| Over the last month, I spent time working out of virtual HQs. Dozens of founders are using spatial technology and gamification to create online worlds. Consumers are invited to congregate and create some of the spontaneity of in-person events, such as the work day or weddings. Founders are testing if the metaverse can be brought into the mainstream. After tossing a few succulents around myself, I was impressed (especially as a non-gamer) over how intuitive the platform felt. It feels special to bump into someone in 2020. You can read more of my story here, which includes a demo video and pictures to give you a feel for the space. For today, though, I want to talk about what I think the rise of virtual HQs is not-so-subtly telling us. Founders are trying to disrupt loneliness in this chapter of the coronavirus pandemic. There's a shift in what the technology at its core is trying to fix, and it's a little dynamic called Zoom fatigue. For example, in March, we saw startups race to try to bring remote work to the masses. Now, in November, we're seeing startups race to fix the broken, fatigued world of remote work. The issue here, I think, is that founders are trying to innovate a solution to a lack of spontaneity and togetherness in our lives. Spontaneity, by definition, cannot be forced. And the community will always feel different in person. These inherent clashes make us, or at least me, question what technology's constraints are. That said, virtual event platform Hopin and its $2 billion valuation shuts me right up. Still, as we see startups chase to fix the next big pain point that everyone can agree on, it will be important to track what's a venture-backable problem, and what's a more existential one. Read more |
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