---
title: "Justin Abrams - Co-Founder & CEO of Flagship"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/4ae4e4f0-286f-43e5-a038-3f56cf73d0d9
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summary: "Justin Abrams is the Co-Founder & CEO of Flagship, an AIaaS platform providing AI-powered inventory planning and forecasting for retail brands, based in New York. His LinkedIn profile highlights connections to NYC Tech Week, consumer business building, and his education at McGill University."
tags: "linkedin-profile, ai-inventory-planning, retail-tech, startup-founder, demand-forecasting, aiaas, nyc-tech"
key_entities: "Justin Abrams (person), Flagship (organization), LinkedIn (organization), McGill University (organization), AIaaS (technology), AI Inventory Planning & Forecasting (concept), NYC Tech Week (event), New York, New York, United States (location)"
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# Justin Abrams - Co-Founder & CEO of Flagship

Sign in to view Justin’s full profile Justin can introduce you to 10+ people at Flagship | AI Inventory Planning & Forecasting for Retail Brands Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in Sign in with Email or New to LinkedIn? Join now By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . Justin Abrams Sign in to view Justin’s full profile Justin can introduce you to 10+ people at Flagship | AI Inventory Planning & Forecasting for Retail Brands Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in Sign in with Email or New to LinkedIn? Join now By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . New York, New York, United States Contact Info Sign in to view Justin’s full profile Justin can introduce you to 10+ people at Flagship | AI Inventory Planning & Forecasting for Retail Brands Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in Sign in with Email or New to LinkedIn? Join now By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . 9K followers 500+ connections See your mutual connections View mutual connections with Justin Justin can introduce you to 10+ people at Flagship | AI Inventory Planning & Forecasting for Retail Brands Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in Sign in with Email or New to LinkedIn? Join now By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . Join to view profile Message Sign in to view Justin’s full profile Justin can introduce you to 10+ people at Flagship | AI Inventory Planning & Forecasting for Retail Brands Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in Sign in with Email or New to LinkedIn? Join now By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . Flagship McGill University Company Website Report this profile About Justin is the Co-Founder & CEO of Flagship, a AIaaS platform that enables retail brands… see more Welcome back Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in or By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . New to LinkedIn? Join now Activity Follow Sign in to view Justin’s full profile Justin can introduce you to 10+ people at Flagship | AI Inventory Planning & Forecasting for Retail Brands Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in Sign in with Email or New to LinkedIn? Join now By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . We're putting together the most curated room at NYC Tech Week with hundreds of operators, founders, & investors all building at the intersection of… We're putting together the most curated room at NYC Tech Week with hundreds of operators, founders, & investors all building at the intersection of… Liked by Justin Abrams If you are building a consumer business and know your consumer better than you know yourself, that is a sign that you should have this early-stage… If you are building a consumer business and know your consumer better than you know yourself, that is a sign that you should have this early-stage… Liked by Justin Abrams Wrapping up a great few days at #RePlan in NYC. One difference of this event is the procured and more intimate setting than typical industry… Wrapping up a great few days at #RePlan in NYC. One difference of this event is the procured and more intimate setting than typical industry… Liked by Justin Abrams Join now to see all activity Experience & Education *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Flagship *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> ********** * *** *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> *** *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> ****** *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> *** **** *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> ******* ********* *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> ****** ********** *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> ********** ****** ***** *********** undefined *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> 2009 - 2013 *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> ************ ********** ****** *]:mb-0">- *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> 2005 - 2009 View Justin’s full experience See their title, tenure and more. Sign in Welcome back Email or phone Password Show Forgot password? Sign in or By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . New to LinkedIn? Join now or By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . Publications *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Bogner Expands Canadian Business With Toronto Pop-up *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> WWD October 28, 2020 *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> BOGNER, the German athletic luxury sports brand, will open its first winter pop-up shop in Toronto on Sunday. The 3,300-square-foot store is at 131 Bloor Street. To expand the Canadian business, they teamed with next-gen retail experts FlagshipRTL. Justin Abrams, CEO and founder of FlagshipRTL, praised BOGNER’s “unique heritage in ath-luxury sports fashion” and said, “It has been a privilege to support BOGNER in scaling their North American presence.” See publication *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Paid Marketing Not Converting? Here’s the #1 Thing All Brand-Gurus Should Know About In-Real-Life (IRL) Customer Acquisition…the new way of doing retail *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> Medium October 19, 2020 *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> By blending both in-store and online shopping experiences, customers can get the access they want, on their own terms. By testing out new markets, brands can amass a bounty of insight with virtually no risk, building future strategies on proven data. This is what ‘new retail’ looks like — an omni-channel offering, new market testing power duo that increases conversions, drives profitability, and breeds customer loyalty — #IRL. See publication *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Bonpoint to Open Pop-up in Southampton *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> WWD July 16, 2020 *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> Bonpoint, the children’s apparel retailer, will open a seasonal pop-up shop in Southampton, N.Y. It’s the first time the company has had a presence out East. Bonpoint worked with FlagshipRTL to bring the store to life. See publication *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Meet Justin and Ramin Abrams in Beverly Hills *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> Voyage LA June 20, 2020 *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> Both born and raised in NYC, Justin started playing cello at two-and-a-half years old, and his younger brother, Ramin, right around the same age. Both brothers have always loved music & performing, but even at a young age, had a passion for business as well. See publication *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Ninja New Years *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> Washington Post December 28, 2018 *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> New Years Eve Stream with the worlds biggest gamer, Ninja. See publication Courses *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> French Language *]:mb-0">- *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Fundamentals of New Media *]:mb-0">- *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Introduction to Computer Science *]:mb-0">- *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Marketing Management *]:mb-0">- *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Music Business *]:mb-0">- *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> Languages *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> Spanish *]:mb-0">- *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> *]:mb-0 text-[18px] text-color-text leading-regular group-hover:underline font-semibold"> French *]:mb-0 not-first-middot leading-[1.75]"> Limited working proficiency *]:mb-0 [&>*]:text-md [&>*]:text-color-text-low-emphasis"> Recommendations received Emily Gervais “Justin defines what it means to be an A+ team member. During my time at Red Bull, Justin’s role and mine crossed over in complex capacities. There is no one else I would have rather shared the pleasure of collaborating, strategically planning and bringing visions to life with. Justin is sharp, strategic and an incredibly hard worker. His network is wide and his relationships are genuine. Justin’s creativity is limitless and his ability to garner support both internally and externally is powerful. He has the ability to plan long term and think quickly to push projects through and is a true marketing spark plug. I recommend Justin to any organization. Not only will he bring an uncanny value to the team but his personality and genuine nature is refreshing and authentic. ” Zachary Chertok “To whom it may concern; I would like to recommend Justin as a candidate for a position with your organization. I