Steve Zhao is the founder and CEO of Sandbox VR, the company behind some of the world’s most immersive, full-body virtual reality experiences. Zhao started designing games from a young age and over the years, has combined powerful storytelling with the latest technology to create experiences that feel real and immersive.
His entrepreneurial journey is defined by vision and resilience. Before Sandbox VR, Steve Zhao founded Blue Tea Games in San Francisco, achieving success with the Dark Parables series. Yet, when mobile gaming disrupted the market, his team dwindled, and Zhao faced the daunting prospect of starting over. It was at this low point that he discovered virtual reality. With a blend of audacity and determination, he poured his own life savings into a small Hong Kong start-up that later became, Sandbox VR.
Steve Zhao’s gamble paid off. From a single location in Hong Kong, the company captured global attention, went viral on social media and has attracted celebrity investors such as Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Will Smith, and Orlando Bloom. Today, Sandbox VR operates over 60 locations worldwide, and has raised more than $119 million from institutional backers including Andreessen Horowitz and Alibaba.
A pioneer of location-based VR, Zhao has built a platform where players can roam freely, experience full-body motion capture, and physically step into worlds inspired by hit Netflix franchises such as Stranger Things and Squid Game. His in-house development studio creates original AAA experiences, blending technical innovation with compelling storytelling.
Beyond gaming, Steve Zhao envisions VR as a tool for social, cultural, and educational experiences. He believes it brings history, science, and culture to life in ways previously impossible. Through his craft, resilience, and relentless innovation, Zhao is redefining what entertainment and human experience can be in the digital age.
