Daydream (company): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox company | |||
| name = Daydream | |||
| type = Private | |||
| industry = [[Software]] | |||
| founded = July 2023 | |||
| founder = Julie Bornstein | |||
| hq_location_country = [[New York City]], New York, [[U.S.]]<ref name=Daydream_eyes_big_plans_in_Kirkland_after_$50_million_seed_round/> | |||
| key_people = Julie Bornstein ([[CEO]]),<br /> Maria Belousova ([[CTO]]),<br /> Lisa Yamner Green ([[CCO]]),<br /> Richard Kim ([[CSO]]) | |||
| products = [[Search engine]] | |||
| website = <!-- official site --> | |||
}} | |||
'''Daydream''' is an [[United States|American]] fashion-technology company. They provide a conversational fashion shopping platform powered by [[artificial intelligence]] search. Founded in [[California]] in 2023 by Julie Bornstein, Daydream launched publicly on June 25, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AU |first=FashionNetwork com |date=2025-06-26 |title=Daydream launches as the world’s first AI fashion shopping agent |url=https://au.fashionnetwork.com/news/Daydream-launches-as-the-world-s-first-ai-fashion-shopping-agent,1743860.html |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=en-AU}}</ref> The platform earns commissions on purchases completed through partner brands and [[Retail|retailers]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=2025-06-25 |title=Julie Bornstein's Daydream is releasing an AI-powered chatbot for fashion-related shopping |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/25/julie-bornsteins-daydream-is-releasing-an-ai-powered-chatbot-for-fashion-related-shopping/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Kimberly |date=2024-06-24 |title=Daydream aims to power e-commerce search and discovery with AI |url=https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2024/06/24/daydream-raises-50m-seed-ai-ecommerce-search |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref> | '''Daydream''' is an [[United States|American]] fashion-technology company. They provide a conversational fashion shopping platform powered by [[artificial intelligence]] search. Founded in [[California]] in 2023 by Julie Bornstein, Daydream launched publicly on June 25, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AU |first=FashionNetwork com |date=2025-06-26 |title=Daydream launches as the world’s first AI fashion shopping agent |url=https://au.fashionnetwork.com/news/Daydream-launches-as-the-world-s-first-ai-fashion-shopping-agent,1743860.html |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=en-AU}}</ref> The platform earns commissions on purchases completed through partner brands and [[Retail|retailers]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=2025-06-25 |title=Julie Bornstein's Daydream is releasing an AI-powered chatbot for fashion-related shopping |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/25/julie-bornsteins-daydream-is-releasing-an-ai-powered-chatbot-for-fashion-related-shopping/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Kimberly |date=2024-06-24 |title=Daydream aims to power e-commerce search and discovery with AI |url=https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2024/06/24/daydream-raises-50m-seed-ai-ecommerce-search |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Daydream was founded by entrepreneur Julie Bornstein following the sale of her earlier company, | Daydream was founded by entrepreneur Julie Bornstein following the sale of her earlier company, [[The Yes]], to [[Pinterest]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rey |first=Jason Del |title=E-commerce powerhouse Julie Bornstein unveils Daydream—an AI-powered fashion shopping agent that’s 25 years in the making |url=https://fortune.com/2025/06/25/daydream-fashion-ai-shopping-agent-marketplace-julie-bornstein/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref> In June 2024 Daydream announced it had raised US $50 million in seed financing co-led by [[Forerunner Ventures]] and [[Index Ventures]], with additional investment from [[GV (company)|GV]], True Ventures and model [[Karlie Kloss]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=2024-06-20 |title=Daydream rakes in $50M seed funding to build an AI-powered search engine suited for e-commerce |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/20/former-stitch-fix-coo-julie-bornstein-secures-50m-to-build-a-new-age-e-commerce-search-engine/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=How This Second-Time Founder Raised $50 Million for Her AI Startup in 2 Months |url=https://www.inc.com/mattea-vecera/how-this-second-time-founder-raised-50m-for-her-ai-startup-in-two-months.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240918041032/https://www.inc.com/mattea-vecera/how-this-second-time-founder-raised-50m-for-her-ai-startup-in-two-months.html |archive-date=2024-09-18 |access-date=2025-07-26 |work=Inc.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Retail tech startup Daydream raises $50 million seed round |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2024/06/21/daydream-retail-tech-startup-kirkland-seed-round.html |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> | ||
In late 2024, Maria Belousova joined Daydream as Chief Technology Officer. She previously served as Chief Technology Officer at [[Grubhub|GrubHub]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garfinkle |first=Allie |title=AI and Web3 led May’s new unicorn pack |url=https://fortune.com/2024/06/21/six-new-unicorns-were-made-in-may-crunchbase-data-says/ |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwieglinska |first=Zofia |date=2024-06-20 |title=Fashion Briefing: The Hamptons are becoming a year-round fashion hub |url=https://www.glossy.co/fashion/fashion-briefing-the-hamptons-are-becoming-a-year-round-fashion-hub/ |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Glossy |language=en}}</ref> | |||
