How would you build it?13 Aug 2025

Fixing Fashion’s Waste Problem with AI | David Torr | Faro & UCook

What does it take to build not one, but two successful startups in South Africa’s tough market?In this episode of How Would You Build It, we sit down with David Torr, co-founder of Faro and former co-founder of Ucook, to talk about the highs, lows, and realities of building in South Africa.

We unpack:

• How Faro raised $6M to tackle unsold fashion inventory using AI & machine learning

• Why TAM (Total Addressable Market) and team are the ultimate startup success formula

• The hard truth about corporates holding back innovation in SA

• How navigating VC challenges in a small market shapes growth strategy.

David’s journey proves that even in the chaos of startups, execution and focus can turn your startup into a success.

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00:00 David Torr - ucook/Faro

00:51 Building FARO02:49 SA VC Landscape vs The US.

08:23 The impact on AI for startup ventures

16:12 Unpackng how AI assists Faro's operational model.

24:05 The TikTok viral loop

25:53 From Online to brick n mortar

32:24 Tech foundations at Faro

38:06 Having a mission critical team

41:35 The role grit plays

45:14 Bootstrapping stories

46:59 Dynamics of an early-stage startup in SA

49:11 How corporate SA is hurting startup innovation

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