have had the great experience to work with Justin in the development of his venture, NiteFlip.com, and he is one of the most dedicated people I have ever worked with. Justin maintains a clear vision on all projects he starts while constantly consulting with colleagues to make sure that his projects benefit from all available experience and knowledge. Justin is an innovator who constantly thinks outside the box to come at every problem with fresh ideas toward building a unique solution. He is not afraid to take risks on new ideas and concepts while taking into account the full picture of what those risks involve. He is a forward thinker with a broad knowledge of social media and its place in global marketing and branding and he is a person I turn to in order to broaden my knowledge of these areas. I have also had the wonderful experience to watch Justin's dynamic progression through his University studies as he grabbed at life whenever he could honing new experiences into new knowledge he then translated into his work. Justin is always improving the caliber of his work raising his standards for himself to seemingly impossible heights while never losing sight of how to enjoy what he is doing. Justin would be an asset to any company or organization and I recommend him for any career goal he may pursue. Please feel free to reach out to me at luckyzach@comcast.net if I can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Zachary R. Chertok Business, Market, and Industry Analysis Kronos Corp.” 2 people have recommended Justin Join now to view More activity by Justin May closed at $115,000 in monthly recurring revenue. Up about 7.5% from April. I want to be honest about what that number feels like from the… May closed at $115,000 in monthly recurring revenue. Up about 7.5% from April. I want to be honest about what that number feels like from the… Liked by Justin Abrams 58% of people who sent a drink on Dion sent another one. Not because we reminded them. Not because we nudged them. Because they wanted to. 53% are… 58% of people who sent a drink on Dion sent another one. Not because we reminded them. Not because we nudged them. Because they wanted to. 53% are… Liked by Justin Abrams ZARA reportedly analyzes more than 3 million social media images every day using AI to identify emerging trends and inform product decisions. While… ZARA reportedly analyzes more than 3 million social media images every day using AI to identify emerging trends and inform product decisions. While… Liked by Justin Abrams Is Anthropic altering model performance to force costly upgrades? Chapter Co-Founder and CEO Cobi Blumenfeld-Gantz outlines a shift his team recently… Is Anthropic altering model performance to force costly upgrades? Chapter Co-Founder and CEO Cobi Blumenfeld-Gantz outlines a shift his team recently… Liked by Justin Abrams Homecoming for Eleven Labs in Warsaw before the summit tomorrow! Maciej Mylik, Franek Sokolowski & Maciek Gnutek Homecoming for Eleven Labs in Warsaw before the summit tomorrow! Maciej Mylik, Franek Sokolowski & Maciek Gnutek Liked by Justin Abrams It was a delight to sit down with the insightful and thoughtful David Politis as a guest on his Not Another CEO Podcast. Tune in to listen to the 7… It was a delight to sit down with the insightful and thoughtful David Politis as a guest on his Not Another CEO Podcast. Tune in to listen to the 7… Liked by Justin Abrams Most bootstrappers ignore affiliate programs. I'm betting on ours. We just relaunched the Zigpoll affiliate program with a cleaner signup flow and… Most bootstrappers ignore affiliate programs. I'm betting on ours. We just relaunched the Zigpoll affiliate program with a cleaner signup flow and… Liked by Justin Abrams Three things I've learned scaling a solo SaaS to where it is today: 1. Slow is fast. Ship one feature a week, every week, for two years. That's 100+… Three things I've learned scaling a solo SaaS to where it is today: 1. Slow is fast. Ship one feature a week, every week, for two years. That's 100+… Liked by Justin Abrams Marc Rowan was brutally laid off - but kept working for free, until he received a cold call from Paris that changed his life forever… In 1990, a… Marc Rowan was brutally laid off - but kept working for free, until he received a cold call from Paris that changed his life forever… In 1990, a… Liked by Justin Abrams In my feels today 🥹 Today we launched Deliver Us to Fútbol - DoorDash's first-ever global campaign with Deliveroo and Wolt, for FIFA World Cup… In my feels today 🥹 Today we launched Deliver Us to Fútbol - DoorDash's first-ever global campaign with Deliveroo and Wolt, for FIFA World Cup… Liked by Justin Abrams At 94 years old, this Jewish real estate titan rebuilt Lower Manhattan after the darkest day in modern American history, while becoming a symbol of… At 94 years old, this Jewish real estate titan rebuilt Lower Manhattan after the darkest day in modern American history, while becoming a