Entrepreneurship: Virtual Reality for Empathy and Social Impact
Prof. Motti Neiger is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of OtheReality, a pioneering startup that uses immersive virtual reality to enhance empathy and communication in professional environments. Drawing on his deep academic expertise in journalism, media studies, and political communication, Neiger brings a unique perspective to the intersection of storytelling, technology, and human connection.
At OtheReality, Prof. Neiger has led the creative and conceptual development of VR-based “empathy journeys”, immersive scenarios that allow users to step into the lived experiences of others. These experiences are designed to address real-world challenges in healthcare, education, and public service. For example, VR modules have been developed to train hospital staff to better understand patients' emotional and communicative needs, to support educators dealing with diversity and inclusion, and to prepare professionals to handle sensitive interpersonal interactions with greater awareness and care.
The platform is grounded in academic research but built for scalable, real-world application. Under Neiger’s leadership, OtheReality has developed tailored “empathy gyms” and independent training modules that are now being used in leading institutions. The startup has been recognized globally for its social impact and innovation—reaching the Top 10 at MassChallenge (2017) and receiving backing from key partners such as Bar-Ilan University and Sheba Medical Center.
Neiger's role bridges the worlds of scholarship and entrepreneurship: he ensures that the technological solutions developed by OtheReality are not only user-friendly and impactful, but also theoretically sound and ethically grounded. His ability to translate complex social issues into compelling VR narratives positions OtheReality at the forefront of immersive empathy education.
By combining media theory with cutting-edge technology, Prof. Motti Neiger is redefining how organizations train their teams, approach communication, and build more compassionate work environments.