Gaming & Social

AI and Web3 are leading the next wave of gaming innovation

Gaming investment rallied in 2024. Here’s how emerging tech is making gaming more immersive, responsive, and secure.

Research Brief
February 20, 2025

Analyzing a16z’s AI investment strategy: Where the firm sees opportunity amid the genAI rush

In 2024 so far, Andreessen Horowitz’s leading AI priorities are multimedia generation and AI-fueled agents & copilots.

Research Brief
August 23, 2024

Analyzing Nike’s growth strategy: How the sportswear brand is prioritizing loyalty amid a return to wholesale

We mined Nike's acquisitions, investments, and partnerships to discern the company's strategic priorities.

Research Brief
February 16, 2024

Analyzing a16z’s gaming & entertainment investment strategy: Where did the VC place its biggest bets in 2022?

We identify a16z’s top priorities in gaming & entertainment across blockchain games, digital content & creator tools, and more.

Research Brief
May 17, 2023

Could Netflix be the next Disney? How the streamer is betting on ads and gaming to become an entertainment powerhouse

Netflix’s latest partnership and acquisition activity illuminate the streamer’s plans to transform its business model, tap into new revenue streams, and grow its bottom line.

Research Brief
May 10, 2023

Did Instagram’s new feature update just torch $260M of venture funding to link-in-bio companies?

With Instagram now allowing 5 external links on a user’s profile, standalone link-in-bio companies are going to have a tougher time defining their value proposition.

Research Brief
April 21, 2023

Analyzing Microsoft’s generative AI strategy: How Microsoft is expanding past OpenAI to transform the way we work

Microsoft has invested billions in ChatGPT developer OpenAI — but it’s not stopping there. We look at how Microsoft is developing new products, investing in startups, and using partnerships to become a pioneer in generative AI.

Research Brief
April 10, 2023

Analyzing Microsoft’s generative AI strategy: How Microsoft is expanding past OpenAI to transform the way we work

Research Brief
April 10, 2023

82 early-stage social commerce companies making shopping more engaging and convenient

From B2B tools like influencer marketing platforms to B2C solutions like chat commerce, we look at the social commerce startups helping brands connect with online shoppers.

Research Brief
March 2, 2023

Analyzing Chipotle’s growth strategy: How the fast-casual restaurant giant is boosting profits through robotics, gaming, and more

We mined Chipotle’s investments and partnerships to discern the company's strategic priorities.

Research Brief
January 17, 2023

Unbundling Disney: How technology is reshaping the entertainment industry

Disney’s name is nearly synonymous with entertainment, but new technologies could radically change how movies and video games are created and delivered. From immersive hardware to synthetic speech, here are the tech solutions moving the industry forward.

Research Brief
January 10, 2023

Analyzing Microsoft’s metaverse strategy: How the tech giant is building a gaming empire

We mined Microsoft’s acquisitions, investments, and partnerships to discern the company's strategic priorities for the metaverse.

Research Brief
November 22, 2022

95+ early-stage companies using AI to create and edit digital content

From automating the creation of personalized videos to enabling new virtual customer experiences, these startups are using AI to help brands and retailers create highly engaging digital content at scale.

Research Brief
October 5, 2022

Unbundling TikTok: How influencer marketing and the creator economy are getting disrupted

TikTok’s rise as a popular social media platform among younger consumers and content creators has implications for where and how brands and retailers should allocate their digital marketing budget. From NFTs to digital avatars, here’s how tech companies are disrupting the creator economy and influencer marketing.

Research Brief
September 8, 2022

These 95+ AR/VR companies hint at what the metaverse has in store

Market Map

From VR-based therapeutics to omni-directional treadmills for immersive gaming, these startups are ushering in the next wave of AR/VR experiences and solutions.

Research Brief
February 9, 2022