Who is investing in the metaverse?
Posted on January 24, 2023 10 minutes 2092 words
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The metaverse is a concept of a virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual reality. Many companies and investors are interested in the metaverse because they see it as a potentially huge market with a wide range of applications, such as gaming, social networking, education, and commerce. Some of the companies and investors currently investing in the metaverse include venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz, and Sequoia Capital; technology companies like Facebook, Google, and Samsung; and gaming companies like Epic Games and Unity Technologies. The reason they’re investing is because they see the huge potential of the metaverse to change the way we interact with each other and digital content, and they want to be at the forefront of this new technology.
Companies and Venture Capital Firms
Alphabet (the parent company of Google) has invested in Magic Leap, a company that is developing technology for augmented reality and virtual reality. Magic Leap is working on a headset that uses advanced optics and computer vision to project digital content onto the real world. The company has raised over $2.6 billion in funding from investors including Alphabet, JP Morgan, and Alibaba.
Facebook has invested in Oculus, a company that is developing virtual reality technology. Oculus is best known for its Oculus Rift headset, which allows users to experience immersive virtual reality games and other experiences. Facebook acquired Oculus for $2 billion in 2014, and has continued to invest in the development of virtual reality technology.
Sony has invested in PlayStation VR, a virtual reality system for its PlayStation gaming console. PlayStation VR is a headset that connects to a PlayStation console, allowing users to experience virtual reality games and other content.
Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, has invested in VRWorld, a company that is developing virtual reality content and experiences. VRWorld is focused on creating immersive virtual reality experiences for entertainment, education, and other applications.
Tencent, the Chinese internet company, has invested in Pico, a company that is developing virtual reality headsets and content. Pico makes a range of virtual reality headsets and is also working on creating content for the Chinese market.
SoftBank, the Japanese multinational conglomerate, has invested in Improbable, a company that is developing technology for virtual worlds and simulations. Improbable’s technology is used to build complex, realistic simulations for a variety of applications, including gaming, training, and urban planning.
Andreesen Horowitz, a venture capital firm, has invested in High Fidelity, a company that is building a virtual reality platform for socializing and content creation. High Fidelity is working on a platform that allows users to create and experience virtual reality environments and avatars, with a focus on socializing and user-generated content.
Epic Games, the creator of the popular video game Fortnite, has invested in Meta, a company that is developing augmented reality technology. Meta is working on a headset that allows users to experience augmented reality, where digital content is overlaid on the real world. The headset uses advanced optics and computer vision to create the illusion of digital objects existing in the real world. Epic Games has invested in Meta as part of its strategy to explore the potential of augmented reality and the metaverse.
Intel has invested in The VOID, a company that is developing immersive virtual reality experiences. The VOID creates “hyper-reality” experiences where users can interact with virtual objects and environments in the real world. These experiences are designed to be enjoyed in a group setting, such as a movie theater or theme park. Intel’s investment in The VOID is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Samsung has invested in Dreamscape Immersive, a company that is developing location-based virtual reality experiences. Dreamscape Immersive creates immersive virtual reality experiences that are designed to be enjoyed in a group setting, such as a movie theater or theme park. These experiences use virtual reality headsets and other technology to transport users to virtual worlds where they can interact with digital objects and environments. Samsung’s investment in Dreamscape Immersive is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Andreessen Horowitz, the venture capital firm, has invested in a number of metaverse companies, including the virtual world platform VRChat and the decentralized finance platform Mirror. Andreessen Horowitz has also invested in several other metaverse-related startups, and has a dedicated fund for investments in virtual and augmented reality technologies. They see the metaverse as a huge market opportunity in the long term, with the potential to revolutionize industries such as gaming, social media, and e-commerce.
