Fishermen Labs
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2014
- Employees
- 11-50
- Offices
- 5
About Fishermen Labs
Fishermen Labs is a Los Angeles-based immersive technology agency and digital product studio founded in 2014 by Eden Chen and Charles Hu. Its work spans augmented reality, virtual reality, mobile applications and web platforms, combining product design with software engineering for branded experiences and digital products.
The studio initially focused on custom web platforms and mobile applications before expanding into spatial computing and immersive media. A virtual reality fishing experience for Walmart helped establish this direction, followed by projects using social camera effects, interactive environments and mobile technology to connect audiences with brands.
Immersive experiences and digital products
Its immersive capabilities encompass Snapchat lenses, Instagram and TikTok camera effects, WebAR and extended reality experiences. Alongside this work, the agency developed native iOS and Android applications, responsive websites and e-commerce products. Its services also included digital product strategy, UI/UX design, 3D asset creation, animation and immersive activations for live events.
Fishermen Labs worked across entertainment, sports, retail, consumer goods, technology, nonprofit and education markets. Its portfolio includes mobile VR for Sony Pictures, promotional interactive software for Capcom and augmented reality campaigns for consumer brands. These projects brought together software development, visual content and interaction design across different platforms and campaign formats.
One prominent activation was the 2019 Nike x LeBron James augmented reality mural at Foot Locker House of Hoops in Hollywood. Scanning the mural brought an animated virtual James to life; the project reportedly generated more than two million views. Other collaborations included AR lenses with Microsoft and a youth mental health awareness lens for the Lucy Rayner Foundation developed with Snapchat.
The studio subsequently became dormant as its founders moved into other ventures. Its historical website was unconfigured at the research date, although the supplied research continues to document its earlier projects and operating footprint.
More about Fishermen Labs
Origins and business model
The founders first connected at Reality LA church in Hollywood, with collaboration beginning in late 2013. The company name draws on the biblical phrase “fishers of men,” reflecting their interest in conversations about faith and business ethics. The business was bootstrapped without outside venture capital.
Platform partnerships
Fishermen Labs became an early launch partner for Snap's Lens Studio and Meta Spark. The report describes the studio as developing augmented reality lenses and facial effects for more than 70 global brands.
Recognition
- Fishermen Labs ranked No. 185 on the Inc. 5000, reporting 2,345% growth over three years, and No. 4 on the Los Angeles Business Journal growth index. The supplied report does not specify the ranking years.
- Co-founder Eden Chen was named to Forbes 30 Under 30; this was individual recognition rather than an award to the studio.
Notable credits
7 creditsOffices
Where Fishermen Labs is based
- 140 Penn Street, El Segundo, CA 90245El Segundo, California, United States
El Segundo office
HeadquartersPrincipal office and primary studio hub in Greater Los Angeles. The saved Los Angeles listing represents this headquarters.
- Dallas, Texas, United States
Dallas office
- Frisco, Texas, United States
Frisco office
Regional branch in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, corresponding to the saved Dallas office.
- Irvine, California, United States
Irvine office
Regional operating presence serving Orange County and the Southern California technology corridor.
- Los Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles office
Open roles
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