Virtual reality: a real investment opportunity
Despite the economic difficulties, the field of virtual reality has become a real option for investors, even though some, reluctant to new technologies, do not quite accept that within this sector the possibilities of growth are quite high.
The term “virtual reality” may be very familiar to most people, but it is still difficult to recognize it as an opportunity to invest money.
Savvy investors, especially those with greater foresight, are already filling their portfolios with as many virtual reality agency stocks as possible.
The secret for virtual reality companies is to go public once their earnings exceed double-digit figures. Some even expect higher profits to put their name on the stock exchange.
For smaller investors the virtual glasses business is a shot in the dark: the market continues to move around transformative innovations.
Virtual reality in Spain
According to various specialized agencies, virtual reality has generated more than 45 million euros in Spain. The great dominator of this field in the country is Samsung, with its Gear VR device, as there are around 4.3 million of this product in the Spanish market.
Its closest pursuer is the PlayStation VR, from Japanese multinational company Sony, with a total of 915,000 devices sold in the country. One of the model agencies, as far as virtual reality in Spain is concerned, is Two Reality. This venture was founded in 2010 with the goal of developing virtual experiences for a growing customer base.
Two Reality brings together a large number of professionals: 3D modelers, engineers, animators and photographers. This company is an example that if you have a good eye, you can reap big monetary dividends in the virtual reality sector. Two Reality currently works with companies such as Aquarius, Red Bull, Indra, Nestlé, Repsol and Reebok.
Large companies
At the moment, three companies share a large slice of the virtual reality revenue pie. Google VR, MSI VR and GoPro VR are comfortably ahead of the others. With the slogan, “Virtual Reality for Everyone,” Google VR is by far the largest company in the industry.
The Californian giant has sufficient financial muscle to maintain and develop its lead in this field, which, by 2022, is projected to be $33 million. Daydream and Cardboard are Google’s flagship virtual reality products. Of course, both are designed for use on cell phones with Android operating systems.
MSI, in English Micro-Star International, the thriving Taiwanese company, known for manufacturing hardware, is slowly entering the virtual reality market. With affordable products, they are gaining ground. Their low prices, however, do not compromise their reliability. Finally, we have GoPro, the well-known U.S. company dedicated to the development and sale of high-definition personal photographic equipment. GoPro VR, the company’s virtual reality division, is making its mark in the industry with cutting-edge devices. Its forte: the drone and its fusion with virtual reality.
Promising outlook
Although virtual reality did not make the economic leap expected, by experts, in 2016, for the next four years the numbers claim that this market will be worth $22.4 billion in 2020. Most of the proceeds will be from software sales.
What is most incredible is that these figures do not include the profits to be made from mobile virtual reality.
When estimates include this item, the figure rises to US$30 billion. As a result, virtual reality will experience an uptick in growth this year. And that it will not stop until it is consolidated.
Facebook on the hunt
Oculus Rift, the virtual reality goggles from Oculus VR – which Facebook owns – is aiming to upgrade its device for this lustrum. Mark Zuckerberg, owner of this Silicon Valley giant, plans to invest three billion dollars to accelerate the take-off of the Oculus.
