Utherverse
[Closed for Investment] Utherverse, with a valuation of $70 million, is raising funds on Republic. The company is launching the 4th generation metaverse platform for the next generation of the Internet. Utherverse will be an interoperable and immersive platform offering a synchronous virtual universe to change how we interact, work, and play. The platform will also bring all metaverse offerings under one umbrella of its proprietary browser XAEON for users to access all interoperable metaverses from a single source application. Brian Shuster founded Utherverse in June 2005. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum target of $50,000 and a maximum target of $1.24 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for technology and product development, marketing, infrastructure, and general working capital.
Investment Overview
Raised: $202,519
Deal Terms
Company & Team
Company
- Year Founded
- 2005
- Industry
- Business Services, Software, & Applications
- Tech Sector
- Distribution Model
- B2B/B2C
- Margin
- Medium
- Capital Intensity
- High
Financials
- Revenue -16.6% YoY
- $3,190,247
- Monthly Burn
- $163,566
-
Runway
- 4 months
- Gross Margin
- 48%
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Edge
Synopsis
Imagine a world where you can interact, work, and play in an immersive, virtual universe. This is the promise of the metaverse, a concept that has gained significant attention in recent years. As technology advances, the line between the physical world and the digital realm continues to blur, opening up new possibilities for communication, entertainment, and business. The metaverse is often described as the next generation of the internet, where instead of passively browsing web pages, users can actively participate in virtual experiences.
Utherverse Inc. is a company that is striving to make this vision a reality. The company is preparing for the commercial launch of its 4th-generation metaverse platform, aptly named "Utherverse". This platform aims to change how people interact, work, and play by offering an immersive, interoperable, and synchronous virtual universe. Utherverse Inc. has developed a powerful set of design tools and platform technologies that enable licensors to design and execute a wide range of offerings. The company provides virtual commerce tools that enable members and creators to buy and sell products and services, facilitating interoperability within physical and virtual ecosystems.
Furthermore, Utherverse plans to bring all metaverse offerings under one umbrella through its proprietary browser, XAEON. This will allow users to access all interoperable metaverses from a single source application, enhancing convenience and user experience.
Price
Utherverse is raising funds on Republic at a valuation of $70 million. While the concept of a 4th generation metaverse platform is intriguing, the valuation appears to be overinflated. While Metaverse companies generally have high valuations, Utherverse's annual revenue growth has been negative, indicating potential challenges in monetizing its offerings.
Considering the revenue multiple 21.94, Utherverse's valuation seems high for its current revenue. With an annual revenue of $3.2 million, investors may question the sustainability and scalability of the business model. Furthermore, Utherverse has no notable partnerships or VC investors, which could impact its ability to expand and gain market traction.
Market
The metaverse market is a new and rapidly expanding field spurred on by advancements in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and other immersive technologies. The US market is estimated to be worth $17.5 billion and is expected to grow at 37.11% annually. This suggests a significant potential for businesses operating within this space.
However, while the potential is vast, so too is the competition. Utherverse's greatest challenge lies in major tech giants like Facebook (now Meta) and Sandbox, who have already staked their claim in this emerging market. These companies have significant resources, existing user bases, and advanced technological capabilities. As such, Utherverse must differentiate its offering and prove its value to users and businesses amidst strong competition.
Furthermore, market acceptance for the metaverse is currently low, highlighting that there are considerable challenges in terms of user adoption. Many users may be unfamiliar with the concept of the metaverse, and there may be concerns over issues such as privacy and the digital divide. Consequently, successful companies in this space will need to not only develop compelling and user-friendly platforms but also take the lead in educating potential users and addressing their concerns.
Team
Utherverse is led by its founder and CEO, Brian Shuster. Shuster has 18 years of relevant industry experience, making him well-versed in the metaverse and software development.
However, there is not much information available online about the other team members of Utherverse.
Differentiation
Utherverse is entering the metaverse market with its 4th generation platform, the Utherverse. This platform aims to provide an interoperable and immersive platform that will change how users interact, work, and play in the virtual universe. Utherverse plans to bring all metaverse offerings together under its proprietary browser, XAEON, allowing users to access multiple interoperable metaverses from a single source application. However, the metaverse market is moderately competitive, with established competitors like Sandbox and Meta. Utherverse will need to differentiate itself from these competitors to gain traction.
While Utherverse has patents, it does not mention how these patents specifically differentiate its platform from competitors. Additionally, the company does not have any partnerships mentioned, which could potentially limit its ability to leverage existing networks and resources.
Performance
Utherverse has already achieved a level of success with paying customers, generating annual revenue of $3.2 million. The company operates on a recurring revenue model, which provides a stable income stream. Additionally, Utherverse generates secondary revenue through advertising, further diversifying its revenue sources.
