Samsung NEXT Ventures

Afference is an electronics manufacturing company that specializes in wearable technology designed to enhance the interaction between the digital and physical worlds. The company's primary product is a haptic glove that utilizes neural stimulation to simulate the sensation of touch. This innovative device allows users to engage with various digital environments, including extended reality settings and traditional two-dimensional gaming, thereby facilitating a more immersive and realistic experience. Afference aims to enable users to achieve greater digital dexterity with 3D content through its advanced wearable solutions.

Genopets is a mobile game that combines elements of fitness and gaming through a Free-to-Play, Move-to-Earn model. Players nurture a digital pet whose development is directly linked to their physical activity, as the game tracks steps taken via smartphones and wearable fitness devices. By engaging in everyday activities such as walking or jogging, users can earn cryptocurrency while exploring, battling, and evolving their Genopets in the virtual world known as the Genoverse. The game fosters a sense of emotional connection between players and their digital companions, reminiscent of traditional pet care experiences, thereby encouraging a more active lifestyle. With its unique approach to gamification, Genopets aims to motivate individuals to prioritize their health through engaging gameplay.

Deca is a company that focuses on creating a display and discovery infrastructure for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It offers a decentralized, art-centric metaverse that facilitates the exploration of digital art objects. Through a multichain aggregation of NFT marketplaces, Deca enables users to discover and purchase artworks remotely using membership tokens. This platform aims to enhance the accessibility and visibility of digital art in the growing NFT landscape.

LIV Inc, established in 2013 and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, specializes in developing virtual reality (VR) software for gaming and live streaming. The company, previously known as LIV Net Inc, empowers VR content creators to engage audiences in real-time, transforming passive viewers into active participants. LIV's platform, launched in 2018, has facilitated over 1.5 billion views, redefining live-streamed gaming content.

Wolf3D specializes in creating realistic 3D avatars and models for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications, as well as for gaming. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, with an office in Los Angeles, the company employs advanced 3D scanning technology to generate detailed avatars from smartphone captures. Their platform enables the 3D printing of human sculptures and the creation of anatomical models for surgical planning, thereby enhancing the capabilities of developers in integrating 3D content into games and VR environments. Wolf3D has also operated its scanning technology in various public venues, including airports and museums, expanding its reach across multiple industries.

MYTY operates a decentralized social platform designed to allow users to transcend the limitations of the physical world. The platform facilitates the conversion of crypto punks NFTs into customizable avatars, empowering individuals to express themselves creatively within a social metaverse. By leveraging NFT technology, MYTY offers a unique space where users can maximize their imagination and engage with others in a liberated digital environment.

MovieBot is an innovative platform designed for Gen-Z video creators, allowing them to easily produce interactive 3D movies. It empowers users to transform simple text prompts into animated videos featuring customizable characters and environments. By leveraging advanced augmented reality and mixed-reality technologies, MovieBot synchronizes user experiences across devices, enabling real-time 3D storytelling. The platform aims to inspire creativity among teenagers, providing them with the tools to craft elaborate narratives and visual experiences from the comfort of their own homes.

Survios, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based virtual reality company founded in 2012 that specializes in creating immersive gaming experiences. The company emerged from Project Holodeck, an interdisciplinary initiative at the University of Southern California’s Games program, founded by Nathan Burba, James Iliff, and Alexander Silkin. Survios focuses on developing interactive content that utilizes cutting-edge immersive technology to enhance user engagement. Its games are designed to offer a comprehensive sensory experience, incorporating visuals, sounds, and tactile elements to create a dynamic environment for players. Survios aims to push the boundaries of virtual reality gaming and redefine how users interact with digital content.

Spatial Systems, Inc. offers an augmented workplace platform designed to enhance communication and collaboration among users. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York, the company enables users to conduct meetings with spatial audio and 3D telepresence, facilitating a more immersive experience. Additionally, Spatial's platform allows for the sharing and organization of various digital content, including 3D models, videos, documents, images, and websites. The focus of the company is to transform how people work by creating a collective computing environment that fosters creativity and productivity. Spatial has attracted investment from notable firms and individuals, positioning itself as a leader in the augmented reality and virtual reality space.

Spatial Systems, Inc. offers an augmented workplace platform designed to enhance communication and collaboration among users. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York, the company enables users to conduct meetings with spatial audio and 3D telepresence, facilitating a more immersive experience. Additionally, Spatial's platform allows for the sharing and organization of various digital content, including 3D models, videos, documents, images, and websites. The focus of the company is to transform how people work by creating a collective computing environment that fosters creativity and productivity. Spatial has attracted investment from notable firms and individuals, positioning itself as a leader in the augmented reality and virtual reality space.

VeeR, also known as Velocious Technologies, Inc., is a company that specializes in the development of a virtual reality video sharing mobile application. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Beijing, China, VeeR offers a platform that equips users with the necessary tools and support to create and share VR videos. The application fosters an active community of VR video creators and audiences worldwide, utilizing a combination of social-following features and algorithm-based recommendations to present users with high-quality content tailored to their interests.

Spatial Systems, Inc. offers an augmented workplace platform designed to enhance communication and collaboration among users. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York, the company enables users to conduct meetings with spatial audio and 3D telepresence, facilitating a more immersive experience. Additionally, Spatial's platform allows for the sharing and organization of various digital content, including 3D models, videos, documents, images, and websites. The focus of the company is to transform how people work by creating a collective computing environment that fosters creativity and productivity. Spatial has attracted investment from notable firms and individuals, positioning itself as a leader in the augmented reality and virtual reality space.

