METAVERSE – STARTUP TREND IN 2022

Tuesday, 15/02/2022 14:19 (GTM +7)

According to CNBC, metaverse allows users to work and play in a 3D space integrating the outside world and real time. This is expected to be a breakthrough startup trend in 2022.

Read more: Top 4 Startup Trend In 2022

Metaverse is not just an online game

In 2021, startups in the field of virtual space have mobilized a total investment of 2.6 billion euros globally, increasing nearly 5 times compared to 2016 (Dealroom).

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022

Source: Dealroom

David Haynes – an investment expert in metaverse – thinks this field will not be limited to entertainment.

“Metaverse includes all the people who use Fortnite and Roblox, Web3 and crypto. This is collision of many aspects.” he added.

Is the metaverse, dominated by giants like Meta (Facebook), currently employs up to 10,000 people working on the “virtual space” in Europe, and Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for 70 billion dollars to invest in a metaverse-focused strategy?

Or will it be decentralized as people participate in multiple environments hosted in The Sandbox or Decentraland, accessed through NFT or crypto-linked tools? Let’s wait with ITI Fund for the answer in the future.

“Tech giants” join metaverse

1. Meta (Facebook)

Mark Zuckerberg – CEO of Meta confirmed that they invested in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) so much that in 2021 the company’s profits fell by 10 billion USD.

According to Goldman Sachs (USA), 1,350 billion USD will be invested to develop this technology in the coming years.

Meta is planning to launch Project Cambria – the VR headsets – with better “mixed reality” hardware, in addition to face and eye tracking technology.

This company recently launched the social platform called Horizon Worlds, where people can watch comedy shows and movies in Facebook’s virtual world.

Meta also acquired Oculus’s subsidiary that makes popular VR apps, the most notable of which is the exercise game Supernatural.

2. Microsoft

Meanwhile, Microsoft focuses on investing in cloud services – a hot startup field – to make “the glue for virtual worlds”.

Last March, this company announced Mesh, a platform that allows users to share virtual experiences together.

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022_Microsoft

This is also the first major technology company in the world to launch full-featured AR glasses in 2016, called HoloLens.

HoloLens’ biggest customer is the US military, with $22 billion to produce 120,000 custom glasses that soldiers can use to injure enemies.

HoloLens is interested by medical companies if AR can improve surgical outcomes or even perform it remotely.

3. Apple

Unlike Meta, Apple Apple has never confirmed investing in virtual reality glasses. However, it is laying the foundation of high-end glasses that help users experience a combination of VR and AR.

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022_Apple

This product could shake up the tech startup market and create a new approach, just like the iPhone and Apple Watch did.

4. Google

Google returned to AR efforts after the failure of it’s smart glasses.

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022_Google

In 2020, this technology giant acquired North – a company specializing in the development of AR glasses. It also assembled a new team to focus on developing AR systems.

Top Metaverse Startups to Watch in 2022

1. Next Meet and Virtual Collaboration

Founded in 2020 in India, Next Meet is an immersive virtual reality (VR) platform that enables users to work, collaborate and learn remotely.

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022_NextMeet Nguồn: Next Meet

This startup also features 3D avatars that make work-from-home and online learning situations more interactive and engaging than regular phone calls.

In addition, Next Meet creates a virtual world for online events such as conferences, trade shows and product launches.

2. Polkawar develops the NFT Gaming Platform

PolkaWar is a Singaporean startup founded in 2021, built on the NFT gaming platform, which combines decentralized finance (DeFi) and role-playing games.

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022_Polkawar Nguồn: PolkaWar

Similar to other play-to-earn games, this startup creates a lively world for players to develop their characters and engage in combat, with weapons and equipment on multiple levels.

Players can complete tasks with teammates, buy and sell items with virtual currency.

3. PlayersOnly and the Decentralized Sports Ecosystem

PlayersOnly, founded in 2020, is a US-based startup.

This business opens up a new trend with a decentralized sports ecosystem by leveraging DeFi, allowing athletes to partner with brands creating digital collections and experiencing.

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022_Playersonly Nguồn: PlayersOnly

In addition, this startup also allows fans to invest in their favorite players and teams.

4. Zash improve Social Investing

This UK-based company leverages Web3.0 technology to develop a social network for crypto investors.

Zash allows them to create a community of learning from each other, by leveraging a set of tools that help users generate investment ideas and share them with their followers.

ITI Fund_Metaverse_Xu hướng khởi nghiệp 2022_Zash Nguồn: Zash