"Top Gun," but in augmented reality; an L.A. AR startup raises $36M; NFT art galleries to grow

"Top Gun," but in AR, an AR experience for you from Apple and AR startup raises $36M

Welcome to the Metaverse #8

L.A. startup raises $36 million for gaming platform

The investment behemoth Bain Capital is getting deeper into putting money into augmented reality.

Los Angeles-based AR startup Jadu announced that Bain has led its latest fundraising round, which will pour $36 million into the company.

Jadu has been building a gaming platform that allows users to bring AR avatars and pals with them in the real world.

According to the story, this could eventually lead to avatars that can interact with someone's bedroom or backyard, creating the effect of playing a third-person game with real-world obstacles.

Jadu has 50 people and began as a platform that allowed users to create videos of themselves dancing next to stars like Lil Nas X.

Company leaders think the Metaverse will be anchored by augmented reality much moreso than virtual reality.

Read more about their news AT THIS LINK.

OUR TAKE

It's not like we need more confirmation of augmented reality's appeal and growth potential.

But the Bain Capital buy-in provides not only more evidence of the industry's viability but also of the potential to make real money in it.

As for Jadu's platform and product, it's great to see more consumer-facing projects because let's face it, augmented reality is something customers want.

Consumers, in general, have seen the hype.

The more that companies like BrandXR and Jadu build cool-looking and entertaining experiences, the more people will come around to learning what we already know: AR is here to stay.

It's like 'Top Gun,' but in AR and the military Metaverse

Just as Top Gun opens in theaters to huge crowds, one of the more noteworthy stories in recent weeks has been the emergence of a Florida company (hi, neighbor!) that seems to understand how the Metaverse will be built as it creates a high-flying fighter jet simulator for training.

Red 6, who we have mentioned in this newsletter before, has given more of a glimpse into its ... how do we explain it?

An overlay, perhaps, installed in a fighter jet that augments a pilot's view with enemy fighters and/or friendlies to more accurately replicate an actual dogfight.

Sounds like Star Wars, right? 

That's no mistake. 

Red 6's CEO Daniel Robinson cited that as an influence on his career before he joined the military.

Check out a local news feature AT THIS LINK. I'm sure there will be more stories to come on these guys.

OUR TAKE



Which sector seems to have the most money to spend on research and development?

Well, probably medical but I imagine the military is not that far behind.

As we read stories, watch videos and create content around the future of augmented reality and the Metaverse, it's important to keep in mind that people need money to push their ideas forward.

As stated in the article, Red 6 received $70 million to push forward on this ambitious project.

While we are not necessarily in the military sector just yet, we highlight this because of our bullish stance on The Metaverse.

While small-scale AR experiences will grow in influence, it's the moments like this - when the general public gets to see more on the local news - that will help build and continue the momentum. 

Kudos, Red 6. We look forward to seeing you grow.

NFT art galleries will grow along with Metaverse

In this column written for Coindesk during what they have dubbed "Metaverse Week" - which I assume means there will be no Metaverse talk the other 51 weeks of the year - Particle CEO Harold Eytan says that NFTs and the Metaverse could help eliminate "the gatekeepers" of the art world.

It's a way existing galleries and museums can break the bonds of budget- and time-restricted limitations that they have had.

Because of the unlimited space nature of the Metaverse, art projects can exist virtually and be accessible to anyone who wants to visit them.

"Digital curators can produce more shows and react to important cultural trends and events in real-time."

Learn more AT THIS LINK.

OUR TAKE

OK, that a new technology and development has emerged in the art world related to NFTs isn't surprising.

NFTs, by their nature, are art pieces.

But, as far as I'm concerned, these leading industries must continue to evolve and grow and present new ways to use NFTs and interact with the Metaverse.

As they grow, other industries will keep up, if not catch up.

They are the blueprint to follow as more industries adopt their own form of NFTs and Metaverse-related future. 

For instance, if your industry still hasn't realized what its Metaverse play will look like, you should do some research and see if anything that you're familiar with might be reasonably similar to any of the previous steps the art world has taken in NFTs, from creating online markets to figuring out how to value the work.

Check out that quote we highlighted, too.

That right there tells you that some of these galleries will be malleable and adjust to the times and current events. It could be cool to see real-time artworks pop up as NFTs in the Metaverse even as the events they are paying homage to happen in the real world.

Good luck out there.

We hope you like what you see. We bet your friends would, too!

Forward to other Metaverse and XR junkies and let's build this community!

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