Niantic, the company behind the popular mobile game Pokémon Go, has invested in Funomena, a company that is developing virtual reality games and experiences. Funomena is focused on creating games and other content that are designed to be played in virtual reality. Niantic’s investment in Funomena is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Unity Technologies, a company that makes software tools for creating video games and other interactive experiences, has invested in Virtuix, a company that is developing technology for virtual reality gaming. Virtuix is best known for its Omniverse VR platform, which allows users to walk and run in place to explore virtual worlds. The platform uses a special treadmill-like device and virtual reality headset to create the illusion of movement within a virtual world. Unity Technologies’ investment in Virtuix is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
HTC has invested in Pundi X, a company that is developing a blockchain-based platform for virtual reality content and experiences. Pundi X’s platform is designed to allow users to buy, sell, and trade virtual reality content using blockchain technology. This could potentially create a decentralized market for virtual reality content, allowing creators to sell their work directly to consumers. HTC’s investment in Pundi X is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
China Mobile has invested in Beijing Baofeng Technology, a company that is developing virtual reality technology and content. Beijing Baofeng Technology is focused on creating virtual reality games and other experiences for the Chinese market. The company has developed a range of virtual reality headsets and is also working on creating content for those headsets. China Mobile’s investment in Beijing Baofeng Technology is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Comcast Ventures, the venture capital arm of Comcast, has invested in Spaces, a company that is developing virtual reality theme parks. Spaces creates immersive virtual reality experiences that are designed to be enjoyed in a group setting, such as a movie theater or theme park. These experiences use virtual reality headsets and other technology to transport users to virtual worlds where they can interact with digital objects and environments. Comcast Ventures’ investment in Spaces is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Goldman Sachs has invested in AltspaceVR, a company that is developing a virtual reality platform for socializing and content creation. AltspaceVR allows users to create and experience virtual reality environments and avatars, with a focus on socializing and user-generated content. Users can participate in a variety of activities within AltspaceVR, such as attending concerts or participating in virtual reality games. Goldman Sachs’ investment in AltspaceVR is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Sequoia Capital, a venture capital firm, has invested in High Fidelity, a company that is building a virtual reality platform for socializing and content creation. High Fidelity is working on a platform that allows users to create and experience virtual reality environments and avatars, with a focus on socializing and user-generated content. Users can participate in a variety of activities within High Fidelity, such as attending concerts or participating in virtual reality games. Sequoia Capital’s investment in High Fidelity is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Boeing has invested in Upskill, a company that is developing technology for augmented reality and the industrial internet of things (IoT). Upskill’s technology is used to create augmented reality applications for a variety of industries, including manufacturing, aviation, and defense. These applications allow workers to access information and instructions in real time, using augmented reality headsets and other devices. Boeing’s investment in Upskill is part of its strategy to explore the potential of augmented reality and the metaverse in the industrial sector.
Toyota has invested in Osterhout Design Group (ODG), a company that is developing augmented reality glasses. ODG’s glasses are designed to allow users to experience augmented reality, where digital content is overlaid on the real world. Toyota is interested in using augmented reality technology to enhance the design and development process for its vehicles, and its investment in ODG is part of its strategy to explore the potential of augmented reality and the metaverse in the automotive industry.
Qualcomm has invested in WorldViz, a company that is developing technology for virtual reality training and simulations. WorldViz’s technology is used to create virtual reality simulations for a variety of applications, including military training, healthcare, and education. These simulations allow users to experience realistic scenarios and environments, using virtual reality headsets and other devices. Qualcomm’s investment in WorldViz is part of its strategy to explore the potential of virtual reality and the metaverse in the training and simulation industry.
Investors
Mark Zuckerberg: The Facebook CEO has been vocal about his interest in the metaverse, saying that the company is exploring ways to build a “social metaverse” on the Oculus platform. Zuckerberg believes that the metaverse could be the next big computing platform after mobile, and has said that Facebook is investing in metaverse technologies to be a part of that future. He sees the potential for metaverse to be a new social platform that will connect people in new ways and create new opportunities for social and economic interactions.
Peter Thiel: The co-founder of PayPal and early investor in Facebook has invested in a number of metaverse companies, including High Fidelity and VRChat. Thiel is known for his long-term thinking and has invested in a number of metaverse startups in order to be part of the next big technological shift. He sees the metaverse as an exciting technological frontier that will change the way people interact with each other and with technology.
Tim Sweeney: The founder and CEO of Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, has invested in metaverse startups such as Somnium Space and VRChat. Sweeney’s investment in metaverse startups aligns with his company’s focus on game engine and virtual reality technologies. He sees the metaverse as an exciting opportunity to create new forms of entertainment and social interactions, and believes that virtual worlds will be an integral part of the future of gaming.
Mike Novogratz: The founder of Galaxy Digital, a crypto-focused investment bank, has invested in metaverse companies such as Somnium Space and VRChat. Novogratz sees the metaverse as a natural next step in the evolution of the internet, with the potential to revolutionize online interactions and commerce. He also believes that blockchain technology will play a key role in the metaverse’s development, as it will enable secure and decentralized ownership of virtual assets and enable new forms of economic activity.
Tim Ferriss: The author and podcast host has invested in a number of metaverse companies, including VRChat and Somnium Space. Ferriss has been vocal about his interest in the metaverse and the potential it holds for the future of human interaction, entertainment, and commerce. He sees the metaverse as a new platform for human interactions that will enable new forms of social connections, education, and entertainment.
As the metaverse continues to evolve and the technology behind it advances, it is clear that there is significant interest from companies and investors. From tech giants to venture capital firms, a diverse array of organizations are exploring the potential of the metaverse and investing in its development. While it is still early days for the metaverse, it is clear that it has the potential to revolutionize many different industries and sectors. As the technology continues to mature and more companies and investors enter the space, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the metaverse in the coming years.
For more detailed information about metaverse, you can read our article ”What is metaverse?”.
