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{{short description|Technology company}}
{{short description|Technology company}}
{{Infobox company|
{{Infobox company|
| name = Within Unlimited, Inc
| name = Within Unlimited, Inc.
| former_name = Vrse
| former_name = Vrse
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2014}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2014}}
| location = Los Angeles, California
| location = Los Angeles, California
Line 10: Line 10:
| key_people = Chris Milk ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<br />Aaron Koblin ([[Chief technology officer|CTO]])
| key_people = Chris Milk ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<br />Aaron Koblin ([[Chief technology officer|CTO]])
| industry = [[Virtual reality]]
| industry = [[Virtual reality]]
| products = WITHIN App
| products = Supernatural
| parent = [[Meta Platforms]]
| homepage = {{URL|with.in}}
| homepage = {{URL|with.in}}
}}
}}
{{Meta sidebar}}


'''Within Unlimited, Inc''', or commonly '''Within''',<ref>{{cite web|author=Janko Roettgers |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/vrse-within-series-a-chris-milk-1201796161/ |title=VR: Chris Milk's Within Raises $12.5M from Fox, Legendary, Liz Murdoch |publisher=Variety |date=2016-06-16 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> is a technology company based in [[Los Angeles]] that creates, acquires, and distributes [[360-degree video]], [[Augmented reality|AR]], and [[Virtual reality|VR]] experiences and products across web, mobile, console, and headsets.
'''Within Unlimited, Inc.''', or commonly '''Within''',<ref>{{cite web|author=Janko Roettgers |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/vrse-within-series-a-chris-milk-1201796161/ |title=VR: Chris Milk's Within Raises $12.5M from Fox, Legendary, Liz Murdoch |publisher=Variety |date=2016-06-16 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> is a studio based in [[Los Angeles]] developing the [[Virtual reality|VR]] fitness service ''Supernatural'' on the [[Meta Quest]]. The company was founded by [[Chris Milk]] and [[Aaron Koblin]] in 2014 and initially created, acquired, and distributed [[360-degree video]], [[Augmented reality|AR]], and [[Virtual reality|VR]] experiences across web, mobile, console, and headsets. In February 2023,<ref>{{cite web |last=Stein |first=Scott |date=2023-02-08 |title=Meta Completes Acquisition of VR Fitness Company Within |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/meta-completes-acquisition-of-vr-fitness-company-within/ |website=[[CNET]]}}</ref> [[Meta Platforms]] Inc. acquired the company.


