Gather is a video chat and virtual collaboration platform designed to make online interactions more human and engaging for remote teams, communities, and events. Through customizable virtual spaces, Gather enables users to work, socialize, and learn together in a digital environment that mimics real-life presence and movement.
Since its launch in May 2020, Gather has brought millions of people together in virtual offices, conferences, classrooms, and social spaces. The platform is part of a broader movement toward building the Metaverse—a persistent virtual layer over the physical world—where people can connect regardless of location. Gather’s mission centers on creating opportunity and connection for everyone, driven by a belief in accessible and inclusive digital spaces.
The Technology That Powers Gather
Gather stands out by combining spatial video chat technology with interactive, 2D map-based environments. Users navigate digital spaces as avatars, and conversations happen naturally as you approach others, replicating the spontaneous interactions of physical offices or events. This approach aims to overcome the fatigue and limitations of traditional grid-based video calls by injecting presence and serendipity into remote work and online gatherings.
The platform supports a wide variety of use cases, including:
- Virtual offices for distributed teams
- Online conferences and meetups
- Social events and community spaces
- Remote classrooms and study groups
Gather is fully web-based, requiring no downloads, and offers extensive customization for branding and interactive features.
Who Uses Gather?
Gather is used by remote-first companies, educational institutions, event organizers, and online communities seeking engaging alternatives to standard video calls. Its flexibility appeals to:
- Distributed teams wanting a persistent, interactive office
- Universities hosting virtual campuses or networking events
- Startups and tech companies building culture remotely
- Social groups and hobby communities connecting from anywhere
The platform’s rapid adoption has been supported by funding from notable investors like Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures.
Competitors and the Virtual Collaboration Landscape
Gather operates in the virtual team collaboration and digital event space, overlapping with both traditional video conferencing and newer Metaverse-focused platforms. Key competitors and alternatives include:
- Zoom: Widely used for video meetings, but lacks Gather’s spatial interaction.
- Slack: Popular for text-based team collaboration; integrates with various tools but does not offer immersive environments.
- Miro, Notion, Asana, Todoist, Trello: Project management and collaboration platforms with different focuses (whiteboarding, documentation, task tracking).
- Around: Video collaboration with a focus on minimal, non-intrusive video bubbles.
While these platforms support remote collaboration, Gather differentiates itself by recreating the physical presence and social dynamics of real-world spaces, aiming to make online meetings and work more natural.
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