Empowering Commerce in the Age of AI
Backed by $4.5 million in seed funding, New Gen is reshaping how brands approach digital commerce, catering to both human and AI shoppers alike. The increasing use of AI platforms is transforming shopping habits, compelling brands to offer seamless and intelligent experiences for their customers.
Transforming the Shopping Experience
In recent months, traffic to retail websites from generative AI sources saw a remarkable increase, highlighting the crucial need for brands to adapt to this change. With the launch of New Gen, companies can enhance their engagement with customers through a specialized AI-powered shopping page customized for every visitor.
Challenges Faced by Traditional Retail
“Traditional retail websites weren't designed for the conversational, AI-first future,” said Jonathan Arena, co-founder of New Gen. This statement emphasizes that conventional online shopping platforms limit the potential of customer interaction. In contrast, New Gen is dedicated to overcoming these limitations by providing storefronts that deliver instant responses and enriching experiences without complicating the shopping journey.
Reimagining Brand Engagement
The new approach taken by New Gen transforms regular product catalogs into dynamic, AI-readable formats, offering an enriched shopping experience. Shoppers now can find instant visual answers through natural language interactions, while AI agents benefit from structured data access via dedicated subdomains.
Maximizing the AI-Driven Sales Funnel
Shoppers entering through these AI channels are typically more likely to convert, often showing a higher willingness to spend compared to those participating in traditional e-commerce platforms. New Gen ensures that brands leverage this shift effectively by personalizing the shopping experience based on unique visitor intentions, directly linking AI-driven traffic to sales conversions.
The Future of Discovery and Shopping
Adam Behrens, co-founder of New Gen, pointed out that the traditional search engine optimization methods and standard advertising practices are evolving. The commerce landscape is transitioning into a conversational and AI-centric format where immediate answers are expected rather than a tedious search. Brands must pivot their strategies to accommodate this new reality.
Creating AI-Native Storefronts
New Gen’s platform equips companies with the means to construct storefronts that effectively respond to both human users and AI agents. Dubbed “visual answer engines,” these storefronts adapt based on shopper intent, thus facilitating immediate access to relevant products and insights. This innovative technology provides brands with valuable insights into customer behavior while maintaining creative and data control.
Founders with a Vision
Founded by Harvard Business School alumni Adam Behrens and Jonathan Arena, New Gen is already collaborating with key enterprise partners to ensure instant checkout capabilities for its advanced storefronts. Emerged from stealth mode, the startup's impressive funding round included participation from distinguished investors who recognize the potential of AI-native commerce.
The Call for Intelligent Storefronts
Evan Tana, a Partner at South Park Commons, remarked on the necessity for brands to adapt to changing consumer expectations. As online shopping becomes increasingly interactive and intelligent, those brands adopting new technologies early are likely to capture the next wave of high-intent shoppers.
About New Gen
New Gen builds commerce infrastructure enabling conversational shopping experiences across various channels, including AI chat and generative websites, effectively transforming static brand catalogs into AI-optimized data. This flexibility allows for dynamic storefronts with natural language searches tailored for both human shoppers and AI agents alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Gen?
New Gen is a technology company focused on revolutionizing commerce with AI-powered digital storefronts, enhancing both human and AI shopping experiences.
How does New Gen's platform work?
The platform creates AI-native storefronts that provide instant visual answers and structures data, allowing for a more interactive shopping experience.
Why is AI important for commerce?
AI enhances the shopping experience by delivering personalized, instant responses, catering to both consumers and AI agents, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates.
Who are the founders of New Gen?
New Gen was founded by Adam Behrens and Jonathan Arena, both alumni of Harvard Business School, who bring significant expertise from leading tech companies.
What type of funding did New Gen receive?
New Gen secured $4.5 million in seed funding from notable investors, highlighting the confidence in their innovative approach to commerce.