==History==
==History==
Originally named '''Vrse''',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Watercutter|first=Angela|date=2016-06-16|title=The VR company Vrse is changing its name to Within, and about to spend $12.56 million of VC money|work=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/06/vr-vrse-new-name-millions-funding/|access-date=2019-01-03|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> Within was founded in 2014 by [[Chris Milk]], and [[Aaron Koblin]], creator of [[Google]]’s Data Arts team.<ref>{{cite web|last=Franklin|first=Oliver|date=2014-11-17|title=LA filmmaker mixes immersive technology with film &#124; WIRED UK|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/chris-milk-new-reality|accessdate=2016-11-19|website=Wired.co.uk}}</ref> The company has produced and distributed some of augmented and virtual reality's most seminal's works, including ''Clouds Over Sidra'', in partnership with the [[United Nations]] (2015), ''Lambchild Superstar'' (2017), co-directed by Milk and [[OK Go|OK Go's]] [[Damian Kulash|Damien Kulash]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=LAMBCHILD SUPERSTAR: Making Music in the Menagerie of the Holy Cow {{!}} 2018 Tribeca Film Festival|url=https://tribecafilm.com/festival/archive/untitled-ok-go-within-project-2018|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Tribeca}}</ref> and the children's augmented reality reading app, Wonderscope (2018). In April 2020, after 2 years in development, Within released [https://www.getsupernatural.com/ Supernatural], an in-home fitness, health, and wellness service for virtual reality, which combines real-life trainers with rhythm mapped exercises set in beautiful locations. In 2020, Within was named one of FastCompany's Most Innovative Companies<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90457929/virtual-augmented-reality-most-innovative-companies-2020|title=The 10 most innovative virtual and augmented reality companies of 2020|date=2020-03-10|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> and Supernatural was named "Best App" in Fast Company's 2020 Innovation by Design Awards. In 2017, Within announced it had raised a $40 million Series B round of funding led by Temasek and Emerson Collective.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|date=2017-07-26|title=Chris Milk's VR Studio Within Raises $40 Million Series B Round of Funding|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/chris-milk-within-40-million-series-b-1202507040/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> In 2016, the company announced it had raised a $12.56 million funding round, lead Andreessen Horowitz, which also led their seed round.
Originally named '''Vrse''',<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Watercutter|first=Angela|date=2016-06-16|title=The VR company Vrse is changing its name to Within, and about to spend $12.56 million of VC money|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/06/vr-vrse-new-name-millions-funding/|access-date=2019-01-03|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> Within was founded in 2014 by [[Chris Milk]] and [[Aaron Koblin]], creators of [[Google]]’s Data Arts team.<ref>{{cite web|last=Franklin|first=Oliver|date=2014-11-17|title=LA filmmaker mixes immersive technology with film &#124; WIRED UK|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/chris-milk-new-reality|accessdate=2016-11-19|website=Wired.co.uk}}</ref> The company has produced and distributed augmented and virtual reality works including ''Clouds Over Sidra'', in partnership with the [[United Nations]] (2015), ''Lambchild Superstar'' (2017), co-directed by Milk and [[OK Go|OK Go's]] [[Damian Kulash|Damien Kulash]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=LAMBCHILD SUPERSTAR: Making Music in the Menagerie of the Holy Cow {{!}} 2018 Tribeca Film Festival|url=https://tribecafilm.com/festival/archive/untitled-ok-go-within-project-2018|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Tribeca}}</ref> and the children's augmented reality reading app, Wonderscope (2018). In April 2020, after 2 years in development, Within released Supernatural, a home fitness, health, and wellness service for virtual reality, which combines footage of real-life trainers with rhythm-mapped exercises set in outdoor locations. In 2020, Within was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90457929/virtual-augmented-reality-most-innovative-companies-2020|title=The 10 most innovative virtual and augmented reality companies of 2020|date=2020-03-10|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>


In October 2021, [[Meta Platforms]] agreed to buy Within for an undisclosed sum.<ref name=meta>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-sues-stop-facebook-buying-within-2022-07-27/ |title=U.S. sues to stop Facebook from buying virtual reality firm Within |date=2022-07-27 |work=[[Reuters]] |first=Diane |last=Bartz}}</ref> In July 2022, the [[U.S. Federal Trade Commission]] sued Meta to block the acquisition arguing that "Meta could have chosen to try to compete. Instead, it chose to buy."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/technology/meta-facebook-vr-ftc.html |title=F.T.C. Sues to Block Meta’s Virtual Reality Deal as It Confronts Big Tech |date=2022-07-27 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first1=David |last1=McCabe |first2=Mike |last2=Isaac |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728011648/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/technology/meta-facebook-vr-ftc.html |archive-date=2022-07-28 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=meta />
In October 2021, [[Meta Platforms|Meta Platforms, Inc.]] agreed to acquire Within for an undisclosed amount.<ref name=meta>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-sues-stop-facebook-buying-within-2022-07-27/ |title=U.S. sues to stop Facebook from buying virtual reality firm Within |date=2022-07-27 |work=[[Reuters]] |first=Diane |last=Bartz}}</ref> In July 2022, the [[U.S. Federal Trade Commission]] sued Meta to block the acquisition, arguing that "Meta could have chosen to try to compete. Instead, it chose to buy."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/technology/meta-facebook-vr-ftc.html |title=F.T.C. Sues to Block Meta's Virtual Reality Deal as It Confronts Big Tech |date=2022-07-27 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first1=David |last1=McCabe |first2=Mike |last2=Isaac |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728011648/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/technology/meta-facebook-vr-ftc.html |archive-date=2022-07-28 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=meta /> In February 2023, the FTC lost its case against Meta in federal court, allowing Meta to acquire the company.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/01/ftc-loses-attempt-to-block-meta-acquisition-of-within.html|title=F.T.C. Sues to Block Meta's Virtual Reality Deal as It Confronts Big Tech |date=2023-02-01 |work=[[CNBC]] |first=Lauren|last=Feiner}}</ref><ref name=meta /> The acquisition was completed the following week,<ref>{{cite web |last=Stein |first=Scott |date=2023-02-08 |title=Meta Completes Acquisition of VR Fitness Company Within |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/meta-completes-acquisition-of-vr-fitness-company-within/ |website=[[CNET]]}}</ref> and the FTC announced it would cancel an administrative proceeding against the acquisition later in the same month.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wolfe|first=Jan|date=February 24, 2023|title=FTC Abandons Challenge to Meta's Acquisition of Virtual-Reality Startup|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftc-abandons-challenge-to-metas-acquisition-of-virtual-reality-startup-6ee5e767|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>

