Participated · Equity · Sep 2018

Kadho develops Kidsense Edge, an embedded automatic speech-recognition platform trained to understand children's voices. The model was built using a dataset of 150,000 children’s voices and is targeted at voice-enabled toys, robotics, and smart speakers. Kadho initially offered a server-based Kidsense cloud AI (late 2017) and has since developed an on-device embedded version that performs all processing locally to meet COPPA and GDPR privacy requirements. The embedded approach enables either flat-fee licensing or subscription pricing and supports over-the-air updates. The company reports deployments in several toys, robotics, and A.I. speaker products worldwide and is testing with chip makers and major kids’ brands in the U.S. Kadho has also demonstrated dual-language speech recognition that can decode two languages within a single sentence. The company reports approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue from customers on annual contracts and its SaaS model.

Participated · Seed · Feb 2018

VirZOOM builds stationary bike hardware and software that translate pedaling into movement inside virtual-reality games and experiences. Its VX Bike Controller and bikes pair with consumer VR headsets — from phone-based rigs to PC and PlayStation setups — to deliver gamified workouts like horseback riding and Old West lassoing. The company has been selling bikes for the last couple of years and plans to ship the VX Bike Controller starting in March for $399. VirZOOM positions its product as an alternative to video-driven fitness services by immersing users in different virtual worlds. The startup acknowledges current headset bulkiness and comfort issues and notes accessories like facepad covers can mitigate sweat concerns. Financially, VirZOOM has raised around $6 million to date, including a newly closed $5.5 million seed round. VirZOOM develops active virtual reality applications that use a patent-pending motion control system to deliver immersive, activity-driven experiences while mitigating motion issues. The company’s core product is an active VR platform that pairs user physical activity with fantastical virtual experiences. The founding team includes veterans from Harmonix and creators behind Guitar Hero, Rock Band and the Wii Remote Controller. VirZOOM completed development over the preceding year and is moving into a commercialization phase. The company raised initial funding to finance that commercialization and expects to launch into the broader VR applications wave projected for 2016. VirZOOM is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Participated · Seed · Apr 2016

SpaceVR builds high-definition 360-degree cameras and VR content that let users experience views from space on VR headsets. Its primary hardware, dubbed Overview 1, will carry a pair of 4K fisheye cameras and is designed for roughly a six-month lifespan. The five-person team has moved from a Kickstarter campaign to pursuing orbital launches of their own satellites. They raised over $110,000 on Kickstarter to kickstart the project and have since secured outside investment to scale. Founder and CEO Ryan Holmes positions the product around the "overview effect," aiming to drive empathy by showing Earth from afar. The company is pursuing launch services from SpaceX to place cameras about 200 miles above Earth.