Shopping app ASAP54 raises 3 million dollars

London-based start-up ASAP54, an app that combines integrated image recognition technology with unique social shopping functionality, has secured 3 million dollars of funding from venture capital firms as well as angel investors. The app, which is set to revolutionise the way consumers

discover and shop fashion online, has attracted investment from venture capital firms, e.ventures, Ceyuan and Novel TMT, as well as angel investors, Trends Media Group, Carmen Busquets, José Neves, Frederic Court, James Bilefield, Richard Chen, Carlos Oliveira, Andrea Molteni and Gideon Goren.

Ever wondered where the person next to you got her coat from or her shoes? Well ASAP54 allows users to simply photograph the object of desire and then be connected with that must-have item, or shop similar ‘inspired by’ pieces, online. It works by combining advanced visual technology with crowdsourcing and an off-line personal styling team. The app helps to find the exact match in its database as well as suggest a range of related products; in addition the in-house team of stylists are on hand to manually search and suggest five recommendations, ranging from high-end to high-street within 24 hours.

The idea is that the search is designed to be faster and easier than a search engine, and the service also allows users to purchase the recommended products from over 150 retailers, including Net-a-Porter, Topshop, Forever 21, J.Crew and The Outnet, with the technology company earning a commission on each sale.

ASAP54 combines image searching with fashion e-commerce

Founded in May 2013 by Brazilian fashion entrepreneur and CEO, Daniela Cecilio, previously of online fashion marketplace Farfetch, the idea was born out her frustration when words weren’t enough to describe what she was searching for online.

Cecilio said: “I was also looking for a simple way to be connected to what my friends and muses were coveting. I loved the idea of a sneaky peak into other peoples fashion searches that I can turn to for inspiration.

“Then I had the idea, which transformed my passion for finding and discovering unique items into a business and ASAP54 came to life."

The free downloadable app has already gained recognition for its pioneering concept and bespoke image recognition technology, earning second place at TechCrunch Disrupt in Berlin last October, and the iPhone app has also been endorsed by British model, Cara Delevingne, who has stated that it is one of her top ten alongside Vine, Instagram, and VSCO cam.

The app is still in the early stages of its launch, it has only been available on iTunes since the end of last month, but it is already been compared to Shazam, the app that identifies the title of a song based on an audio clip. Currently the app is only available on Apple and only in the US, Europe and Brazil at present, with regions including the Middle East and China set to follow by the end of the year.