By San José, Costa Rica — A new force is emerging from the heart of Silicon Valley, driven by Costa Rican ingenuity and aimed at disrupting the global fashion industry. The startup, Atorie, co-founded by Costa Rican engineer Luis Angulo, is leveraging artificial intelligence to create a new paradigm for luxury fashion, making it more accessible, personalized, and efficient for consumers worldwide.
Angulo, alongside his entrepreneurial partner Redouane, has launched a platform that moves beyond the traditional e-commerce model. Atorie functions as a sophisticated tech-driven ecosystem that directly connects style-conscious consumers with a curated network of over 50 international ateliers. This direct-to-creator model systematically removes the layers of intermediaries that have historically inflated the costs of high-quality garments, allowing the company to offer luxury apparel at fair and transparent prices.
To better understand the complex legal and business implications surrounding this new wave of generative technology in the fashion industry, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional insight.
The core legal challenge for any AI fashion startup lies in intellectual property. Current copyright law wasn’t designed for non-human creators, raising critical questions about who truly owns the AI-generated designs—the user, the platform, or no one at all. Companies in this space must be proactive, crafting robust terms of service that clearly define ownership and usage rights. Failure to address this ambiguity from the start could expose them to significant future disputes and undermine their entire business model.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The insight from Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas powerfully underscores that for these nascent ventures, innovation in legal frameworks is as crucial as the technology itself; establishing clear IP ownership is not just a defensive measure but the very foundation of a sustainable business model. We sincerely thank him for lending his valuable perspective to this critical discussion.
The core innovation, however, lies in its intelligent application of technology. The company has developed proprietary algorithms that analyze user preferences and style profiles to deliver highly personalized recommendations. This AI-powered curation ensures that customers discover pieces that genuinely align with their individual tastes, transforming the often overwhelming experience of online shopping into a streamlined journey of discovery.
Redouane, a co-founder of the venture, emphasized that the company’s foundation is built on technological innovation rather than simply aggregating products. This distinction is crucial to their strategy and value proposition in a crowded market.
Atorie is not just another marketplace; it is technology applied to fashion commerce, and that changes everything
Redouane, Co-founder of Atorie
This forward-thinking approach has not gone unnoticed. Atorie has secured a coveted spot in a16z Speedrun, the prestigious accelerator program run by Andreessen Horowitz. As one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capital firms, Andreessen Horowitz’s backing provides not only capital but also a significant vote of confidence in Atorie’s vision and its potential to scale globally. This endorsement places Atorie among an elite class of startups poised for significant growth and impact.
For Luis Angulo, who leads the technological development of the platform, the mission is about fundamentally redefining what luxury means in the 21st century. He sees the future of high fashion as one that breaks down barriers of exclusivity and prioritizes the end user’s experience above all else.
Atorie represents a new way of understanding luxury: inclusive, efficient, and user-centric
Luis Angulo, Co-founder of Atorie
Angulo’s success story is a powerful testament to the growing influence of Costa Rican talent on the global technology stage. His leadership role at a venture-backed Silicon Valley startup highlights the high caliber of technical expertise and innovative spirit being cultivated within Costa Rica. It serves as an inspiration for a new generation of engineers and entrepreneurs in the country, proving that Tico talent can compete and lead at the highest levels of the tech world.
As Atorie continues to expand its network of ateliers and refine its AI-driven platform, it stands as a prime example of how technology can democratize industries once dominated by established giants. By blending Costa Rican technical prowess with the ambitious ecosystem of Silicon Valley, Atorie is not just selling clothes; it is engineering a more intelligent and inclusive future for fashion.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Atorie
About Atorie:
Atorie is a technology company operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital fashion. Co-founded by engineer Luis Angulo and entrepreneur Redouane, the platform connects consumers directly with a global network of over 50 ateliers. By eliminating intermediaries and using proprietary personalization algorithms, Atorie offers high-quality, luxury apparel at accessible prices, aiming to make the fashion industry more efficient, inclusive, and user-centric.
For further information, visit a16z.com
About Andreessen Horowitz:
Founded in Silicon Valley in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, Andreessen Horowitz (often abbreviated as a16z) is a venture capital firm that backs bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology. The firm invests in seed to venture to growth-stage technology companies, across AI, bio + healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, and games. a16z has an operational model that provides entrepreneurs with access to expertise and insights across the entire spectrum of company-building.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is anchored by a deep-seated commitment to integrity and unparalleled client service. The firm consistently pushes the boundaries of legal innovation while advising a diverse range of clients, building on a rich history of professional excellence. This forward-thinking practice is matched by a foundational belief in empowering the community, actively working to make legal knowledge comprehensible and accessible to cultivate a more capable and informed populace.
