About AR VR in Retail sector in North America
The AR VR in Retail sector in North America comprises 218 companies, including 94 funded companies having collectively raised $5.11B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 33 are Series A+ funded, and 2 have achieved unicorn status.
AR VR in Retail sector in North America has seen 20 acquisitions and 2 IPOs. This represents almost 10.1% of all such companies - which is higher than the 5.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes companies that provide immersive multimedia that digitally simulates presence in real or imagined worlds, and allows the user to interact with that world for retail.
Includes companies manufacturing display devices to view AR/VR content in the retail sector, companies developing tools for interaction with AR/VR content for retail purposes through natural gestures like hand gestures. Tools for AR/VR development in retail are also included. Comprises of companies using AR/VR technology in different sectors for both consumer and enterprise applications in retail. Companies developing custom AR/VR applications for retail purposes are also included. Excludes generic 3D and visualization tools. Generic software which can be used to make VR/AR content are not covered here. Excludes companies which make VR/AR hardware or software infrastructure products for applications other than retail. Companies applying VR technology in various fields other than retail are also excluded.
Top AR VR in Retail Companies in North America
There are 218 AR VR in Retail startups in North America which include Oculus, RealWear, XREAL, Lucyd, Obsess. Out of these, 94 startups are funded, with 33 having secured Series A+ funding, and 2 achieving unicorn status.
Over the past 10 years, an average of 9 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University.
Here is the list of top AR VR in Retail startups in North America
1. Oculus
Provider of VR-based head-mounted displays. It offers head-mounted devices for the gaming VR experience that has to be connected to the computer or smartphone. Its features include an integrable mobile app, LCD, built-in storage, gesture controls, and more.
Key facts about Oculus
- Founded Year: 2012
- Location: Menlo Park (United States)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $107M
- Investors: Spark Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and 11 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series B, Aug 04, 2022, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 80/100 What is this?
2. RealWear
Provider of wearable heads-up display for industrial workers. It allows industrial workers easy hands-free access to data like PDF documents or manuals. The device uses technology similar to that of smart glasses to display the information right in front of the user's eyes. The device uses a voice-based interface that allows the user to navigate through applications or documents, and enter text or numbers just by giving voice commands. The device has a four-axis optically image stabilized auto-focus camera which can be used to make video calls or record videos.
Key facts about RealWear
- Founded Year: 2016
- Location: Vancouver (United States)
- Stage: Series C
- Total Funding till date: $128M
- Investors: Columbia Ventures Corporation, Foundry and 12 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series C, Jul 03, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 71/100 What is this?
3. XREAL
Internet first brand offering smart eyewear. The company offers augmented-reality glasses that are compatible with gaming consoles, computers, and mobile phones. It can connect both wired and wirelessly to devices and has an adjustable virtual display.
Key facts about XREAL
- Founded Year: 2017
- Location: Sunnyvale (United States)
- Stage: Series C
- Total Funding till date: $300M
- Investors: Kuaishou Technology, Sequoia Capital and 5 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series C, Jan 29, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 70/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 216 Competitors
4. Lucyd
Internet-first brand offering smart glasses and eyewear. Its features include a front camera, eye tracking, microphones, head motion sensors, power on and off by folding or unfolding stems, LCD microdisplays, bone-conduction earphones, and wireless charging.
Key facts about Lucyd
- Founded Year: 2017
- Location: Miami (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $649K
- Investors: Tekcapital and Ray Family
- Latest Funding Round: Seed, Jul 22, 2021, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 65/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 97 Competitors
5. Obsess
Provider of virtual store solutions for retail brands. It offers an AR shopping platform that enables shoppers to get digital information and media with in-store merchandising using the app. It also provides content such as videos and product recommendations, and storefront in Metaverse.