8i is a Wellington-based company that specializes in virtual reality software and technology, focusing on volumetric video solutions. The company provides enterprise-grade hologram capture stages using camera arrays, alongside a sophisticated software stack that employs proprietary computer vision and machine learning models to fuse, edit, and compress holograms. This technology enables the transformation of photoreal holograms into immersive digital experiences that can be viewed in virtual reality, augmented reality, and on the web. By simplifying the creation and distribution of 3D content, 8i enhances communication and interaction through the realistic representation of humans in holographic form, allowing clients to easily create and share engaging experiences.

EntryPoint specializes in creating an immersive web experience through its innovative platform for 360 video content. The company provides tools that allow creators—such as publishers, advertisers, and retailers—to enhance their pre-recorded live-action footage, animations, and 360 livestreams with custom interactive elements. This capability fosters engaging storytelling and advertising opportunities while also supporting e-commerce initiatives. Once completed, these interactive experiences can be shared via a simple URL, making them accessible on both smartphones and desktops. In addition to enhancing viewer engagement, EntryPoint's platform collects valuable consumer engagement data, enabling content producers to refine their narratives and improve their offerings.

Baobab Studios is a virtual reality animation company based in Redwood City, California, founded in 2015 by Maureen Fan and Eric Darnell. The studio specializes in creating story and character-driven cinematic experiences, focusing on animated narrative films designed for virtual reality environments. Baobab's innovative approach allows audiences to engage deeply with immersive worlds, enhancing their viewing experience. The company has garnered support from notable investors, including Comcast Ventures, HTC, Samsung, and various individual backers such as Zynga co-founder Mark Pincus and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. Through its unique blend of storytelling and technology, Baobab Studios aims to redefine animation and interactive entertainment.

WEVR, Inc. is a Venice, California-based company that operates a virtual reality community and media platform designed for both aspiring and professional creatives. Founded in 2009, it specializes in high-performance VR playback software, enabling creators to develop, present, and publish their projects across various VR headsets. WEVR offers an open technology platform that supports collaborations and showcases immersive experiences created by emerging VR storytellers. The company is dedicated to empowering digital artists and developers by providing tools for producing transcendent immersive stories and globally shared experiences, facilitating the creation of virtual worlds and applications through real-time simulations and immersive computing.

Baobab Studios is a virtual reality animation company based in Redwood City, California, founded in 2015 by Maureen Fan and Eric Darnell. The studio specializes in creating story and character-driven cinematic experiences, focusing on animated narrative films designed for virtual reality environments. Baobab's innovative approach allows audiences to engage deeply with immersive worlds, enhancing their viewing experience. The company has garnered support from notable investors, including Comcast Ventures, HTC, Samsung, and various individual backers such as Zynga co-founder Mark Pincus and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. Through its unique blend of storytelling and technology, Baobab Studios aims to redefine animation and interactive entertainment.

VRB is a New York City-based company specializing in virtual reality software applications that facilitate user engagement through personalized experiences. As a social VR platform, it emphasizes user expression and innovative communication methods. Its flagship applications include VRB Home, which provides a shared personal space, and VRBFoto, designed for spherical photo sharing. The company also offers a comprehensive toolkit for VR content creators, featuring an extensible avatar creator, a headset-to-mobile broadcasting tool, and a persistent backend system. This suite of tools enables users to create, manipulate, and share immersive virtual worlds that foster social interaction and meaningful connections. VRB operates as a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.

Survios, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based virtual reality company founded in 2012 that specializes in creating immersive gaming experiences. The company emerged from Project Holodeck, an interdisciplinary initiative at the University of Southern California’s Games program, founded by Nathan Burba, James Iliff, and Alexander Silkin. Survios focuses on developing interactive content that utilizes cutting-edge immersive technology to enhance user engagement. Its games are designed to offer a comprehensive sensory experience, incorporating visuals, sounds, and tactile elements to create a dynamic environment for players. Survios aims to push the boundaries of virtual reality gaming and redefine how users interact with digital content.

8i is a Wellington-based company that specializes in virtual reality software and technology, focusing on volumetric video solutions. The company provides enterprise-grade hologram capture stages using camera arrays, alongside a sophisticated software stack that employs proprietary computer vision and machine learning models to fuse, edit, and compress holograms. This technology enables the transformation of photoreal holograms into immersive digital experiences that can be viewed in virtual reality, augmented reality, and on the web. By simplifying the creation and distribution of 3D content, 8i enhances communication and interaction through the realistic representation of humans in holographic form, allowing clients to easily create and share engaging experiences.

8i is a Wellington-based company that specializes in virtual reality software and technology, focusing on volumetric video solutions. The company provides enterprise-grade hologram capture stages using camera arrays, alongside a sophisticated software stack that employs proprietary computer vision and machine learning models to fuse, edit, and compress holograms. This technology enables the transformation of photoreal holograms into immersive digital experiences that can be viewed in virtual reality, augmented reality, and on the web. By simplifying the creation and distribution of 3D content, 8i enhances communication and interaction through the realistic representation of humans in holographic form, allowing clients to easily create and share engaging experiences.

WEVR, Inc. is a Venice, California-based company that operates a virtual reality community and media platform designed for both aspiring and professional creatives. Founded in 2009, it specializes in high-performance VR playback software, enabling creators to develop, present, and publish their projects across various VR headsets. WEVR offers an open technology platform that supports collaborations and showcases immersive experiences created by emerging VR storytellers. The company is dedicated to empowering digital artists and developers by providing tools for producing transcendent immersive stories and globally shared experiences, facilitating the creation of virtual worlds and applications through real-time simulations and immersive computing.