symbol of… Liked by Justin Abrams We did it 😍. $0 → $10M ARR in less than 1.5 years. Record number of new customers MoM. All-time high for trials started. Product improving at… We did it 😍. $0 → $10M ARR in less than 1.5 years. Record number of new customers MoM. All-time high for trials started. Product improving at… Liked by Justin Abrams Day two at #REPLANUSA Visit our Retail Therapy activation with Abby Knight and our Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation friends. PI - Fashion's… Day two at #REPLANUSA Visit our Retail Therapy activation with Abby Knight and our Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation friends. PI - Fashion's… Shared by Justin Abrams View Justin’s full profile See who you know in common Get introduced Contact Justin directly Join to view full profile Other similar profiles Bianca Gates Bianca Gates Birdies, Inc. 3K followers San Francisco Bay Area View Profile Oswald Méndez Oswald Méndez Collective Transformation LLC 5K followers New York, NY View Profile Aidan Heintzman Aidan Heintzman Haven Building Technologies 5K followers New York, NY View Profile Jason Winkler Jason Winkler RTHMS 4K followers Dana Point, CA View Profile Aaron Mottern Aaron Mottern UnCommon Energy 4K followers St Louis, MO View Profile Seth Rand Seth Rand BrandStar 12K followers Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area View Profile Zachary Courtney Zachary Courtney HB Capital Group 7K followers Miami, FL View Profile Arthur Chan Arthur Chan MBMG 3K followers Los Angeles, CA View Profile Chrissanne Long Chrissanne Long Maximize Digital Media 6K followers Lakeland, FL View Profile Jon Maher Jon Maher Esper Inbound 5K followers Irvine, CA View Profile Explore more posts Malte Karstan Leuchtturm Gruppe • 72K followers Resale Is the New Retail: What 31,039 Active Listings Reveal About Brand Strength in 2026 The secondary market is no longer a side channel, it is a strategic indicator. The latest industry ranking of top fashion brands by active resale listings, January 2026, offers a clear lens into consumer demand, inventory circulation, as well as brand resilience within the circular economy. Madewell leads with 31,039 active listings, followed by Athleta, 24,049, American Eagle Outfitters Inc., 22,269 and Hanna Andersson, 21,247. ZARA completes the upper tier at 15,385. The remainder of the top ten includes Patagonia, 6,673, EILEEN FISHER, INC., 4,369, lululemon, 3,940, Levi Strauss & Co., 3,900, together with Canada Goose at 3,039. The ranking order and figures strictly reflect the published data. Three structural insights stand out. First, accessible lifestyle brands dominate resale liquidity. Primary retail scale translates into secondary supply, however liquidity, not volume alone, determines ranking. Brands with consistent sizing, recognizable silhouettes, as well as durable fabrication are easier to list, price, besides transact. Second, category concentration matters. Denim, activewear, also kidswear are strongly represented. These segments benefit from repeat purchase behavior, broad addressable markets, in addition to standardized product attributes. Hanna Andersson’s position highlights the resilience of premium childrenswear in resale, where value retention is economically rational. Third, purpose led together with technically positioned brands sustain secondary relevance. Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Lululemon, Levi’s, along with Canada Goose show that equity rooted in durability, performance credibility or sustainability supports aftermarket demand, even at lower listing volumes. Active listing count functions as a proxy for installed customer base size, product lifespan perception, search frequency, alongside with circular engagement intensity. Are you tracking resale penetration by category. Do you understand which attributes drive secondary liquidity. Does your pricing architecture support long term value retention. Are you capturing recommerce margin, alternatively leaving it to third party marketplaces. Resale is now a measurable feedback loop. High listing volumes signal brand awareness, wardrobe penetration, moreover product circulation. In 2026, circularity is not peripheral, it is a competitive operating discipline. Brand heat is defined not only by what sells new, instead by what continues to sell again. Graphic by RETAILBOSS 32 2 Comments Marcel Melzig LIGANOVA • 29K followers Resale data shows where culture is moving in 2025. Performance, collectibles and retro basics are leading demand. StockX’s Big Facts 2025 report highlights the shift in footwear: ↳ ASICS +45% year over year, with the Gel-1130 as the No. 1 best-selling sneaker on StockX ↳ Saucony +38%, Mizuno Corporation +148%, Brooks Running +1,508% ↳ Nike Kobe 6 Protro +100% vs. last year, leading performance basketball ↳ adidas Samba dominates retro demand with more than 700 colorways traded and the Samba Jane becomes adidas’ top new model of 2025 The