Investing in Pose: A Photo Sharing App for Shopping, Inspired by Instagram

This article dives into the story behind the investment in Pose, a photo-sharing app designed for apparel shoppers. The author, a venture capitalist (VC), shares his perspective on the team, the market, and the potential of Pose to disrupt the social media and retail landscape.

• The article highlights the VC’s admiration for Pose’s founder, Dustin Rosen, emphasizing his strong background, entrepreneurial drive, and well-researched vision for the app.
• Pose’s focus on capturing photos of desired or purchased apparel makes it a unique offering compared to other social media platforms like Instagram.
• The VC believes Pose’s mobile-first approach, coupled with its emphasis on personal discovery and sharing within a shopping context, sets it apart in the evolving landscape of social media and online shopping.

The Team Behind Pose: A Blend of Experience and Passion

The author underscores the importance of the team in his investment decisions. He details his admiration for Dustin Rosen, highlighting his experience at William Morris, The Mail Room Fund, and Wharton. The VC’s positive bias toward Dustin is strengthened by his commitment to entrepreneurship and his strong angel investment network, showcasing his dedication and potential.

• The VC emphasizes his belief in investing in “lines, not dots,” meaning he prioritizes the trajectory of a team’s performance over a single, impressive pitch.
• Dustin’s previous experience in the talent agency and venture capital world, coupled with his Wharton background, demonstrates his unique perspective and potential for building a successful company.
• The VC emphasizes the importance of “social proof,” recognizing the respect Dustin garnered within The Mail Room Fund and his ability to attract a strong angel investment network.

The Deal: A Collaborative Investment in a Promising Venture

The author shares his decision to invest in Pose, acknowledging the immediate appeal of the idea, the target market, and Dustin’s vision. He explains the quick turnaround time for securing funding, driven by both the VC’s firm and other potential investors recognizing Pose’s potential.

• The VC emphasizes his philosophy of maximizing a company’s potential for success rather than solely focusing on personal ownership. He demonstrates his commitment to sharing the investment opportunity with other VCs he respects, illustrating his collaborative approach.
• The VC highlights the involvement of True Ventures and Founder Collective, emphasizing their expertise in mobile and startup building, respectively. These partnerships demonstrate the collective belief in Pose’s potential for success.
• The VC’s willingness to split the investment and his strong relationships with other VCs showcase his network and commitment to fostering a collaborative ecosystem.

The Market: A Vision for Mobile First, Photo Sharing in Retail

The author delves into his belief in the potential of technology that captures new media types, particularly photos and videos. He emphasizes the importance of mobile devices and digital cameras in driving the evolution of Web 2.0 and predicts the continued acceleration of media creation.

• The VC compares Pose to platforms like Instagram and Path, recognizing their broad appeal while emphasizing Pose’s focus on a specific use case: sharing photos related to apparel shopping.
• Pose’s “mobile first, web second” approach aligns with the VC’s understanding of the evolving landscape of online shopping and social media.
• The VC highlights the potential of Pose’s platform to become a personalized recommendation and discovery engine for apparel shoppers, offering features like size and color comparisons, sale notifications, and friend-based outfit feedback.

Pose's Unique Position in the Photo Sharing Landscape

The author differentiates Pose from more general photo sharing platforms like Instagram by emphasizing its focus on a specific use case: sharing and discovering apparel information. This niche approach, the author argues, allows Pose to offer a more tailored and valuable experience for users interested in shopping.

• Pose offers a mobile-first platform, acknowledging the increasing shift toward mobile browsing and shopping. This approach aligns with the VC’s understanding of the evolving online shopping landscape.
• The article highlights Pose's potential to become a personalized recommendation and discovery engine for apparel shoppers, offering features like size and color comparisons, sale notifications, and friend-based outfit feedback.
• The VC emphasizes the importance of retail friendliness, ensuring Pose becomes a valuable tool for both consumers and retailers, fostering a mutually beneficial ecosystem.

The Future of Pose: A Vision for Personalized Shopping

The author expresses optimism about Pose's future, recognizing the potential of the platform to become a personalized shopping experience, empowering users to discover, share, and learn about apparel.

• Pose’s focus on discovery and sharing within a specific shopping context, combined with its mobile-first approach, positions it as a unique and potentially valuable player in the evolving landscape of online shopping and social media.
• The VC's confidence in Dustin Rosen and his team, coupled with the collaboration of other VCs, creates a strong foundation for Pose's future growth and development.
• The article highlights the potential for Pose to become a central platform for personalized recommendations and discovery within the realm of apparel, offering features like size and color comparisons, sale notifications, and friend-based outfit feedback.