Decasonic Digest

Issue 1

June 07, 2023

Welcome to Decasonic's bi-weekly newsletter! Join us as we delve into the depths of industry insights, explore top-of-mind perspectives, and share about upcoming events and initiatives.

From Niche to Mainstream? The Future of Mixed Reality

Why Apple’s Vision Pro, GenerativeAI, and the Blockchain create a new vision for the metaverse.

Apple’s Vision Pro announcement brings much excitement for the mainstream adoption of mixed reality. While no one has a crystal ball for the market implications of Apple’s pending launch, I’ve been diving in deep with conversations with innovators building this transition from the metaverse to mixed reality:

  1. I’ve mapped out 1000+ companies in AR/VR/XR

  2. I’ve connected with 250+ founders to review their financing strategies

  3. I spoke to 50+ founders about their product and growth strategies for their fundraising

What I know for sure is that there are some amazing products right around the corner and that Apple Vision Pro is the rebrand this space needed for the rest to thrive.

Apple’s Vision Pro announcement is a paradigm shift - a transition from Zuckerberg’s vision of the Metaverse to Cook’s vision of Mixed Reality.

After more than seven years of development, the Vision Pro headset aims to serve a variety of productivity and leisure uses. I think it’ll be the best device you’ve ever used on your couch. But what I know for sure is that Apple did not use “the metaverse” in any marketing materials, and I for one am very happy to part with the old connotations and start anew.

Apple Ignites Consumer Mainstream Adoption of New Devices

From the iPhone to the Apple Watch, the company’s 1.0 launches often arrive with obvious limitations. Though through steady iteration — and support from third-party developers — the company’s devices eventually go from visionary proofs-of-concept to daily necessities.

Many critics said that Apple could never disrupt the watch industry — that it was a tech gadget and didn’t belong in the same room as Timex and Cartier. Last year, the Apple Watch division alone made $41 billion.

The iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, Apple AirTags, Apple TV…. they’re all best-in-class hardware devices. Full stop. As a venture investor, I’ve come to take a lot of stock in a track record that is bulletproof.

Will the Vision Pro announcement be the metaverse’s iPhone moment, as long-time Venture and tech thought leader Dean Takahashi suggests?

I think so, but mainstream adoption of emerging consumer devices takes time. My mom didn’t give up the convenience of her Blackberry and the reliability of the analog keyboard the same day that Jobs announced the iPhone. But 3 years later she got an iPhone 4 and never looked back.

So why now? What gives me realistic optimism that the mixed reality moment is today?

  1. The Power of Immersive Interfaces

  2. GenAI with 3D

  3. AI & Blockchain

Top of Mind

  • How will AI impact companies, business models, and the broader society? Founder of Decasonic, Paul Hsu shares insights on this topic in a recent LinkedIn post here.

  • How has Apple shifted the conventional narrative around the metaverse and augmented reality with the release of the new Vision Pro? Check out Venture Investor, Lauren Tierney’s post here.

  • How will blockchain establish safer AI models? See Venture Investor, Danny Pantsuo's post here.

Where to Find Us

Chicago Web3 Investor Day | July 20th

Decasonic’s 2nd annual Web3 Investor Day is quickly approaching on July 20th. This is a unique invite-only opportunity to convene, network, and collaborate with a select group of prominent capital allocators, family offices, endowments, and builders who are blazing trails in web3. The event comprises panel discussions, fireside chats with top web3 leaders, interactive workshops, and top-tier founder pitches.

Learn more about the event here.

Thanks for reading!

Follow Decasonic on Twitter and LinkedIn for daily insights on the web3 ecosystem, Decasonic happenings, and beyond.

Are you or someone you know building in crypto or web3? Get in touch with the investment team here.

 The content of this newsletter is strictly for informational and educational purposes and is not meant to constitute investment advice, or a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any asset or to make any financial decision. Nothing in this newsletter should be considered legal or tax advice. You should consult with your own professional advisor before making any financial decision. Decasonic offers no warranties on any content in the newsletter, including that it is accurate, complete, or correct. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Decasonic. Decasonic is not liable for any errors or omissions in the content of this newsletter or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.