Solutions from Ukraine: VyshyvAI startup utilizes AI to create custom embroidery designs
Photo: Oleksandr Maslovsky
The creators of the startup VyshyvAI are getting ready for the launch of their product, which enables you to design custom embroidered shirts with a meaningful touch.
The CEO and co-founder of the project, Oleksandr Maslovsky, reported this, according to Vector.
What is the problem?
Ukrainian embroidery [vyshyvanka – ed.], also known as the "code of the nation," is more than just a lovely phrase. Depending on the historical region of Ukraine, the details and patterns of the embroidery vary.
At the beginning of the 20th century, when the Ukrainian nation began to fight for its political rights, the vyshyvanka began to be used as patriotic and cult clothing, a symbol of Ukrainian identity.
"We want people to be able to express their individuality through clothing, while preserving our culture. Imagine what it's like to wear an embroidered garment that tells your personal story and was created especially for you," the startup creators note.
What is the solution?
The creators of VyshyvAI first connected at a hackathon hosted by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE). The concept for the startup was sparked in December 2023 while they were viewing a documentary on the significance of traditional embroidery designs.
Photo: Vector
Oleksandr, one of the founders, realized that this rich cultural heritage could disappear without proper support, and decided to use modern technologies to preserve and popularize it.
"This rich cultural heritage can disappear without proper support. We decided to use modern technologies, in particular AI, to preserve and popularize Ukrainian embroidery and give it a certain modern reinterpretation. From now on, everyone can create a vyshyvanka that not only looks good, but also has a deep personal meaning sense," Maslovsky emphasizes.
Photo: Vector
How does it work?
VyshyvAI is a website with an AI platform for creating personalized embroidery designs. Users can encode any meanings into the embroidery by writing them in text.
For example, you can write your favorite quotes, and AI will turn them into unique patterns, which will then be embroidered on clothes. The algorithm analyzes the entered data and creates a design that combines traditional Ukrainian motifs with modern trends.
Photo: Vector
"We tested the prototype on friends and family, received feedback and improved the system. So far, we have already conducted a test run of targeted advertising on Google for verification, received more than 3,000 interests in less than two days. Our visitors generated more than 1,500 patterns," the startup founders noted.
Currently, the developers are working on improving the results and preparing to enter the market.
"Our goal is to make each embroidery as unique as a fingerprint. Currently, before the full launch, we have 16 customers on the waiting list, as well as two corporate customers interested in cooperation. We have almost half a hundred installed mock-sales in our treasury, which we are definitely going to complete," Maslovsky said.
Photo: Vector
As the startup noted, the product is aimed at:
- residents of Ukrainian cities aged 25-45,
- the Ukrainian diaspora,
- fans of culture and ethnic clothing all over the world.
According to the startup, about 80% of those interested are women.
Direct sales of personalized embroidery are planned to be carried out through an online platform. There are also plans to sell patterns for various requests and set up the generation model for special products with further sales, for example, of corporate embroidery for companies.
The founders invested about $3,000 of personal funds to develop the first prototypes. In addition, the following received grants:
- on the IdeasLab program from the CfE accelerator — for 30,000 and 60,000 hryvnias,
- at the CfE and Kooperativ side event — $1,000.
"Currently, we need $220,000 to launch the product. These funds will go towards improving the technology, marketing, operating costs and partnerships. In the future, we plan to attract additional investments for scaling," Maslovsky emphasizes.
Plans for the future
In the next six months, the team plans to fully launch the product. Next, create their own production facilities and support more craftsmen in towns and villages.
There are also plans to expand the possibilities of customization and creating patterns for different ethnic regions of Ukraine. The goal is to create a brand that not only sells clothes, but also forms a cultural identity, strengthens the connection with Ukrainian heritage and represents Ukrainian culture on the world stage.
For reference:
It is worth mentioning that there are countless ideas for new inventions, products, and solutions in the world. However, only a small fraction of these are put into action, and even fewer are met with success and widespread acclaim. Rubryka presents a series of steps that are crucial in transforming problem-solving ideas into thriving innovations. Discover more in our article: "10 steps for transforming ideas into successful innovations."
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