How Matterport Can Succeed Faster with a $25 Million Fund for SDK Partners

WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host 31.34K Website Atlanta, Georgia Linked In Facebook Twitter YouTube TikTok Instragram Matterport Service Partner Google Street View Trusted Photographer Zillow Certified Photographer We Get Around Network Member	31.34K DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 3
	Video: How Matterport Can Succeed Faster with a $25 Million Fund for SDK Partners \| Video courtesy of WGAN-TV YouTube Channel \| 28 August 2023 WGAN Forum Podcast \| Episode #219 How Matterport Can Succeed Faster with a $25 Million Fund for SDK Partners Commentary and Analysis by Dan Smigrod Founder and Managing Editor We Get Around Network and WGAN-TV WGAN.info/DanSmigrod Some of the hidden gems about Matterport are Matterport SDK Partners that offer public solutions to anyone using Matterport. Matterport often becomes a solution – rather than a tool – when paired with a 3rd party platform. Unfortunately, my impression is that many of the Matterport SDK Partners lack sufficient funding either for further development and/or marketing of their Matterport-related solution. Matterport could dramatically help itself – and the entire Matterport ecosystem – succeed faster if it created a Matterport VC fund of $25 million. That’s about five percent of its cash-flush balance sheet of nearly $500 million. Matterport should offer existing Matterport SDK Partners: 1. Convertible notes of $1 million to $5 million 2. Cash grants of $250,000 to $500,000 3. Pre-paid service orders of $100,000 to $250,000 Startups are super-efficient using cash and can move faster than a large, public company. Additionally, this $25 million initiative would show that Matterport appreciates its Matterport SDK Partners. Since many use-cases for Matterport are only possible when mashing up a Matterport Partner Platform, Matterport should also use these Matterport marketing resources to help amplify its Matterport SDK Partners: 1. Matterport Blog 2. Matterport Webinar 3. Matterport Sales Teams 4. Trade Shows (Pay travel for Matterport Partner to demo in the Matterport booth) 5. Media Releases My impression is that Matterport is not using its marketing resources to promote its Matterport SDK Partners. I wonder if Matterport either no longer sees the value that these partners offer or if Matterport intends to build-out its platform to include features pioneered by its partners. Many Matterport SDK Partners are turning to the We Get Around Network - not affiliated with Matterport - for help via: 1. WGAN-TV Live at 5 2. WGAN-TV Podcast (search for WGAN-TV in your favorite podcast app) 3. WGAN Forum Podcast 4. We Get Around Network MarketPlace 5. We Get Around Network Forum 6. We Get Around Network Founder Dan Smigrod (for strategic introductions) 7. WGAN-TV Training U (in Matterport) 8. WGAN List: Matterport Partners My impression is that - at one time – Matterport viewed Matterport SDK Partners as a direct revenue source – licensing the Matterport SDK and charging for API usage – and when it likely became apparent that it was costing Matterport more money to sign-up Matterport SDK Partners than the revenue generated, it downgraded signing up new Matterport SDK Partners. Matterport let go marketing executives devoted to the Matterport SDK Partners initiative. Plus, Matterport recently announced plans to shrink its workforce by 30 percent by the end of 2023. Constant turnover makes it harder for Matterport SDK Partners to get marketing support. It's been a while since Matterport has announced a new Matterport SDK Partner that offers a publicly available Matterport solution. There was a time that Matterport leadership talked-up the potential for SDK licensing revenue in conference calls for analysts and investors. Matterport’s early focus on SDK licensing revenue – was and is – short-sighted. The much bigger revenue opportunities for Matterport are: subscriptions, capture and add ons. Matterport SDK Partners help drive this revenue. A $25 million VC fund by Matterport – specifically for Matterport SDK Partners – would go a long way to lift all boats and fill a venture capital gap that could have unintended consequences for cash-flush Matterport. “Venture capital funding globally almost halved in the first six months of 2023, data from research firm PitchBook showed, highlighting a lack of enthusiasm on the part of investors as well as less demand amid sharply higher interest rates,” according to a July 6, 2023 news story by Reuters. “The 48% decline in investment … and the 19% drop-off in deal numbers comes despite huge interest in artificial intelligence startups sparked by the success of OpenAI's ChatGPT.” Without an infusion of Matterport cash in its SDK Partners, I could imagine that we will see three things: 1. SDK Partners that abandon Matterport 2. SDK Partners that begin offering their solution to Matterport competitors 3. Matterport competitors offering funding to Matterport SDK Partners You can share your thoughts on this topic in the We Get Around Network Forum (below) or email me: DanSmigrod@WeGetAroundNetwork.com --- WGAN List: Matterport Partners and Additional Value-Added Solutions
	1 year ago	Post 1 • IP flag post

I think Matterport missed an huge opportunity here. Open development platforms have proven to be a catalyst for innovation across countless industries, and Matterport could benefit from adopting such an approach. If they released their Software Development Kit for free, they would essentially be inviting a global community of developers to experiment, innovate, and ultimately enhance the capabilities of their product. This democratization of technology not only speeds up the development cycle but would also bring in diverse perspectives that the company might not have considered.

