Zugara
Zugara is a Los Angeles-based augmented reality software company building virtual dressing room technology and computer vision applications. Its Webcam Social Shopper platform serves enterprise retailers, brands, and event marketers through web, kiosk, and in-store deployments protected by three US patents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Zugara does
Zugara, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based augmented reality and computer vision software company founded in 2009, developing applications centered on virtual dressing room technology and natural user interface experiences. The company primarily serves enterprise retailers, brands, and event marketers seeking to deploy virtual try-on experiences through web, kiosk, and in-store channels, with secondary applications spanning sports, museums, education, and financial services. Its flagship product is the Webcam Social Shopper (WSS) platform, deployed in three variants — WSS for Web (e-commerce integration via webcam), WSS for Kiosks (Microsoft Kinect-powered event and retail activations), and Virtual Style Sense (VSS) for in-store retail intelligent-mirror environments — supported by a smaller portfolio of branded custom AR projects for clients including Pepsi, Mattel, Mercedes-Benz, and Novelis.
The technology stack is anchored by Zugara's proprietary computer vision engines for body tracking, gesture recognition (IVO Gesture Engine), facial recognition, and motion capture, alongside mobile AR capabilities built on Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore. The portfolio is protected by three US patents: #8,275,590 and #9,183,581 covering virtual dressing room and AR social commerce technology, and #10,200,654 (issued February 2019) covering AR collaboration and synchronized multi-user video streams, the basis of the ZugSTAR product line. Zugara was selected as an initial Microsoft HoloLens developer in 2014 and has built integrations with Microsoft Kinect, Samsung displays, PayPal mobile payments, and the PrestaShop e-commerce platform, where over 140 apparel retailers had downloaded the WSS module at launch in July 2012.
Zugara operates a hybrid revenue model combining annual subscription software licensing (WSS for Web, WSS for Kiosks, VSS), custom project development for branded AR experiences priced per engagement, and patent licensing royalties managed through IPinvestments Group under a monetization program established in February 2013. Distribution spans direct enterprise sales, regional resellers (Virtuelle in South Africa), and platform-mediated SMB reach via PrestaShop. Notable enterprise customers include Delta Airlines, Chick-fil-A, MLB, Fanatics, Citibank (Panama), Lands' End, Ted Baker, Lufthansa, and the University of San Diego, but with 1-10 employees and no disclosed revenue or institutional funding, the apparent breadth of logos is consistent with a small operation dominated by episodic event activations and a smaller recurring licensing base.
Zugara firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zugara
- Legal name
- Zugara, Inc.
- Website
- https://zugara.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Zugara is a Los Angeles-based augmented reality software company building virtual dressing room technology and computer vision applications. Its Webcam Social Shopper platform serves enterprise retailers, brands, and event marketers through web, kiosk, and in-store deployments protected by three US patents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zugara industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Augmented Reality Software
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Interactive & Immersive Content Production (AR/VR/3D) (BPAFAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Virtual Styling & Outfit Planning (HSACAJAF), Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds (BPAMAKAF)
Keywords
Where Zugara is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zugara business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: Zugara licenses its virtual dressing room and AR software platforms (WSS for Web, WSS for Kiosks, VSS) to retailers and brands. Licensing is offered for e-commerce web integration, kiosk deployments, and in-store retail applications. The company also provides white-label and customization services for branded AR experiences.
- Custom Project Development: Zugara creates customized, branded AR and Computer Vision experiences for clients including prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and full campaign deployments. Services include mobile app development, experiential marketing activations, and specialized AR solutions.
- Patent Licensing: Zugara has implemented a long-term patent portfolio monetization strategy, allowing companies to gain legitimate access to its patented AR technologies through licensing agreements managed by IPinvestments Group.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | WSS for Web - E-commerce Licensing |
| Subscription | Annual | WSS for Kiosks - Event and Retail Deployment |
| Subscription | Annual | VSS for In-Store Retail |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom AR Projects |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Zugara product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zugara develops Augmented Reality and Computer Vision software focused on virtual dressing room technology for retailers and brands. Its flagship Webcam Social Shopper (WSS) platform enables online and in-store shoppers to virtually try on apparel using webcams, Microsoft Kinect, or mobile AR cameras. The company also licenses proprietary gesture recognition, facial recognition, motion capture, and AR video conferencing technologies, and creates custom branded AR experiences for enterprise clients.
