Imagine uploading an image of a T-shirt to a software program and, within seconds, receiving a detailed product description that includes size, brand, materials, condition, and other key features. This is precisely what Athiya Rastogi has achieved with SnapWrite, a startup that uses AI to generate product descriptions from images, aiding second-hand clothing stores in making a significant impact in the online marketplace.
The Birth of SnapWrite
Athiya Rastogi, an honours bachelor of science graduate in statistics from the University of Toronto Scarborough, co-founded SnapWrite with her brother Aryaman after taking machine learning courses. The initial idea for SnapWrite arose from her experience running a resale store during her university years. Observing the challenges faced by second-hand clothing stores, especially the need for unique online postings for each pre-owned product, Rastogi identified a gap in the market that had yet to be fully addressed.
Rastogi and Aryaman built the AI technology behind SnapWrite, which can generate detailed product descriptions even from low-quality photos or images with busy backgrounds. The startup’s journey began at The Hub, U of T Scarborough’s early-stage entrepreneurship incubator, and has since gained recognition and funding through pitch competitions and investments from notable entities like FounderFuel, Inovia Capital, and Panache Ventures.
AI-Powered Efficiency and Market Impact
SnapWrite’s AI technology enables businesses to upload hundreds of photos at once, generating a detailed digital identity for each item in about 15 seconds—a task that would typically take a human worker five to 15 minutes. This efficiency is further enhanced by SnapWrite’s integration with major web platforms such as Shopify, Wix, and Magento, allowing automatic synchronization of clothing attributes with websites.
These features have attracted a growing client base of around 50 resellers, including a large client with over 35 stores. SnapWrite has digitized 25,000 items, generated more than 700,000 product attributes, and saved its users over 6,000 hours. Additionally, the startup has engaged clothing brands in the second-hand cycle through an initiative that encourages customers to return used products, which are then processed by SnapWrite’s AI and offered to second-hand stores for resale. This model has already prevented 25,000 pieces of clothing from ending up in landfills.
SnapWrite, with its innovative AI technology, is transforming the second-hand clothing market by streamlining the process of creating detailed product descriptions. This not only saves time and labor for businesses but also contributes to environmental sustainability by promoting the resale of pre-owned clothing. As Athiya and Aryaman Rastogi continue to propel SnapWrite forward, they are addressing a significant gap in the resale market and positioning their startup as a leader in AI-driven solutions for the second-hand clothing industry.
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