Trade Insight AI
Trade Insight AI is a specialist technology provider that brings AI-powered product classification to the world of global trade compliance. Its platform automates Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code assignments for importers and exporters, speeding up time-consuming reviews, minimizing manual effort, and ensuring rock-solid regulatory accuracy—all at a fraction of the traditional cost.
The Challenge
Trade Insight AI was born out of a bold vision in a traditional industry. One co-founder had spent over twenty years in the world of trade compliance, personally witnessing how complex and error-prone product classification could lead to serious repercussions — from regulatory delays and hefty penalties to the outright revocation of import privileges. He recognized a major opportunity: artificial intelligence could dramatically reduce these costly mistakes. Yet this idea meant venturing into uncharted territory; no company had successfully applied AI to the customs classification process before. Teaming up with a co-founder skilled in AI and software development, they set out to create the first platform specifically tailored to the real-world demands of compliance professionals.
Entering the world of trade compliance, our goal was twofold:
- Break New Ground with AI
No company had yet proven that artificial intelligence could reliably assign Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes. We needed to engineer a system that matched—or exceeded—the accuracy of seasoned compliance experts, while operating at enterprise scale. - Build Trust in a Risk-Averse Market
Compliance officers require iron-clad reliability. Beyond technical performance, we faced the critical task of communicating TIA’s dependability to large U.S. importers accustomed to legacy providers. From brand voice and visual identity to user experience, every touchpoint had to reinforce confidence, credibility, and clarity.
The Engineering Side of Things
Our engineering team embraced a cloud-first, design-driven approach:
- AI-Powered Classification
We trained custom models on extensive trade-compliance datasets, achieving superior accuracy and transparent decision paths. Every classification includes clear rationale and confidence scores, addressing auditors’ need for traceable logic. - Scalable Architecture
After evaluating leading platforms, we selected Google Cloud’s Cloud Run to host a Node.js/Next.js monolith. This configuration guarantees real-time processing of thousands of SKUs, automatically scaling to meet peak demand without sacrificing performance. - Rapid Front-End Delivery
Leveraging pixel-perfect Figma prototypes and the Cline VS Code extension, our front-end team produced a fully responsive interface in under a week. Integration with Cloud Sonnet 3.7 ensured consistent styling and accelerated UI generation across devices.
Dedign & Branding Approach
To resonate with compliance professionals, our design team prioritized minimalism, warmth, and precision:
- Discovery & Workshops
Collaborative sessions uncovered core values—accuracy, speed, affordability—and informed a brand narrative centered on “Doing more, precisely, for less.” - Iconography & Typography
We developed a streamlined arrow-inspired logo symbolizing classification flow, paired with a modern sans-serif wordmark. - Color & Tone
A palette of charcoal gray (stability), cream (approachability), and vibrant accent hues (innovation) conveys both trust and forward momentum. - Unified Experience
From website to demo slides, every asset adheres to a concise style guide, reinforcing TIA’s expertise while maintaining a friendly, human touch.
The Solution
The final deliverable was a web application making cutting-edge technologyavailable to any professional in the tradiing market, and a cohesive brand identity package that included a new logo, defined color scheme, typography set, and usage guidelines.
As a declination and expression of the brand image, values and language, we create a polished, modern web presence that clearly communicates Trade Insight AI’s mission to their stakeholder. From the color choices to the typography to the succinct and objective messaging, every element works in harmony to tell the story of an AI solution that is sophisticated yet accessible and innovative yet reliable.
The Impact
Since launch, Trade Insight AI has seen:
- 10× Increase in Demo Requests: Following a major industry event, inbound inquiries surged tenfold within two weeks.
- Pilot Engagements with Fortune 500 Clients: Several large importers initiated trials, validating our platform’s readiness for enterprise deployment.
- Boosted Internal Confidence: The TIA team reports stronger stakeholder buy-in, empowered by a brand and product that clearly communicate value.
This case demonstrates how a thoughtful branding strategy, compelling visual identity and strategical design actions can bolster a tech startup’s credibility, helping transform an innovative solution into an attractive choice even for more traditional enterprise customers.
