Best Buy Capital

Metaverse Platforms

Together Labs is the developer of the 3D social metaverse platforms IMVU and WithMe, available on mobile and PC. Transactions on IMVU and WithMe are facilitated by VCoin, which is Together Labs’ digital currency built on the Ethereum blockchain that enables users to buy, gift, hold, earn, and convert in-game earnings to real money. The company wants VCoin to power the wider metaverse and plans to partner with other companies that might use VCoin.The company claims IMVU is the world’s largest avatar-based social network, enabling users to engage in a variety of activities including creating and customizing avatars, chatting, shopping, socializing in virtual events, sharing experiences, and earning money by selling virtual products. WithMe is a mobile 3D social metaverse platform focused primarily on teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. It also enables users to engage in various interactive activities such as games, watching YouTube videos, and escape rooms. Around 40% of IMVU users come from the US and the rest are primarily from the UK, France, Canada, and Brazil.Key customers and partnershipsAs of January 2024, the company had over 7 million monthly active users on its platform and with 50,000+ creators.The company (through its subsidiary MetaJuice) partnered with luxury fashion brand Auroboros (March 2022) to offer new pathways for wearable NFTs to be used across different metaverse platforms. In February 2021, the company partnered with global multi-asset trading platform Uphold to enable IMVU users to convert their VCoins into 27 national currencies that Uphold supports.Funding and financialsIn January 2021, Together Labs raised USD 35 million in funding from Structural Capital, NetEase, and other investors. NetEase, a leading gaming company operating some of the popular massively multiplayer (MMO) games in China, was expected to add value to Together Labs through its game development and engineering capabilities as well as its experience in global market strategy. Together Labs also launched WithMe Entertainment, a new division focused on user-generated content, which developed the WithMe social metaverse platform.

Valencell produces the most accurate wearable biometric sensor systems in the world – making them the leaders in biometric technologies and design. Valencell develops performance biometric sensor technology and provides this patent-protected technology to consumer electronics manufacturers, wearables and hearables developers, medical device makers, and sports and fitness brands for integration into their products. Valencell’s technology can be used in wearables and hearables for virtually anyone, anywhere, doing anything. Their technology is scalable to multiple form-factors such as earbuds, smartwatches, armbands and wrist devices. Valencell’s technology has been used in devices from HUAWEI, Sony, LG, Bose, Jabra, Suunto, Scosche, and many more.

good natured is producing and distributing one of North America’s widest assortments of better everyday products made with the highest possible percentage of renewable, plant-based materials and no BPAs, phthalates or other chemicals of concern potentially harmful to human health and the environment. With a growing assortment of over 385 products and services, good natured creates eco-friendly home and business products, food packaging, restaurant/take-out containers, medical and industrial supplies designed to do good for the planet, good for human health and good for business by driving incremental sales, minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact, all bundled up in a fresh and approachable brand.

Zeo was a manufacturer of a sleep monitor in the form of a headband, that contained an EEG unit monitoring the user's brain waves.  The sleep monitor was able to detect and record sleep stages, and awake at the optimal time, in light sleep.  Using analytics, users were provided with recommendations based on each individual's sleeping patterns.  Zeo has stopped operating in [December 2012](http://techcrunch.com/2013/05/22/sleep-tracking-startup-zeo-says-goodnight/), and Q2 2013, it quietly shut down. According to founder Dave Dickinson, problems included the business model, with a ''suboptimal profit margin'', invasiveness of the headband device for some user, and friction caused by the user having to log into the website to enter additional data. Moreover, the [sleep data was not necessarily suitable for a small mobile screen](http://mobihealthnews.com/22410/can-personal-health-data-motivate-behavioral-change-it-depends/).

Dashwire offers the industry leading mobile-web connected services platform for mobile operators, device makers and retailers to seamlessly deliver a new generation of real-time consumer, social and device management software services on open mobile phones. Today the company supports BlackBerry, S60 and Windows Mobile, which represent approximately 75% of the smartphones being sold in the market. Android support is scheduled for Q1 2010.

Viewdle (www.viewdle.com) is the only independent mobile-focused visual analysis company.  Viewdle enables the camera to inspire new social experiences and effortless communication.  Viewdle is creating new user experiences in mobile gaming, social networking, social media, advertising and marketing, with the introduction of computer vision and recognition technologies to consumer products. Its best-of-breed recognition technology has been developed by its global research and development team, which includes nine PhDs.  Available Viewdle products (http://viewdle.com/products/index.html):  - SocialCamera, a face recognition-based photo-socializing product for Android phones (http://viewdle.com/products/mobile/index.html) - ViewdleUploader, a  face recognition-based photo tagging product for Facebook on the desktop pc (http://viewdle.com/products/desktop/index.html) - ViewdleSDK, a face recognition SDK for augmented reality, video, and photo solutions across multiple device platforms

Brammo is an electric vehicle technology company headquartered in North America. Brammo designs and develops electric vehicles including the Enertia, Empulse, and Engage motorcycles. It is an OEM supplier of its innovative Brammo Digital Drivetrain(TM) systems including the Brammo Power(TM) battery pack and Brammo Power(TM) vehicle management system. Brammo has vehicle distribution and marketing operations in North America, Europe, and Asia

Avnera is a fabless semiconductor firm making highly-integrated application targeted ICs for consumer audio and voice applications.  Avnera has deep analog and mixed-signal circuit design expertise, including the know-how to integrate diverse circuit types onto single pieces of silicon.  As such, Avnera IC's integrate RF, power management, audio data converters, host interfaces, & programmable DSPs onto low-cost CMOS, enabling very high performance at low total system cost.  Avnera IC products target applications in PC accessory audio, iPod accessory audio, home theater, and consumer & enterprise voice.  Avnera's list of customers includes names such as Logitech, Creative, Rocketfish, Panasonic, iHome, Vizio, Sanyo, Onkyo, Acoustic Research, Audioengine, Polycom, et al.

Control4 Corporation manufactures wired and wireless home automation products in the United States. It offers software and hardware products, which enable home theater and television, multi-room music, lighting, temperature, and security control through a range of in-home and over-the-Web remote control technology. The company's products include wireless dimmers and switches, speakers, multi tuners, multi channel amplifiers, audio matrix switches, video switchers, and home entertainment and control systems. It also offers wireless thermostats, touch screens, keypads, controllers, contact/relay extenders, and system remote controls. The company sells its products through dealers in the United States, Canada, and internationally, as well as through custom integrators, distributors, and retail outlets. It serves consumer electronics companies, hotels, businesses, and utilities sector. Control4 Corporation has a strategic relationship with APOGEE Interactive.   The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Based in Silicon Valley, IMVU (imm-view) is the world’s largest friendship discovery and social platform, and a top 5 grossing app in the iOS/Apple App Store and Google Play Store, where millions of users customize their avatars and explore over 40,000+ destinations to connect with each other. Through chat and events, IMVU’s massive metaverse enables and empowers friendship and human connection. A community of hundreds of thousands of creators power IMVU’s peer to peer economy by designing and selling virtual goods and destinations, adding to a growing catalog of 50 million items. The IMVU experience is available on the web, a desktop app, and as an iOS and Android app. IMVU is a division of Together Labs, named to TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2022.

Best Buy Capital is a venture capital arm of Best Buy Co. Inc. specializing in early-stage companies developing emerging technologies or inventions considered disruptive to the marketplace. Best Buy Capital is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Best Buy Capital

Portfolio

About EDGE

Contact Us

Resources

Area of Focus

Technology Research Made Effortless