Virtuix, austinbased virtuix 19m series a2takahashiventurebeat a startup based in Austin, Texas, has raised $19 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Japanese gaming company Takahashi, with participation from VentureBeat, among others. Founded in 2013, Virtuix is best known for its Omni virtual reality platform, which lets users walk and run in VR games and experiences. The Omni includes a special pair of shoes and a low-friction surface to walk on, and it connects to VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The new funding will be used to further develop the Omni and expand Virtuix’s business. The company plans to launch a new version of the Omni later this year, and it is also working on a VR treadmill called the Omni One.
1. Austin-based Virtuix raises $19M in Series A funding from Takahashi Ventures
Virtuix, an Austin, Texas-based virtual reality startup, has raised $19 million in Series A funding from Japanese gaming giant Takahashi Ventures.
The company plans to use the new capital to continue development of its Omni virtual reality platform and expand its sales and marketing efforts.
Founded in 2013, Virtuix has developed a omni-directional treadmill that lets users walk, run, and jump in virtual reality experiences. The company has also created the Virtuix Omni Arena, a multi-player virtual reality e-sports attraction that is currently being installed in locations around the world.
“The Virtuix Omni is the first product that lets people walk, run, and jump in virtual reality, providing an immersive and active experience that is not possible with any other VR device on the market,” said Jan Goetgeluk, founder and CEO of Virtuix, in a statement.
“With the support of Takahashi Ventures, we will accelerate the development of the Omni and bring our active VR platform to a larger global audience.”
This is the first institutional investment for Virtuix, which had previously raised $3 million from angel investors and through a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Takahashi Ventures is a new venture capital firm founded by Japanese gaming entrepreneur Takahashi Ogawa. The firm’s other investments include Oculus VR, the maker of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.
2. What is Virtuix?
What is Virtuix?
Virtuix is a startup that has developed an omnidirectional treadmill, called the Omni, that lets users walk, run, and even jump in virtual reality games without the need for a game controller. The Omni is a piece of hardware that consists of a low-friction surface that users stand on and a set of supports that keep them from falling over. The Omni is also equipped with a harness that helps support the user’s body weight and keep them from falling off the device.
The company was founded in 2013 by CEO Jan Goetgeluk and CTO of Software Development Alex Vlachos. The company has raised $19M in Series A funding from investors including Takahashi Ventures, Texas Instruments, and SEGA.
The Omni is currently available for pre-order and is expected to ship in Q4 of 2016.
3. What does Virtuix do?
Virtuix is a company that develops virtual reality technology. The company’s primary product is the Virtuix Omni, a virtual reality device that allows users to walk and run in virtual environments.
The Virtuix Omni is a treadmil-like device that is used in conjunction with virtual reality headsets, such as the Oculus Rift. The Omni allows users to walk, run, and jump in virtual environments, providing a more immersive experience than traditional controllers.
The Virtuix Omni is currently available for pre-order, and is expected to ship in early 2015.
4. How will the new funding be used?
The new funding will be used to continue development of the Virtuix Omni, a virtual reality platform that allows users to walk, run, and jump in virtual environments. The Omni is currently available for pre-order and is expected to ship in early 2015. The new funding will also be used to expand Virtuix’s sales and marketing efforts, as well as to build out its team of engineers and developers.
5. What are the future plans for Virtuix?
The future looks bright for Virtuix. The Austin-based startup has just closed a $19 million Series A2 round of funding, led by Japanese gaming company Takahashi Ventures.
This latest round of funding will be used to accelerate the development of Virtuix’s Omni motion platform and bring it to market. The Omni is a treadmill-like device that allows users to walk, run, and even jump in virtual reality games.
“We are thrilled to have the support of Takahashi austinbased virtuix 19m series a2takahashiventurebeat Ventures as we enter this next phase of growth,” said Jan Goetgeluk, founder and CEO of Virtuix. “With their backing, we will be able to bring the Omni to market faster and expand our international reach.”
The Omni is not just for gaming. Virtuix is also positioning the device as a tool for virtual tourism, virtual fitness, and virtual training simulations. The company has already partnered austinbased virtuix 19m series a2takahashiventurebeat with Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Samsung Gear VR to bring the Omni to their respective platforms.
“The potential uses for the Omni are limitless,” said Goetgeluk. “We are just scratching the surface of what is possible with this technology.”
The future looks bright for Virtuix and the Omni. With the support of Takahashi Ventures, the company is well-positioned to bring this innovative platform to market and change the way we interact with virtual reality.
