Gather

Gather Presence, Inc. operates a virtual platform designed to humanize online interactions by creating a persistent digital space for remote teams and communities. Founded in May 2020 by Phillip Wang, Alex Chen, Mohammed "Kumail" Jaffer, and Nathan Foss, the company emerged as the pandemic highlighted the need for more connected virtual communication. The founders, recent graduates of Carnegie Mellon University and MIT, initially developed the platform as a personal project to maintain social connections with friends and family before realizing its broader potential.

The company's core offering is a customizable 2D virtual world where users, represented by avatars, can move around and interact with others based on proximity, simulating the spontaneous conversations of a physical environment. This model serves as an alternative to scheduled video calls, fostering unplanned collaboration and social moments. The platform is browser-based, requiring no additional software, and integrates with productivity tools like Slack and Google Calendar. Features include shared whiteboards, simultaneous screen sharing, and the ability to build unique spaces that reflect a company's culture, from virtual offices to conference centers.

Gather operates on a subscription-based business model, with pricing tiers tailored to different team sizes and needs. A free version is available for small teams, while paid plans offer enhanced features and support for larger organizations. The primary market consists of businesses, particularly in the technology and professional services sectors, that operate remotely and aim to cultivate a strong team culture despite being geographically dispersed. The platform has also been used for virtual events, education, and social gatherings. Since its launch, Gather has secured significant funding, including a $50 million Series B round in November 2021, co-led by Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures, to further its mission of building a metaverse that removes physical barriers to opportunity and connection.

Keywords: virtual office, remote collaboration, metaverse platform, video chat, team communication, virtual workspace, remote work culture, online community, virtual events, digital interaction, team collaboration tools, Phillip Wang, Sequoia Capital, Index Ventures, Y Combinator, proximity chat, 2D world, avatar communication, employee engagement, distributed teams