Shivang Ajay Desai is on a mission to revolutionize industries through artificial intelligence. As CEO and co-founder of Bigthinx 3DAI—an award-winning fashion technology company redefining the global fashion industry with AI-powered digital clothing, 3D PDP content, and virtual beings—he is at the forefront of driving transformative digital experiences with advanced AI-driven virtual try-ons and 3D content automation.
Yet before pioneering innovation in AI, Desai was an architect, where his passion for design and problem-solving first took shape. After exiting his first startup – a company specializing in drone design - he realized his architectural skills needed a business foundation to scale his ideas.
To bridge that gap, Desai pursued an MBA at Weatherhead, attracted by its focus on design thinking that merges creativity with strategy. Now a featured speaker at next month’s AI Symposium and the Future of Work, alongside Bigthinx 3DAI co-founder Chandralika Hazarika, he credits Weatherhead for igniting his entrepreneurial drive and preparing him for his next major step.
"I knew that to turn my ideas into something impactful, I needed to sharpen my business acumen,” said Desai. “Weatherhead provided the perfect environment to fuse creativity with strategic thinking, giving me the tools to push my entrepreneurial journey forward.”
His education was shaped by both rigorous academics and memorable social experiences, citing Michael Goldberg’s entrepreneurial finance class as a turning point. Goldberg is the executive director and associate vice president of the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship at Case Western Reserve University. He is also a professor of design and innovation at Weatherhead where he teaches courses on entrepreneurship and early-stage finance.
"It pushed me to think about startup financing beyond the numbers and to really understand the strategy behind raising funds and managing finances for a private company,” said Desai.
Outside the classroom, some of his closest connections came from casual conversations at the Jolly Scholar.
"I still hear our group photo is hanging up," he laughs, reflecting on how these informal moments helped build lasting friendships. "Weatherhead taught me how vital it is to build relationships over a good IPA."
After graduating, Desai founded and later divested a healthcare technology company in Cleveland before moving to Bengaluru, India, where he was attracted to the city's skilled and affordable tech talent. There, he co-founded Bigthinx 3DAI to tackle high return rates in the fashion industry.
Initially focused on virtual try-ons, he soon realized the process was costly and time-consuming. Instead of abandoning the idea, Desai and his team pivoted, developing AI-powered engines to automate 3D content production, making digital prototyping and visualization scalable.
Today, Bigthinx 3DAI powers 3D content and experiences for multiple luxury brands, enabling shoppers to interact with products digitally in ways that were once impossible.
"If you’ve ever zoomed in on a Gucci handbag online, you’ve likely seen our work in action," said Desai.
Desai’s expertise in AI quickly earned him recognition as a thought leader in the space with an emphasis on how the technology is reshaping industries.
"AI is more than just a tool; it’s a catalyst for change,” he said. The real question isn’t if AI will disrupt industries, but how we can leverage it to drive innovation, create new opportunities, and adapt to an ever-evolving landscape."
Building on this mindset, Desai emphasizes the importance of resilience and determination in navigating the challenges that come with leveraging modern technologies like AI.
His advice to aspiring business leaders is straightforward: “Network, take risks, and build grit. Connections open doors. Start something—even if you fail, the lessons will accelerate your career. Perseverance is key; we faced thousands of no’s before our first yes,” he said.
Desai is putting his own advice into action as Bigthinx 3DAI expands into lifestyle, gaming, and entertainment, poised to redefine industries. With a focus on revolutionizing design, logistics, and consumer experiences, the company is reshaping how products are brought to market. Desai’s relentless drive to push boundaries and embrace change signals a future filled with even bigger innovations and transformations.
To hear more from Desai, click here to register for the AI Symposium on the Future of Work.
Date: Thursday, April 24th
Location: Tinkham Veale University Center.