Curiscope, the mixed reality startup behind one of the most watched virtual reality experiences of all time, Great White Sharks, today announces the successful completion of a Seed funding round worth $1 million. The funding round was led by the VC firm LocalGlobe and builds upon a successful crowdfunding campaign for The Virtuali-Tee that raised $117,436 across Kickstarter and Indiegogo last year. The capital injection allows the Brighton-based startup to now launch the product worldwide.
The Virtuali-Tee is a high-quality t-shirt, partnered with a free app, which enables children and adults to discover the human body in fully animated 3D using immersive augmented and virtual reality. The t-shirt’s unique design is picked up by the camera function on the app, allowing users to jump into the pumping heart to bring learning to life, or pop their phone into a Google Cardboard to immerse themselves entirely in an anatomical adventure. The experience can be enjoyed with others or alone through the ‘selfie mode’.
The Virtuali-Tee has already been purchased by customers in over 60 countries and the accompanying app is available for free on iOS and Android to download for phones and tablets. The t-shirt is priced at £25 or $29 and comes in adult sizes (ranging from sizes XS to XXL) and child sizes (ranging from 3-4 years to 12-14 years). It also comes gift packed in a conveniently sized box that fits through the letterbox.
Curiscope was founded in 2016 by Ed Barton and Ben Kidd, with a mission to provide extraordinary experiences for kids and adults to learn, discover and explore the unexplorable, all through beautifully designed and innovative augmented and virtual reality. By using apps and physical products, the Brighton-based startup builds the impossible into everyday surroundings and creates engaging, purpose-led and memorable moments that fuel curiosity.
Ed Barton, CEO and Co-Founder of Curiscope said: “Led by LocalGlobe, with additional backing from a number of other investors and firms for whom I have great respect, the recent investment has provided us with much more than just capital: their experience, expertise and network is second-to-none, and we’re grateful to have them on this journey with us. The investment will allow us to grow fast and at scale, reacting to new advancements such as iOS 11 and its implications for AR.”
On the investment, George Henry, Partner at LocalGlobe said: “The adoption of augmented and virtual reality is still at a very early stage but we are excited to be supporting Curiscope who are building market-leading experiences. Curiscope is already being used as a platform for people to experience engaging and fun experiences, and we’re very excited by the range of products they have in the pipeline.”
