Katmai
Katmai  | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Software |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | Erik Braund |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, United States |
| Key people | Erik Braund (Founder and CEO) |
| Products | Katmai Virtual Office — a browser-based 3D virtual office platform with real video presence and spatial audio for remote and hybrid teams |
| Services | Virtual office software for remote and hybrid teams; custom virtual workspaces for businesses |
| Website | https://katmaitech.com/ |
Katmai is virtual office software for remote and hybrid teams. A browser-based 3D workspace with real video presence, Katmai enables distributed teams to work together in a shared digital office using 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 with 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 designed to provide distributed teams with a persistent shared workplace. The platform allows employees to see who is available, communicate in real time, hold meetings, collaborate, and move between different areas of a digital workspace without relying exclusively on scheduled video calls. Its three-dimensional workspace combines live video presence, spatial audio, screen sharing, meeting areas, and collaborative spaces 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. The company initially worked on audio and video production before developing technology intended to address challenges associated with online meetings and remote collaboration. Braund spent several years developing the technology before the company emerged from stealth in 2023.[1][2]
The company developed its virtual office platform around the concept 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 according to their position within the workspace. The software has been developed for organizations with remote and hybrid workforces.[1][4]
Katmai's technology was developed around a browser-based environment that combines three-dimensional spaces with live video communication. GamesBeat reported that the platform operates in 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 across Fortune 500 firms and startups following its closed beta launch in 2021.[1]
The company received coverage from technology and business publications during its development and launch. Coverage included reporting from VentureBeat/GamesBeat and Crain's New York Business, while industry and company databases including Crunchbase, PitchBook, Tracxn, and SPEEDA Edge have also documented 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 included additional investors including former NFL player Sidney Rice and The Marketing Store. The funding was reported by GamesBeat and Crain's New York Business.[1][5][2]
Katmai's funding and company profile 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 creates persistent digital workspaces containing offices, meeting rooms, presentation areas, and other shared spaces. Users can navigate the environment through a standard web browser and communicate using live audio and video.[1][4][2]
The platform is designed as an always-available workplace rather than a conventional meeting that begins and ends at a scheduled time. Team members can enter their workspace, see which colleagues are present, approach people within the environment, and begin conversations without creating a new meeting link. Spatial audio allows conversations to change according to participants' positions within the workspace.[1][4]
The software provides screen-sharing capabilities that allow users to share an entire screen, a particular application window, or a browser tab. Virtual meeting spaces can include presentation displays and collaborative areas for distributed teams.[4]
Katmai also supports guest access and multiple ways of bringing people into a workspace. The platform is designed to accommodate both internal team communication and collaboration with external participants.[4]
The platform provides both three-dimensional and two-dimensional viewing options. Its spatial environment is designed to allow users to move between areas of a digital workplace and interact with colleagues according to 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-browser on a webcam-enabled computer.[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 conventional meeting interfaces. Movement through the digital office allows users to encounter colleagues, enter meeting rooms, and participate in conversations according to their location within the workspace.[1]
The platform is intended to support both planned meetings and spontaneous communication. Teams can use private rooms for focused discussions, shared meeting spaces for presentations, and open areas for informal interaction. The spatial design allows users to communicate 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 rather than 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 support 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 funding round included additional investors including 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.[1][2]
Katmai has reported total funding of US$41.3 million. Company funding information 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
- Katmai on LinkedIn
- Katmai on X
- Katmai on Facebook
- Katmai on Instagram
- Katmai on TikTok
- Katmai on YouTube
- Katmai on Crunchbase
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