In October 2022, Within sold the Wonderscope app to Amira Learning for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Solsman |first=Joan E. |title=Wonderscope AR Reading App Changes Hands, Will Head Into Schools |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/within-sells-ar-reading-app-wonderscope-to-amira-learning/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> In February 2023, the Within app shut down "to focus exclusively on building Supernatural."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=Within |url=https://with.in/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204122437/https://with.in/ |archive-date=2023-02-04 }}</ref>


===Investors===
===Investors===
On June 16, 2016, Within rebranded from Vrse and raised a $12.65 million [[series A round]] led by [[Andreessen Horowitz]], with participation from [[21st Century Fox]], [[William Morris Endeavor|WME]], Tribeca Enterprises,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/16/virtual-reality-startup-vrse-raises-12-65-million-changes-name-to-within/|title=Virtual reality startup Vrse raises $12.56 million, changes name to WITHIN &#124; VentureBeat &#124; Deals &#124; by Jordan Novet|author=Jordan Novet|date=2016-06-16|publisher=VentureBeat|accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/virtual-reality-startup-vrse-raises-903289|title=Virtual Reality Startup VRse Raises $12.56 Million; Rebrands as 'WITHIN'|author=Carolyn Giardina|date=2016-06-16|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref><ref name="latimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-chris-milk-director-koblin-vrse-within-vr-20160616-snap-story.html|title=Chris Milk's Vrse the latest VR firm to raise money, this time from Fox and WME|date=2016-06-16|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> [[Annapurna Pictures]], [[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] and Freelands Ventures.<ref name="latimes1" /> Current investors include Andreessen Horowitz, [[Temasek Holdings|Temasek]], [[Emerson Collective]], [[21st Century Fox]], Raine Ventures, WME, [[Live Nation Entertainment|Live Nation]], [[Vice Media]], [[Tribeca Enterprises]], Annapurna Pictures, and [[Legendary Entertainment|Legendary Pictures]].
On June 16, 2016, Within rebranded from Vrse and raised a $12.65 million [[Series A round]] led by [[Andreessen Horowitz]], with participation from [[21st Century Fox]], [[William Morris Endeavor|WME]], Tribeca Enterprises,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/16/virtual-reality-startup-vrse-raises-12-65-million-changes-name-to-within/|title=Virtual reality startup Vrse raises $12.56 million, changes name to WITHIN &#124; VentureBeat &#124; Deals &#124; by Jordan Novet|author=Jordan Novet|date=2016-06-16|publisher=VentureBeat|accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/virtual-reality-startup-vrse-raises-903289|title=Virtual Reality Startup VRse Raises $12.56 Million; Rebrands as 'WITHIN'|author=Carolyn Giardina|date=2016-06-16|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref><ref name="latimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-chris-milk-director-koblin-vrse-within-vr-20160616-snap-story.html|title=Chris Milk's Vrse the latest VR firm to raise money, this time from Fox and WME|date=2016-06-16|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> [[Annapurna Pictures]], [[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] and Freelands Ventures.<ref name="latimes1" /> Current investors include Andreessen Horowitz, [[Temasek Holdings|Temasek]], [[Emerson Collective]], [[21st Century Fox]], [[The Raine Group|Raine Ventures]], WME, [[Live Nation Entertainment|Live Nation]], [[Vice Media]], [[Tribeca Enterprises]], Annapurna Pictures, and [[Legendary Entertainment|Legendary Pictures]].

