Kingpin is an AI-powered distribution platform that empowers distributors and brands in emerging markets to achieve 20% more revenue and sales pipeline with AI, drive higher conversions by placing orders 85% faster, save over 200 hours per month by automating manual tasks, while ensuring 100% error-free data to drive intelligence and eliminate pricing/order mistakes.
Our platform helps some of the biggest and best distributors of brands like ON Running, Reebok, Guess, DKNY, Hoka, Nike and over 250+ more global brands automate their catalogue management, streamline order processing, and discover relevant retailers globally - all while integrating seamlessly with their existing tools and systems.
Kingpin was born from the deeply personal pain I experienced while running my fashion distribution company Si Fashion. As we began scaling from 0 to $10 million topline (managing 35 brands across 150 b2b accounts across 22 countries), we hit a fundamental roadblock: the inability to efficiently manage our catalogue, customers, and workflows in an offline and fragmented way, without a centralized system.
My life was buried in broken spreadsheets and email trails which prevented me and my sales team from doing what mattered most: focus on delivering the best experience for our customers and maximising sales. But what really crystallized the opportunity was realizing this wasn't just my problem: across emerging markets, distributors struggled with the same challenges.
Beyond the pleasure of building something that you would have liked to use, a few other factors validated my confidence that a big enduring business would be built in this space:
A proven problem in a proven space: While B2B e-commerce platforms are prevalent in the US and Europe, they were built for individual brands, not distributors. But when it comes to Emerging Markets, the brands are not running the show. Distributors drive 80% of the B2B retail in these markets, from LatAm, MENA, Asia, and more.
Same problem, different markets: The geographical scale of the opportunity was massive. Emerging markets, where distributors are the primary channel, process over $600 billion in transactions annually. As an example, Nike derives 55% of its revenue from these markets via regional distributors, facing the same challenges I did with the offline and fragmented workflow, adding to that the lack of visibility for Nike in downstream operations. Even tech giants like Apple struggle with fragmented, error-prone data from their distributors.
Same problem, different categories: The problem extends beyond any single category. While our initial focus was fashion, we discovered the same broken dynamics across multiple verticals: beauty, sports, lifestyle, home goods, and more. Each category was a new market opportunity with identical fundamental challenges.
Timing: Finally, the timing was perfect. With AI, we could now do things in ways previously impossible. What would have taken decades to develop traditionally can now be done in days, positioning us to help emerging markets leapfrog legacy systems and processes.
This combination—a deep personal need, a continued belief in the essential role of distributors, massive scale, cross-category TAM, and AI — came together in a unique way to push me to go after this.
That’s why I started Kingpin.
Our users extend from enterprise distributors managing global brands to mid-size SME distributors players and challenger brands trying to scale their distribution business. A good example is Mizzen, a Seddiq Holding subsidiary that distributes luxury consumer brands like On Running, Aēsop, Orlebar Brown, and Gentle Monster across fashion, beauty, eyewear, and accessories. I remember how when we onboarded them for their On Running operations, a brand they’d just acquired two weeks before their seasonal showcase event.
Their existing manual processes—which involved distributing physical catalogues at showrooms, having retailers record catalogue numbers in Excel files and manually consolidating orders—made last-minute changes nearly impossible.
While they explored other e-catalogue solutions, the three-week product upload timeline made them impractical.
With Kingpin, they were able to convert their catalogues into shoppable collections in less than a day. The results were immediate: they saw a 254.5% ROI within a few months, saved over 200 hours monthly on order management, increased order processing efficiency by 60%, and now close 100% of their pre-orders within deadlines.
There are many similar case studies: but on average, our users see a 20% revenue uplift, order placement is 85% faster, and sales teams, in general, see their customer pipelines expand by 3x. Some distributors who previously managed 10 accounts can now effectively handle 50 or more.
The biggest surprise has been the depth and complexity of the network effects within the distribution ecosystem, something I hadn’t fully anticipated when we started. What’s truly fascinating is how the value of our platform compounds as more distributors and retailers join.
For instance, around 17% of the buyers invited to the platform by distributors are actually other distributors, either from the same brand in different territories or representing other portfolios. This creates a ripple effect, where transactions don’t just flow linearly but cascade across multiple layers of the distribution network, amplifying the platform’s value as the ecosystem expands.
Additionally, we’ve seen significant indirect growth driven by retailer referrals. Satisfied retailers often invite other sellers to join the platform, further accelerating adoption. This organic, word-of-mouth growth is helping us expand our reach at a rapid pace.
As we continue to grow, we’re beginning to unlock even more value for brands. Although it’s still early, when a distributor adopts Kingpin for a global brand, it can add a lot of value to the brand’s headquarters in streamlining their GTM efforts hence, referring us to additional distributors across other regions. This multi-distributor effect can further amplify the platform’s impact, but it’s part of a deliberate, phased strategy to power the entire ecosystem of brands, distributors and retailers.
Prioritizing the right constituents in the value chain and ensuring we’re building for them in the right order has been key to unlocking future growth opportunities. We’re focused on creating an environment where these network effects can accelerate, but doing so thoughtfully and with strategic intent.
The bar has been set incredibly high for all our future investors. From day one, our partners have given us the freedom to operate, which has been critical to our growth. This trust and alignment with our vision are priceless, and it’s why we’re able to execute with confidence.
What stands out the most is the honesty, transparency, and trust in our relationship. Infinity creates an ecosystem where support is always at arm’s reach—whether it’s connecting us with experienced operators like Levi, offering honest feedback, or leveraging their network to unlock value for us. They foster an environment where their portfolio founders can collaborate, share ideas, and create synergies.
I couldn’t ask for better partners as a founder. Their commitment to our success, combined with their strategic insight and hands-on support, makes them the ideal partners for scaling a business.
Kingpin aspires to be the go-to AI-enabled transactional platform that powers the backbone of B2B retail globally. We’re unlocking access to global retail distribution in the same way Shopify did for e-commerce—except we’re ensuring that all parties in the ecosystem win. Our platform connects brands, distributors, and retailers, managing end-to-end operations and creating a more efficient, sustainable, and scalable allocation of goods worldwide.
With over a $2 trillion opportunity at hand, we’re unlocking access to over 30 million retail businesses that were previously out of reach. From the moment a brand launches, Kingpin’s rails unlock global distribution at the push of a button, enabling seamless discovery, execution, and fulfillment of every transaction. With AI driving the engine, we eliminate manual work, streamline business operations, and bring unprecedented intelligence to every step—maximizing sales, reducing waste, and ensuring the right product reaches the right location.
By providing access to working capital, we bring speed and liquidity to the ecosystem, empowering healthier businesses and accelerating growth across the entire value chain. Our platform is building the distribution rails of tomorrow, enabling emerging markets to leapfrog developed markets and shape the future of global retail.
