Startup Story #17 - Shootify

The fashion industry relies heavily on high-quality images for e-commerce and marketing campaigns, leading to costly, time-consuming, and logistically complex photoshoot sessions. Shootify aims to simplify this demanding process with cutting-edge AI technology that transforms still-life photos into fine-grained model-worn visuals, preserving every garment detail and maintaining the brand’s unique aesthetic. From pose variations to background changes, Shootify’s solution offers versatility and customisability, enabling brands to create tailored visuals. In this brief interview, Luca Ambrosini, co-founder and CEO, shares the story behind their innovative solution.

How did the Shootify story begin?

Our team began working on various projects several years ago. Our most recent venture involved consulting for a fashion business based in Ticino. This experience indirectly exposed us to the frustrations and inefficiencies faced by the fashion industry, where brands are stuck in an expensive, labour-intensive, and resource-consuming cycle. Determined to address these pain points and inspired by advancements in image transfer technology, we embarked on this journey.

What makes your technology different?

First, unlike many AI-powered tools, Shootify’s technology is developed entirely in-house without relying on third-party APIs, ensuring full data privacy - a top priority in the fashion industry. Second, rather than generating generic images, our AI is trained on each brand’s historical data, enabling it to create visuals that align with their unique aesthetic.

Who are your target customers?

The fashion industry is characterised by a few key players dominating the market. Our strategy is to position our AI as an essential tool for top-tier brands focusing on high-end luxury names that value exclusivity and seek premium AI-powered solutions, rather than targeting the mass market.

How do you navigate the intense pressure of a startup?
Constantly assessing where the biggest fires are and focusing the energy on putting them out. Additionally, we operate with a clear social contract: criticism is never personal - it’s about driving the company forward. As we often say, "Pressure is a privilege, feedback is a gift".

3 quick questions to wrap it up:

• What’s your number one hobby? Skiing.
• What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses? I have a lot of energy, but if I don’t get enough sleep, I can be the worst colleague in the world.
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Continuing to build something I believe in, alongside people who inspire me on both a human and professional level.