Mytaverse takes SXSW by storm with cutting-edge technology and immersive experiences

During the Creative Industries Expo at South-by-Southwest, several companies and organizations not only from the United States but globally vied for attendees attention as they showcased their wares to a highly-educated audience and higher-earning crowd (with an average household income of $100,000). With artificial intelligence and Web 3 among the buzzwords for this incarnation of the Interactive side of Southby, two companies that nonetheless got this attendees’ attention were the “personal air vehicles” (PAVs) on offer by Eve and the Web 3.0 company Mytaverse.

Founded in 2020 by Kenneth Landau and Jaime Lopez,  Mytaverse is a cloud-based platform that allows 3D-immersive, multiplayer workplace environments. With nods to the “Ready Player One” book and movie quite unavoidable, perhaps if you have current challenges with the workplace or even struggle with your current job you might be better suited finding employment virtually. In the metaverse or Web 3.0, an immersive, virtual world, offers promise of a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social and economic connection.

Mitchell Jackson, the publicist for Mytaverse, spoke with “Grey Journal” and elucidated some of the philosophy and practical application of Mytaverse in light of their recent presentation and exhibition at SXSW.

1. In very simple layman’s terms, what is Mytaverse? Is the platform the gateway to the much-vaunted Metaverse or Web 3.0?

Mytaverse is the place where companies and customers can connect, collaborate, and innovate in their own immersive 3D world. Mytaverse is a walled garden and access-controlled environment where brands and content owners can upload 2D (videos, PDFs, links) and 3D content (3DSMax, Blender, Unreal Scenes etc…) into a rich, interactive, and collaborative world. Mytaverse provides the first step in enterprise deployment into the future 3D immersive internet–what we collectively refer to as the Metaverse.

2. I read that your company raised $10.3 million in Series A funding with 7 investors. How did you begin your fund raising process and what can you tell us and entrepreneurs about it including closing the deal?

Mytaverse pivoted from an immersive projection mapping company that was founded in January 2020 into an immersive platform to connect customers and employees to businesses remotely. The company’s in-person projection mapping business was leveraging the Unreal game engine, the same engine used to power Mytaverse. The Company garnered impressive pre-seed support from high net-worth angel investors, which then led to Blumberg Capital, a leading VC firm, leading a $7.6mm Seed round in March of 2022. David Blumberg himself joined the Mytaverse board. In short, Mytaverse’s founders, Jaime and Kenny, pivoted from what could have been a COVID-inflicted disaster into an exciting and dynamic technology business. Sometimes, from the worst moments comes tremendous opportunity if you are willing to leverage your abilities, Rolodex, and willpower. Kenny used his relationships to land the first customer, Pepsi Mexico, putting the company early on to a path toward generating revenue. Jaime quite literally developed the first “MVP” over one weekend, showing Kenny and early investors the first Mytaverse product (then called Gathr) 48 hours after the idea was conceived.

3. From a business perspective, why would a company want to use Mytaverse instead of Zoom?

There is friction to entering Mytaverse compared to a platform like a Zoom. This isn’t a tool to replace a simple phone call or a quick touch base. Mytaverse is the platform of choice when deep understanding derived from experience has no substitute. When you don’t have the time or the budget to bring your employees together or to visit customers in person, Mytaverse provides an unparalleled way to engage and retain user attention.

4. The Mytaverse platform has the capabilities of exchanging cryptocurrency in the virtual world. What crypto does it use and what can you tell us about all of this?

We are in the process of implementing point of sale in our roadmap and that will include traditional forms of payment processing and crypto transactions.

5. There is a testimonial on your website from someone affiliated with Zaha Hadid Architects whose founder was a British-Iraqi national recognized as a major figure in architecture of the late-20th and early-21st centuries. What is that organization’s interest in Mytaverse and its use?

Zaha Hadid Architects is still, to this day, a leading architectural firm. They are one of Mytaverse’s customers that has expanded their relationship and increased their annual recurring revenue with Mytaverse. Zaha has multiple use cases, including showcasing existing and future real estate projects virtually via Mytaverse for marketing purposes.

6. The company is based in Miami, correct? Is that tech ecosystem still hot like Austin and what can you tell us about it?

The Miami tech ecosystem remains dynamic and exciting, with new talent from founders and funders alike arriving daily to call Miami home for all or part of the year. Members of Mytaverse’s board and advisors, including David Blumberg and Tim Chang of Mayfield Partners, have relocated to Miami from the Bay Area.