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2024-02-27

Industry

AR, Digital Communications, AI, Spatial Computing

Headquarters

Van Nuys, CA

Employee Count

60

Year Founded

2019

Amount raised

$22M post Series A

Business model

B2B or B2C hardware sales or lending, software licenses, and percentage of revenue on third party apps

Early traction

250 customers, $28M in sales over the past 3 years, cash-flow positive, some customers include CBS, Christieโ€™s, Nets, Colts, St. Judes, T-Mobile, Verizon, and more.

Setting the Scene
  • Traditional digital communication methods often fail to provide an immersive and engaging experience, leaving a void in how we interact online.

  • Here are a few examples:

    • Zoom fatigue in the workplace or learning environments leads to disengagement.

    • The absence of nonverbal cues causes misunderstandings.

    • Virtual events can feel isolating, disconnecting participants from a sense of community.

  • This weekโ€™s company bridges the gap between digital communication and physical presence, with a real-time holographic product.

In a Sentence

Proto is a digital communication and spatial computing technology company that enables real-time holographic interactions for a more immersive experience.

  • Communications: Beam live and pre-recorded content to hologram devices, giving users a two way communication or a mixed media experience.

  • Spatial Computing: In addition to the hardware, Proto boasts a proprietary tech stack that includes a holographic display, operating system, cloud services, AI, and a comprehensive app ecosystem..

Bulleted Version

Similar to how the smartphone revolutionized communication by putting a computer in people's pockets, Proto similarly transforms personal and professional spaces by offering an immersive holographic environment.
Due Diligence
What We Like
  • Market Opportunity: Proto plays in the $25B digital display and signage industry, forecasted to grow 21.4% annually over the next eight years.

    • Additionally, Proto has wide market application in industries such as retail, corporate use, education, healthcare, and much more.

  • Defensible: With the development of the world's first holographic operating system, alongside a comprehensive content management system and patented content capture technology, Proto establishes a formidable moat against potential competitors.

  • Artificial Intelligence: Proto's incorporation of AI-driven avatars and content creation tools enhances user interaction and paves the way for personalized and scalable holographic experiences.

Potential Risks
  • Cost and Accessibility: The high cost of advanced holographic technology may restrict access primarily to well-funded organizations, potentially limiting Proto's market penetration and the democratization of holographic communication.

  • Adoption: Businesses and consumers may view holographic technology as a futuristic luxury rather than an immediate necessity, potentially slowing adoption rates.

  • Education: Proto's innovative holographic technology may face slowed adoption due to the need for extensive customer education on its use, which could impact how quickly it becomes integrated into everyday practices or business operations.

Founder Profile
DN
David Nussbaum, CEO
Experience in the Hologram industry for 8+ years, first employee of Hologram USA, and has worked with Universal, CBS, and Sony Pictures

DB
Doug Barry, COO
Former senior executive at EA, Turner, TIVO, Liberate, and GlU; Founding VC for Pandora, Bigfiix, Rightsflow, and Coremetrics, and founded and exited Cobalt Card

EG
Edward Ginis, CTO
Former CTO of Concord Music, and developed a hardware and software platform for Google VR, and Concord Music.

Comps

WhyProto

With its patented technology, wide market application, and strong early traction, Proto is projected to redefine interactions across multiple industries.

*Nothing in this content constitutes investment or legal advice. Conduct independent diligence and consult professional advisers before making investment decisions.*

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