Ben Erwin — Co-Founder
Ben Erwin is the president and co-founder of the Academy of Immersive Arts and Sciences and the creator of The Polys - Immersive Awards, WebXR Summit Series, and MetaTr@versal. His projects have catalyzed awareness and engagement with the immersive web, and his events are recognized for spotlighting pioneers while advancing interoperability and standards-based distribution technologies. Ben is a passionate advocate for open systems and believes cooperation on standards is essential to sustainable growth in spatial computing. He brings decades of experience in media, marketing, web development, video editing, and immersive production, and has remained at the forefront of the internet since the 1990s. He spent 13 years as a webmaster and consultant for the United Nations humanitarian section and partner NGOs, helping bring awareness to the plight of women and children in conflict zones through interactive web platforms. Before the web, Ben worked in the entertainment and music industries, giving him a broad creative foundation. The mission of the Academy of Immersive Arts and Sciences is to educate, inspire, and recognize excellence in immersive media—across education, art, culture, history, science, and journalism. Under Ben's leadership, the Academy convenes thought leaders, creators, and technologists working at the intersection of storytelling and spatial computing. It supports the advancement of immersive content as a medium for cultural preservation, civic engagement, and human connection. Through The Polys - Immersive Awards, Ben has created an annual celebration that honors the innovators shaping the immersive web. The show highlights best-in-class work across the spectrum of XR and has grown into a touchstone for the immersive industry. He is also the co-creator of Ready Player Golf, a groundbreaking charity event that merges virtual reality with real-world fundraising. Ben has collaborated with XR leaders on MetaTr@versal, a focused initiative advocating for cooperation on interoperability and shared infrastructure. He believes immersive content is a powerful tool for evolving human communication. By championing openness, he works to ensure today’s creations endure—and remain accessible to future generations. Ben has had the honor of speaking at AWE USA for five consecutive years and recently delivered a keynote at Immerse KL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. His work has attracted a global audience across the XR community, particularly through his writing, events, and presence on LinkedIn.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in immersive media and spatial computing advocacy.
Location: New York, New York, United States
Experience: 39 yrs 10 mos
Career Highlights
- Pioneered The Polys - Immersive Awards for XR innovation.
- Advocated for interoperability in spatial computing.
- Led initiatives for cultural preservation through immersive media.
Work Experience
Academy of Immersive Arts and Sciences
President and Co-Founder (1 yr 11 mos)
Metaverse Standards Forum
Member Board of Directors (2 yrs 2 mos)
The Polys - WebXR Awards
Creator, Executive Producer, Writer (5 yrs 7 mos)
Silicon Harlem
Executive Director - Conference and XR programs (2 yrs 1 mo)
T2 Computing, Inc.
Website Developer (2 yrs 4 mos)
Tekserve
Website Developer (1 yr 1 mo)
The New York Times
Data Scientist and Developer (3 yrs 3 mos)
Likeable Media
Web Developer (1 yr 6 mos)
Primus Green Energy
Website Developer (5 yrs 10 mos)
Castro Convertibles
Website Developer (4 yrs)
Ember Media Corporation
VP GM -> Strategic Counsel (5 yrs 5 mos)
United Nations
Website Developer (13 yrs 4 mos)
Powersimple, LLC
Founder (28 yrs 6 mos)
Hair Club
Director, National Call Center (3 yrs 8 mos)
B.E.A.M. Ben Erwin Artist Management
Founder (5 yrs 3 mos)
Greater Talent Network
Promotions Assistant (3 yrs)
Education
Marketing at Baruch College
English at Borough of Manhattan Community College
Certification - Multi-track Audio Production at Institute of Audio Research
at High School of Art and Design
at High School of Art and Design
