Brent Bushnell

Brent Bushnell is an accomplished entrepreneur, engineer, and the Chief Executive Officer of a stealth immersive experience startup, as well as the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Two Bit Circus, an experiential entertainment company based in Los Angeles. He has a strong background in electrical engineering and software development, specializing in immersive entertainment, including virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and augmented reality (AR) technologies.

Career Overview

Brent co-founded Two Bit Circus, which focuses on creating immersive, social experiences and is developing a network of micro-amusement parks that feature innovative attractions like free-roaming VR and interactive game shows. The company is also known for its STEAM Carnival, a traveling event designed to inspire children in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) through hands-on activities and entertainment.14

Prior to his work at Two Bit Circus, Brent was the on-camera inventor for the ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and a founding member of Syyn Labs, where he contributed to creative projects for major brands such as Google and Disney. Notably, he helped design the Rube Goldberg machine for the viral music video "This Too Shall Pass" by OK Go, which has garnered millions of views online.24

Educational Background and Philosophy

Brent is a UCLA-trained engineer and emphasizes the importance of rapid prototyping and customer feedback in the innovation process. He advocates for using play and spectacle to inspire creativity and learning, particularly in rebranding STEM education to include the arts.14 He also serves as the board president of the Two Bit Circus Foundation, which focuses on deploying STEAM programs for middle and high school students.25

Personal Insights

Brent is part of a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry; he is the son of Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese. This background has influenced his approach to creativity and entrepreneurship, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and fun in entertainment.34

In addition to his professional endeavors, Brent is active in mentoring young entrepreneurs and supports various initiatives, including Clowns Without Borders. He shares insights and updates on his work through social media, particularly on Twitter.12