The service became publicly available on June 25.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-25 |title=AI Shopping Platform Daydream Launches in the US |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/technology/ai-shopping-platform-daydream-launches-in-the-us/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=The Business of Fashion |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> | |||
== Products and services == | == Products and services == | ||
The platform provides a text and image-based search interface that uses artificial intelligence to match user queries with fashion catalog items. When Daydream’s platform became public in June 2025, it featured over two million products from approximately 8,500 brands, covering fashion for both men and women. | The platform provides a text and image-based search interface that uses artificial intelligence to match user queries with fashion catalog items.<ref name=":3" /> When Daydream’s platform became public in June 2025, it featured over two million products from approximately 8,500 brands, covering fashion for both men and women.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Milnes |first=Hilary |date=2025-06-25 |title=Is Daydream’s AI Platform the Answer to Fashion’s Discovery Problem? |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/is-daydreams-ai-platform-the-answer-to-fashions-discovery-problem |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
== Business model == | == Business model == | ||
Daydream generates revenue from a commission on purchases completed with partner retailers. It does not charge users for use of the platform. Daydream does not hold inventory, process payments or run advertising. Company statements indicate plans to apply the same model to additional retail categories. | Daydream generates [[revenue]] from a commission on purchases completed with partner retailers. It does not charge users for use of the platform. Daydream does not hold inventory, process payments or run [[advertising]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Company statements indicate plans to apply the same model to additional retail categories.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valloppillil |first=Sindhya |title=Julie Bornstein’s Daydream Is Redefining AI Fashion Shopping |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sindhyavalloppillil/2025/06/25/julie-bornsteins-daydream-is-leading-the-agentic-ai-fashion-shopping-revolution/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-27 |title=How Female Founders Are Courting Investors in a Tough Climate |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/workplace-talent/female-founders-vc-investors-fashion-beauty/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=The Business of Fashion |language=en}}</ref> | ||
Bloomberg News reported in May 2025 that the company employed fewer than 100 people, reflecting a wider trend among AI-focused startups to operate with lean workforces. | ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' reported in May 2025 that the company employed fewer than 100 people, reflecting a wider trend among AI-focused startups to operate with lean workforces.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-11 |title=‘AI-Native’ Startups Take Pride in Keeping Headcount Low |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-05-11/-ai-native-startups-are-keeping-headcount-low |access-date=2025-07-26 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-08 |title=Built to Stay Small: Inside the Org Charts of AI-Native Startups |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-08/org-charts-of-ai-startups-are-built-to-stay-small-flexible |access-date=2025-07-26 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 21:18, 17 August 2025
Daydream is an American fashion-technology company. They provide a conversational fashion shopping platform powered by artificial intelligence search. Founded in California in 2023 by Julie Bornstein, Daydream launched publicly on June 25, 2025.[1] The platform earns commissions on purchases completed through partner brands and retailers.[2][3]
History
Daydream was founded by entrepreneur Julie Bornstein following the sale of her earlier company, The Yes, to Pinterest.[4] In June 2024 Daydream announced it had raised US $50 million in seed financing co-led by Forerunner Ventures and Index Ventures, with additional investment from GV, True Ventures and model Karlie Kloss.[5][6][7]
In late 2024, Maria Belousova joined Daydream as Chief Technology Officer. She previously served as Chief Technology Officer at GrubHub.[8][9]
The service became publicly available on June 25.[10][11]
Products and services
The platform provides a text and image-based search interface that uses artificial intelligence to match user queries with fashion catalog items.[10] When Daydream’s platform became public in June 2025, it featured over two million products from approximately 8,500 brands, covering fashion for both men and women.[11]
Business model
Daydream generates revenue from a commission on purchases completed with partner retailers. It does not charge users for use of the platform. Daydream does not hold inventory, process payments or run advertising.[3][4] Company statements indicate plans to apply the same model to additional retail categories.[12][13]
Bloomberg News reported in May 2025 that the company employed fewer than 100 people, reflecting a wider trend among AI-focused startups to operate with lean workforces.[14][15]
References
- ↑ AU, FashionNetwork com (2025-06-26). "Daydream launches as the world’s first AI fashion shopping agent" (in en-AU). https://au.fashionnetwork.com/news/Daydream-launches-as-the-world-s-first-ai-fashion-shopping-agent,1743860.html.