In 2017, Within announced raising $40 million in a Series B round of funding led by Temasek and Emerson Collective including funding from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, 21st Century Fox, and Raine Ventures and new investors [[WPP Group|WPP]] and Macro Ventures.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|date=2017-07-26|title=Chris Milk's VR Studio Within Raises $40 Million Series B Round of Funding|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/chris-milk-within-40-million-series-b-1202507040/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref>


==Installations & Events==
==Installations & Events==
In 2016, Within (known as VRSE at the time) showed roughly 1,200 attendees a synced 360-degree video collage at a TED Talk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vrscout.com/news/vrse-chris-milk-ted-2016/|title = 1,200 TED Attendees Experience VR Simultaneously|date = 20 February 2016}}</ref>
In 2016, Within (known as VRSE) showed a synced 360-degree video collage to roughly 1,200 attendees at a TED Talk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vrscout.com/news/vrse-chris-milk-ted-2016/|title = 1,200 TED Attendees Experience VR Simultaneously|date = 20 February 2016}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Within was named<ref name="appleinsider1">{{cite web|last=Hughes |first=Neil |url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/08/02/the-best-virtual-reality-apps-for-iphone-compatible-with-google-cardboard |title=The best virtual reality apps for iPhone, compatible with Google Cardboard |website=Appleinsider.com |date=2015-08-01 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> the #1 VR app for iOS by Apple Insider, featured<ref name="appleinsider1"/> as "Best New App" on [[iTunes]] and is the most downloaded and highest rated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/google-vr-best-content-guide/40140/ |title=The best VR content for Google Cardboard |website=Gizmag.com |date=2015-11-11 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> cinematic VR app for [[Google Cardboard]].
Within was named<ref name="appleinsider1">{{cite web|last=Hughes |first=Neil |url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/08/02/the-best-virtual-reality-apps-for-iphone-compatible-with-google-cardboard |title=The best virtual reality apps for iPhone, compatible with Google Cardboard |website=Appleinsider.com |date=2015-08-01 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> the "Number 1" VR app for iOS by Apple Insider, featured<ref name="appleinsider1"/> as the "Best New App" on [[iTunes]], and was the most downloaded and highest-rated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/google-vr-best-content-guide/40140/ |title=The best VR content for Google Cardboard |website=Gizmag.com |date=2015-11-11 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> cinematic VR app for [[Google Cardboard]].


