Doji Raises $14 Million Seed to Revolutionize Online Fashion with AI-Powered Virtual Try-Ons

Doji, an AI‑powered fashion tech startup co‑founded by Dorian Dargan and Jim Winkens in 2024, has made headlines in the retail and e‑commerce world after securing a $14 million seed funding round announced on May 15, 2025. The startup’s fresh capital comes as Doji seeks to transform the online shopping experience by blending cutting‑edge artificial intelligence with virtual fashion try‑ons that feel both realistic and social for users.

Doji’s core product is a mobile app that leverages proprietary diffusion models to generate photo‑realistic digital avatars from user selfies and body photos. Users upload multiple images of themselves, and the platform creates a highly personalised digital likeness that can “try on” clothes from a wide range of brands and retailers. This approach aims to make online fashion shopping more intuitive, engaging and fun, departing from static product photos and size charts that have long dominated e‑commerce. The app is currently available by invite in more than 80 countries and has already seen strong interest from early adopters.

Investors have shown notable confidence in the company’s ambitious vision. The seed round was led by Thrive Capital, a prominent venture capital firm with a track record of backing consumer and technology innovators, and their lead support underscores Doji’s potential to carve out a new category at the intersection of AI and retail. Joining Thrive in the round was Seven Seven Six, the venture firm founded by Reddit co‑founder Alexis Ohanian, whose early and continued participation reinforces investor enthusiasm for Doji’s concept and technology. Alongside these lead investors were a group of angel backers and strategic supporters drawn to the startup’s novel approach to personalised shopping.

Co‑founder and CEO Dorian Dargan brings experience from leading technology firms including Apple and Meta, where he worked on VisionOS and immersive experiences, while co‑founder and CTO Jim Winkens held roles at DeepMind and Google working on generative AI products. Their combined backgrounds in AI research and consumer products have driven Doji’s technology direction, with a focus on blending high‑quality visual fidelity and customisation that resonates with fashion consumers.

According to company statements, the seed funding will be used to enhance Doji’s core AI models and expand the team across multiple functions including engineering, research, product and operations. The goal is to refine avatar realism, speed up processing times, improve overall user experience, and accelerate growth as Doji prepares for a broader rollout beyond its invite‑only phase. Investors see a strong opportunity in bridging the gap between digital experiences and physical fashion, particularly as shoppers increasingly expect immersive, personal, and interactive tools in online retail.

Doji’s product not only offers a more engaging way to visualise clothing on a user’s personalised avatar, but also aims to encourage exploration and creativity as shoppers experiment with styles, brands and looks they might not otherwise consider. The startup’s focus on social aspects—such as sharing looks with friends—adds a community layer to fashion discovery that traditional e‑commerce platforms have struggled to achieve at scale.

Although the app does not yet simulate exact garment fit or fabric behavior, features like this and in‑app purchasing capabilities are on Doji’s roadmap as the company extends its offering. The long‑term ambition, according to leadership, is to create a comprehensive fashion experience that blends personalised digital representation with seamless shopping and social engagement tools.

The market response to Doji’s seed raise reflects broader investor optimism around consumer AI applications that leverage new machine‑learning advancements to reshape established industries. By focusing on fashion—a category where personal expression and visual accuracy matter deeply—Doji aims to differentiate itself from both tech giants and emerging startups pursuing virtual try‑on solutions.

As Doji deploys its $14 million in fresh capital, the company plans to scale its technology and expand its presence in the fashion‑tech ecosystem. With strong backing from Thrive Capital, Seven Seven Six and a cohort of early believers, Doji is poised to take significant steps toward redefining how consumers engage with clothing online and how brands connect with digitally empowered shoppers.