Episode Summary: Angelo Coletta on "How 3D & AR Will Kill Traditional E-commerce"
Podcast: Founder's Story
Host: IBH Media
Episode: Angelo Coletta: How 3D & AR Will Kill Traditional E-commerce | Ep. 178
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 178 of "Founder's Story," host Angela welcomes Angelo Coletta, CEO of Zakeke, to discuss the revolutionary impact of 3D and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies on traditional e-commerce. The episode delves into Angelo's journey, the development of Zakeke's platform, and his vision for the future of online shopping.
Angelo Coletta's Journey into 3D and AR in E-commerce
Angelo begins by sharing his foresight into the rapidly changing commerce landscape. Eight years prior, he envisioned a significant shift driven by customer demand for personalized experiences and brands seeking immersive interactions.
"Maybe eight years ago my vision was that the commerce space will change dramatically in the next years." (03:16)
He recognized that customers wanted more personalized products and were willing to pay a premium for customization. Simultaneously, the back office of industries was becoming capable of producing artisan-quality products at mass production costs. This dual change inspired Angelo to create a platform that bridges these evolving needs.
"We have started to create something to help merchant to offer this new kind of experience to their customers and to help them to scale." (04:07)
Zakeke’s Platform and Offerings
Zakeke's platform is designed to enable merchants to offer complex, visually driven commerce experiences. Angelo emphasizes the importance of automation and digitalization, allowing businesses to manage everything from production to customer delivery seamlessly.
"We have developed this platform that enables merchant to offer a very complex experience in the visual commerce area that I think it will be the next step of growing of E commerce." (04:17)
Key features include customizable product previews in 3D, AR capabilities for virtual try-ons, and integration tools that streamline back-office operations. Angelo believes that without these visual enhancements, e-commerce will become obsolete.
"I can imagine an E commerce online without visual experience in the next years." (04:56)
Customer Segments and Industries
Zakeke serves a diverse clientele, ranging from small businesses to large brands across approximately 400 different industries. Angelo highlights how different sectors adopt their platform based on their unique needs for customization and visual engagement.
B2B and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Initially, Zakeke attracted B2B clients in sectors like gadgeting, gifts, and sportswear, where customized products were in demand but often produced manually or semi-manually. The platform helped these businesses scale by automating their processes, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
"The first world that has used our platform was the B2B world in the gadgeting, in the gift, in the sportswear, where the habit of offering a customized product was something manual or semi-manual." (05:19)
Large Enterprises
Zakeke's platform is also utilized by major brands such as Armani, Valentino, Uber, Ubisoft, and HP. These companies leverage Zakeke to provide interactive ads, AR experiences, and comprehensive 3D catalogs, enhancing both their online presence and in-store experiences.
"We have customers very important in these different fields. For example, we have brands like Hermani, Valentino, Kolmar... Best Buy, Uber Eats, Ubisoft, US Army..." (11:03)
Marketing and Growth Strategies
Angelo outlines Zakeke's dual approach to marketing, tailored to different customer segments:
Self-Provisioning for SMEs
For small and medium-sized businesses, Zakeke offers a self-provisioning plan that allows them to independently download and integrate the app. The pricing model is based on a percentage of sales, making it accessible for smaller enterprises.
"We have a self provisioning plan that is for the small and small medium customers. They can do everything by their own... the cost is based on a percentage of what they sell." (08:33)
Partner Network for Large Corporations
For larger companies, Zakeke employs a network of qualified partners worldwide. These partners assist in customizing and visualizing customer experiences, crucial for enterprises needing specialized integrations like ERP systems.
"For the big customers, we have a network of partners all around the world... customization, visualization, trial is a big piece of our strategy." (09:22)
Diverse Marketing Channels
About 80% of Zakeke's customers discover the platform through various channels, emphasizing the importance of a strong digital presence and multifaceted marketing efforts.
"80% of our customers come because they find us in a different way, in a different channel." (09:22)
Future of E-commerce and Customization
Angelo shares his optimistic vision for the future of e-commerce, where advanced technologies like AR, holograms, and AI agents become integral to both online and offline shopping experiences.
"In 10 years, I can imagine any website, any physical store, any B2B channel where the visual layer will be a piece of the interface." (12:51)
Enhanced Customer Experiences
He predicts that customers will interact with products in more immersive ways, such as virtual try-ons and holographic displays, bridging the gap between digital and physical retail.
"With a 3D model, they can offer AR and try on online or maybe in the physical stores." (07:05)
Integration of AI and Holograms
Future interfaces will likely incorporate AI agents and holographic technology, providing personalized and interactive shopping experiences that transcend current limitations.
"AI agents, something like that, will be the next interface that customers will find online and offline." (12:34)
Entrepreneurial Advice
When asked about advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Angelo emphasizes the importance of dedication, flexibility, and resilience. He encourages entrepreneurs to remain open to change and to continuously improve their offerings based on market feedback.
"Don't be in love with your idea. Always ready to change... have to fight hard if you want to reach the goals." (19:32)
Work Ethic and Perseverance
Angelo highlights the significance of hard work and consistent effort, comparing building a company to planting a tree—requiring daily commitment to grow and thrive.
"If you work hard every day and you put the seed every day in the ground, for sure a tree will grow up." (14:46)
Embracing Risks and Adaptability
He advises entrepreneurs to take calculated risks and remain adaptable, as the path to success often involves navigating through uncertainties and setbacks.
"Take a risk. And don't forget that when you take a risk some days or some night will be dark but it's a piece of the job." (19:57)
Connecting with Angelo Coletta
For listeners interested in learning more or connecting with Angelo, he directs them to Zakeke’s website and his LinkedIn profile.
"Our website take.com and everyone can reach me on my LinkedIn profile." (21:19)
Angelo emphasizes the importance of social interaction and openness, despite not being highly active on multiple platforms.
"You can find me there and I generally accept any request because I think that if you stay somewhere on the social leads to be social." (21:26)
Conclusion
Angela concludes the episode by commending Angelo for his insightful discussion and the impressive growth of Zakeke. She expresses enthusiasm for future conversations about emerging technologies and their impact on e-commerce.
"You've been amazing. I can't wait to have you on in a year from now... thank you for your time." (21:57)
Notable Quotes
- Angelo Coletta [04:07]: "We have started to create something to help merchant to offer this new kind of experience to their customers and to help them to scale."
- Angelo Coletta [11:03]: "We have customers very important customer in these different fields. So for example, we have in the brand you have Hermani, Valentino, Kolmar..."
- Angelo Coletta [19:32]: "Working hard. Don't be in love with your idea. Always ready to change."
- Angela [21:17]: "If you want to learn more about you, how can they do so sure we. Have you know first of all our."
This episode offers valuable insights into the future of e-commerce, the integration of advanced technologies, and strategic business growth. Angelo Coletta's experiences and foresight provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs aiming to innovate in the digital commerce space.