5 minutes
In recent years, we have seen an upsurge of interest in the Metaverse because the underlying technology has advanced to the point where it is becoming more and more realistic. Companies are starting to explore ways to use the metaverse for purposes of connecting with customers. IKEA, for example, has created a unique experience where customers can explore a virtual version of their shop and interact with in-store products. It is estimated that by 2025 the metaverse will be larger than the internet itself.

The what?

The metaverse is a virtual world made up of many interconnected universes, each with its own laws and physics. Much like the internet, it is a decentralized network of computers that anyone can access. Imagine you could walk around in a virtual world and meet other people from all over the world. You could go to a virtual concert or visit a virtual museum. The possibilities seem endless.

So why should companies be interested in the metaverse?

There are many potential benefits to entering the metaverse:

  • It can be a unique and novel way to connect with customers and build relationships with them.
  • It can be utilized for education and training.
  • It can be a fast and iterative way to test new products and services before they are launched.
  • It can be a tremendous opportunity to build brand awareness and reach new markets.

Learn more in our podcast episode about The Metaverse

How to conduct business in the metaverse:

  • Make sure your business has a clear purpose and identity. What do you want to achieve with your Metaverse presence?
  • Get a clear picture of the Metaverse landscape. Who are the key players and what do they do?
  • Assemble a strong team of experts who understand the metaverse and can help you navigate it successfully.

The challenge

One of the biggest challenges for companies entering the Metaverse is how to monetize their Metaverse presence. This can be tricky, but there are a few ways to do it:

  • Companies can offer premium content or services for a fee.
  • Companies can use the metaverse to drive additional traffic to their website or online shop.
  • Companies can expand their brand awareness, promote their brand, and attract new customers.

Additionally, there are some potential dangers that companies should be aware of before entering the metaverse:

  • The metaverse is still in the early stages of its development, which means it is constantly changing and evolving. This can make it difficult for companies to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.
  • As the metaverse is still relatively new, there is a lack of standards and regulations. This can make it difficult for companies to know what acceptable behavior is and what is not.
  • The metaverse can be a very competitive environment. Companies need to be aware of the competition and adapt their strategies accordingly.

The approach

As a result, the metaverse is the new home turf for innovation that provides multiple business opportunities but comes not without risk. This is where we at HYVE kick in, as it is our mission to enable companies to explore, evaluate, and exploit the new.

Through our specifically tailored digital innovation methods and a diverse expert team, consisting of VR/AR developers, software engineers, and strategists, we enable clients to innovate with and within the metaverse. Together with our broad domain-specific network, like the HYVE founded VR start-up ICAROS, we provide the following means to realize commercial success:

  • Evaluating if and how a company’s current product portfolio can be leveraged within the metaverse.
  • Utilizing the metaverse as a platform to innovate, prototype, and test new products or services.
  • Exploiting opportunities to increase brand awareness and reach new target groups.  

If you’d like to learn more about this new opportunity playground or how your business can get involved in the metaverse, contact us today. We can help you develop a metaverse strategy tailored to your business goals.