Augmented reality startup Spatial Inc. exited stealth mode today with $8 million in fresh funding to bring immersive experiences into the enterprise collaboration market.

The New York-based startup is backed by an impressive roster of investors. The round saw the participation of Uber Technologies Inc. co-founder Garrett Camp, Zynga Inc. founder Mark Pincus, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s Next venture capital arm and others.

Spatial has created a software platform that enables workers to set up a shared virtual space for collaborating on projects. The offering is compatible with several AR headsets, including Microsoft Corp.’s HoloLens, as well as regular personal computers and handsets. It works by harnessing the camera on the user’s device to create a virtual replica of the environment.

A professional located in their company’s headquarters, for instance, could create a workspace based on the particular conference room where they happen to be. Remote colleagues can then join the room via avatars that Spatial generates from user-supplied photos.

In a demonstration video shared by the startup (below), users interact with a variety of digital objects. A worker is seen projecting photos onto a wall and scrolling with touch gestures, while a group collaborates on a large three-dimensional model of a Mars rover. Spatial said that users user can manage the files in a virtual space from a computer or a handset.

It will probably be a while before AR starts becoming a viable substitute for traditional, time-tested enterprise collaboration tools, and even longer until the technology gains mass-market appeal. But the fact that Spatial’s technology is mature enough to have won the support of such prominent investors is an encouraging sign.

The startup even has some early customers. Spatial said its platform is being piloted by Ford Motor Co.’s Ford X research group to explore way of improving collaboration between teams. Other early adopters are said to include a leading pharmaceuticals company, a major design firm and a government agency.

AR is making its way into the collaboration market through other avenues as well. Cisco Systems Inc. has added limited augmented reality features to its popular WebEx online meeting platform, while Zoom Video Communications Inc. is embracing the technology as well.

Image: Spatial