Thomas Neumann, BSc’11

Thomas Neumann has made remarkable contributions to the virtual reality (VR) industry. An early adopter of the technology, Tom has created many VR apps, consulted with major organizations and led significant content partnerships. Fueled by compassion, Tom has a fervent desire to create tangible societal impact through innovation. 

As a student, Tom was happy to call Western home. He felt inspired by professors who encouraged him to explore new concepts and think independently, sparking an interest in entrepreneurship.  

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and biology, Tom set his sights on making ageing a more welcoming stage of life. He currently serves as the co-founder and chief technology officer of Rendever. Designed for the rapidly growing generations of older adults often overlooked in technological development, Rendever provides an accessible tool to empower healthy social dynamics and improve mental wellbeing.  

Today, communities and seniors are engaging in conversation, exploring the world and reminiscing about life together through Rendever. Data from the platform shows over three million active minutes of time with older adults collectively experiencing VR, sharing over 1.5 million experiences.  

Tom and co-founder Kyle Rand have been honored by TIME Magazine on three separate TIME100 lists and built six award-winning products. Tom is known for leading teams with empathy and developing products that value customer experiences. 

Tom has been instrumental in securing partnerships with major companies including the American Association of Retired Persons and Verizon and has secured clinical trial funding from federal organizations including the National Institute of Health and National Institute on Ageing. From Meta and Samsung to ByteDance and Lenovo, Tom has wowed the most prominent VR hardware manufacturers globally. 

Tom’s unparalleled technical skills, leadership and vision inspire his team and colleagues, who enthusiastically recommended him for the Young Alumni Award.