pattern is clear: Performance runners shape everyday style. Basketball heat is rising again through cultural icons. Retro silhouettes still anchor the global look. Resale continues to show the shift before retail feels it. 278 23 Comments Revan Daldaban Tryon • 820 followers Every AI agent making a fashion purchase is missing the same data point: will it fit? Agent-orchestrated retail is projected to reach $3 to $5 trillion by 2030. The infrastructure to browse, decide, and pay on behalf of a shopper is being built quickly. Fit verification is not. A purchase executed by an agent without verified fit data is, by definition, a return waiting to happen, with the cost absorbed by the BNPL provider, the issuing bank, and the merchant simultaneously. At Tryon we are building the verification layer for that transaction. Not a recommendation engine, not an AR overlay, but a physics-grade fit passport that an agent can call before authorizing payment. We are early, and there is a long road between where we stand today and the scale the market implies. But the gap is real, and we think it is worth building into. #AgenticCommerce #FashionTech #AI #Fintech #Startup #Ecommerce #BuildingInPublic https://tryon.global 7 2 Comments Tatiana Preobrazhenskaia V For Vibes Health & Wellness • 33K followers How Reviews Influence First Time SexTech Buyers Reviews play a disproportionate role in SexTech purchasing decisions because they reduce uncertainty in a category where consumers value reassurance and privacy. Data shows that reviews strongly influence first time buyer confidence and conversion quality. What the Data Shows 1. First time buyers rely heavily on peer validation Customers new to sexual wellness products seek confirmation that products are safe, effective, and discreet. Reviews provide social proof without requiring public interaction. 2. Detail matters more than volume Longer reviews that describe experience, comfort, and usage context outperform short generic ratings. Specificity builds credibility and reduces doubt. 3. Negative reviews shape expectations constructively Balanced reviews that include limitations or learning curves reduce refunds by setting realistic expectations rather than deterring purchase entirely. 4. Post purchase reviews reinforce loyalty Customers who leave reviews show higher repeat purchase behavior. Writing a review reinforces engagement and emotional investment in the brand. Why This Matters in Sexual Wellness Sexual wellness buyers often research privately and extensively. Reviews act as a trusted proxy for experience when direct conversation feels uncomfortable. V For Vibes encourages honest and educational reviews to help first time customers make informed decisions and feel supported before and after purchase. Reviews are not just feedback. They are onboarding tools. In SexTech, authentic reviews reduce anxiety, improve conversion quality, and strengthen trust. Brands that treat reviews as part of education build stronger long term relationships. This review driven trust strategy supports how V For Vibes attracts and retains first time buyers. 250 4 Comments Jeeva Sanjeevan BrandScent Global Pty Ltd • 9K followers Everyone talks about HOKA’s growth. What I find more interesting is how intentional the experience has been. They didn’t just build a product. They built an environment around it. From the way you try on the shoe to how staff interact to the community runs Everything is designed to reduce friction and build confidence in the moment of decision. That’s the part many brands underestimate. We often think conversion happens because of: pricing marketing product features But in physical environments, it’s often about how someone feels in that space. Calm vs overwhelmed Energised vs uncertain Rushed vs considered Those micro-moments influence decisions more than we realise. This is where I see a gap across a lot of retail and experiential spaces today. Brands are investing heavily in visuals and layout, but not always in the full sensory environment. From our work, even small changes to the environment can shift: dwell time engagement overall perception of the brand HOKA has done a great job engineering most of that experience already. The next wave of brands will go even deeper, designing spaces that don’t just look right, but feel right the moment you walk in. BrandScent Global Deckers Brands #BrandExperience #RetailStrategy #CustomerExperience #ExperientialRetail #ConsumerBehaviour 4 Shinny Chen Tai Apparel • 78 followers The United States has long been the largest apparel consumer market in the world, and that position is unlikely to be shaken in the short term. Its scale of consumption, the maturity of its brand ecosystem, and the sophistication of its retail channels all ensure that it remains the primary destination for global apparel orders. Whether in luxury, sportswear, or mass retail, the US. still holds significant influence However, China and India closing