Apple is an perfect example of the advantages of an open development platform. By making their Augmented Reality tools openly accessible, they managed to establish themselves as a leader in AR technology, and by most measures, the industry standard. Their ARKit has empowered developers to create a wide range of applications, thereby enriching the Apple ecosystem and driving the adoption of their hardware products. ARKit is one of the most widely used AR SDKs, which speaks volumes about the benefits of an open platform.

Another great example is Android's open-source platform, which has led to its operating system being used in a variety of devices, from smartphones to smart TVs. This has not only expanded Android's market share but has also resulted in a plethora of applications and services that cater to diverse needs.

Matterport has the opportunity to leverage these benefits by opening up its SDK. This could lead to groundbreaking applications that spark further innovations in 3D modeling, virtual tours, and even areas yet to be explored. While it's understandable that companies like Matterport who are solely money driven may have reservations about “giving away” their technology, the long-term gains in terms of innovation, community engagement, and market leadership far outweigh the short-term losses. I really believe that moving in the direction of an open development platform could be a strategic masterstroke for Matterport. But sadly, one their ego may not allow.

WGAN Forum Founder & WGAN-TV Podcast Host 31.34K Website Atlanta, Georgia Linked In Facebook Twitter YouTube TikTok Instragram Matterport Service Partner Google Street View Trusted Photographer Zillow Certified Photographer We Get Around Network Member	31.34K DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 0
	Source: Houlihan Lokey Hi All, I hear from some Matterport SDK Partners that say the above is spot on (though all declined to be quoted). Essentially, Matterport needs to help fund its Matterport SDK Partners, in light of dramatic decreases in VC investment. For example: 1. In this 1Q23 PropTech Market Update by investment bank Houlihan Lokey: The U.S. PropTech market received $1.2 billion in growth equity and debt investment in Q1 2023, a 76% decline YoY from Q1 2022* and the lowest funding quarter in the sector since Q3 2020.* [Source: Houlihan Lokey] 2. According to the Center for Real Estate Technology & Innovation (CRETI) In Q1 2023, the proptech industry experienced a slowdown in investment activity compared to the same period in the previous year. According to recent data, investment in the sector reached $1.69 billion during the first quarter of 2023, significantly lower than the $7.44 billion and $6.97 billion recorded during Q1 2022 and Q1 2021, respectively. [Source: CRETI] 3. According to the Commercial Observer: Proptech VC Funding Down 77 Percent Annually \| First-quarter funding plummeted from $6.97 billion in 2022 to $1.69 billion in 2023 [Source: Commercial Observer] Matterport SDK Partners are adding value to Matterport. Matterport must invest in Matterport SDK Partners. What are your thoughts? Matterport SDK Partner? Email: DanSmigrod@WeGetAroundNetwork.com to share your insight. Best, Dan
	1 year ago	Post 2 • IP flag post

1.23K	1.23K immersivespaces private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 3
	I think Matterport missed an huge opportunity here. Open development platforms have proven to be a catalyst for innovation across countless industries, and Matterport could benefit from adopting such an approach. If they released their Software Development Kit for free, they would essentially be inviting a global community of developers to experiment, innovate, and ultimately enhance the capabilities of their product. This democratization of technology not only speeds up the development cycle but would also bring in diverse perspectives that the company might not have considered. Apple is an perfect example of the advantages of an open development platform. By making their Augmented Reality tools openly accessible, they managed to establish themselves as a leader in AR technology, and by most measures, the industry standard. Their ARKit has empowered developers to create a wide range of applications, thereby enriching the Apple ecosystem and driving the adoption of their hardware products. ARKit is one of the most widely used AR SDKs, which speaks volumes about the benefits of an open platform. Another great example is Android's open-source platform, which has led to its operating system being used in a variety of devices, from smartphones to smart TVs. This has not only expanded Android's market share but has also resulted in a plethora of applications and services that cater to diverse needs. Matterport has the opportunity to leverage these benefits by opening up its SDK. This could lead to groundbreaking applications that spark further innovations in 3D modeling, virtual tours, and even areas yet to be explored. While it's understandable that companies like Matterport who are solely money driven may have reservations about “giving away” their technology, the long-term gains in terms of innovation, community engagement, and market leadership far outweigh the short-term losses. I really believe that moving in the direction of an open development platform could be a strategic masterstroke for Matterport. But sadly, one their ego may not allow.
	1 year ago	Post 4 • IP flag post

How Matterport Can Succeed Faster with a $25 Million Fund for SDK Partners19030