Within VR films were selected<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribecafilm.com/stories/tribeca-film-festival-2016-innovation-storyscapes-def-con-mr-robot-virtual-reality |title=The Complete Lineup for Experiential Storytelling at the Tribeca 2016 Festival Hub &#124; Tribeca |website=Tribecafilm.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> for the [[Tribeca Film Festival]] and chosen<ref name="latimes1"/> for the [[Sundance Film Festival]], respectively, in both 2015 and 2016. Within film, "The Displaced", won<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aicpshow.com/show/cat/y/year-2016 |title=Year 2016 &#124; From the Archives of the AICP Awards &#124; AICP Awards |website=Aicpshow.com |date=2016-05-16 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> the Most Next Award at the 2016 AICP Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aicp.com/aicp-show |title=Awards |publisher=AICP |date= |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> and the 2016 [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]] Lions Grand Prix in the Entertainment category.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nudd |first=Tim |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/new-york-times-vr-film-displaced-wins-lions-entertainment-grand-prix-172225 |title=The New York Times VR Film 'The Displaced' Wins the Lions Entertainment Grand Prix |publisher=Adweek |date=2016-06-24 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> Within Founder [[Chris Milk]]’s [[Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special|SNL40 VR special]] won the Best Online Film & Video Award at the 2016 [[Webby Award]]s. Milk’s "[[Clouds Over Sidra]]" won the Interactive Category at the 2015 Sheffield Doc/Fest Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sheffdocfest.com/ |title=Sheffield Doc/Fest: Sheffield International Documentary Festival |website=Sheffdocfest.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> In 2020 Within was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90457929/virtual-augmented-reality-most-innovative-companies-2020|title=The 10 most innovative virtual and augmented reality companies of 2020|date=2020-03-10|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> Within's Supernatural won "Best App" in Fast Company's 2020 Innovation by Design Awards.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2004|title=Innovation Awards Finalists Named|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/e532882006-003|access-date=2020-10-12|website=PsycEXTRA Dataset|doi=10.1037/e532882006-003}}</ref>
Within VR films were selected<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribecafilm.com/stories/tribeca-film-festival-2016-innovation-storyscapes-def-con-mr-robot-virtual-reality |title=The Complete Lineup for Experiential Storytelling at the Tribeca 2016 Festival Hub &#124; Tribeca |website=Tribecafilm.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> for the [[Tribeca Film Festival]] and chosen<ref name="latimes1"/> for the [[Sundance Film Festival]], respectively, in both 2015 and 2016. Within film, "The Displaced," won<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aicpshow.com/show/cat/y/year-2016 |title=Year 2016 &#124; From the Archives of the AICP Awards &#124; AICP Awards |website=Aicpshow.com |date=2016-05-16 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> the Most Next Award at the 2016 AICP Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aicp.com/aicp-show |title=Awards |publisher=AICP |date= |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> and the 2016 [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]] Lions Grand Prix in the Entertainment category.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nudd |first=Tim |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/new-york-times-vr-film-displaced-wins-lions-entertainment-grand-prix-172225 |title=The New York Times VR Film 'The Displaced' Wins the Lions Entertainment Grand Prix |publisher=Adweek |date=2016-06-24 |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> Within Founder [[Chris Milk]]’s [[Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special|SNL40 VR special]] won the Best Online Film & Video Award at the 2016 [[Webby Award]]s. Milk’s "[[Clouds Over Sidra]]" won the Interactive Category at the 2015 Sheffield Doc/Fest Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sheffdocfest.com/ |title=Sheffield Doc/Fest: Sheffield International Documentary Festival |website=Sheffdocfest.com |date= |accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> In 2020, Within was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90457929/virtual-augmented-reality-most-innovative-companies-2020|title=The 10 most innovative virtual and augmented reality companies of 2020|date=2020-03-10|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> Within's Supernatural won "Best App" in Fast Company's 2020 Innovation by Design Awards.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2004|title=Innovation Awards Finalists Named|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/e532882006-003|access-date=2020-10-12|website=PsycEXTRA Dataset|doi=10.1037/e532882006-003}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}{{Meta Horizon}}{{Meta Platforms}}


[[Category:Virtual reality companies]]
[[Category:Virtual reality companies]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Announced information technology acquisitions]]
[[Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Meta Platforms acquisitions]]

Latest revision as of 00:21, 3 November 2024

Within Unlimited, Inc.
FormerlyVrse
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVirtual reality
Founded2014; 11 years ago (2014)
Founders
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Key people
Chris Milk (CEO)
Aaron Koblin (CTO)
ProductsSupernatural
ParentMeta Platforms
Websitewith.in
This article is part of a series about
Meta Platforms
Products and services
Facebook
Other products
People
Executives and board members
Notable employees
Related organizations
Business
Criticism
Litigation
Related

Within Unlimited, Inc., or commonly Within,[1] is a studio based in Los Angeles developing the VR fitness service Supernatural on the Meta Quest. The company was founded by Chris Milk and Aaron Koblin in 2014 and initially created, acquired, and distributed 360-degree video, AR, and VR experiences across web, mobile, console, and headsets. In February 2023,[2] Meta Platforms Inc. acquired the company.

