Katmai
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Katmai is virtual office software designed for remote and hybrid teams. It provides a browser-based 3D workspace with live video presence, allowing distributed teams to work together in a shared digital office through a standard web browser. The platform does not require virtual-reality headsets or specialized hardware. Katmai Tech was founded in 2020 by Erik Braund and is headquartered in New York City, New York, United States. The company emerged from stealth in May 2023 after raising a US$22 million Series A round led by Starr Insurance Companies and has raised US$41.3 million in total funding.[1][2][3]
Katmai operates as Katmai Tech Inc. and develops browser-based virtual office software intended to create a persistent shared workplace for distributed teams. The platform enables employees to see who is available, communicate in real time, conduct meetings, collaborate, and move between different areas of a digital workspace without depending entirely on scheduled video calls. Its three-dimensional workspace incorporates live video presence, spatial audio, screen sharing, meeting rooms, and collaborative areas within a browser-based environment.[1][2]
History
Katmai was founded in 2020 by Erik Braund, who serves as the company's founder and chief executive officer. Before developing its virtual office technology, the company worked in audio and video production. Braund spent several years developing the underlying technology before Katmai emerged from stealth in 2023.[1][2]
The company developed its virtual office platform around the idea of a persistent digital workplace rather than a conventional meeting application. Katmai's workspace allows team members to enter a shared environment, move between rooms, see colleagues through live video, and communicate based on their positions within the workspace. The software was developed to support organizations with remote and hybrid workforces.[1][4]
Katmai developed its technology around a browser-based environment that combines three-dimensional spaces with live video communication. GamesBeat reported that the platform operates through a standard web browser and does not require a virtual-reality headset. The publication also reported that the company had been working with dozens of companies, including Fortune 500 firms and startups, following its closed beta launch in 2021.[1]
During its development and launch, Katmai received coverage from technology and business publications. This included reporting from VentureBeat/GamesBeat and Crain's New York Business. Company and industry databases including Crunchbase, PitchBook, Tracxn, and SPEEDA Edge have also documented information about Katmai's business activities and funding.[1][5][6][7]
In May 2023, Katmai emerged from stealth and announced a US$22 million Series A funding round led by Starr Insurance Companies. The round also included investors such as former NFL player Sidney Rice and The Marketing Store. The funding announcement was reported by GamesBeat and Crain's New York Business.[1][5][2]
Katmai's company profile and funding history have also been documented by PitchBook, Tracxn, and SPEEDA Edge. These sources identify Katmai as a New York-based technology company operating in the software and virtual office sector.[6][7][3]
Software
Katmai's principal product is browser-based virtual office software designed for remote and hybrid teams. The platform provides persistent digital workspaces containing offices, meeting rooms, presentation areas, and other shared spaces. Users can navigate these environments through a standard web browser and communicate using live audio and video.[1][4][2]
The platform is designed to function as an always-available workplace rather than a conventional meeting that starts and ends at a scheduled time. Team members can enter their workspace, see which colleagues are present, approach other participants, and begin conversations without creating a separate meeting link. Spatial audio allows conversations to change according to the positions of participants within the workspace.[1][4]
The software includes screen-sharing functionality that allows users to share an entire screen, a specific application window, or a browser tab. Virtual meeting areas can include presentation displays and collaborative spaces for distributed teams.[4]
Katmai also supports guest access and provides multiple ways for users to invite others into a workspace. The platform is intended to support both internal team communication and collaboration with external participants.[4]
The platform provides both three-dimensional and two-dimensional viewing options. Its spatial environment enables users to move between different areas of a digital workplace and interact with colleagues based on their location within the workspace.[1]
Katmai operates through web browsers and does not require virtual-reality headsets or specialized hardware. GamesBeat reported that the platform runs in a browser on a computer equipped with a webcam.[1]
Technology and workplace model
Katmai combines live video communication with a persistent spatial workspace. Users appear through live video feeds rather than relying solely on static profile images or traditional meeting interfaces. Moving through the digital office allows users to encounter colleagues, enter meeting rooms, and participate in conversations based on their location within the workspace.[1]
The platform is designed to support both scheduled meetings and spontaneous communication. Teams can use private rooms for focused discussions, shared meeting spaces for presentations, and open areas for informal interaction. Its spatial design enables communication based on proximity within the digital workspace.[1][4]
GamesBeat reported that Katmai uses web-based technologies including the glTF 3D file format and was designed to operate within a standard browser. The company's technology combines three-dimensional environments with live video communication instead of relying on animated characters for conversations.[1]
Katmai's browser-based architecture allows users to access their workspaces through a standard web browser. The platform is designed to provide a persistent digital workplace for distributed teams without requiring specialized hardware.[1][2]
Company
Katmai Tech Inc. is headquartered in New York City, New York, United States. Crunchbase identifies the company's legal name as Katmai Tech Inc., lists Katmai as its alternate name, and identifies Erik Braund as its founder and chief executive officer.[2]
The company operates in the software and workplace collaboration technology sector. Crunchbase categorizes Katmai under 3D technology, software, and video conferencing, while PitchBook, Tracxn, and SPEEDA Edge provide additional company and industry information.[2][6][7][3]
The company was founded by Erik Braund, who serves as its founder and chief executive officer. Katmai's development has focused on creating digital environments intended to facilitate communication and collaboration among geographically distributed teams.[1][2]
Katmai has been covered by technology and business publications including GamesBeat and Crain's New York Business. Additional company information is available through Crunchbase, PitchBook, Tracxn, SPEEDA Edge, and Outsource Accelerator.[1][5][2][6][7][3][4]
Funding
In 2023, Katmai announced a US$22 million Series A funding round led by Starr Insurance Companies. The round included additional investors such as Sidney Rice and The Marketing Store.[1][5][2]
GamesBeat reported that the Series A was led by Starr Insurance Companies and that Sidney Rice was among the additional investors. Crunchbase also identifies Starr Insurance as the lead investor and lists Sidney Rice and The Marketing Store among the investors associated with the Series A round.[1][2]
Katmai has reported total funding of US$41.3 million. Funding information for the company has also been documented by PitchBook, Tracxn, and SPEEDA Edge.[6][7][3]
Leadership
Erik Braund is the founder and chief executive officer of Katmai. He founded the company in 2020 and has overseen the development of its browser-based virtual office platform.[1][2]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 Katmai raises $22M for a new take on the metaverse with 3D virtual office, GamesBeat, April 24, 2023.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 Katmai - Crunchbase
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Katmai, SPEEDA Edge.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Virtual 3D offices take off as remote work evolves, Outsource Accelerator.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Virtual office provider Katmai launches with $22M and dozens of tenants, Crain's New York Business.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Katmai - PitchBook
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Katmai Tech - Tracxn