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Michael Musandu

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Michael Musandu is a technology entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Lalaland.ai, an Amsterdam-based fashion-tech startup that uses generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) to create hyperrealistic digital models for fashion brands.[1][2][3][4][5]

Early life and education

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Musandu was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa. In 2018, he completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), specializing in Technology Entrepreneurship and completing a thesis titled "Enhancing Hologram Projection Systems Using Automatic Gesture Recognition."[6][7] In 2019, he pursued a Master of Science (MS) in Artificial Intelligence at Utrecht University, where he was recognized for his work with awards such as the Breaking Science prize.[8][9]

Career

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Musandu began his career as President of ESN VU Amsterdam from July 2017 to July 2018, where he led initiatives to support cultural exchange and engagement for international students at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.[10]

In February 2019, he founded Lalaland.ai in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where leads the company as CEO, focusing on AI-driven fashion solutions for digital product creation and sales enhancement for brands.[7][11][12][13][14] In June 2021, Lalaland was selected as the only Dutch startup in Google's highly competitive Black Founders Fund,[15] securing funding, Google Ad Grants, Cloud credits, and mentorship to support Musandu's vision of diversity and innovation in fashion tech.[16][17][18][19][20] Musandu was included in EW's 30 Under 30 list,[21] MT Sprout's Inclusive 30 as the Best Young Entrepreneur of 2021,[22] and MT Sprout's 25 Under 25.[23][24]

Later, in September 2021, Musandu joined the Sigma Squared Society, a global community for young founders under 26.[25] In 2022, Lalaland won the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge.[26][27] In June 2022, Lalaland secured €2.1 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Orange Wings, Unknown Group, and angel investors.[28]

In 2023, Musandu was listed on the Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 for his work in technology and innovation.[29][30]

References

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  1. ^ "Michael Musandu". NEXT Conference. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  2. ^ "Generative AI in fashion: A conversation with Michael Musandu, on tech, diversity, and sustainable fashion". seedblink.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  3. ^ Demopoulos, Alaina (2023-04-03). "Computer-generated inclusivity: fashion turns to 'diverse' AI models". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  4. ^ K. Zarrella, Katharine (September 14, 2023). "Is That a Model or AI?". wsj.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  5. ^ "AI-generated fashion models could bring more diversity to industry — or leave it with less". Voice of America. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  6. ^ "Speaker Details: WWD Tech Symposium". www.events.wwd.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  7. ^ a b "#FoundersFridays: Meet Michael Musandu". I amsterdam. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  8. ^ "Michael Musandu". The Next Speaker. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  9. ^ "The Promising Fifteen of 2019". dub.uu.nl. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  10. ^ "Michael Musandu - Founder | CEO at Lalaland". THE ORG. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. ^ "Lalaland adopts AI-powered fashion model concept". Textile News, Apparel News, RMG News, Fashion Trends. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  12. ^ "AI-generated fashion models for more diversity in online retail". GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  13. ^ "Innovatieprijs voor virtuele paspopmaker". www.telegraaf.nl (in Dutch). 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  14. ^ "La moda, l'intelligenza artificiale e la fine dei fotomodelli". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  15. ^ Niesen, Door Martijn (2021-07-30). "Zo ontketent start-up Lalaland een revolutie in de online kledingwereld". Mashable Benelux (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  16. ^ "Lalaland.ai selected for Google Black Founders fund". siliconcanals.com. 2021-06-07. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  17. ^ "VU alumni tech startup selected by Google's Black Founder Fund". Innovation Exchange Amsterdam. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  18. ^ Taiwo, Jide (2021-06-08). "Amsterdam-based Start-up – Lalaland.ai – Wins Google Black Founders Fund". Techpadi. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  19. ^ "AI-generated fashion models could bring more diversity to the industry - or leave it with less". EL PAÍS English. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  20. ^ "Can AI Help Make Fashion More Inclusive?". wsj.com. 2023-09-14. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  21. ^ folkerts, mireille (2022-04-28). "30 onder 30: jonge uitblinkers om in de gaten te houden". EWmagazine.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  22. ^ "Michael Musandu staat in de Inclusive 30". MT/Sprout (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  23. ^ "Michael Musandu en Ugnius Rimsa staan met Lalaland in de 25 onder de 25". MT/Sprout (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  24. ^ "Clothing Industry Wonders about Effect of AI on Models". Voice of America. 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  25. ^ Ivanova, Elena (2021-10-21). "Sigma Squared, the global community that connects impact-driven founders, to open a chapter in Bulgaria". TheRecursive.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  26. ^ Wright, Beth (2022-01-19). "Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge winners named". Just Style. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  27. ^ "Winners of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge Recognized for Driving Social Innovation and Inclusivity in the Fashion Industry". pvh.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  28. ^ Redactie, Mashable (2022-06-10). "Nederlandse SaaS-startup Lalaland haalt €2,1 miljoen op voor AI-gedreven fashionmodellen generator". Mashable Benelux (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  29. ^ "Lalaland". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  30. ^ "Michael Musandu". The Next Speaker. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
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