 Meta is turning to an AI startup to help build the metaverse. Reverie, a synthetic data AI startup that was previously contracted to develop military intelligence and navigational capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense, is now focusing on virtual worlds. More: - In August, Facebook had acquired Reverie with the aim to create a virtual reality world. The startup will work with Meta's Reality Labs to develop advanced machine learning algorithms.
- The startup has developed an AI platform for creating synthetic training datasets to build artificial intelligence models that can help build the metaverse.
- Reverie had landed a $90M contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop an advanced battle management system using AI, but this deal was terminated once Meta acquired the company in August.
- Prior to its acquisition by Meta, the startup's platform was used across retail, agriculture, and the industrial sector and experienced rapid growth during the pandemic.
FT 
| |
 Paris Hilton is throwing a New Year's Eve party in Paris World, her very own virtual island in the Roblox (RBLX.N) metaverse. The virtual space allows her fans to get a glimpse of Paris Hilton's life, including her Beverly Hills estate, boardwalk, and more. More: - Paris Hilton, 40, joins the metaverse race by launching a business in the virtual world. Paris World allows users to pay a small amount to purchase virtual clothing or book a virtual jet-ski ride.
- Paris World is the latest venture and describes the metaverse as a place where people can create their avatars and do everything in the digital world, similar to our physical world.
- Tommy Hilfiger also launched a line of digital ready-to-wear fashion for Roblox avatars. In November, Nike launched Nikeland, where visitors can play dodgeball with friends, lace on a pair of virtual Air Force One sneakers, and more.
- Artists and musicians, including rappers Lil Nas X and Travis Scott, also held virtual concerts last year, hosting events for millions of fans in the virtual realm.
Reuters
| |
 A message from MALWAREBYTES Secure success for the holidays with AI-powered cyberprotection. Did you know that ransomware attacks are surging - especially around the holiday season? Remote workforces have amplified security concerns for businesses. Remote workforces make easy targets for cybercriminals. - 1 out of 5 businesses experienced a remote-worker related security breach
- 28% of people admitted using their personal device for work more than their work-issued device
Secure success for the holidays Prepare your team—and all the devices they use—against ransomware, security breaches, and other cyberattacks with easy-to-use tools designed for small businesses. Outsmart cyberattacks and avoid downtime with Malwarebytes Endpoint Detection and Response with 72-hour ransomware rollback recovery. Get started today with a 25% off your first year during our Winter Cyber Sale. Learn More
| |
 Snapchat launched a new avatar lens filter last week that will make users look like Sims characters. The augmented reality filter helps its users create digital characters of themselves to showcase what they would look like in the metaverse. More: - To use the filter, users need to visit Snapchat's website and scan the QR code using the Snapchat app.
- Snapchat proves to be a leader in augmented reality lenses — last year, Snapchat also launched the Cartoon Face lens to create Disney-like characters on their pets. The trend became popular and spread to TikTok for 40.9 million views.
- Earlier this year, the Disney-like trend of cartoon-style 3D lenses earned 2.8 billion impressions in one week.
- The new Avatar lens is expected to be a favorite amongst users as human faces become cartoon characters with digital clothing.
TechCrunch
| |
 Space raised $7M led by Dapper Labs, CoinFund, Animoca Brands, and others. The fresh funding will be used to help accelerate the development of the metaverse as the company aims to "build the economic backbone of the metaverse." More: - The capital will be used to scale operations and to create a platform that will connect users across multiple metaverses into "one parallel society."
- The company released an early alpha access pass with over 10,000 users and is experiencing growth this year due to the latest interest in the metaverse.
- The long list of investors also includes Hof Capital and Digital Currency Group (DCG), a firm that currently owns CoinDesk.
- The metaverse is a convergence of virtual worlds and augmented reality that some expect to be a trillion-dollar annual revenue opportunity.
Coin Desk
| |
 A message from SEEDINVEST The next era of fundraising online is here SeedInvest is where high-growth startups go to fundraise online. From a Seed round to a $20M+ Series B, founders in SaaS, consumer, robotics, and more are harnessing the power of equity crowdfunding to take their company to the next level. Here’s what 250+ successfully funded companies know about SeedInvest: - Equity crowdfunding is complementary to traditional VC - SeedInvest companies have received follow-on funding from Greycroft, Menlo Ventures, Tiger Global, and more.