Product overview
Zugara is an Augmented Reality and Computer Vision software company based in Los Angeles, California, offering a suite of AR-powered products centered on its flagship Virtual Dressing Room platform, The Webcam Social Shopper (WSS). The WSS platform is available in three deployment variants: WSS For Web (ecommerce integration via webcam), WSS For Kiosks (Kinect-powered kiosk deployment for events and retail), and VSS (Virtual Style Sense) for in-store retail environments. Underpinning these products are Zugara's proprietary computer vision engines including gesture recognition (IVO Gesture Engine), facial recognition, and motion capture technology, along with mobile AR capabilities built on ARKit and ARCore. Zugara also develops custom branded AR experiences for clients and holds a growing patent portfolio (U.S. Patents #8,275,590, #9,183,581, #10,200,654) covering virtual dressing room technology and AR collaboration. The company serves global brands and retailers across fashion, automotive, food & beverage, and financial services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Webcam Social Shopper (WSS): Virtual Dressing Room platform for web-based augmented reality ecommerce experiences
- WSS For Kiosks
- Virtual Style Sense (VSS)
- ZugSTAR
Products and services
- WSS For Web (Webcam Social Shopper for Web) Web-based virtual dressing room software enabling online retailers to integrate webcam-powered virtual try-on functionality directly into e-commerce product detail pages and category pages.
- WSS For Kiosks Kinect-powered virtual dressing room kiosk solution designed for deployment at retail events, out-of-home displays, conferences, museums, and in-store brand experiences using gestural control.
- Virtual Style Sense (VSS) In-store retail virtual dressing room technology functioning as an intelligent mirror/smart mirror solution that allows shoppers to virtually try on garments in physical retail environments using depth cameras.
- IVO Gesture Engine An interactive virtual object engine for AR and VR environments enabling users to control virtual objects through natural hand and body gestures using proprietary gesture recognition technology.
- ZugSTAR (Augmented Reality Collaboration) Augmented reality collaboration and video conferencing technology enabling real-time manipulation and interaction with multiple dynamic and synchronized video streams in an AR or multi-dimensional space, supporting multi-user AR sessions.
- Novelis Augmented Reality Sales Tool A customized AR mobile application developed for Novelis' product team serving as an interactive sales tool to communicate product features for aluminum battery enclosures used in electric vehicles.
Quantifiable outcome
- Shoppers using WSS convert at 2-3x higher rates; LazyLazy reported 17% of visitors used the feature with significantly higher conversion
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Zugara
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Zugara technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
Zugara partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core, regional, innovation and platform.
- NoveliskeyNovelis engaged Zugara to develop an AR mobile app serving as an interactive sales tool for their product team, specifically designed to communicate product features and attributes for aluminum battery enclosures in electric vehicles.
- PayPalkeyPayPal and Zugara partnered to bring mobile payment capabilities to the virtual dressing room experience, enabling seamless purchase transactions within AR shopping environments.
- SamsungkeySamsung partnered with Zugara and Ted Baker to debut new VSS in-store retail technology at RBTE (Retail Business Technology Expo) in the UK. Also collaborated on Virtual Style Sense technology at NRF's Big Show.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft Kinect integration with WSS for Kiosks platform, enabling gesture-based control for virtual dressing room experiences. Zugara also selected as initial HoloLens developer.
- MattelkeyMattel partnered with Zugara and Attention USA to create Barbie Dream Closet - an AR experience where fans could virtually try on famous Barbie outfits at events and online. Featured as both an online experience and physical installation at events.
- Virtuelle (South Africa)regionalVirtuelle, Zugara's South African reseller, developed and deployed WSS for Kiosks at South Africa Fashion Week and for Nokia in South African malls. Manages regional distribution and deployment of virtual dressing room technology.
- NokiaregionalNokia partnered with Zugara and Virtuelle to bring Kinect-based virtual dressing room experience to South African malls. Nokia provided hardware infrastructure for deployments.
- FanaticskeyFanatics partnered with Zugara and MLB to debut 3 virtual dressing room kiosks at the 2018 MLB All-Star Game FanFest. Created by The Four One Group featuring WSS technology.
- MLBkeyMajor League Baseball collaborated with Zugara on multiple virtual mirror installations including All-Star Game apparel promotions and Aramark stadium store activations.
- Orange Silicon ValleyinnovationOrange Silicon Valley partnered with Zugara on Project DocPAL - an AR telemedicine system using natural user interfaces to improve doctor-patient consultations.
- IPinvestments GroupcoreZugara retained IPinvestments Group to develop, implement and manage its patent portfolio monetization program, enabling companies to license Zugara's patented AR technologies.
- PrestaShopplatformZugara's Webcam Social Shopper became an official module for PrestaShop's apparel merchants worldwide, with over 140 retailers downloading the module at launch.
