Latest Funding Round Brings Peer’s Total to $65.5M, All from Angel Investors
Peer Global Inc. has successfully secured a $10.5 million funding round, boosting its total funding to $65.5 million, exclusively from angel investors. This latest investment was made by The Family Office of Tommy Mai, while previous funding sources include several family offices from the Los Angeles area, such as those of Dr. Hannah Vu, Dr. Paul Duong, Dr. Quan Nguyen, Dr. Trina Nguyen, Khanh Van Nguyen, and Jan Nguyen. The newly acquired funds will primarily be directed toward hiring new talent and accelerating the development of artificial intelligence (AI) products.
Peer Unveils Personal Planets
In a significant development, Peer has launched personal planets, marking a unique milestone for the company’s innovative platform. The personal planets feature an AI-driven environment designed for exploration, creativity, and social interaction, all powered by Peer’s groundbreaking metaverse game engine. This engine allows developers to create interconnected games, diverging from traditional social media platforms that often promote addictive behaviors. Unlike conventional social media, which relies on linear timelines and feeds, Peer introduces a persistent 3D world, merging elements from games like Pokémon GO and the user-generated creativity of Roblox.
A Shift from Addiction to Immersion
Tony Tran, the founder of Peer, initiated the company after witnessing the detrimental effects of social media addiction on children, who relentlessly pursue the next peak engagement from apps designed to keep them hooked. Traditional social media platforms present content in a flat, linear manner, where users passively consume updates. In contrast, Peer aims to create an engaging atmosphere that fosters immersive social interactions. Instead of merely scrolling through posts, users can engage in a vibrant 3D simulation, allowing them to share experiences in a more relatable context. For instance, a photo taken during a hike would be placed on a virtual trail that mirrors its actual location, accompanied by ambient sounds and contextual information about the area.
Inspired by 3D Metaverse Films
Peer draws inspiration from popular 3D metaverse films such as “Ready Player One,” enabling users to access immersive experiences directly from their mobile devices, powered by AI-generated content. Tran describes this endeavor as the “holy grail of gaming,” envisioning a metaverse where interconnected games allow players to carry their assets, companions, and experiences across different realms. This initiative represents a step towards a gamified, immersive internet akin to that depicted in “Ready Player One,” with a focus on mobile accessibility to ensure widespread participation.
Pioneering New Digital Frontiers
Tommy Mai, an investor in Peer, highlighted the current limitations of conventional websites and social networks, which often lack dynamic engagement, particularly given people’s short attention spans. He believes that AI will revolutionize online experiences by transitioning them into spatial environments, with Peer leading this transformation. The newly launched personal planet feature serves as a 3D interpretation of a social homepage, where users can visually connect with friends as they navigate their mini planets, which mimic real-world geospatial coordinates.
Creating Unique Digital Experiences
Users can customize their personal planets by incorporating various elements such as flora, fauna, and structures, similar to how they would personalize a profile page. Influencers and brands are also encouraged to establish their own worlds using AI prompts, enabling direct advertising within these immersive environments. Tran emphasizes that users are fatigued by endless scrolling and advocates for a more engaging method of navigating the digital landscape. He asserts that Peer is at the forefront of a new digital era where AI and 3D technologies converge to create expansive, interactive spaces that redefine online connection, exploration, and creativity.
About Peer
Peer Global Inc. is revolutionizing the gaming and social media landscape with its pioneering social game engine. The platform provides a persistent 3D environment that combines the exploration features of Pokémon GO with the creative, user-generated experiences found in Roblox, allowing individuals to craft their own personalized online worlds populated by the people, experiences, places, and brands they cherish. By integrating AI and 3D capabilities, Peer replaces traditional news feeds with a real-time global environment that encourages exploration rather than passive consumption. With over 1 million users already engaging in this innovative 3D social network, Peer is set to launch its game developer tool later this year.
