Story of Daydream: Personalized Shopping Experience Powered by an Advanced Search Engine
Story of Daydream:
Daydream was founded to redefine online shopping using
artificial intelligence. The platform focuses initially on women’s and men’s
fashion, aiming to make discovery, selection, and purchasing more personalized
and efficient.
AI at the Core
With a built-in, superhuman search engine, Daydream
leverages generative AI, machine learning, and computer vision to transform
every step of the shopping journey. The platform promises a seamless and
intuitive experience from search to discovery.
Founding Vision
Julie Bornstein, CEO, leads a team with extensive experience
from companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nordstrom, and Farfetch. Her
goal is to combine deep e-commerce expertise with cutting-edge AI to create a
better way for consumers to shop online.
Building the Platform
Daydream is designed from the ground up to take advantage of
the latest AI advancements. Unlike legacy e-commerce sites retrofitting AI,
Daydream integrates technology directly into its platform for an intuitive,
personalized shopping experience.
Superhuman Search
The platform allows users to describe what they want in
detail—a style, occasion, season, or material—and Daydream’s AI generates
precise, personalized results. This “say more” approach improves discovery and
matches shoppers with the perfect products.
Extensive Brand Catalog
Even before launch, Daydream had nearly 2,000 brands in its
catalog. Through partnerships with multi-brand and mono-brand retailers, the
platform offers access to over two million products, ensuring a large selection
for every shopper.
Strategic Team
Alongside Bornstein, Daydream’s founding team includes Dan
Cary (Chief Product Officer), Matt Fisher (Chief Technology Officer), Lisa
Green (Chief Commercial Officer), and Richard Kim (Chief Strategy Officer), all
veterans of AI, e-commerce, and retail technology.
Investment and Support
In June 2024, Daydream raised $50 million in a seed round
co-led by Forerunner Ventures and Index Ventures, with participation from GV
and True Ventures. The funding recognizes Daydream’s potential to disrupt
online shopping through AI.
Story of Daydream: Personalized Shopping Experience Powered by an Advanced Search Engine#startup#age#networth#investor#funding#Daydream#AI Story
Beta Launch
Launching in beta in fall 2024, Daydream introduces its
first category: fashion. Users can start creating a “style passport,”
specifying preferred brands, sizes, and other shopping preferences, which
personalizes their AI-driven experience.
Conversational Shopping
The platform’s chat-based interface allows users to refine
searches, upload photos, and interact with AI to find tailored products. The AI
learns from inputs, improving recommendations and making discovery effortless
and fun.
Shopping Without Clutter
Daydream focuses on a curated, clutter-free shopping
environment. Unlike typical e-commerce sites, it avoids pay-to-play listings
and ads, earning revenue only through a commission on completed sales.
Expanding Discovery
By analyzing products with robust AI tagging, Daydream can
suggest items beyond basic filters like color or style. For example, it can
identify seasonality, usage scenarios, and suitability for travel, improving
both relevance and personalization.
AI-Driven Insights
The platform continuously evolves with improved speed,
accuracy, and understanding of products. Brand mapping ensures that users
discover new brands aligned with their preferences, enhancing engagement and
brand loyalty.
Future Plans
Daydream plans to expand beyond fashion into other retail
categories. Its vision is to create a highly personalized, AI-driven shopping
experience that improves discovery, convenience, and consumer satisfaction
across sectors.
A New Standard in E-Commerce
By combining AI expertise with deep knowledge of shopping
behavior, Daydream is positioning itself as a leader in conversational
commerce. It aims to transform online shopping from a static browsing
experience into an interactive, intelligent journey for every consumer.
Timeline of Daydream
- 2022
– Julie Bornstein exits THE YES (acquired by Pinterest) and begins
conceptualizing a new AI shopping platform.
- Early
2024 – Founding team assembled, including experts from Google,
Microsoft, Amazon, Nordstrom, and Farfetch.
- June
20, 2024 – Daydream raises $50M seed round led by Forerunner Ventures
and Index Ventures, with participation from GV and True Ventures.
- Mid-2024
– Pre-launch phase begins with nearly 2,000 brands and over two million
products added to the catalog.
- Fall
2024 – Beta launch of Daydream platform with “style passport”
personalization and AI-powered chat-based shopping experience.
- Late
2024 – AI-driven discovery tools refined, enabling users to search via
detailed prompts, photos, and preferences.
- 2025
and Beyond – Plans to expand into additional retail categories,
enhance personalization, and scale the AI platform globally.