- Your fundraise can be a major growth catalyst - We’ve seen measurable lifts in sales, signups, and press mentions from the moment some companies launch their fundraise.
- You can raise real capital from real people - No longer just for small deals, the average SeedInvest fundraise last year was $3M+.
Want to know more or start your application? Start your application
| |
 Mystic Moose raised $5M, led by Animoca Brands, with participation from Courtside Ventures, Republic Crypto, Polygon Studios, and others. The funding will be used to build a browser-based gaming or "metaverse" platform called Planet Mojo. More: - Planet Mojo is a player vs. player (PvP) cross-platform auto chess game that was reinvented for blockchain, allowing players to own their game characters in the form of NFTs called "Mojos" that resemble small plant creatures.
- The game also allows users to make money by participating in play-to-earn ongoing tournaments.
- The company is attracting more users this year due to an increased interest in blockchain-enabled gaming platforms.
Venture Beat
| |
 Wolf3D raised $13M for its Ready Player Me metaverse platform. The latest round was led by Taavet+Sten and Sten Tamkivi, the co-founder of Teleport, among others. More: - The fresh funding will be used to create a platform that will allow users to customize their avatars across different metaverse platforms.
- This platform will enable users to maintain their avatar identity across virtual worlds, where they can upload their own photos to create their digital avatars and distribute them across 900+ apps and games.
- The company also creates tools for developers to sell digital clothing as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) by adding a layer of interoperability to the virtual fashion.
- Wolf3D experienced growth in 2021 as its Ready Player Me platform users grew from 25 to 1,000 companies, and it established partnerships with Warner Brothers, Dior, and New Balance.
Venture Beat
| |
Quick Hits - Spend less time fundraising and more time building your business. Apply now to get started.*
- Matterport is bridging the gap between the physical and virtual world, assisting consumers and businesses by bringing their real-world spaces to the cloud.
- Brandon Ross joined "Closing Bell" to discuss the opportunities that will become available on the metaverse and video games.
- Elon Musk is skeptical about the metaverse, but you don't have to be. Here is a look at how you can make money during the metaverse hype.
- Dubai introduced its first virtual megacity by replicating a real-world map of the city.
- Amazon leased warehouse space in Bridgewater, Mass., its third in the area, to deal with increased online orders.
*This is sponsored content
| |
Upcoming Events: - December 29 - Need to Know NoCoder - David Siegel (CEO - Glide) (Register Here)
- January 04 - Venturing in VC with Landon Campbell (Episode #1) (Register Here)
- January 05 - DAOs and the intersection of tech & media with Kinjal Shah (Blockchain Capital) (Register Here)
- January 06 - Augmented and Virtual Reality with Timoni West (VP of AR/VR at Unity) (Register Here)
- January 11 - The Business of Interactive Gambling with Jon Kaplowitz (Penn) (Register Here)
- January 13 - Education within the Metaverse with Steve Grubbs (VictoryXR) (Register Here)
- January 25 - Need To Know NoCoder - Leon Young (Cogniss) (Register Here)
- January 27 - Understanding the Metaverse (Register Here)
- February 03 - Blockchain Gaming & Play-to-Earn Economies (Register Here)
- February 10 - The Business of Wellness (Register Here)
- February 17 - Customer Acquisition in a post iOS 14 world (Register Here)
- February 23 - Need to Know NoCoder: Derya Sousa (Kianda Technologies) (Register Here)
- February 24 - Alternative Investments (Register Here)
- March 03 - The $12B Appetite for Amazon Aggregators (Register Here)
DID YOU KNOW WE'RE HIRING?
| |
 |  | Gia Mattu is based in Calgary, Alberta. She is an entrepreneur with experience in climate technology, drones, AI, machine learning, and blockchain technology. When she's not working, she loves to hike the Canadian Rockies, try new cuisine, and travel. | | | | Editor | Aaron Crutchfield is based in the high desert of California. Over the last two decades, he has spent time writing and editing at various local newspapers and defense contractors in California. When he's not working, he can often be found looking at the latest memes with his kids or working on his 1962 Ford. | |
| |
SeedInvest is the online fundraising platform designed for growth-obsessed startups. Raise from our network of 575,000+ investors. | |
Comments
Post a Comment