Bengaluru-based startup Nudge is reshaping ecommerce discovery for the AI era by helping brands improve their visibility and recommendations within AI-powered shopping experiences. Founded in 2023 by Kanishka Thakur and Gaurav Rawat, Nudge addresses the challenge of how brands can appear in AI assistant recommendations from platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, which are increasingly influencing consumer purchase decisions, according to inc42.com.
Nudge evolved from an esports platform into an agentic commerce platform that optimizes product metadata, reviews, descriptions, catalogue structures, and shopping journeys specifically for AI interfaces. The founders identified that traditional SEO and digital ads, designed for clicks and search rankings, do not suffice in AI-native discovery. Instead, Nudge redesigns commerce to ensure brands are surfaced and recommended effectively when shoppers use AI assistants for product suggestions, inc42.com reports.
This shift in consumer behavior marks a significant challenge for ecommerce brands, as AI assistants now play a central role in product discovery and comparison. Nudge’s approach aligns with the broader transformation of online shopping, where AI-driven recommendations replace traditional search methods. By focusing on agentic commerce, Nudge positions itself alongside emerging technologies that redefine how consumers find and buy products in a landscape increasingly dominated by AI, inc42.com notes.
Nudge’s platform represents a strategic response to the growing influence of AI assistants in ecommerce, aiming to secure brand visibility in this evolving environment. The startup’s journey from esports to AI commerce highlights its adaptability and focus on future shopping trends. Nudge’s work underscores the importance of optimizing product data for AI interfaces, a critical factor as AI-powered discovery continues to expand, according to inc42.com.