- Attention USAkeyAgency partner collaborating with Mattel and Zugara on Barbie Dream Closet AR experience, handling creative development and campaign execution.
- K12.cominnovationK12.com partnered with Zugara to deploy virtual dressing room kiosk on their mobile tour, featuring career outfits children could virtually try on as part of educational experience.
- LufthansakeyLufthansa engaged Zugara for virtual dressing room experience at their 'Fly Through Time' event in New York, featuring vintage air travel garment representations.
- CrayolakeyCrayola partnered with Zugara to debut multiple AR technologies including 3D virtual dressing room at the new Crayola Experience theme park in Orlando, Florida.
- Delta AirlineskeyDelta Airlines partnered with Zugara for fashion show event deploying 6 kiosk units with 50+ garments to debut new employee uniforms designed by Zac Posen. Kiosks later moved to Delta hubs nationwide.
- Chick-fil-AkeyChick-fil-A deployed WSS virtual dressing room kiosk at their annual franchisee operator event to showcase new uniforms and gather feedback from operators.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zugara competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Vue.ai: Vue.ai offers AI-driven personalization and virtual try-on for fashion retailers, including AR-based garment visualization. Competes for the same retail AR budgets as Zugara with broader AI styling capabilities.
- 3DLOOK: 3DLOOK provides AI body measurement and virtual try-on solutions for apparel e-commerce. Comparable in the virtual fitting room category, with a focus on body scanning rather than webcam overlay like Zugara's WSS.
- Obsess (Obsess VR): Obsess builds immersive VR/AR shopping experiences and virtual stores for retail brands. Comparable to Zugara in delivering branded AR/VR retail experiences, though stronger in VR store environments than webcam try-on.
- AstraFit: AstraFit provides size recommendation and virtual try-on tools for fashion e-commerce using AI and AR. Compares to Zugara in deploying AR try-on technology for online apparel retailers, with a focus on fit prediction.
- Reactive Reality: Reactive Reality provides virtual fitting room and avatar-based dressing technology for fashion e-commerce. Direct competitor in the AR virtual try-on space with similar SaaS license model to Zugara.
Direct peers
- triMirror: triMirror provides 3D virtual dressing room and avatar-based try-on technology for e-commerce. Listed alongside Zugara as a top virtual fitting room vendor, directly competing in the same AR try-on category.
- Perfitly: Perfitly is a virtual fitting room SaaS that uses body scanning and AR for online apparel try-on. Named alongside Zugara as one of four key virtual fitting room vendors; competes head-to-head for fashion e-commerce AR integrations.
Broad incumbents
- Snap Style (Snap Inc.): Snap Style is Snap's AR-powered try-on feature within Snapchat, allowing users to virtually try on outfits from partner retailers. A platform-level AR try-on offering that competes for retailer AR budgets.
- Walmart (Zeekit acquisition): Walmart acquired Zeekit in 2021 for virtual try-on technology, integrating AR fitting room capabilities across its e-commerce platform. Represents scaled, well-capitalized competition to AR try-on specialists like Zugara.
- Snap (Snapchat AR Shopping): Snap has built AR try-on and shopping lenses into its Snapchat platform and AR Enterprise Services, offering apparel AR try-on to retailers at platform scale. A major incumbent threat to boutique AR try-on vendors like Zugara.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zugara social profiles
Digital presenceZugara financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zugara leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Zugara subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Zugara funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zugara M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zugara
What does Zugara do?
Zugara develops Augmented Reality and Computer Vision software focused on virtual dressing room technology for retailers and brands. Its flagship Webcam Social Shopper (WSS) platform enables online and in-store shoppers to virtually try on apparel using webcams, Microsoft Kinect, or mobile AR cameras. The company also licenses proprietary gesture recognition, facial recognition, motion capture, and AR video conferencing technologies, and creates custom branded AR experiences for enterprise clients.
Is Zugara a public or private company?
Zugara is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Zugara founded?
Zugara was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Zugara based?
Zugara is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zugara make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are custom Project Development and patent Licensing.
Who are Zugara's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Vue.ai, 3DLOOK, Obsess (Obsess VR), AstraFit and Reactive Reality. Direct peers are triMirror and Perfitly. Broad incumbents are Snap Style (Snap Inc.), Walmart (Zeekit acquisition) and Snap (Snapchat AR Shopping).
Does Zugara have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zugara.
What industry is Zugara in?
Zugara's product category is Augmented Reality Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAIAL, Interactive & Immersive Content Production (AR/VR/3D), with a secondary code of HSACAJAF, Virtual Styling & Outfit Planning. Its NAICS code is 541430 and its SIC code is 7330.