15 Businesses That Have Entered the Metaverse in 2022

Businesses of all stripes have been experimenting with the idea of the metaverse, filing patents that aren't necessarily being implemented right away, and buying up real estate in various metaverse platforms.

This is leading to the creation of all kinds of new opportunities for metaverse visitors and citizens to interact with companies, both new and familiar, and have new experiences in the virtual worlds where they can play, shop, and work. Many companies are stepping up to lead the way.

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Adidas (OTC:ADDYY), the sneaker giant and general all-around sportswear favorite, has planted its flag in The Sandbox (CRYPTO:SAND). Adidas' virtual real estate in The Sandbox is being built out with cross-branded content and experiences that are largely under wraps right now.

However, what is known is that the effort is in conjunction with a non-fungible token (NFT) series called "Into the Metaverse" that allows access to exclusive real-world gear and metaverse events.

ALSO READ: 3 Reasons Retailers Are Headed to the Metaverse

Not surprisingly, gaming pioneer Atari (FRA:IFGA) has picked up land in both major metaverse platforms offering virtual real estate: Decentraland (CRYPTO:MANA) and The Sandbox.

Although The Sandbox platform is still in a pre-launch alpha phase, opening for just a few weeks at a time for special events as the world is being constructed, the Decentraland space is largely complete and features playable Vegas-type casino games styled after classic Atari titles.

ALSO READ: Are Metaverse Casinos a Good Investment?

An unexpected addition to Metaverse Fashion Week at Decentraland, Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL) was, nonetheless, a shining example of using the virtual world for what it was intended for: breaking rules.

The temporary structure was modeled after a bottle of a popular night cream and offered users opportunities to learn more about the product and procure the metaverse equivalent for their avatar: a wearable NFT that surrounds the avatar in a shining cloak of twinkling stars.

The Fidelity Stack -- the Decentraland home of Fidelity -- is a multistory tower that tells the story of investing for first-time or novice investors looking to expand their horizons. Inside, video screens explain different types of investments, from exchange-traded funds (ETF) to cryptocurrencies.

Fidelity also includes a gaming aspect in its space, with a challenge to collect items and trade them for a Fidelity POAP (proof of attendance protocol), which is essentially a virtual ticket stub showing you've been part of the event.

ALSO READ: An Introduction to Digital Real Estate in the Metaverse

Another fashion brand that debuted at Decentraland's Fashion Week, Forever 21's store in the metaverse platform continues to offer avatars opportunities to interact with the brand in a space that could be easily mistaken for a futuristic mall shop near you.

Users can explore the space, checking out various virtual clothing items modeled on very real Forever 21 offerings. These virtual items can be purchased and worn by avatars, or users can buy several outfits and change between them as the mood strikes.

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Garrett Leight California Optical, an iconic eyewear specialist, has also carved out a space in Decentraland's Fashion District, offering an open-concept showroom where avatars can check out (and purchase) eyewear they might never find practical in the real world, including eyepatches and funky 80s-themed pink triangle glasses.

Once purchased as NFTs, these items can be worn, removed, and even resold to other members of the Decentraland community for cryptocurrency, which can then be translated into real-world dollars.

ALSO READ: Into the Metaverse: Your Guide to Crypto and Virtual Worlds

Honda (NYSE:HMC) created the metaverse's first virtual vehicle showroom, featuring its popular Acura line. The Acura showroom has displays explaining the technology under the hood, car-themed mini-games, wearables, and opportunities for users to earn NFTs simply by reserving the car of their dreams.

The limited-edition art NFT, designed by Andreas Wannerstedt, was available to the first 500 customers to claim their 2023 Integras, but the wearable NFTs (also designed by Wannerstedt) can be purchased by anyone interested in flashing Acura bling.

JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) has had its hands in the world of cryptocurrency for several years, but the opening of its Onyx Lounge in Decentraland was its biggest move in the space yet. The space features video screens where informational content can be watched and a virtual tiger. And JPMorgan plans to offer banking services as the platform grows.

