James Basnett

Overview

James Basnett is a Canadian entrepreneur and investor specializing in technology and digital media ventures. He is the CEO of Shape, a leading metaverse studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Shape has developed immersive experiences for prominent clients such as Red Bull, the Olympics, and RTFKT, a virtual fashion brand acquired by Nike. Under Basnett's leadership, Shape has been at the forefront of creating innovative virtual experiences that bridge the gap between physical and digital realms. Prior to founding Shape, Basnett served as the Chief Strategy Officer at Momentus, a retail innovation lab that was acquired and is now part of the Cognizant family. At Momentus, he led the development of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and Internet of Things (IoT) products for major companies including Verizon, Lululemon, Reddit, and Shell. His expertise in emerging technologies has positioned him as a thought leader in the fields of AR, VR, and blockchain. Basnett has been actively involved in the metaverse industry since 2016, building metaverse teams and delivering projects that integrate virtual and augmented reality technologies. He has shared his insights on VR and blockchain at prominent events such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and the VR/AR Global Summit. Additionally, he contributes as a writer for VR Scout, sharing his perspectives on the evolving landscape of virtual experiences and their impact on various industries.

Investment Focus

• Innovative technology solutions
• Scalable business models
• Experienced founding teams
• Strong market potential
• Clear monetization strategies

Portfolio Companies