Hey Savi, the UK-based fashion search and recommendation platform, has announced it has raised £2.2M in pre-seed funding. This round marks one of the largest raises by an all-female-founded UK technology startup at this stage. Using advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unique customer and fashion data, Hey Savi is set to transform the way fashion enthusiasts search and shop online, offering a highly personalised solution to find and purchase their perfect outfits efficiently.
Innovating the online shopping experience
Founded by Victoria Peppiatt, Angela Vinci, and Sarah Daniel, Hey Savi is on a mission to change online shopping forever. The platform acts as a fashion matchmaker, connecting users with retailers who have their desired items in stock, in their size, and at the best price within 60 seconds. The process is simple: snap, search, try, and buy.
Angela Vinci, Co-founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer at Hey Savi, highlighted the platform’s unique value: “The challenge consumers face today is that search engines will always prioritise their business models of paid advertising, rather than delivering relevant results. The search experience is outdated and not fit for today’s fast-paced fashion environment. We are creating an experience customers will love and that will give them confidence in their choices.”
A dynamic team driving innovation
The founders bring a wealth of experience to the table. Victoria Peppiatt, previously recognised as Tech Entrepreneur of the Year by Management Today, is a second-time tech founder who exited her previous startup, Phrasee, in 2022. Angela Vinci has held executive roles at prominent fashion, retail, and technology brands such as Farfetch, Gap, Sephora, Vinted, and Apple. Sarah Daniel, the ex-global CEO of Prominate, has successfully scaled fast-growth businesses across international markets.
Co-founder and Co-CEO, Sarah Daniel, commented on their combined expertise: “As a leadership team, our combined experience is incredibly compelling. As we build the company from the ground up – our ethos to deliver a ‘people-first’ culture, along with product excellence, will stand us apart from our closest competitors in this space and will be the engine to drive our business in the UK and globally.”
Supporting a massive market opportunity
The fashion industry presents a significant market opportunity with over 10,000 fashion searches made every minute in the UK alone. Hey Savi aims to bridge the gap between customer expectations and current search functionalities using AI technology. The platform’s advanced features promise to deliver a more personalised shopping experience, reconnecting shoppers with retailers in innovative ways.
Victoria Peppiatt, Co-founder and co-CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the funding: “The response to our raise has been phenomenal. The huge support we’ve received from high-profile investors, including well-respected angels from Boardwave, Founders Capital, and the WITSEND community, has both validated the potential of our product and reaffirmed the market opportunity. On top of which, we are incredibly proud of the fact that 54% of our investors are female.”
Advisory board and future outlook
Hey Savi is supported by an industry-leading advisory board, including Gareth Jones, Chief Marketing Officer at Sotheby’s and former CMO at eBay and Farfetch; Robin Sutara, Chief Data Officer at Databricks and former Chief Data Officer at Microsoft; and Richard Goold, Partner at Wilson Sonsini. This support underscores the startup’s potential to disrupt the fashion search and recommendation space.
Angela Vinci added: “Hey Savi’s unique platform is built by an industry-leading, fully female product team, and is perfectly timed to reignite the way customers engage with retailers online, unlocking millions in new revenue.”
With the new funding, Hey Savi is poised to advance its AI-powered platform and expand its reach, promising to reshape how consumers interact with online fashion retailers. The company’s focus on a personalised and efficient shopping experience positions it to make a significant impact in the fashion industry.