However, Utherverse has experienced a decline in annual revenue growth, with a negative growth rate of -16.55%. This decline could be attributed to various factors, such as market saturation or increased competition in the metaverse industry. Utherverse operates in a competitive landscape, which may require the company to adapt and innovate to maintain its position. Despite the challenges, Utherverse has demonstrated its ability to raise funds, with prior rounds totaling $1.1 million.
Risk
Investing in Utherverse carries some risks that prospective investors should take into consideration. One of the main risks is the relatively low market acceptance of the metaverse concept. While metaverse platforms have gained some traction, they have not yet achieved widespread adoption and usage by the general public. This means that Utherverse may face challenges in attracting a large user base and generating significant revenue from its platform. Additionally, Utherverse operates in a moderately competitive landscape, with competitors like Sandbox and Meta. These competitors have established user bases and resources that could challenge Utherverse's growth and market penetration.
Financially, Utherverse has experienced a decline in annual revenue growth, which could be a concern for investors. The company's revenue growth rate decreased by 16.55% from the prior fiscal year, indicating potential challenges in generating consistent and sustainable revenue. Utherverse also has a relatively high monthly burn rate, which could strain its cash resources if not managed effectively.
Bullish Outlook
Utherverse is poised to make a significant impact in the metaverse space with the launch of its 4th generation metaverse platform. The company's vision of creating an immersive and interoperable virtual universe has the potential to revolutionize how we interact, work, and play on the internet. Utherverse aims to consolidate all metaverse offerings under its proprietary browser XAEON, providing users a seamless experience accessing different metaverses from a single source application.
The market potential for the metaverse is high, and Utherverse's platform addresses the growing demand for immersive digital environments. By offering a synchronous virtual universe, Utherverse opens up new possibilities for collaboration, communication, and entertainment. The platform's ability to bring together different metaverses and enable interoperability enhances its value proposition and sets it apart from competitors.
Utherverse has a record of generating revenue, with $3.19 million in sales in its most recent fiscal year. Additionally, Utherverse's strong patent portfolio demonstrates its commitment to innovation and differentiation in the metaverse market.
Bearish Outlook
Utherverse is entering a highly competitive market with its 4th generation metaverse platform. While the idea of an interoperable and immersive virtual universe is enticing, Utherverse faces significant challenges in gaining market share and generating substantial revenue. Direct competitors such as Sandbox and Meta already have established positions in the metaverse space, making it difficult for Utherverse to penetrate and capture a significant portion of the market. Moreover, Utherverse lacks any notable partnerships to bolster its competitive advantage.
The company's financial performance is also concerning. Despite generating $3.2 million in revenue, Utherverse experienced negative revenue growth of -16.55% in the most recent fiscal year. This decline suggests the company is struggling to sustain and expand its revenue streams. Additionally, Utherverse's net income for the same period amounted to a loss of $1.96 million, indicating ongoing financial challenges.
Furthermore, Utherverse's valuation of $70 million appears inflated, given its current financial performance and competitive landscape. With negative revenue growth, the company may struggle to justify its valuation to potential investors. Additionally, Utherverse's monthly burn rate of $163,565.58 raises concerns about its ability to allocate funds efficiently and achieve profitability.
Executive Summary
Utherverse is a metaverse and software development company preparing to launch its 4th-generation metaverse commercially. The Utherverse platform aims to revolutionize how we interact, work, and play by offering an immersive, interoperable, and synchronous virtual universe. The company's proprietary browser, XAEON, will enable users to access all interoperable metaverses from a single source application.
Despite having a compelling product offering, Utherverse faces significant competition in the rapidly growing metaverse market from tech giants such as Meta. The company's valuation of $70 million also seems overvalued, considering its annual revenue of $3.19 million and a net income loss of nearly $2 million in the most recent fiscal year. Furthermore, the company's revenue has declined by 16.55% annually, which could cause concern for potential investors.
However, Utherverse has demonstrated its ability to innovate and adapt, as evidenced by its upcoming launch of the 4th-generation metaverse platform. The company has also secured patents, which could give it a competitive edge in the market. The funds raised in the current crowdfunding campaign will be used for technology and product development, marketing, infrastructure, and general working capital, which could help the company accelerate its growth and improve its financial performance.
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Company Funding & Growth
Funding history
- Total Prior Capital Raised
- $1,100,000
- VC Backed?
- No
Close Date | Platform | Valuation | Total Raised | Security Type | Status | Reg Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
01/21/2024 | Republic | $70,000,000 | $202,519 | SAFE | Funded | RegCF |