Sourcing Demo: Finding Manufacturers

I walk through Alibaba’s new AI agent tool, Accio, and show how it helps you go from “what should I build?” to actual product concepts and supplier options. I demo how it spots rising trends, pulls specific product opportunities (with context like search and sales movement), and even generates early design concepts. Then I test it on a real research task and use that to spin up a “cozy gaming” keyboard concept aimed at Gen-Z women. I close by showing how Accio can vet suppliers and even draft a supplier outreach email so you can start the sourcing process faster.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

01:55 – Trend Spotting Demo

03:31 – Designing Products Demo

07:04 – Product Opportunity Pain Points Demo

10:10 – Supplier Search Demo

11:06 – Mechanical Keyboard Market Research and Pain Points

16:03 – Cozy Gaming Mechanical Keyboard For Gen Z Women

18:42 – Supplier Vetting + Due Diligence

22:00 – Supplier Outreach

Key Points

• Accio compresses the e-commerce workflow: trends → product ideas → design concepts → supplier shortlists.

• The real leverage is pairing insights (ratings, negative tags, review pain) with concrete product recommendations.

• The “agent task” flow feels like a research assistant: it gathers sources, updates a plan, and synthesizes outputs.

• Accio can move from concept to execution by suggesting suppliers and drafting a structured inquiry email.

• You still need real diligence: call suppliers, vet claims, and start with small orders.

Numbered Section Summaries

1. Accio As An “Unfair Advantage” For E-Commerce I introduce Accio as an AI agent built around e-commerce workflows—idea generation, trend analysis, product concepts, and supplier sourcing. My core point is it reduces the friction that usually keeps me (a software person) from starting e-commerce.

2. Trend Spotting That Goes Beyond Generic Charts Using a baby products example, I show that it’s not just search/sales graphs—it surfaces specific product categories and differentiators (like smart features) plus recommendations you can validate elsewhere.

3. Turning Pop Culture Into Product Concepts (With Caveats) I try a “Squid Game” prompt to generate product directions and visuals. I’m clear this isn’t a “press button, print money” system, but it gets the creative juices flowing and connects ideas to sourcing.

4. Finding Opportunities By Reading What Customers Hate In the senior dog pet supplies example, Accio highlights product opportunities and connects them to the underlying pain (accessibility, cognitive decline, weak ratings). I emphasize that the edge is insight—knowing why current products underperform.

5. Supplier Discovery Without The Usual Alibaba Overwhelm I run a supplier prompt with constraints (OEM, private label, MOQ, certifications, reviews). The key is Accio structures what’s normally chaotic and gives a shortlist you can actually act on.

6. Agent Research: Mechanical Keyboard Pain Points, Ranked I test an agent task to find unmet pain points and cluster them by theme, with “proof” from reviews/forums/Q&A. The point isn’t keyboards—it’s showing how fast you can go from “trend” to “what to build” using structured research.

7. From Pain Points To A Launchable Niche Concept (Cozy Gaming) I pivot from the research into a niche: mechanical keyboards for Gen Z women aligned with “cozy gaming.” Accio proposes brand directions, a flagship product concept, and early roadmap thinking.

8. Reality Check: Sourcing, Verification, And Outreach I ask for trusted suppliers and get a short list plus technical verification prompts (finish, sound profile, color matching). Accio then drafts a supplier email and shows how the workflow can extend to sending inquiries—while I remind you to vet suppliers carefully and start small.

The #1 tool to find startup ideas/trends - https://www.ideabrowser.com

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

The Vibe Marketer - Resources for people into vibe marketing/marketing with AI: https://www.thevibemarketer.com/

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/