Meet Alisa Patotsakaya, founder of Immersive Fox

Founded in 2021 by Alisa Patotsakaya, Immersive Fox is a text-to-video generation startup that specialises in providing businesses with AI-generated videos for sales and customer communication.

As the founder of Immersive Fox, what inspired you to start a text-to-video generation startup?

Seeing the rising demand for personalised and engaging content, I envisioned a solution that harnessed AI to transform text into dynamic videos, allowing businesses to swiftly create tailored messages that resonate with their audience. This idea aligned with my belief in the potential of technology for positive transformation, and I was driven by the desire to empower businesses to effectively communicate, streamline operations, and thrive in the digital age.

With a background in Computer Science and extensive experience in AI, I was uniquely positioned to bring this concept to life. Witnessing the transformative impact of text-to-video generation on communication strategies, I was further motivated to build Immersive Fox and make a lasting contribution to how businesses connect with their customers.

What would you say sets Immersive Fox apart from traditional production methods in terms of speed, cost and versatility?

The prevailing need for a video content production revolution is clear. Conventional approaches are sluggish, expensive, and unwieldy, presenting significant hurdles for agile and impactful sales and marketing endeavours.

Amid debates on the viability of email marketing, the potency of video in capturing attention remains undeniable, with 95% message retention by viewers. However, scaling video production has long been a challenge. Our solution directly addresses this issue by enabling the fastest in the world creation of personalised sales videos, 9x faster than the second position on the market.

This acceleration not only translates to time saved but also reduced costs (our position is priced at 0.07% market price), rendering personalised video production financially feasible. Beyond cost-effectiveness, it elevates customer experiences, streamlines operations, increases email response rate by more than 30%, and unveils fresh avenues for growth.

In a business landscape where efficiency and engagement are paramount, our solution redefines video marketing, propelling enterprises into a realm of rapid, impactful, and budget-friendly communication strategies.

How has your target audience responded to the opportunity this tech provides?

Our customers have experienced significant improvements in terms of conversion rates, with response rates seeing an increase of at least 30%. Because of this, the feedback we've received from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the value and impact of our technology.

Evgeny Selevich, CEO, Knomary, said: “We, as a provider of LMS, were extremely satisfied with the exceptional video production from Immersive Fox. The process was quick and effortless, and the outcome was amazing for both us and our clients. We highly recommend their services to anyone seeking to create onboarding or L&D videos in large quantities.”

Rafał Namieciński, CEO, FirmaO CRM, said: “Our email campaigns saw a boost of over 30% in effectiveness thanks to Immersive Fox's personalised video campaigns. The high level of personalization and the realistic appearance and sound of the avatar made a significant impact. As a CRM provider, it was crucial for us to test the product before integrating it, and we are thrilled with the outcomes. As a result, we extended a distribution partnership to Immersive Fox so that our customers can benefit from their product just as we did.”

How did you fund the initial launch?

I funded the product demo myself, but the public release occurred after we received pre-seed funding from various Village Global (US), Pretiosum VC (UK), and Angelize (Germany).

What tips would you give to fellow founders seeking investment?

The investment landscape has evolved significantly, and securing funding now demands more than just a concept. Investors seek tangible evidence of viability, customer traction, and sustainability. Companies that can present this data successfully tend to attract investment, while others may struggle.

For fellow founders pursuing investment, I'd offer a few key insights. Firstly, thoroughly vet potential investors as you would in a partnership. This relationship is enduring and challenging to dissolve. Secondly, prioritise collaborative investors who contribute positively to your journey, rather than those who drain your energy. A founder's role is demanding, and investors should enhance the overall environment.

Additionally, seek investors with substantial networks and portfolios in your field. Their connections and expertise can be as valuable as their financial contribution. Remember, it's not solely about capital; it's about the connections that can propel your business forward.

Did you come up against any obstacles whilst building, if yes, how did you overcome them and what did you learn?

