Presti, a French startup founded in November 2022, has secured a $3.5 million seed funding round led by Partech, a global tech investment firm. This investment underscores Presti's innovative use of generative AI to transform single product images into realistic lifestyle photos, particularly targeting the furniture industry.
Traditionally, furniture brands face significant challenges and costs associated with traditional photo shoots for product launches. These shoots often require renting expensive locations, transporting bulky furniture, and meticulous planning months in advance, costing hundreds of thousands to millions of euros annually.
Presti's solution leverages advanced AI models, notably Stable Diffusion XL adapted for furniture product imagery. By retraining and refining the model with a dataset of over 75,000 high-quality furniture images, Presti ensures accuracy in perspective and detail, crucial for generating lifelike scenes.
The startup's platform not only generates realistic backgrounds but also allows customization with accessories like cushions, ensuring natural shadows and seamless integration. Future developments aim to enable texture and color variations, simplifying the product release process for furniture companies.
While Presti primarily serves mid-sized furniture companies, it has established a strategic partnership with Maisons du Monde, one of France's largest furniture retailers. This collaboration highlights Presti's potential to reshape how furniture brands create and market their products online, enhancing visual identity and sales.
Despite its advancements, Presti's AI-driven approach raises questions about the role of traditional photographers and stylists in creating unique, artistic visuals. The startup continues to innovate in bridging AI capabilities with human creativity, aiming to redefine standards in furniture photography and visual marketing.