the gap is not simply a natural outcome of population size it reflects structural shifts in consumption In recent years, China has clearly transitioned from being primarily a “manufacturing center” to becoming a “consumption center.” The rise of domestic brands, extremely high e-commerce penetration, fast and responsive supply chains, and consumers’ growing expectations for design and quality have all strengthened the domestic market. Production capacity that was once built around exports is now increasingly serving local demand India follows a different trajectory one driven by demographic dividends and an early-stage consumption cycle. With a large young population and an expanding middle class, once income levels stabilize, consumption growth could accelerate rapidly. Its growth curve may not be linear, but rather marked by periods of sharp expansion From an industry structure perspective, this isn’t about one country replacing another it’s about the center of gravity shifting In the past, many brands structured their global strategies around the US market. Going forward, a multi-center model is more likely to emerge. Brands will place greater emphasis on localized design, localized production, and even regional inventory allocation. Supply chains will evolve from being globally concentrated to regionally coordinated For those of us in the apparel business, this means our mindset has to change. We can’t focus on a single export market, nor rely on just one sales channel. Future competitiveness will depend on how well we understand the rhythm of different consumer markets and whether our supply chains are capable of supporting multi-regional operations I firmly believe the U.S. will continue to anchor high-end consumption and brand value globally. But growth momentum will gradually spread outward. The companies that truly have an opportunity won’t be the ones reacting after market share shifts they’ll be the ones positioning themselves early, during the initial stages of structural change Markets never stand still. Opportunity is always hidden in the gaps created by restructuring Drew F. Iris Finance • 29K followers ALLBIRDS REBRANDS TO NEWBIRD AI TO PURSUE AI INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET No this isn’t a joke. About two weeks ago, Allbirds officially ended its run as a footwear independent by selling its brand and assets to American Exchange Group in a $39m asset sale. Today, the company is announcing a $50M convertible financing facility to pivot its business model toward AI compute infrastructure. The company will change its name to NewBird AI, with a strategic focus on becoming a fully integrated GPU as a Service (GPUaaS) and AI native cloud solutions provider. Initial capital from the new facility will be used to acquire high performance GPU assets to meet the surging demand for dedicated AI compute capacity. if the market crashes and you didn’t sell your stocks, you will look back at this exact moment 78 31 Comments Glenn McMahon MAC McMahon Advisory… • 21K followers The #runningclub phenomenon continues to build momentum and cultural relevance. What began as informal meetups among local runners has evolved into one of the most powerful community platforms in sport and wellness. Two of the hottest brands in the market, KITH and On have teamed up to launch a running club in NYC. The collaboration is another signal that brands increasingly understand the role community plays in building long term loyalty and cultural relevance. Health and wellness continues to reshape consumer behavior and shows no sign of slowing down. Running sits at the center of that movement because it is accessible, social and deeply tied to personal identity. For brands, it is not simply about selling footwear or apparel. It is about becoming part of the runner’s lifestyle. The economics behind the category are substantial. The running footwear market in the United States alone generates roughly $5B dollars annually. When apparel is included, the total running ecosystem is estimated to exceed $15B in the U.S. market. Brands across the industry are leaning into community driven running initiatives. Companies like Nike adidas HOKA and lululemon are all supporting run clubs and community events as a way to engage consumers beyond traditional retail. The strategy is straightforward. Community builds loyalty. Loyalty drives product adoption. And product adoption fuels long term brand equity. 