Remote Co-Working in the Metaverse: The Next Big Thing

The future of collaboration is knocking, and it's wearing a VR headset. The metaverse, with its limitless virtual worlds, holds the potential to revolutionize how we work together.

Imagine a virtual co-working space in the metaverse, where architects sculpt 3D models in real-time, designers brainstorm in immersive brainstorming rooms, and developers collaborate across continents.

The global metaverse market is exploding and is expected to reach a staggering $937 billion by 2030. (Source )

Tech giants like Meta (formerly Facebook) and Microsoft spearhead the movement.?

Tech giants making co-working metaverse spaces a reality

Meta Horizon Workrooms offers a virtual office experience. It allows colleagues to whiteboard together, share virtual screens, and use hand gestures for a natural meeting experience.

Microsoft Mesh bridges the gap between the virtual and physical world through mixed reality, enabling seamless collaboration across devices and locations.

The Nvidia Omniverse platform provides tools for building real-time, collaborative 3D environments, perfect for virtual studios and design teams.

Unity, a game engine giant, is expanding into enterprise solutions, offering tools for creating interactive virtual spaces that could be tailored for co-working.

Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, have expressed interest in metaverse development, and their experience in building large-scale, interactive environments could translate well to co-working spaces.

In their 2023 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, Gartner positioned "Immersive Collaboration Workspaces" in the "Innovation Adoption Plateau" stage, showcasing its increasing adoption and maturity. (Source )

And it's not just tech giants – workspace providers are jumping in, too.?

Recommended Read: 10 Tech Giants Leading the Metaverse Movement

Workspace providers venturing into the metaverse

Clockwise is building virtual office complexes with meeting rooms, dedicated desks, and breakout areas. Clockwise Campus, their first office space launched on 20th November last year, is a glimpse into the future of work.

WeWork, the giant co-working company, is developing virtual experiences using Meta Horizon Workrooms and experimenting with extending their physical spaces into the metaverse.

Serendipity Labs, a flexible workspace provider, is piloting VR co-working experiences focused on casual interactions and organic networking within their members' communities.

Igloo, a UK-based provider, aims to build a "metaverse workplaces" network offering dedicated desks, meeting rooms, and social spaces with features like whiteboards and interactive games.

Data privacy, security, digital fatigue, and the need for new skills are valid concerns. But these challenges present opportunities. By engaging with innovative startups in the metaverse, Companies can pioneer solutions and stay ahead of the curve. Startups offer fresh perspectives, agility, and a hunger for disruption – exactly what this transformative technology needs.?

Startups like Sowork are creating tailored co-working platforms with built-in video calls, chat, and customizable virtual spaces.

Promising startups in Metaverse co-working spaces

Teamflow’s Spatial.io lets teams work together in real-time within custom-built 3D environments. Some unique features include whiteboards that persist across sessions, spatial audio for natural conversations, and built-in integrations with popular tools like Figma and Google Drive. The startup focuses on creative teams and remote work, aiming to foster immersive and collaborative experiences that transcend physical limitations.?

Sowork, a promising startup based in the USA, has created a virtual co-working platform tailored to remote collaboration. Their platform has many useful features like video and audio calls, chat, strong security, customizable virtual spaces, and personal avatars. It's designed to help teams that work remotely, are spread out, or use a mix of in-person and remote work. Big companies like Tinder and Talis Capital have invested a lot in Sowork. (Source )

Solace focuses on building "intelligent virtual offices" with features like AI-powered meeting assistants and personalized workspaces.

Spatial Chat offers a VR meeting platform with spatial audio and avatar customization, fostering a more natural and engaging sense of co-location.

MeetinVR platform allows teams to hold meetings and presentations in virtual conference rooms with whiteboards, presentation screens, and breakout spaces.

Dreamspace VR platform lets users create and customize their virtual co-working environments with interactive features and tools.

Floreo focuses on the mental health aspects of remote work, offering virtual co-working spaces that prioritize relaxation and focus.

vSpatial: This platform focuses on building "workplace metaverses" for larger organizations, offering various features like virtual offices, meeting rooms, and event spaces with branding and customization options.

Find a complete list of 20+ Metaverse startups shaping the virtual world!

Future Outlook

Several existing virtual world platforms like Roblox and Second Life are already being used for informal co-working and collaboration and might see increased adoption as the metaverse concept evolves.

Blockchain and Crypto companies are also entering the space. The Sandbox, a popular blockchain game platform, already boasts virtual office districts and event spaces, attracting businesses and professionals interested in establishing a metaverse presence. Another crypto-powered virtual world, Decentraland, allows users to purchase land and build their own co-working spaces within the platform, fostering collaboration and networking opportunities.

Universities and research institutions are also getting involved, with projects like the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab, exploring the social and psychological aspects of co-working in virtual environments.

Metaverse isn't just a fad; it's a tectonic shift in how we work. Thus, exploring how this transformative technology can help create a co-working space that may align with organizational goals and enhance workspace operations will be exciting.