Superscape VR Plc, the company that develops 3D authoring tools to conjure up virtual worlds, has also created a pretty unreal existence for shareholders accustomed to traditional relationship with companies in which they have a stake. When an envelope from the company arrives this week, it will contain not a generous dividend check, but a request for more money. Back in January, the Hook, Hampshire-UK company raised 474,000 pounds through the placing shares at 115 pence. This time it is looking to raise five million pounds with the share price up at 175 pence. Superscape has failed to make profits in the past five years but who cares about the past when everyone is looking at the glittering prizes on offer in the future? Certainly revenues are on the up with an increase from 1.9m pounds to 2.6m pounds in the six months to January 31. The market too is due to blossom with Montgomery Securities predicting that the multimedia and internet tool market will expand from $446m in 1987 to $1.34bn by 2000. The adoption of the VRML standard by the ISO last year is regarded by Superscape as the milestone they have been waiting for. However, as the marketplace grows, so will the competition. Forget past figures – those who buy shares in Superscape are taking a gamble that its technology will not be overtaken by competitors.