153 5 Comments Nicole Fein LYMA • 2K followers Last week's WJA panel on Practical AI for Jewelry was one of my favorite conversations so far. It was practical and honestand identifying how can these tools genuinely help us work more efficiently, communicate more effectively, and free up more time for strategic and creative thinking. A few takeaways that stuck with me: • Better prompts create better results. Context matters enormously. • Most people should start much smaller than they think. • AI works best as a collaborator, not a replacement for human judgment or creativity. We also discussed useful tools and workflows, from Claude and Perplexity to Midjourney, Lovable, Manus, and FormaNova. Huge thank you to Sophia Pervez and Sanam Ghaneeian for being so generous with their knowledge and time. #AI #JewelryIndustry #WJA #LuxuryBusiness 8 Tony Wu 4K followers 2025 Fashion × AI Must-Reads (3/7): How Investors Fell Back in Love With Fashion Tech Continuing the BoF 2025 tech series. After exec primers and back-office revolutions, this piece explains why AI has reignited VC passion for fashion tech — pouring over $100M into startups in the past year, but with smarter, more patient capital focused on real tech moats. Key Points - AI as the Catalyst: Generative AI makes long-elusive ideas (personalization, virtual try-ons, design tools) feasible, spawning startups solving core pain points like online discovery and inefficiency. - Shift in Investor Mindset: Unlike the DTC hype era, VCs now back "AI-native" founders with deep tech expertise (ex-Google, Stitch Fix, Amazon), prioritizing gradual iteration over explosive growth. - Notable Funding Rounds: Daydream ($50M seed, "ChatGPT for fashion"); Raspberry AI ($24M, gen-AI design); Alta ($11M, wardrobe-based styling); Doji ($14M, virtual try-on); Try Your Best ($11M, social rewards). LVMH Innovation Award winners: AI content studio Omi and data platform Kahoona. - Investor Wisdom: Patience for infrastructure building (multiple model iterations); focus on defensible visions amid high failure rates; even non-AI tools benefit from the ecosystem (e.g., more human referrals in AI-noise world). - Challenges Ahead: Unproven models after decades of attempts; tough user adoption vs. TikTok/Instagram; need for fun, intuitive products — most will still fail. BorderX Lab's AI Breakthrough This revival validates applied AI over hype: While many chase discovery/search, BorderX Lab's ShopGeni AI Shopping Agent stands out as a revenue-generating, end-to-end agentic solution — autonomously driving cross-border luxury/fashion sales with real merchant networks, logistics, and GMV traction. In a $900B+ market hungry for proven execution, we're the rare player combining AI-native tech with profitable supply chain moats that pure startups can't replicate quickly. Call to Action Fashion executives, investors, and tech leaders: As VCs wisely bet on patient, tech-deep founders reshaping the industry, 2026's biggest wins will be in agentic commerce vertical like fashion— where real revenue trumps demos. Let’s cowork in 2026: - Brands & Retailers: Embed ShopGeni to unlock global demand with autonomous, personalized journeys — no heavy lifts required. - Investors: Join our growth round backing one of the few profitable agentic players scaling fast. - Tech & Platform Leaders: Integrate via CloudStore AI APIs for instant borderless capabilities. Smart money is flowing — let's direct it to execution that delivers. https://lnkd.in/gV_DJRYy #FashionTech #AIinFashion #AgenticAI #FashionExecutive #BorderXLab #ShopGeni #AgenticCommerce @BusinessofFashion (4/7 coming soon...) 1 Sebastian Hayto Middlebox • 6K followers Big launch for Tom's Studio! Setting the record straight: Middlebox played absolutely no part in securing this partnership. That said, it's a huge win for us for a few reasons. 1) This is Tom's Studio's largest US launch to date which means we'll be testing how higher volumes of water flows through our supply chain pipes. 2) Velocity at a retailer like this will offer valuable proof points for other prospective retailers. Nothing opens doors like clean sell-through metrics. 3) Being stocked by a category authority signals legitimacy—and that halo carries into every indie conversation we’re having. Congrats Chris Seigal, Jason Malone, Carla Sydenham, Tom Gyr Proud of the Tom’s team for building something retailers want to get behind. Onward 🚀 16 Dexter Hopen Serent Capital • 2K followers We're excited to welcome The Edge to the Serent family. Founder Dick Abbott and his team have built a terrific business by staying laser-focused on the very unique needs of the independent jeweler. We look forward to partnering with the company to carry that legacy forward through meaningful investments in new capabilities. 45 1 Comment Francesco Marzoli Sileent • 3K followers Seedance 2.0 won't kill the major studios. Creative apathy will. Yesterday I watched "I’m No Longer Here" (Ya no estoy aquí) by Fernando Frias de la Parra, and it served as a powerful reminder of what cinema is and can achieve. My 2 cents: Why Hollywood is safe: As long as the industry continues to fund and distribute authentic, soul piercing films like I’m No Longer Here, they will remain the gold standard. Audiences crave connection, and you can't automate the kind of empathy this film evokes. Why Hollywood should worry: If the strategy remains "safe" producing the next Shark Attack 12 or uninspired template sequels, they are handing the keys to the kingdom where a single 18 year old in his bedroom with the right AI tools will eventually do it better, faster, and cheaper. Hollywood shouldn't be afraid of the tech. They should be afraid of their own creative choices. 