Key facts about Obsess
- Founded Year: 2017
- Location: New York City (United States)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $13.4M
- Investors: Jump Capital, The Venture Reality Fund and 15 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series A, Jun 29, 2021, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 65/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 187 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the AR VR in Retail sector in North America
27 AR VR in Retail startups in North America were founded in 2018 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | - |
2024 | 1 |
2023 | 5 |
2022 | 4 |
2021 | 6 |
2020 | 13 |
2019 | 13 |
2018 | 27 |
2017 | 27 |
Stage-wise distribution of AR VR in Retail sector companies in North America
Out of the total 218 AR VR in Retail companies in North America, 94 have secured funding. Among them, 33 have reached Series A or higher, and 30 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 218
Funded - 94
Series A+ - 33
Series B+ - 30
Series C+ - 28
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 218 |
Funded | 94 |
Series A+ | 33 |
Series B+ | 30 |
Series C+ | 28 |
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Funding Trends in the AR VR in Retail sector in North America
Total funding year-on-year in the AR VR in Retail sector in North America
The AR VR in Retail sector in North America saw a total funding of more than $4.19B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding was in 2016 at more than $908M.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2025 | $5.65M |
2024 | $677M |
2023 | $12.6M |
2022 | $59.4M |
2021 | $612M |
2020 | $400M |
2019 | $398M |
2018 | $604M |
2017 | $512M |
Recent Funding Rounds in AR VR in Retail in North America
In the year 2025, till July 2025, AR VR in Retail companies in North America have raised $650K in equity funding across 1 round.
In the same period last year (i.e. till June 2024), AR VR in Retail companies in North America had raised $66.6M across 3 rounds.
So, 2025 has seen a 99.02% drop in funding in AR VR in Retail companies in North America as compared to 2024.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in AR VR in Retail companies in North America:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series C | 5493 | Jul 03, 2025 | - | |
Seed | 9805 | Dec 27, 2024 | - | |
Seed | 6984 | Nov 01, 2024 | ||
Seed | 2862 | Oct 23, 2024 | ||
Series A | 5624 | Jun 14, 2024 | and 11 more |
Top Investors in AR VR in Retail in North America
Super Ventures is the top investor in AR VR in Retail companies in North America based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in AR VR in Retail companies in North America:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
New York City (United States) | ||
Chicago (United States) | ||
San Diego (United States) | RealWear and Magic Leap | |
New York City (United States) | ||
New York City (United States) | - |
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M&A activity in AR VR in Retail sector in North America
In the year 2025, till September 2025, 3 acquisitions happened in AR VR in Retail sector in North America.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in AR VR in Retail sector in North America:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Sep 09, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jan 23, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jan 02, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Dec 28, 2022 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jun 30, 2022 |
Acquisition trends in AR VR in Retail sector in North America
Here are the acquisition trends in AR VR in Retail sector in North America:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | 3 |
2024 | - |
2023 | - |
2022 | 2 |
2021 | 2 |
2020 | - |
2019 | 4 |
2018 | 4 |
2017 | 3 |
IPOs in AR VR in Retail in North America
In the year 2022, till August 2022, 1 IPO happened in AR VR in Retail sector in North America.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in AR VR in Retail sector in North America:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Aug 15, 2022 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Apr 12, 2010 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) |
Colleges which produce the most AR VR in Retail companies in North America
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the AR VR in Retail in North America
Most number of AR VR in Retail startups in North America have been founded by alumni from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5 |
Stanford University | 4 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 3 |
Harvard University | 3 |
University of California (Los Angeles) | 3 |
University of Chicago | 3 |
Booth School of Business | 2 |
Columbia University | 2 |
IIT Delhi | 2 |
University of Cambridge | 2 |
Total funding in AR VR in Retail companies founded by alumni from top colleges in North America
In the last 10 years, University of Cambridge graduates' AR VR in Retail companies in North America have raised the most funding among top colleges. Booth School of Business and University of Chicago alumni are second.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
University of Cambridge | $128M |
Booth School of Business | $54.3M |
University of Chicago | $54.3M |
IIT Delhi | $46.6M |
Stanford University | $40.3M |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $31.7M |
University of Toronto | $21M |
Technion Israel Institute Technology | $9M |
Columbia University | $689K |
University of Oxford | $649K |
Top News in AR VR in Retail in North America
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Magic Leap and Pegatron Enter Agreement for Production of AR Glasses ComponentsBusiness Wire•Dec 30, 2025•Pegatron, Magic Leap
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Germany Premiere as Quantum Leap OCT: Breakthrough in Corneal DiagnosticsEyebizz•Sep 09, 2025•Oculus
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InContext Solutions and r4 Technologies Partner for Hyperlocal OfferingPR Newswire•Jun 17, 2025•InContext Solutions, R4 Technologies
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Splashtop AR Makes Remote Support Hands-Free via RealWearGlobeNewswire•Jan 28, 2025•Splashtop, RealWear
