Many shoppers find it difficult to locate the desired items without spending excessive time on platforms like Instagram. To address this issue, Ruber and Chopra are developing Encore, a search engine designed to assist users in finding secondhand products from various sources. Their startup is currently participating in Y Combinator's inaugural fall batch.
“The secondhand shopping market is highly fragmented, with numerous platforms like Depop, Mercari, ThredUp, eBay, and Craigslist. It can be overwhelming for consumers to navigate through all these options to find what they need. Our goal is to eliminate that hassle,” Ruber explained.
Both Ruber and Chopra are immigrants who have long appreciated the value of thrift shopping. However, the process can be challenging. When Ruber sought a specific jacket from a television show (Carmy’s patchwork jacket from “The Bear”), he began to envision a solution to assist him in his search. He also aimed to partner with someone experienced in the circular economy, and he found Chopra to be an ideal collaborator due to his passion for fashion and thrifting.
“I have a personal connection to this as well; my mother used to take me to flea markets every Sunday. I found many treasures there, including a piano when I began learning to play. The essence of both flea markets and Encore lies in discovering hidden gems,” Ruber remarked.
Encore's AI-Driven Search Capabilities
On Encore, users can input search queries to retrieve results from various platforms, including Poshmark, the RealReal, Grailed, Etsy, and eBay. Leveraging cutting-edge language model technology, Encore enables precise queries such as "Locate a dress worn by Emily in 'Emily in Paris' Season 3, Episode 4."
The search interface also provides suggested prompts like “Outfit inspo for” and “Shop from the Show.” By selecting these options, users can either choose from auto-suggested completions or input their own phrases. This feature is designed to guide users in exploring different search terms and to prevent a blank screen for those unfamiliar with the search engine's functionalities.
Ruber highlighted that the length of user queries can vary significantly. Some users may simply type “Show me jeans,” while others might provide a more detailed request, such as “I am a 6’2″ person who skis and am looking for ski pants under $100 without large logos.”
The secondhand retail sector is experiencing significant growth, with forecasts indicating it could reach $73 billion in the U.S. and $350 billion globally by 2028. According to a report from online thrift store ThredUp, online secondhand resale is expected to represent half of the secondhand market by 2025.
Encore currently handles over 50,000 searches each month, experiencing a 26% month-on-month increase in searches and a 15% rise in clicks.
The primary source of revenue for the startup is through affiliate partnerships. In addition, a subscription model is being tested at a price point of $3 per month, offering enhanced features such as unlimited searches, image-based search capabilities, and customer support via email and chat.