14 1 Comment Lisa DeMeritt DinkyBalls LLC • 2K followers The Partnership: DinkyBalls LLC has appointed Westbridge Licensing as its exclusive global licensing agency. Together, they will build a multi-category consumer products licensing program spanning apparel, accessories, gifts, novelty, sporting goods, home, and more, putting the Dinky Dozen in front of the 24 million people who already live this sport, in the places where they shop, travel, and spend time with the people they play with. The partnership will be formally introduced at Licensing Expo 2026, the world's largest licensing trade show, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Todd Lustgarten | todd@westbridgeinc.com | westbridgeinc.com #LicensingExpo #LicensingExpo2026 #LicenseGlobal #Licensing #BrandLicensing #ConsumerProducts #BrandPartnerships #Retail #BrandExtension 1 Tai Wong Platinum Guild International • 1K followers Jenny nailed it with this simple truth: “If it’s white, it should be platinum.” This resonates on every level—for the consumer's heart, the designer's mind, and the brand's bottom line. The market is proving it. The conversation has evolved from bridal to include expansive non-bridal collections and smart plays for the men's market with unisex platinum designs. What’s most telling? We're now seeing traditionally non-platinum markets pivot to meet this demand. From where I sit, the direction is clear. For anyone in our industry, doubling down on platinum is the most confident bet you can make. #Platinum #LuxuryMarket #Jewelry 19 1 Comment Johnny Hickey perfectwhitetee • 3K followers did a call with Jake Westmoreland Linslee Peel about subscribtion for apparel. they introduced me to Stay AI (ran into Linslee at a EEE Miami 2026) at first glance it’s lunacy for a womens apparel brand. but they make a good case for it. anyone doing subscription successfully for womens apparel? and please don’t bring up any brands doing deep discounts for memberships that’s a failure imo. 16 3 Comments Elise Whang 2K followers Resale is no longer fringe — it’s a €50B+ market growing faster than primary luxury, yet most brands are still on the sidelines ... We believe the future isn’t fighting resale — it’s building the infrastructure, data, and authenticated supply chains that let brands and retailers participate intelligently in resale. #LuxuryResale #CircularLuxury #PreOwnedLuxury #LuxuryRetail #LuxuryIndustry #ResaleEconomy #CircularEconomy #EnterpriseRetail #LuxuryInnovation #AuthenticatedLuxury #RetailStrategy #SecondhandMarket #GenZConsumers #LuxuryData #FutureOfRetail 107 3 Comments Natasha Lao Studio Giorg • 5K followers Markets often seem saturated, until you zoom out. Sometimes, the whitespace isn’t in the product, it’s in the perspective. This shows a clear opportunity for a women-first, performance-driven, design-led brand to step in and make some noise. 2 Matthew Januszek Escape Fitness • 23K followers Inside the Running Boom and Smart Footwear Revolution with Royi Metser Mohammed Iqbal and I spoke with Royi Metser, Founder & CEO of Avelo Running, about the explosive growth of running, the evolution of smart footwear, and how data-driven insights are changing the sport forever. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How Gen Z and women are driving the second running boom. • Why running clubs are replacing bars as social hubs. • The challenges big brands faced in launching smart shoes. • How Avelo integrates cutting-edge materials with advanced sensors. • The importance of mechanical load monitoring for injury prevention. • Why Kickstarter backers snapped up Avelo’s first batch in under 20 hours. • Insights on running form myths and individual biomechanics. • The role of gyms and treadmills in the future of running. • How data can help every runner train smarter and safer. To learn more about Avelo Running, support the Avelo Running Kickstarter, learn more about Royi Metser or to watch the full Podcast Episode, see the links in the comments below. #EscapeFitness #EscapeYourLimits #LIFTS #GenZ #Running #RunningClub 40 4 Comments Show more posts Show fewer posts Explore top content on LinkedIn Find curated posts and insights for relevant topics all in one place. View top content Others named Justin Abrams in United States Justin Abrams Denver Metropolitan Area Justin Abrams United States Justin Abrams Island Park, NY Justin Abrams Greater Chicago Area 43 others named Justin Abrams in United States are on LinkedIn See others named Justin Abrams Add new skills with these courses 2h 17m Applied Machine Learning: Foundations 5h 31m Complete Guide to AI and Data Science for SQL: From Beginner to Advanced 39m Marketing Virtual and Hybrid Events See all courses