History

[edit]

Originally named Vrse,[3] Within was founded in 2014 by Chris Milk and Aaron Koblin, creators of Google’s Data Arts team.[4] The company has produced and distributed augmented and virtual reality works including Clouds Over Sidra, in partnership with the United Nations (2015), Lambchild Superstar (2017), co-directed by Milk and OK Go's Damien Kulash,[5] and the children's augmented reality reading app, Wonderscope (2018). In April 2020, after 2 years in development, Within released Supernatural, a home fitness, health, and wellness service for virtual reality, which combines footage of real-life trainers with rhythm-mapped exercises set in outdoor locations. In 2020, Within was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.[6]

In October 2021, Meta Platforms, Inc. agreed to acquire Within for an undisclosed amount.[7] In July 2022, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued Meta to block the acquisition, arguing that "Meta could have chosen to try to compete. Instead, it chose to buy."[8][7] In February 2023, the FTC lost its case against Meta in federal court, allowing Meta to acquire the company.[9][7] The acquisition was completed the following week,[10] and the FTC announced it would cancel an administrative proceeding against the acquisition later in the same month.[11]

In October 2022, Within sold the Wonderscope app to Amira Learning for an undisclosed amount.[12] In February 2023, the Within app shut down "to focus exclusively on building Supernatural."[13]

Investors

[edit]

On June 16, 2016, Within rebranded from Vrse and raised a $12.65 million Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from 21st Century Fox, WME, Tribeca Enterprises,[14][15][16] Annapurna Pictures, Vice and Freelands Ventures.[16] Current investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Temasek, Emerson Collective, 21st Century Fox, Raine Ventures, WME, Live Nation, Vice Media, Tribeca Enterprises, Annapurna Pictures, and Legendary Pictures.

In 2017, Within announced raising $40 million in a Series B round of funding led by Temasek and Emerson Collective including funding from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, 21st Century Fox, and Raine Ventures and new investors WPP and Macro Ventures.[17]

Installations & Events

[edit]

In 2016, Within (known as VRSE) showed a synced 360-degree video collage to roughly 1,200 attendees at a TED Talk.[18]

Awards

[edit]

Within was named[19] the "Number 1" VR app for iOS by Apple Insider, featured[19] as the "Best New App" on iTunes, and was the most downloaded and highest-rated[20] cinematic VR app for Google Cardboard.

Within VR films were selected[21] for the Tribeca Film Festival and chosen[16] for the Sundance Film Festival, respectively, in both 2015 and 2016. Within film, "The Displaced," won[22] the Most Next Award at the 2016 AICP Awards[23] and the 2016 Cannes Lions Grand Prix in the Entertainment category.[24] Within Founder Chris Milk’s SNL40 VR special won the Best Online Film & Video Award at the 2016 Webby Awards. Milk’s "Clouds Over Sidra" won the Interactive Category at the 2015 Sheffield Doc/Fest Awards.[25] In 2020, Within was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.[26] Within's Supernatural won "Best App" in Fast Company's 2020 Innovation by Design Awards.[27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Janko Roettgers (2016-06-16). "VR: Chris Milk's Within Raises $12.5M from Fox, Legendary, Liz Murdoch". Variety. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  2. ^ Stein, Scott (2023-02-08). "Meta Completes Acquisition of VR Fitness Company Within". CNET.
  3. ^ Watercutter, Angela (2016-06-16). "The VR company Vrse is changing its name to Within, and about to spend $12.56 million of VC money". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
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