But their journey didn\u2019t begin in high-tech boardrooms. It began with curiosity, art, and a bootcamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Also: From Corporate Burn-Out To Coffee Vending Machines: How Otter Barista\u2019s Eeyong Ho Is Scaling Robotic Coffee Experiences<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During their third year of university, Waran and Renu realised their true passions lay outside their original fields. Waran began tinkering with AI and machine learning, while Renu turned toward art, drawing and painting. Their interests collided when Waran joined an AR bootcamp at UTM, and helped build a virtual try-on app for shirts that clinched second place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the competition, Renu suggested expanding the idea into jewellery. Like many women, she\u2019d struggled to find earrings online that matched her outfits for events. Waran researched solutions and stumbled upon Snapchat\u2019s Lens Studio, a tool that allowed them to build virtual try-on filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat small project made us realise we could solve real-world problems through interactive tech,\u201d Renu explains. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just about looking cool. It was about creating experiences people needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initially, they drew inspiration from Pixar, a brand synonymous with creativity. Coincidentally, their initials \u2013 E (Eswaran), and R (Renuga), along with A (Arun, their creative director),\u00a0\u00a0fit neatly into \u201cExAR.\u201d Later, they embraced the idea that ExAR could also stand for \u201cExperience AR\u201d which perfectly aligning with their mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But turning creativity into a business proved much tougher than they imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ExAR\u2019s first approach was to pitch virtual jewellery try-ons to small Instagram sellers. But the sellers were sceptical. \u201cPeople didn\u2019t understand AR, and Snapchat wasn\u2019t widely used in Malaysia,\u201d Renu says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hence, Waran and Renu decided to create AR filters purely for fun and learning. \u201cWe kept experimenting,\u201d Waran shares. \u201cThere were hardly any tutorials, so we learned everything ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming from lower-middle-class backgrounds, they faced significant pressure to get stable jobs. To survive, they juggled side gigs, tutoring, selling lead-generation services, and creating AR templates online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then came a pivotal moment. Waran noticed an open application for Snapchat\u2019s Official Lens Creator (OLC) programme. Despite doubts, he applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weeks later, they received a call. Snapchat had been tracking their prolific filter creations and impressive engagement numbers. To their surprise, they became the first OLCs in Asia and one of only 30 worldwide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey were shocked that we were from Malaysia!\u201d Waran laughs. \u201cBut they were impressed with how consistently we\u2019d been creating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raed Also: Fateh Watches: Tuan Haji Zainal\u2019s Mission to Craft Malaysia\u2019s Place in Global Timepieces<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Snapchat\u2019s recognition opened new doors. As the platform expanded into Asia, ExAR was hired as consultants, tasked with training creators across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and India. They\u2019ve since trained over 2,000 XR professionals and onboarded more than 1,000 AR creators through workshops and mentorships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Snapchat\u2019s recognition opened new doors. As the platform expanded into Asia, ExAR was hired as consultants, tasked with training creators across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and India. They\u2019ve since trained over 2,000 XR professionals and onboarded more than 1,000 AR creators through workshops and mentorships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then COVID-19 hit. \u201cIt was terrifying,\u201d Renu admits. \u201cJust as things were picking up, the country shut down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, like many digital businesses, ExAR saw a silver lining. Brands urgently pivoted to online engagement, and demand for Instagram filters and interactive experiences skyrocketed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur business boomed during the pandemic,\u201d Waran recalls. \u201cBrands finally saw the value in immersive experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They expanded from social filters into web-based AR experiences, completing major projects like an interactive campaign for Honda. Today, they\u2019ve delivered more than 50 projects for over 30 clients, becoming a sought-after name in Malaysia\u2019s creative-tech landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Spark That Started It All<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Tough Early Years: Hustling And Getting A Lucky Break<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Pandemic-Shaped Silver Lining<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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