Certainly, building any business comes with its fair share of obstacles. One that stands out for me is the challenge of achieving product-market fit and conducting effective market research. This process is crucial for any startup and requires a careful, unbiased evaluation of the potential market.

A valuable resource that aided me in navigating this challenge was the book "The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick. This guide emphasises the importance of testing ideas in an analytical and unbiased manner, avoiding the pitfall of becoming too attached to one's own concepts. It's easy to get wrapped up in our own brilliance, but realistically assessing whether a genuine market demand exists is the foundational step to prevent wasting time and resources.

I've learned from experience, when growing a startup previous to Immersive Fox, that conducting comprehensive market research before diving into development is essential. This ensures that your product addresses a genuine customer problem, increasing the chances of success. So, always validate your ideas before launching to avoid unnecessary setbacks.

AI has garnered mixed reactions, with a significant portion expressing critical concerns. For those who remain on the fence about the presence of AI, what message or insights would you like to convey to them?

To those who have reservations about the presence of AI, I'd like to offer a balanced perspective. While there have been instances of AI-generated content being misused, it's important to remember that new technologies always bring both opportunities and challenges. AI, when harnessed responsibly, presents a remarkable opportunity for innovation and progress.

The key lies in responsible usage and a commitment to ethical practices. As the AI landscape evolves, heightened awareness, collaboration among stakeholders including regulators, businesses, and technology providers, will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI-generated content. By setting clear guidelines and adhering to ethical standards, we can ensure that AI serves as a force for positive change.

At our company, privacy and security are non-negotiable. We have implemented rigorous measures to safeguard personalised avatars and user data. Ownership is meticulously defined in contracts, and all data is securely stored, fostering a confidential and secure environment.

It's important to recognise that AI-generated content isn't solely about replication; it's a catalyst for innovation. By embracing AI thoughtfully and responsibly, we can unlock new realms of creativity, efficiency, and engagement while upholding privacy and security standards. The key is to tread this path with a commitment to responsible innovation and collaboration for a future where AI enriches our lives safely and responsibly.

What’s your vision for the future of video content production?

My vision is to usher in a future where video content production is seamlessly integrated, data-driven, and tailored for impactful engagement. For Immersive Fox, this means making strategic collaborations with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and email service providers and seamlessly integrating our technology into these platforms, enabling companies to conduct efficient A/B testing for their email marketing campaigns.

Moreover, our emphasis on video analytics will play a pivotal role in shaping our trajectory. We're actively developing a robust video analytics tool that not only tracks customer engagement with videos but also offers comprehensive data, including viewer demographics and geographic preferences. Harnessing this data will refine marketing strategies, tailor content to specific audiences, and optimise overall communication effectiveness.

If you could invent a futuristic gadget or technology that doesn't exist yet, what would it be and what problem would it solve?

If I were to imagine a futuristic gadget or technology that doesn't exist yet, I'd explore the ‘Blade Runner’ concept of creating highly advanced AI personas that are so realistic they seamlessly integrate into human interactions without feeling artificial. Our current technological advancements - which involve giving AI a face and voice - are already pushing the boundaries of what's possible in this direction. This concept holds the potential to revolutionise the way people interact with content, including advertisements. Imagine a scenario where every piece of content, be it advertisements or general videos, is tailored with precision to each individual's preferences and tastes. This kind of innovation could lead to a profound appreciation for video content and advertisements, elevating the user experience to an entirely new level.

What are your future plans for Immersive Fox? Are there any upcoming developments you can share with us?

With the recent funding we’ve raised, we’ll be developing the company’s cutting-edge technologies further - with product and R&D plans including a video analytics tool, embeddable video player, UI animations and captions, and full body movement synthesis from text all being developed.

Boosting sales and attracting new talent is also on the agenda following the raise; we’re aiming to increase our team twofold by the end of this year, to penetrate new markets and strengthen customer relationships.