After all, worlds like Decentraland have their own economies and gross domestic products (GDPs), so someone might as well be there to validate transactions and help people with their virtual banking.

ALSO READ: My Secret Sauce for Investing in the Best Metaverse Worlds

Mondelez (NASDAQ:MDLZ) leaped into the metaverse with a splash -- and a party featuring its iconic Sour Patch Kids. The Trident Vibes X Sour Patch Kids Dance Party encourages visitors to screenshot their hot dance moves and share them on social media with a branded hashtag.

There are also video displays that help promote the sour chewing gum mash-up, as well as a mini-game where users can fiddle with the color of their giant gummy dance partners.

In collaboration with Coachella, Pernod Ricard's (OTC:PDRDF) Absolut Vodka celebrated its 10th anniversary by opening Absolut.Land. It's a whole lot of experiences inside one giant bottle of vodka -- perhaps an apt metaphor.

Users can play games to win exclusive collectibles, share avatar selfies to Twitter, and, on opening day, even score tickets to Coachella in real life. Like many of the other projects in Decentraland, wearable NFTs were available to buy for Absolut brand loyalists.

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The first CPA firm in the metaverse, Prager Metis, opened its Decentraland doors in early 2022. And not just a digital twin or a virtual office that never gets used. This location is their official metaverse office, where accountants offer real-world services to a range of clients doing business in the metaverse or those hoping to.

With spaces for working and playing, the Prager Metis Decentraland campus is just one example of how businesses can bring their work to the virtual world.

ALSO READ: 4 Real-World Real Estate Sectors That Could Benefit From the Metaverse

Samsung's (OTC:SSNLF) 837X building in Decentraland is, on the outside, a replica of one of its real-world stores: 837 in New York City. The inside, however, is something else entirely. But that's not even the best thing about Samsung 837X.

It's constantly running a revolving door of experiences and providing sneak peeks at new technologies and tools. Users can earn a whole galaxy of NFT badges and wearables by checking the store regularly as its content changes.

Making its debut with the first-ever metaverse marathon, Unilever's (NYSE:UL) Degree took the idea of virtual experiences to a whole new level. Runners were encouraged by digital screens with interviews of premier athletes, as well as non-player characters modeled after professional athletes, who would run alongside participants during the event.

The aim was to create a race that was totally accessible by anyone with a computer, no matter their mobility in the real world. The course ran through Vegas City's Sports Quarter and featured the first mobility wearables in the metaverse.

ALSO READ: Sports Stadiums Could Be the Next Big Metaverse Real Estate Opportunity

With a building fit for an international architecture competition, Vice Media launched the first-ever metaverse news desk within Decentraland back in February 2022. The building was designed by Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and provides Vice writers and employees with dedicated space to work and collaborate within the metaverse.

Here, they learn about and experiment with NFTs, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and all things web3. Wearables are available on-site, as well, for hardcore Vice News fans.

ALSO READ: Citi Says the Metaverse Is an $8-13 Trillion Market Opportunity

Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG), owner of record labels like Atlantic, Warner Records, Elektra, and Parlophone, has claimed its parcel of land in The Sandbox, where it's actively developing a world of music.

It has said it intends to offer visitors exclusive concerts and musical experiences that can't be had anywhere else, featuring many of the company's most popular artists. Because The Sandbox isn't open to the public except in short periods called Alpha Events, it may be a while before this musical wonderland will be available to explore.

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Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor

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Businesses big and small are entering the metaverse every day and in all sorts of worlds. They're going to be part of the force that helps mold each platform into what it will become, much like early adopters of the web helped shape what a webpage looks like and what you can find there.

Investors considering following the migration should carefully consider not only what their business can get out of being part of a metaverse platform but also how they can give back to the community. After all, without community, the metaverse is an empty place.

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Kristi Waterworth has positions in Decentraland and Unilever. The Motley Fool recommends Unilever. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.