DreamPark, a startup focused on creating mixed reality (XR) theme park experiences, recently secured $1.1 million in seed funding. This funding round, led by Long Journey Ventures with participation from Founders Inc., aims to accelerate DreamPark’s vision of transforming ordinary spaces into immersive, mixed-reality adventures.
Introduction: Reimagining Theme Parks Through Mixed Reality
DreamPark is pioneering a new form of entertainment by developing a platform that overlays digital content onto physical locations, creating interactive and immersive experiences accessible through devices like Meta Quest headsets or mobile phones. This approach effectively turns everyday environments into theme park-like adventures. The company’s mission is to “make Earth worth playing again” by revitalizing communities and offering people new reasons to gather, play, and connect in real-world spaces.
What is DreamPark?
DreamPark is creating the world’s first downloadable mixed-reality theme park platform, transforming real-world spaces into immersive adventures. Using the latest XR technology, they overlay digital worlds onto physical environments, creating magical experiences accessible through Meta Quest headsets or mobile devices. With strategic locations across major cities, they are building the world’s largest theme park—one that exists everywhere and is open to everyone.
Key Features and Technology
DreamPark transforms physical locations into mixed-reality environments through a network of access points, such as QR codes, that, when scanned with a Meta Quest headset or mobile device, unlock digital overlays on real-world spaces. These installations have already been established at locations like Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and The LA County Fair, with plans to expand to Seattle, Orange County, and various expos and corporate events.
Funding and Investment
The $1.1 million seed funding is led by Long Journey Ventures, with participation from Founders Inc. This investment signals strong investor confidence in DreamPark’s vision. Cyan Banister, co-founder and general partner at Long Journey Ventures, noted that DreamPark is the first to truly deliver on the real-world metaverse, praising the team’s ability to make emerging tech feel human, accessible, and unforgettable.
Use of Funds
The seed funding will be used to:
- Deploy access points across new locations: Expanding DreamPark’s footprint and making its experiences more widely available.
- Launch partnerships with major IP holders: Creating branded theme park experiences that leverage well-known franchises.
- Expand the company’s fleet of rental Quest headset units nationwide: Ensuring that users have the necessary equipment to enjoy the mixed reality experiences.
- Grow the development team: Accelerating content creation and platform capabilities.
Market Opportunity
DreamPark is positioned at the forefront of mixed reality innovation, capturing an early advantage in the global XR live event market. The XR live event market was valued at $3.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $190.3 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 48.7%. This growth trajectory highlights the significant potential for DreamPark’s technology and business model.
Addressing Market Needs
The funding comes at a time when retail landlords and event venues are seeking innovative solutions to drive foot traffic and increase engagement. Traditional VR venues can cost over $1 million to build, but DreamPark offers a fully immersive, multiplayer experience that pays for itself in its first month of revenue, without requiring construction or permanent infrastructure.
Leadership and Vision
DreamPark was founded by industry veterans Brent Bushnell, Aidan Wolf, and Kevin Habich. Their leadership team brings experience from companies including Two-Bit Circus, Smiley Cap, and SNAP, Inc., positioning them to execute their ambitious vision of creating the infrastructure for worldwide mixed-reality entertainment.
Aidan Wolf, co-founder and CEO of DreamPark, emphasizes that the company is not just creating engaging content but building a platform that revitalizes communities by giving people a reason to gather, play, and connect in physical spaces. Brent Bushnell, co-founder and business officer, added that the investment will allow them to rapidly expand their footprint, develop partnerships with premium IP holders, and enhance their technology to deliver magical experiences.
DreamPark’s Approach vs. Traditional Theme Parks
DreamPark aims to offer theme park-like experiences without the need for dedicated, costly infrastructure, focusing on accessibility by allowing users to download experiences directly to their devices and enjoy them in familiar surroundings.
Unlike traditional theme parks, DreamPark delivers a fully immersive, multiplayer experience that pays for itself in its first month of revenue, with no construction or permanent infrastructure required. It’s a radically more affordable way to turn underused spaces into high-impact destinations.
The Rise of Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality
The augmented reality (AR) market is projected to reach a valuation of $26.14 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 20.78% from a valuation of $4.78 billion in 2023. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of AR technologies across various industries.
Investment in AR startups reflects this potential, with venture capital funding exceeding $3 billion in 2022. Major tech companies are also investing heavily in AR, with Microsoft’s HoloLens being adopted by over 50,000 enterprise customers globally.
Key Players in the AR/VR Industry
Several major companies are investing in AR/VR technologies, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook. The overall spending on AR/VR is forecast to grow from over $12 billion in 2020 to $73 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 54%.
Benefits of Augmented Reality
AR can improve product visualization and navigation, and companies are using it to create alternate forms of reality. AR has a bright future for its valuation, and there are many companies to support this claim. For example, SketchAR, an early-stage augmented reality company, has raised a total of $1.1 million in funding over 3 rounds since its founding in 2016.
Conclusion: A New Era of Experiential Entertainment
DreamPark’s successful seed funding round marks a significant milestone in the evolution of mixed reality applications. The startup’s success could inspire further innovation, potentially reshaping how we perceive and interact with the world around us. DreamPark’s vision of transforming real-world spaces into mixed reality theme parks represents a new era of experiential entertainment, merging gaming, social interaction, and real-world exploration. The company is poised to revitalize communities by providing innovative solutions for retail landlords and event venues, driving foot traffic and increasing engagement. As DreamPark moves forward with its ambitious plans, it is set to redefine how people play, connect, and experience their communities in the mixed reality era.