Gather, a virtual HQ platform, has raised $26 million in a Series A funding round led by Sequoia Capital. The platform, which allows remote teams to connect and collaborate in virtual spaces, has seen explosive growth in the past year as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to adopt remote work policies.
The funding round also included participation from existing investors, including XYZ Ventures and Mantis Ventures, as well as new investors such as Harrison Metal and Javelin Venture Partners.
Gather’s platform is designed to recreate the experience of working in an office, with virtual “rooms” that allow team members to interact and collaborate in real time. Users can move freely between rooms, join conversations, and share files and screens as if they were in the same physical space.
The platform also includes a number of features designed to make remote work more engaging and social. For example, users can customize their avatars and backgrounds to create a more personalized experience. They can also participate in a variety of virtual activities, such as games and trivia, to break up the monotony of work and build team camaraderie.
According to the company, the platform has already been adopted by a number of high-profile customers, including Samsung, Deloitte, and Shopify. The company has also seen significant interest from startups and smaller companies looking for a more engaging and collaborative way to work remotely.
The Series A funding round will be used to accelerate Gather’s growth and expand its product offerings. In addition to adding new features and functionality to the platform, the company also plans to hire additional staff and invest in marketing and sales efforts.
The funding round is a significant milestone for Gather, which was founded in 2019 by CEO and co-founder Nicholas Brusson. Brusson, who previously co-founded ride-sharing company BlaBlaCar, saw an opportunity to apply his experience in creating virtual communities to the remote work space.
In a statement, Brusson said that the company’s goal is to “create a world where remote teams can collaborate and connect just as effectively as if they were in the same physical space.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards remote work, with many companies realizing the benefits of a distributed workforce. However, the transition to remote work has also highlighted the challenges of working and collaborating virtually.
One of the biggest challenges is maintaining team cohesion and collaboration in a virtual environment. Without the ability to interact in person, remote teams can struggle to build rapport and communicate effectively. This is where platforms like Gather come in, providing a virtual space for teams to connect and collaborate in a more engaging and social way.
Another challenge is maintaining productivity and focus in a remote work environment. With so many distractions and competing priorities, it can be difficult to stay on task and get work done. Platforms like Gather can help by creating a more structured and focused work environment, with designated spaces for different types of work and clear boundaries between work and social activities.
The rise of virtual HQ platforms like Gather also raises important questions about the future of work. As more companies adopt remote work policies, will virtual HQs become the norm? Will we see a shift away from traditional office spaces and towards more flexible, virtual work environments?
There are certainly advantages to remote work, including greater flexibility and lower overhead costs for companies. However, there are also challenges, such as the need to maintain team cohesion and communication in a virtual environment. Platforms like Gather provide a potential solution to these challenges, but it remains to be seen how widely adopted they will become.
One thing is certain, however: the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards remote work, and companies that fail to adapt risk being left behind.
