Cluster

Cluster, Inc. is a Japanese technology company operating one of the country's largest metaverse platforms. The firm was founded in 2015 by CEO Naoto Kato. Kato's academic background is in cosmology and quantum computing at Kyoto University, which he left before completing graduate school. He then established Cluster to explore the potential of VR technology, launching the virtual platform "cluster" in 2017 to facilitate large-scale virtual events. He was later joined by Hiroki Tanaka, who serves as the Co-Founder and CTO.

The company's core offering is a cross-platform metaverse accessible on smartphones, PCs, and VR headsets. It provides a versatile virtual space where users, represented by customizable avatars, can connect, interact, and participate in a wide array of activities. The platform is designed to host large-scale gatherings, such as live music concerts, conferences, and community meetups, with the capacity to support thousands of simultaneous users. Beyond scheduled events, users can explore persistent virtual worlds, chat with friends, and play user-generated games. A key feature is the Creator Kit, which empowers users to design and build their own unique virtual environments and experiences.

Cluster operates in the social VR and metaverse market, with a significant user base in Japan and East Asia, estimated to have between 5,000 and 15,000 daily active users. The business model caters to both individual creators and corporate clients. For individual users, monetization opportunities exist through features like "Gifts," a virtual gifting system to support event organizers. For corporate and enterprise clients, Cluster provides a B2B platform for various applications, including virtual events for industries like entertainment, education, and manufacturing. The company has organized officially recognized virtual city projects like “Virtual Shibuya” and “Virtual Osaka.” Revenue for creators on the platform can be generated through ticket sales and in-world item sales, although payout for creators outside of Japan is currently limited.

Financially, Cluster, Inc. is a Series D company, having raised a total of $51.7 million over six funding rounds. Its most recent funding was a Series D round on May 17, 2023, for $38.2 million, led by investors including SPARX Group. This funding is intended to fuel expansion into new sectors like education and to strengthen its overseas presence. The company's mission is to "accelerate human creativity," aiming to build a foundational infrastructure that merges real and virtual worlds.

Keywords: metaverse platform, virtual reality, social VR, user-generated content, virtual events, digital avatars, cross-platform gaming, virtual community, Japanese tech, Naoto Kato, creator economy, virtual worlds, B2B metaverse, virtual concerts, digital twin, series D, VR chat, virtual meetings, online entertainment, 3D world creation