Within (VR/AR) is a technology company.
Within (VR/AR) has raised $53.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Within (VR/AR) has raised $53.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Within (VR/AR) is a Los Angeles-based technology company specializing in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences, best known for its VR fitness app Supernatural, which combines immersive workouts with music and environments.[1][2] Originally focused on immersive storytelling, it evolved into a platform distributing VR/AR content from global creators, serving consumers seeking engaging fitness, entertainment, and educational experiences while solving the challenge of making exercise fun and sustainable through VR headsets.[1][2][4] Founded in 2014, it raised $52.86M before being acquired by Meta in October 2021, marking Meta's first post-rebrand acquisition and boosting VR fitness adoption.[1][3]
Within was founded in 2014 by award-winning filmmaker Chris Milk and technologist Aaron Koblin, who aimed to pioneer immersive storytelling in the emerging VR medium.[2][4][5] Starting as Vrse, the idea emerged from collaborations in art, film, and tech, leading to the Within app—a hub for VR experiences like documentaries on human perseverance and surreal adventures, distributed across 10 headset platforms to millions worldwide.[1][2] Early traction came from partnerships with artists (e.g., U2, The Chemical Brothers), organizations (e.g., UN, New York Times), and festivals, plus experiments in multiplayer VR ("Life of Us," "Chorus") and AR kids' app Wonderscope, which revealed VR's potential for physical engagement and pivoted toward fitness with Supernatural.[2][4]
Within rode the early VR/AR wave in the mid-2010s, capitalizing on headset launches like Oculus Rift and Gear VR to democratize immersive media when VR was niche.[2][4] Timing was ideal amid rapid innovation, positioning it as a "premier destination" for story-based experiences that bridged entertainment, education, and wellness.[4][5] Market forces like rising consumer VR adoption (e.g., Meta's Quest) and demand for novel fitness amid sedentary lifestyles favored its pivot to Supernatural, influencing the ecosystem by proving VR's monetization via apps and inspiring Meta's fitness push post-acquisition.[1][3] It expanded VR beyond gaming, normalizing it for music, docs, and health.
Post-2021 Meta acquisition, Within's Supernatural will likely scale with Quest hardware advancements, integrating AI for personalized workouts and multiplayer features amid VR's mainstreaming.[1][3] Trends like affordable headsets, spatial computing, and health-tech convergence (e.g., Apple Vision Pro era) position it to dominate VR fitness, potentially expanding to AR wellness. Its influence may evolve from indie creator hub to Meta's flagship immersive health arm, amplifying global VR adoption started in 2014—proving storytelling can transform sweat into joy.[2]
Within (VR/AR) has raised $53.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Within (VR/AR)'s investors include BITKRAFT Ventures, Bling Capital, DN Capital, Fifth Wall, IVP, LAUNCH, Left Lane Capital, Luv Ventures, March Capital, Pioneer Fund, Raine Ventures, Translink Capital.
Within (VR/AR) has raised $53.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $40.0M Series B in July 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2017 | $40.0M Series B | BITKRAFT Ventures, Bling Capital, DN Capital, Fifth Wall, IVP, LAUNCH, Left Lane Capital, Luv Ventures, March Capital, Pioneer Fund, Raine Ventures, Translink Capital, Unanimous Capital, Venrock, Aaron Levie, Adam Jackson, Charlie Cheever, David Petersen, Jared Leto, Paul Heydon, Sohail Prasad | |
| Jun 1, 2016 | $13.0M Series A | BITKRAFT Ventures, Bling Capital, DN Capital, Fifth Wall, IVP, LAUNCH, Left Lane Capital, Luv Ventures, March Capital, Pioneer Fund, Raine Ventures, Unanimous Capital, Venrock, Aaron Levie, Adam Jackson, Charlie Cheever, David Petersen, Jared Leto, Paul Heydon, Sohail Prasad |