No-code and low-code platforms are being applied to an increasing number of applications and use cases. What would happen if this logic was applied to virtual realms modeled after the metaverse? What will be constructed?
Certainly, with Apple’s recent announcement of the introduction of the Apple Vision Pro headset, there is renewed interest in the ‘metaverse’, and investors appear to be coming back to start-ups in the sector amid this newly rebranded era of ‘spatial computing’. Indeed, Immersed has just released its first headpiece, the Visor XR, which has received praise thus far.
Read also: Researchers Say Belarus Hackers Target Foreign Diplomats With The Assistance Of Local Isps.
VLGE, a France-based startup, has received $4 million in funding from the likes of Venrex VC and L’Oreal, amid this renewed interest. It now intends to provide the experience-obsessed industries of fashion, beauty, and art with the tools to construct immersive, scalable, and intuitive digital worlds so that they can create and monetize their own worlds. This is as opposed to relying on individuals such as Meta and Mark Zuckerberg.
VLGE is expanding V-Suite, its proprietary, no-code world-builder and asset management tools, and is now accepting applications for its SDK from creators and brands (you can apply here).
Given the pivotal role SDKs have played in standardizing and advancing ecosystems for new builders, it should appeal to those interested in testing out this virtual reality interloper.
(VLGE is not alone in pursuing an SDK strategy. Crucible, a metaverse company that develops tools for game developers, has just released the Emergence software development kit (SDK) for Unreal Engine, for example.
In addition to Venrex and BOLD (L’Oréal’s venture capital fund), the British Fashion Council and The VR Fund are investors in VLGE. Additionally, it employs advisors from firms such as Wave, Sandbox, and Paper Magazine.
Evelyn Mora, a Finnish entrepreneur and sustainability strategist residing in France, founded VLGE. Mora, a former fashion photographer and fashion industry veteran, is also credited with establishing Finland’s sustainable fashion week and the first 3D Fashion Week.
“We sincerely believe that in our industry, a winner-takes-all mentality is not appropriate. Rather, we are authentically excited to operate within a diverse ecosystem of world-building solutions,” Mora explained.
“Existing platforms are prohibitively expensive, inflexible, and not user-friendly. She stated that VLGE seeks to empower creators and brands to turn their visions into destinations by creating immersive virtual experiences in a scalable and cost-effective manner.
“My ambition is to stretch the limits of the virtual experiences we all partake in. She added, “We want to find innovative monetization models based on immersive online experiences that enable brands to reduce their physical footprint while maintaining their well-earned reputations as cultural leaders, artistic trendsetters, storytellers, and innovators.”
VLGE aims to make it easier for world builders to construct their own metaverses by uploading their own assets and connecting integrations with V-BLDR, a no-code drag-and-drop design tool for VLGE. Users will be able to select from various templates, including beach fronts, forests, and cities.
VLGE also intends to integrate its platform with multiple monetization options, such as NFTs. And it’s not the only one interested in this strategy.
Spatial, a company that has raised $47.3 million, enables NFT creators to personalize a virtual space and host events such as exhibitions, brand experiences, and conferences. Additionally, it has a free meeting app that has won over a few admirers.
Exclusive, like VLGE, is a Web3 partner for brands and possesses a digital collectibles platform geared toward prestige brands. Tioga Capital, White Star Capital, and Indico Capital Partners have led a €2.2 million pilot round of funding.
VLGE appears to be targeting a revitalized metaverse market, despite the whims and caprices of the Zuckerverse, which now appears more interested in replicating Twitter/X than realizing its original vision.
