PlayVerse, a technology-enabled entertainment company built on Web 3, has raised $1.5 million as seed funding from Japanese gaming company Akatsuki Inc. PlayVerse plans to launch its own D2C brand, which will be focused on an interconnected universe of content and “play”. It aims to unlock the full potential of an IP with a 360-degree approach to content and merchandise. This merchandise would include both physical products such as toys as well as digital assets like avatars, emojis, and skins creating more interest among users. They will be actively focusing on enabling content owners to maximize the monetization potential of their IPs. Jaineel Aga is a serial entrepreneur who recently sold his first venture, Planet Superheroes, to Nodwin Gaming, an esports company, and a subsidiary of NSE-listed Nazara Technologies. He is an alumnus of Duke University and has worked in strategy consulting and in private equity before pursuing entrepreneurship.