Bit.Country

Bit.Country operates as a Metaverse-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform, enabling users, influencers, and brands to create their own individualized metaverses without extensive technical expertise. The company was established in 2021 by co-founders Ray Lu, Shannon Christie, and Daniel Choi, with the initial concept sparked in early 2018 at a blockchain conference in San Francisco. This led to the immediate registration of the bit.country domain name.

The founders bring a wealth of relevant experience to the venture. Ray Lu, the Chairperson, is a serial entrepreneur with a background as a senior software developer and has launched multiple successful tech startups. Shannon Christie, the CTO, has over fifteen years of software development experience. Daniel Choi serves as the Development Lead, skilled in project feasibility and solution implementation. Their collective journey began with developing a proof of concept, which was later advanced by the adoption of Polkadot's Substrate technology in late 2018, a framework they identified as ideal for realizing their vision.

The platform's core offering is a decentralized application framework and blockchain built on the Metaverse.Network, which is designed for low transaction fees. This infrastructure allows any individual or community to launch their own metaverse, complete with a 3D world, a map engine, an NFT marketplace, and a customizable economy. Users can own, trade, and build on virtual land, creating a community-driven economy. Revenue is generated through the consumption of the platform's native materials, like 'BIT', which is required for in-world building activities and is burned upon use.

A key feature is the 'Continuum,' a grid map of all metaverses on the platform where spots can be secured through auctions, offering recognition and other benefits. The platform also provides tools for a local DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) to govern each metaverse community. In May 2021, Bit.Country secured $4 million in a seed funding round co-led by Walsh Wealth Group and Animoca Brands, with participation from 35 other institutional investors and one angel investor. This funding has supported the company's mission to empower users to create their own digital societies and economies, fostering a new dimension of community engagement on Web3.

Keywords: Metaverse-as-a-Service, user-generated metaverses, decentralized governance, virtual land economy, NFT marketplace, Polkadot ecosystem, community-owned platform, Web3 engagement, digital societies, blockchain gaming