Staqu is an artificial intelligence based startup. They utilize state-of-the-art deep learning technologies to provide precise reverse image search solutions. The search engine is designed in a way that it can retrieve exact matches from the indicated database for an input image. Various information like content, color, shape and texture are extracted and fused together to provide visual search solutions for various e-commerce businesses in the field of fashion, housing, medicine etc.
As per the latest update from the startup, Indian Angel Network (IAN) has invested an undisclosed amount in Gurgaon-based Staqu, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) focused research startup working in automated image understanding technology. Bikky Khosla, Neeraj Singal and Ajay Gupta led the round on behalf of IAN. With this, Bikky Khosla will join the Staqu board.
Staqu was founded by Atul Rai, Anurag Saini, Chaitan Rexwal, Pankaj Sharma in 2015, and enables automation of some of the crucial tasks for ecommerce companies which include image search, tag generation, real time recommendation. The solutions include the VGrep API Suite that comprises of products such as visual search engine and hybrid recommendation engine.
Speaking about the development Atul Rai, co-founder and CEO said,
“We plan to invest this round to expand the computational strength of our VGrep Lab (AI research lab at Staqu) and fuel it with clusters of GPUs and other technical resources. Currently, we are applying our research to solve pressing problems in the ecommerce sector. In the near future, we are planning on use it to address issues across other market segments, too.”
Adding to this Bikky Khosla, of IAN said,
“Search is becoming very complex and consumer experience demands precise results of articles being searched. Staqu AI engine is the best that we have seen and can help increase the sales of its ecommerce customers by delivering superior customer experience. It can also create alternate revenue streams for its OEM customers.”
The newly raised funding would be utilised by the startup to further build and democratise technology and strengthen the team.