VeVe is a New Zealand-based company specializing in licensed digital collectibles. The company has
mobile apps available for
Android and
iOS devices, as well as a
web app, where users can purchase digital collectibles and view them in
AR &
VR.[1][2] VeVe has the distinction of being the first marketplace to offer NFTs from prominent brands such as
Marvel,
Disney and
DC.[3][4][5][6][7]
History
VeVe was founded by Dan Crothers and David Yu in 2018.[8]
VeVe has formed several partnerships with major licensors to offer unique digital collectibles to its users, utilizing
non-fungible token (NFT) technology.[9]
Additionally, VeVe partnered with
Disney in November 2021 to release a series of NFT collectibles called "Golden Moments," featuring beloved characters from Disney,
Pixar,
Marvel, and
Star Wars.[22][23]
VeVe also teamed up with
Lamborghini in February 2023 to release a set of 3D digital collectibles based on the
Huracán STO line of sports cars.[24][25]
In July 2023, VeVe partnered with
Kartoon Studios to release digital collectibles of
Stan Lee, which sold out nearly instantly.[26]
VeVe has also partnered with brands on physical/digital collaborations ("phygitals") where customers who purchase a physical product receive a digital counterpart. In September 2023, VeVe partnered with
Funko on an
Iron Man collectible with a digital counterpart available via promo code.[27] In October 2023, VeVe released a phygital collaboration with
Christian Louboutin and Marvel for their "Loubiverse" collection.[28]
At
SXSW in 2024, VeVe and Marvel announced the release of a new app called VeVe Comics, where users can purchase digital versions of new comic releases on the same day that the physicals are released in store.[29][30]
VeVe has also launched a sub-brand called "VeVeVibes" for IP related to the music category.[31][32] In May 2024, they announced a collaboration with
YG Entertainment to bring digital collectibles for
Blackpink to the platform.[33][34] VeVeVibes has also released several songs from the artist
Ron English as digital records that can be played on a virtual jukebox.[35]
Controversy
VeVe has received some criticism for their use of
blockchain technology. In February 2022,
Chaosium, the makers of
Call of Cthulhu, suspended the production of their NFTs on VeVe following criticism from some of their user base.[36]
VeVe also received criticism from some fans of
Sesame Street in March 2023 when they partnered with
Sesame Workshop to release an animated digital collectible of the
Cookie Monster, with fans criticizing the environmental impact of NFTs.[37][38] However, VeVe NFTs are minted on the Immutable X blockchain which purports to be 100% carbon-neutral.[39][40]
Awards
VeVe was recognized as one of the 2023 Deloitte Fast 50 by
Deloitte for "reinventing the collectibles industry".[41] VeVe co-founder, David Yu, was also recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year New Zealand by
Ernst & Young in 2023.[42][43]