The popular image of a tech visionary often involves a garage, a breakthrough idea, and a trajectory aimed squarely at the future. Vitalii Boiko, founder and CEO of Pixela Labs, fits part of that picture, but his story includes less obvious training grounds: the intricate logic of early computer games, the bare-metal demands of real-time graphics when few understood them, and the necessity of spotting opportunities others simply did not see in the sprawling, complex world of enterprise business.
Today, in an industry buzzing with talk of AR/VR and immersive realities, Vitalii stands as one of the most prominent leaders because he understood, years ago, that the dazzling graphics of entertainment held immense, untapped power for industries that thought in blueprints and supply chains. He built a company not just on technical prowess, but on translating the seemingly impossible into practical, profitable tools.
This is the story of how a young programmer’s curiosity became a driving force in shaping how industries visualize their worlds, structured into the key chapters of his journey.
The Self-Taught Foundations of a New World
The journey began not with a grand plan for enterprise software, but with the simple, compelling logic of code. “My interest in technology began at an early age,” Vitalii recounted. “I first started programming when I was around 12 years old, which set the foundation for my passion in the field.” By 14, his curiosity led him to computer graphics through Macromedia Flash, a tool then associated more with web animations than industrial simulation. He was experimenting, playing with computer games, and was naturally drawn to the visual side of technology.
By 17, this fascination earned him a spot at a small game development studio. This was a crucial turning point. Here, he began focusing on real-time rendering and game engines – technologies that were, at the time, far from mainstream. Virtual reality existed mostly in science fiction. Educational resources were scarce. This landscape dictated Vitalii’s path: “I took the path of self-education, learning from various online sources, tutorials, and hands-on experience to gain the knowledge I needed.”
In parallel with his self-education, Vitalii completed formal studies, graduating from Kyiv College of Radioelectronics and later from the National Aviation University with a degree in Software Engineering. While his academic path provided a solid technical base, his self-education focused more on exploring innovations and pushing the boundaries of what technology could do.
This necessity became a strength. It bred a deep, intuitive understanding of the technology that formal programs could not yet provide. It was like learning physics by building your own car engine, rather than just reading the manual. This self-driven process established the solid foundation in computer graphics technologies that supports Vitalii’s career today.
The Enterprise Opportunity No One Saw (Yet)
While the entertainment world was pushing the boundaries of what computers could draw in real time, Vitalii began to see a different application for these powerful graphics engines. “Back in the early 2010s,” he observed, “I noticed that many enterprises weren’t utilizing real-time visualization or simulation technologies, and that was a gap we saw as an opportunity.” Industries that built ships, designed planes, or managed energy infrastructure were still largely reliant on static images or traditional 2D representations. They were leaving immense potential on the table.
In 2012, Vitalii and a small group decided to act on this insight. Their bold idea: To bring highly photorealistic graphics into the enterprise world, which was still in its early stages. “Along with a small group of like-minded organizations, we were among the first to introduce 3D graphics into the enterprise sector,” he stated. This was not a minor technical tweak; it was fundamentally changing how businesses could see and interact with their own complex data and systems. This led to the creation of Pixela Labs, founded as a service company specifically focused on delivering real-time graphics and industrial digital twins.
Their goal was straightforward: To make cutting-edge real-time visualization and simulation tools accessible to industries previously limited to traditional methods. This vision fueled the company’s growth, transforming it into a service-based firm that helps businesses leverage the power of real-time graphics for better decision-making and more efficient operations.
Building the Engine of Immersive Visuals: nDisplay
Pixela Labs’ ambition required building foundational technology. One of their key developments became known as nDisplay. Vitalii describes it as “a groundbreaking technology that enables large-scale, synchronized, real-time visual experiences across multiple screens or projectors.” In a world demanding increasingly complex and immersive visuals – from massive industrial control rooms to the sets of blockbuster movies – nDisplay provided a crucial piece of the puzzle. It offered solutions that, just a few years prior, were practically unimaginable outside of high-budget simulations.
The impact of nDisplay rippled quickly, especially in the nascent field of virtual production. “In virtual production, nDisplay plays a pivotal role by allowing expansive, photorealistic scenes to be displayed across various display setups, such as LED walls or projection domes,” Vitalii explained.
Its significance is perhaps best illustrated by its use in pioneering projects. “This technology was crucial for productions like The Mandalorian, where real-time environments were projected in-camera, eliminating the need for traditional green screens and providing a more immersive experience for actors and crew,” he highlighted.
nDisplay achieved this by intelligently distributing rendering tasks across multiple machines, ensuring synchronization across all displays with high frame rates and minimal latency – technical requirements essential for making the virtual world feel seamless and real. The system was built to be scalable, capable of handling everything from smaller setups to large, multi-screen configurations tailored to production needs.
However, nDisplay was not confined to Hollywood. In industrial simulations, it became invaluable for visualizing complex systems like manufacturing workflows or infrastructure designs. By rendering detailed 3D models across synchronized displays, it allowed for real-time interaction and analysis. This capability transformed training, design validation, and operational planning, offering teams a comprehensive, realistic view that went far beyond static images or 2D representations.
“Overall, nDisplay has revolutionized how industries approach visual storytelling and complex simulations. As technology continues to evolve, I believe nDisplay will remain a key player in shaping the future of virtual production and real-time visualization,” notes Vitalii.
The Advantage of Being the Architect
Introducing technology like nDisplay, while revolutionary, presents significant challenges for the companies adopting it. The sheer scale and complexity of these systems can be daunting. Studios need to understand how to integrate it into existing workflows, how to distribute rendering tasks across multiple machines effectively, and how to ensure seamless synchronization across diverse displays.
