4D ShoeTech Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2017, 4D ShoeTech is a technology company specializing in end-to-end digital design and development solutions for the footwear industry. The company's mission is to revolutionize footwear design, development, sampling, marketing, and sales by leveraging advanced digital technologies. By enabling designers and developers to ideate, prototype, and showcase their designs in photorealistic 3D without the need for physical samples, 4D ShoeTech significantly reduces production time and costs.

Key Strategic Focus

4D ShoeTech's strategic focus centers on providing comprehensive digital solutions that streamline the footwear design and development process. The company's core objectives include:

Photorealistic 3D CAD Modeling: Digitally creating individual elements of a shoe, such as heels, outsoles, and mold-making components, to produce precise and lifelike digital samples.

3D Material Swatch Scanning: Utilizing X-Rite Pantone TAC7 technology to capture intricate material details, including textures like fur, embroidery, and metallic finishes.

3D Printer-Enabled Prototyping: Employing 3D printing technology to prototype various shoe components, thereby saving time and reducing costs associated with traditional methods.

These technologies target the global footwear market, aiming to enhance efficiency and sustainability in product development.

Financials and Funding

In June 2020, 4D ShoeTech secured nearly RMB 100 million (approximately $14 million) in a Series A1 funding round led by CMC Capital, with participation from Sequoia Capital China and existing investor Linear Capital. The capital is intended to scale the company's Ideation platform and expand digital modeling services to other products, such as suitcases.

Technological Platform and Innovation

4D ShoeTech's technological platform is distinguished by several proprietary technologies and methodologies:

Photorealistic 3D CAD Modeling: Enables the digital creation of detailed shoe components, facilitating rapid prototyping and design iterations.

3D Material Appearance Capturing: Employs advanced scanning technology to accurately capture and replicate complex material textures and patterns.

3D Printing Prototyping: Utilizes both rigid and flexible materials to produce prototypes of various shoe parts, enhancing the development process's speed and cost-effectiveness.

These innovations collectively contribute to a more efficient and sustainable footwear design and manufacturing process.

Leadership Team

4D ShoeTech's leadership comprises experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds:

Michael Su: Co-founder and business development executive, formerly CEO of Michael Antonio Footwear Group.

Antonio Lin (Lin Zisen): Co-founder and CEO, leading the company's strategic direction and technological advancements.

Feng Zifeng: Co-founder, contributing to the company's growth and innovation initiatives.

Rock Zhou (Zhou Zhiheng): Co-founder, focusing on product development and operational excellence.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global footwear market was valued at $365 billion in 2020 and is projected to exceed $530 billion by 2027. China, as the largest producer and consumer, manufactured 13.5 billion pairs of shoes in 2018, accounting for nearly 57% of the global total.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the digital footwear design and development space include:

Ccilu: A private company in the manufacturing and industrial sector, focusing on innovative footwear solutions.

Desa: A public company specializing in manufacturing and industrial products, including footwear.

DyeMansion: A private company offering industrial solutions, potentially overlapping in the 3D printing and prototyping space.

LORENZ Shoe Group: A private company in the manufacturing and industrial sector, producing various footwear products.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

In June 2020, 4D ShoeTech raised nearly RMB 100 million in a Series A1 funding round led by CMC Capital, with participation from Sequoia Capital China and existing investor Linear Capital. This funding is intended to scale the company's Ideation platform and expand digital modeling services to other products, such as suitcases.

Operational Insights

4D ShoeTech's strategic considerations include:

Market Position: Leveraging advanced digital technologies to offer comprehensive solutions that streamline the footwear design and development process.

Competitive Advantages: Providing a fully digital workflow that reduces time-to-market and costs, enhancing sustainability by minimizing the need for physical samples.