted, and valued within a group or space. In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to foster environments (both physical and digital) where individuals feel a genuine sense of connection and inclusion.
For BuildFest 2026, participating campuses will center the theme of Belonging as a creative and social foundation. Students will be invited to explore what belonging looks like in their own communities and prototype ways that emerging technology can help build more inclusive, connected, and empathetic experiences.
Tech Partner: Scenery
Scenery as the official Tech Partner for the 2026 Social Impact BuildFest. Scenery is an Apple-native XR creation and storytelling suite that makes it possible to build high-quality, immersive experiences with no app download required. Designed for creatives of all levels, the platform allows students to prototype interactive experiences for both mobile and Apple Vision Pro using intuitive no-code and low-code tools.
RSVP to TXI's 2026 BuildFest, February 27 - March 1
BuildFest 2025
Library Advocacy and Freedom of Information
The University of Texas’ Bateman Case Study competition team wants to discover innovative and impactful solutions to position EveryLibrary as the leading library advocate in the Austin area. Libraries are gateways to knowledge, but they face growing challenges, from funding cuts to book bans. At the same time, libraries are evolving into vibrant third spaces, places where communities gather to learn, collaborate, and innovate. By integrating immersive storytelling with DataFeel's groundbreaking multi-energy haptic technology, we can reimagine the future of libraries as hubs of sensory-rich literacy and engagement.
Haptic technology offers a unique opportunity to explore new ways of interacting with information. Imagine a future where literacy isn't confined to traditional reading but expanded to include tactile and sensory experiences that bring stories and data to life. This approach not only deepens understanding but also makes learning more accessible and inclusive for diverse audiences.
DataFeel® is a leading provider of multi-energy haptic technologies. Their mission is to enhance human-technology interactions. We will accomplish it by commercializing a proprietary line of multi-energy haptic technologies for utilizing data to improve the efficiency of human decision-making, wellness, and lifestyle experiences. Meet the DataFeel Team!
Did you know that vibrations, thermal energy, and light applied to the skin can enhance focus and evoke powerful emotional responses? Learn how to harness these technologies to design impactful, sensory-driven experiences and amplify the voices of those affected by restricted access to information. Find workshop recordings here.
2025 Social Impact BuildFest Event Report by Texas Immersive
BuildFest 2024
Mental Health | Environmental Justice | Economic Inequalities | LGBTQA+ Impact | Breaking Traditional Education
This year's Social Impact BuildFest welcomed around 68 participants, both undergraduate and graduate students from The University of Texas. This group represented 13 different schools around campus and created a total of 8 virtual worlds in Meta Horizon Worlds to address a social issue.
Subject matter experts (aka Social Impact Mentors): John Schwartz, Benjamin Salazar, Deirdre Walsh, Madison Phelan
Tech Mentors: Raul Carvajal, Ryan Hartsell, Kirsten Hudson, Kyle Render, Matt Torres (aka Tellous)
Judges: Amy Seidenwurm, Raul Carvajal, Benjamin Salazar, Blake Kammerdiener, Erin Reilly
Prize Sponsors: Blake Kammerdiener (SXSW), Ben Enos (The Escape Game), Jason Shin (Wonderspaces)
TXI Student Team: Keyur Kadle, Thomas Ybarra, Sarvesh Chidambaram, Adamaris Lopez
Read the 2024 Social Impact BuildFest Report
2024 TXI BuildFest World Hub - Full Video Walkthrough
BuildFest 2023
Mental Health and Wellness | Environmental Inequities | Access Needs of Disabled Students | Race Visibility | Gender Inclusivity