This is where Pixela Labs holds a unique advantage. They did not just use nDisplay; they created it. “At Pixela Labs, we have a unique advantage in this space because we are the founders and developers of nDisplay,” Vitalii stated.
“This gives us an unparalleled depth of knowledge and expertise on how the system works and how to optimize it for different use cases.” This insider knowledge allows them to provide expert technical consulting, guiding studios to leverage the technology fully and avoid common mistakes. As the creators, they offer an authoritative perspective that ensures clients maximize performance and efficiency.
Beyond just the core technology, Pixela Labs supports adoption with a range of Virtual Art Department (VAD) and content development services. These services help studios create and implement high-quality visuals optimized for nDisplay’s capabilities, including tailoring content for real-time environments, optimizing assets for large-scale visualizations, and offering custom development. They also provide ongoing support, helping studios adapt as the technology evolves.
“Our goal is not just to provide a one-time solution, but to ensure that studios have the tools and expertise they need to continuously innovate and enhance their workflows,” Vitalii clarified.
Steering through the Storms
Leading a company at the forefront of rapidly evolving technology demands a difficult balance. Vitalii’s role requires both strategic vision and deep technical involvement. “On the strategic side, I’m responsible for setting the vision, driving the company’s growth, and ensuring that we remain aligned with industry trends,” he explained. Simultaneously, he remains “deeply involved in technical decisions—whether it’s overseeing complex integrations, advising on solutions for clients, or ensuring that our team is always at the forefront of technological advancements.” This balance ensures Pixela Labs stays both innovative and grounded in practical client needs.
He takes pride in the team’s collective effort, highlighting projects like The Mandalorian and Megalopolis not just as company milestones but as achievements for the industry made possible by the team’s dedication. A defining moment early on was taking the engineering role at a game development company at a young age, which provided crucial hands-on experience. Founding Pixela Labs was another major milestone. Perhaps the most rewarding moment was the acquisition of nDisplay by Epic Games, seeing his team’s creation become a core part of a leading industry suite of tools. This motivates him to focus on new challenges and push boundaries.
The team itself is a critical asset. “Each of our leadership team members and technical leads bring 15-20 years of experience in the industry,” Vitalii noted, allowing them to build exceptionally strong teams. Many have worked together for 7-10 years, fostering cohesion, trust, and streamlined workflows. Their expertise is deeply specialized in Unreal Engine, encompassing both programming and technical artistry, giving them a unique dual perspective. This broad skill set and cross-industry experience – from industrial sectors to entertainment and Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) – provides flexibility. Vitalii emphasized their culture of continuous learning and the versatility of their technical artists who can seamlessly switch between projects like industrial simulations and virtual production.
Navigating the journey has not been easy. Vitalii points to the challenge of turning exciting innovations into viable, scalable business solutions. This required discipline, technical expertise, and strategic thinking – understanding both the technical and commercial aspects. An even larger challenge has been steering the company through a world marked by “constant crisis,” whether economic downturns or unexpected global events.
“Steering a company through these turbulent times requires bold decisions—sometimes even creative ones,” Vitalii stated. They have had to adapt quickly, think outside the box, diversify offerings, and pivot focus to stay relevant and resilient. These experiences taught him that tackling challenges requires expertise, courage for calculated risks, and creativity to find new ways forward.
The Edge of What’s Possible: AI and a Global Mindset
Looking ahead, Vitalii sees the next major wave approaching: AI. “As AI continues to evolve, we’re shifting our focus to integrate these advanced capabilities into our 3D solutions,’ he shared. He sees AI enhancing real-time rendering, automation, and personalization in virtual environments. It is a natural extension of their work, aimed at making solutions more innovative and efficient, improving content generation, streamlining workflows, and creating more dynamic environments.
Geographically, Pixela Labs has always served a global client base, from Singapore to North America. Vitalii believes that in today’s world, the focus is less on physical location and more on partnering with companies committed to adopting cutting-edge solutions. They aim to deliver forward-thinking technology to clients who want to stay ahead of the curve, wherever they are. “As the demand for advanced AR/VR and real-time graphics grows, we will continue to expand our footprint,” he said. The future, for Pixela Labs, is about pushing boundaries through innovation, not being limited by geography.
Recharge and the Unseen Opportunities
Maintaining energy in this high-pressure environment requires deliberate action. For Vitalii, it means integrating passions into his routine. “The key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for me is doing what I love and finding joy in the things I’m passionate about,” he explained. He prioritizes activities that refresh him and help him disconnect. Active sports like cycling and snowboarding provide physical activity and a way to clear his mind. Reading science fiction and philosophy engages his imagination and deepens his thinking, while gaming offers a way to unwind and stay connected to an industry close to his work. Balance, for him, is about integrating these sources of energy and joy.
For businesses watching the rapid evolution of realistic 3D simulations and virtual production, Vitalii has a clear message. He notes that the adoption cycles of disruptive technologies tend to be slow, meaning “many individuals and companies still have the opportunity to shift their expertise toward new paradigms.” His advice is direct: “Don’t waste time and start looking toward new technologies.” He believes it is crucial to embrace, not fear, these innovations that are transforming industries. Businesses willing to integrate these technologies will not only remain competitive but also unlock new avenues for growth, efficiency, and creativity.
“There are tremendous opportunities for businesses that are willing to evolve and invest in these emerging tools,” he stated. The future of these technologies is incredibly exciting, and those who act now, learning and integrating them effectively, will be the ones leading the charge and shaping their industries. Vitalii Boiko, who started by learning to build worlds in code, continues to build the tools that allow the rest of us to see the future.
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Also Read: AR/VR Visionaries: The Five Most Prominent Leaders, 2025
