Who will invest in Metaverse?

MetaversePlanet March 31, 2022

0 1 minute read

Recently, major players such as McDonald’s, Disney, and Gucci have entered the metaverse, with Facebook (Meta) CEO Mark Zuckerberg among the notable investors.

Projections indicate that the metaverse market, currently valued at $21 billion, is expected to surge to $800 billion within the next two years. Recognized as Web 3.0, the metaverse is increasingly viewed as an unmissable investment opportunity.

One key point of interest revolves around the stance of family offices, with reports suggesting that these entities, despite their dissatisfaction with the widespread use of online meeting platforms like Zoom during the pandemic, are hesitant to fully embrace the metaverse. Family offices emphasize control and autonomy, making them seemingly resistant to the idea of establishing a presence in the metaverse.

However, the pandemic highlighted the significance of virtual roles, prompting speculation that the metaverse could quickly become a hub for both work and social interactions.

As consumers begin to spend money within the metaverse, it is expected to attract substantial investments from major global players, including family offices. The recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for $68.7 billion was explicitly linked to the metaverse, further underscoring its potential.

Many believe that the metaverse could evolve into a $10 to $30 trillion opportunity over the next decade. While family offices closely monitor these discussions, they remain cautious about taking immediate action, preferring to observe others taking the lead in this emerging space.

Over the past 12 months, family offices have increased private equity investments by 63%, engaging in more direct investment than ever before, driven by their proven track record of returns.

Despite their caution, over half of family offices acknowledge that risk tolerances have risen post-pandemic, and they view the metaverse as a risk worth considering.

Metaverse investments are seen by some as an extension of the esports focus observed in 2021, as the convergence of computer games and metaverse technology instills confidence among these investors. Notably, family offices have been slow to enter the esports arena, but the growing interest in this space suggests a potential shift towards the metaverse in the near future.

However, like any emerging trend, predicting the definitive interest of family offices in the metaverse remains challenging.