Andreessen Horowitz Leads $68M Into Location-Based VR Startup Sandbox
Sandbox VR brings players into empty rooms and transforms them into full-body virtual reality experiences using backpack PCs and haptic gear. The startup just raises a $68 million Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz to expand its scalable out-of-home VR arcades.
Sandbox VR transforms empty rooms into immersive virtual reality wave shooters by outfitting players with VR headsets, PC backpacks, and tracked toy rifles. The startup currently operates seven locations across Asia and North America and attracts high-profile investors with its sweat-inducing, full-body gaming experiences.
The company just closes a $68 million Series A funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, with additional participation from Alibaba, Floodgate, and Stanford University. This new investment comes more than five years after the venture firm made an early bet on Oculus, marking a renewed confidence in the VR space.
Andreessen Horowitz investor Andrew Chen notes that while in-home VR requires cheaper hardware to reach the masses, location-based VR thrives as its own distinct form factor. He praises Sandbox VR specifically for its scalable design, which fits into modest-sized mall or boutique retail spaces rather than requiring massive custom-built venues.