Virbela is a virtual world platform for remote collaboration events, and education built by a team of behavioural psychologists. Impressed by its capabilities, one of its early customers, Glenn Sanford (founder of eXp Realty) acquired the company in 2018, and it proved to be an extremely lucrative decision. Backed by a rapidly growing user base during the endemic, Virbela helped take eXp Realty’s trading price go from $7 to $77 in approximately two years.
Virbela offers different virtual environments for remote interactions, including an expo hall and a virtual entertainment venue. The company’s also working on a web-based solution that will further enhance accessibility.
It’s worth noting that Virbela saw a massive 260% growth in Q2 2020, establishing it firmly among the ranks of virtual collaboration pioneers, despite its short history as a commercially available platform.
What are the Key Features of Virbela?
Virbela’s core value proposition is that it proves immersive 3D spaces with powerful social and collaboration capabilities.
Enterprise readiness
Virbela is built on the Unity game engine enabling an impressive degree of scalability. It can host tens of thousands of users at the same time, and its enterprise-grade security features ensure that conversations aren’t saved in the company’s data centres. Virbela supports SSO and deep integrations to fit seamlessly and securely into your tech stack.
Proprietary voice technology
Virbela introduces proprietary voice technology to make communication seem more natural even in a virtual space. Inside Virbela virtual world, your speech will increase or diminish in volume as you move, mimicking the voice dynamics of real-world space. There is also an option to designate spaces as a private volume area where you can converse with a specified group without being interrupted by other users who might be moving in or out of a nearby space.
Presentation tools
Virbela recreates your favourite meeting and presentation aids such as PPT decks/slides, screen sharing, laser pointers, and sticky notes to help you convey a message to your audience. Any software that runs on a browser can be cast via Virbela, and document files can be shared as well. Importantly, you can choose an avatar that reflects your personality, complete with customisable outfits and hairstyles.
Campus and free movement
Virbela lets you create an entire office campus – offices, cubicles, board rooms, auditoriums, stage sets, and outdoor scenery. Users are represented through a full figure avatar, which means every movement is captured with impressive verisimilitude. Virbela lets you customise campus spaces as per your requirements – for example, you could host an entire inter-department soccer match on Virbela if you wanted.
What are the Benefits of Using Virbela?
Virbela aims to be a virtual reality alternative to online collaboration and video calling, replacing something like a Microsoft Teams. It supports up to 1,500 concurrent users – excellent for small-to-mid-sized organisations.
How Much Will It Cost?
Virbela’s client roster includes companies like PwC, HTC, and several state universities. Prices start from $100 per month, for team suites and conference halls, going up to $4000 per month or more for a full-fledged private campus.
