And now, a new player has entered the game: Metapolis, the first ‘Metaverse as a Service Platform’ (MaaS) built on a world-renowned technology stack and powered by leading blockchains.
So, what exactly is the metaverse?
According to Sandra Helou, co-founder and the Chief Commercial Officer of Metapolis, “The metaverse is a fully immersive digital world that bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds, providing a data-centric and fully customizable XR experience accessible through web/AR & VR.”
For Sandra, the key to success in the region is localization. The metaverse built for the West may not necessarily apply to the Middle East, and that's where Metapolis shines. The service is designed to be diverse and all-encompassing, catering to the unique needs of every market in which it operates.
Sandra Helou, Co-Founder and the Chief Commercial Officer of Metapolis
Setting up a company in the UAE may seem daunting, but Sandra assures us that the support given to entrepreneurs and startups is second to none. From free zones to access to government support, the UAE is a prime location for tech companies looking to make their mark.
But, what sets Metapolis apart from other players in the metaverse space?
“Metapolis is a multifunctional metaverse startup company that has its sights set on becoming ‘The Next Internet,’” says Helou. “We’re focused on building a future for interoperability with security and safety at heart, providing seamless integration and an always-on layer of engagement.”
Curiosity in a world made possible by Ones & Zeros
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a metaverse presence? It is not as simple as building a website or setting up a physical store. This is where Metapolis comes in, it makes it easy for businesses, brands, and entrepreneurs to enter the metaverse space.
The company was born out of curiosity in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) tech, combined with knowledge of Blockchain and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) from Zilliqa. As the market moved towards NFTs and metaverse presence, Metapolis began working on a metaverse presence accessible through web/ AR & VR. The growing demand to enter the metaverse among their clients led to the establishment of Metapolis, with Zilliqa as its preferred blockchain layer.
According to Sandra, their vision was to build a metaverse as a service layer. They wanted to create a platform that makes it easy for SMEs and individuals to onboard regardless of their background. Metapolis removes the hassle and teams necessary from a tech perspective, design perspective, and consultancy perspective. They work with their clients based on their operational model to integrate with the Metaverse.
What Makes Metapolis a service company?
Using the Metaverse as a service platform, Metapolis provides an accessible metaverse presence that can be gamified and be an always-on operational model that adds elements of engagement and fun to community building as well as onboarding processes, training, upskilling, and even high-risk management. Imagine bankers being able to train and upskill in a virtual environment that’s immersive and incentivised, being entertained while learning. That's the power of the Metaverse. But it's not just banking that can benefit from this futuristic platform, all industries can adopt this layer of engagement .
And as for the operational model, it's all about adaptability. "We're not an activation, we're something that you invest in and keep as part of your day-to-day activities" Sandra explains. Just like how Shopify works, Metapolis is ready when their clients are ready. It's up to them to market and go live when they're satisfied with their Metaverse PoC (proof of concept). So why not jump on board with this new era of engagement and gamification? The Metaverse is waiting.
Metapolis is like Shopify for Metaverse presence. They take care of the layer and build on top of it. Their clients do not need a CTO or a design team because Metapolis takes care of all the technology. Their clients only need to understand the aesthetic of their brand, and Metapolis works with their team to remodel it for the Metaverse.
Metapolis is entering Metaverse guns blazing by making it easy for SMEs and individuals to onboard. The company removes all the hassle and teams necessary from a tech perspective, design perspective, and consultancy perspective. They work with their clients to understand their operational model and how best to integrate their Metaverse presence. Metapolis' mission is to build the Metaverse as a service layer, making it accessible to everyone. As Sandra puts it, "We want to make it easy for everyone to be in the Metaverse, regardless of their background."
How easy is it to provide a digital infrastructure?
Providing a digital infrastructure for clients depends on the sector they are operating in. Retail experiences are still new to the metaverse, but luxury brands are seeing the value in collaboration and refinement in the digital space. "Luxury remains luxury, even in the metaverse," says Sandra. "It doesn't mean that you let go of the aesthetic. You just add a new layer of incentive for your end base menu service."
Metapolis has worked with several clients in the e-sports industry, including the popular team Ninjas in Pyjamas. The process from concept to execution, including gamification, takes around four to five months. However, the first mover advantage in this growing market has led to a lot of adaptation and revisiting of strategies. Metapolis is also looking to support the health and wellness industry in the metaverse.
The company has recently completed a proof of concept that focuses on helping people get over their fear of heights through exposure therapy. According to Sandra, "if you take the metaverse and the experiences that you can build, you can actually train the rehabilitation across all of it."
Metapolis is excited about the possibilities that the metaverse offers and is committed to helping its clients navigate this new digital space. As Sandra puts it, "we want to ensure that the brands we work with enter the metaverse with a sense of purpose and a sense of refinement."
Localization is key to success in the region
In the ever-evolving landscape of the tech world, the Middle East is quickly catching up with the rest of the world in embracing the metaverse. And when it comes to funding, the region is buzzing with excitement. But for Sandra, it's not just about the buzz word or the spending power; it's about the ease of adoption and agility in the region.
As the region continues to grow and evolve, the potential for the metaverse in the Middle East is limitless. With quick adoption rates and strong spending power, the region is poised to become a major player in the tech world. As Sandra says, "the opportunity for the Middle East to demonstrate quicker adoption of this technology is great, and I think the future is bright."
The Middle East has a unique advantage over Western Europe in terms of streamlined decision-making processes. This, coupled with the strong spending power and quick adoption rate, has made the region a prime location for tech companies looking to set up shop.
Metaverse technology is being embraced across the region, and the UAE is leading the charge. The first major demonstration of what has been built is set to launch soon, with an esports team being one of the first movers in the esports industry. This is a huge endorsement of Metapolis' business and a sign of great things to come.
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