Meta Acquires Within: Supernatural VR Fitness App

Meta Acquires Supernatural Developer, Within

Following Facebook’s recent rebranding to Meta and the discontinuation of the Oculus brand, the company has announced its acquisition of Within. Based in Los Angeles, Within is the creator of Supernatural, a popular virtual reality fitness application.

Supernatural: A VR Fitness Success

Supernatural, which offers high-intensity cardio workouts reminiscent of Beat Saber, has emerged as a significant achievement within the virtual reality fitness landscape. The app’s movement-based exercises have proven particularly appealing to users.

This acquisition aligns with Meta’s strategy to expand its VR capabilities and broader metaverse ambitions. The increased demand for at-home fitness solutions, driven by gym closures and workout restrictions, likely contributed to Supernatural’s value as an acquisition target.

Future Plans and Continued Development

According to a blog post by Within CEO Chris Milk and Head of Fitness Leanne Pedante, the partnership with Meta will provide increased resources. These resources will be used to enhance the app with more music, innovative workout methods, new features, and expanded social experiences within VR.

Daily workout releases will continue uninterrupted. The existing team of coaches, choreographers, and managers will be retained following the acquisition.

Integration with Meta’s Reality Labs

Supernatural will function as a component of Meta’s Reality Labs division. Meta’s VP of Play, Jason Rubin, indicated plans to explore hardware improvements specifically designed to support VR fitness applications.

Meta envisions a thriving VR fitness ecosystem, believing that multiple third-party fitness apps can achieve success within the platform. This suggests a commitment to fostering a diverse range of fitness experiences.

Within’s Funding History

Established in 2015, Within has secured over $50 million in funding. A recent Series B round in 2017, totaling $40 million, was spearheaded by Temasek and Emerson Collective.

Notable investors also include Andreessen Horowitz, 21st Century Fox, Raine Ventures, WPP, and Macro Ventures.