- ↑ Mehta, Ivan (2025-06-25). "Julie Bornstein's Daydream is releasing an AI-powered chatbot for fashion-related shopping" (in en-US). https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/25/julie-bornsteins-daydream-is-releasing-an-ai-powered-chatbot-for-fashion-related-shopping/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chin, Kimberly (2024-06-24). "Daydream aims to power e-commerce search and discovery with AI" (in en). https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2024/06/24/daydream-raises-50m-seed-ai-ecommerce-search.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rey, Jason Del. "E-commerce powerhouse Julie Bornstein unveils Daydream—an AI-powered fashion shopping agent that’s 25 years in the making" (in en). https://fortune.com/2025/06/25/daydream-fashion-ai-shopping-agent-marketplace-julie-bornstein/.
- ↑ Mehta, Ivan (2024-06-20). "Daydream rakes in $50M seed funding to build an AI-powered search engine suited for e-commerce" (in en-US). https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/20/former-stitch-fix-coo-julie-bornstein-secures-50m-to-build-a-new-age-e-commerce-search-engine/.
- ↑ "How This Second-Time Founder Raised $50 Million for Her AI Startup in 2 Months" (in en). Inc.com. https://www.inc.com/mattea-vecera/how-this-second-time-founder-raised-50m-for-her-ai-startup-in-two-months.html.
- ↑ "Retail tech startup Daydream raises $50 million seed round". https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2024/06/21/daydream-retail-tech-startup-kirkland-seed-round.html.
- ↑ Garfinkle, Allie. "AI and Web3 led May’s new unicorn pack" (in en). https://fortune.com/2024/06/21/six-new-unicorns-were-made-in-may-crunchbase-data-says/.
- ↑ Zwieglinska, Zofia (2024-06-20). "Fashion Briefing: The Hamptons are becoming a year-round fashion hub" (in en). https://www.glossy.co/fashion/fashion-briefing-the-hamptons-are-becoming-a-year-round-fashion-hub/.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "AI Shopping Platform Daydream Launches in the US" (in en). 2025-06-25. https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/technology/ai-shopping-platform-daydream-launches-in-the-us/.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Milnes, Hilary (2025-06-25). "Is Daydream’s AI Platform the Answer to Fashion’s Discovery Problem?" (in en-US). https://www.vogue.com/article/is-daydreams-ai-platform-the-answer-to-fashions-discovery-problem.
- ↑ Valloppillil, Sindhya. "Julie Bornstein’s Daydream Is Redefining AI Fashion Shopping" (in en). https://www.forbes.com/sites/sindhyavalloppillil/2025/06/25/julie-bornsteins-daydream-is-leading-the-agentic-ai-fashion-shopping-revolution/.
- ↑ "How Female Founders Are Courting Investors in a Tough Climate" (in en). 2025-03-27. https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/workplace-talent/female-founders-vc-investors-fashion-beauty/.
- ↑ "‘AI-Native’ Startups Take Pride in Keeping Headcount Low" (in en). Bloomberg.com. 2025-05-11. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-05-11/-ai-native-startups-are-keeping-headcount-low.
- ↑ "Built to Stay Small: Inside the Org Charts of AI-Native Startups" (in en). Bloomberg.com. 2025-05-08. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-08/org-charts-of-ai-startups-are-built-to-stay-small-flexible.