SaleAssist.ai: How Deep Malik is Humanizing Digital Commerce with a Video-First Revolution
In the high-speed world of digital retail, brands spend millions on marketing to drive traffic, only to see 98% of those visitors leave without making a purchase. While physical stores enjoy conversion rates of 20-30%, the online world has been stuck at a mere 2%. Deep Malik, Founder and CEO of SaleAssist.ai, identified the missing ingredient: the "Human Touch." By building an on-demand, one-click video commerce platform, Deep is helping D2C brands bridge the conversion gap, delivering a shopping experience that is as personal as it is digital.
Deep Malik’s journey is rooted in top-tier technology leadership. A former Head of Cloud Managed Services at Publicis Sapient and a Group Project Manager at Infosys, Deep saw firsthand how multinational corporations were pouring capital into technology while ignoring the psychological needs of the customer. In late 2019, alongside co-founders Chetan Jangir and Ashish Santhalia, he launched SaleAssist.ai. Today, the platform is a high-growth SaaS engine, recently securing a fresh round of funding from marquee investors like ASICS Ventures and Finvolve to scale its video-first vision globally.
The Conversion Gap
Why do people buy more in person? Because they can ask questions, see the product in real-time, and get immediate reassurance from a human expert. Deep Malik realized that if you could bring that 5-second "On-Demand Assistant" to a smartphone, you could transform online shopping from a transaction into a relationship.
The Problem: The "Silent" Digital Cart
Most e-commerce platforms are static. When a customer is browsing high-value items—be it luxury fashion, real estate, or complex financial instruments—they often have nuanced questions that a chatbot or a FAQ page cannot answer. This leads to "cart abandonment," where the customer exits the site due to a lack of immediate, consultative support. The digital world was built for "Efficiency," but it forgot "Empathy."
"We saw that brands were spending a lot on tech and marketing, but conversion remained at 2%," Deep explains. "In a physical store, you have sales reps who engage you. Online, you are alone. We wanted to build a one-touch interface where, within five seconds, you have a live human expert helping you make a decision."
The Solution: The SaleAssist Video-First Ecosystem
SaleAssist.ai provides a B2B SaaS platform that integrates directly into a brand’s website or physical products. It offers an "On-Demand Assistant" that connects a shopper to a sales representative via a one-to-one video call—without the need for scheduling or third-party apps like Zoom.
The SaleAssist Interaction Flow
- One-Click Engagement: A shopper clicks a button on the brand's store (Shopify, Magento, etc.) or scans a QR code.
- Real-Time Routing: The call is instantly routed to an available expert, often based on the customer’s geography (e.g., a Chennai user connecting to a local expert).
- Interactive Consultation: The expert uses 1-on-1 video, screen sharing, and co-browsing to show product details or navigate complex forms.
- Offline Fulfillment: If no one is live, the shopper can leave a video or voice message, which the brand can respond to later with a personalized video.
- Seamless Checkout: The expert helps the customer finalize the purchase within the same digital session.
The "Video QR Code" Innovation
One of SaleAssist’s most unique growth hacks is the **Video QR Code**. By placing these codes on physical products—such as two-wheelers or home appliances—brands can provide instant roadside assistance or technical support. If a rider has an issue, they scan the code and are immediately connected to a service center expert who can see the problem via video and guide them through a fix.
"We are moving beyond just the website," Deep notes. "The physical world is full of 'dark spots' where customers need help. By putting a video call in a QR code, we are making the brand accessible anywhere, at any time."
SaleAssist.ai Scale & Impact
- 316% Revenue CAGR: Demonstrating explosive growth in the 2024 fiscal year.
- 7 Core Segments: Dominating Luxury Fashion, Real Estate, Home Decor, Jewelry, Finance, Travel, and Auto.
- $600K Total Funding: Backed by ASICS Ventures and Finvolve to fuel international expansion.
- One-Touch Interface: Connecting shoppers to experts in under 5 seconds for maximum engagement.
Lessons in Resilience: The SaaS Pivot
Initially, SaleAssist offered "private installations"—building custom setups for large corporations. However, Deep and his team quickly realized that this model wasn't scalable. They made the strategic decision to pivot to a **Managed SaaS model**, allowing them to serve thousands of D2C brands simultaneously. This agility allowed them to survive the pandemic and thrive as video adoption became a global norm.
"You have to be patient," Deep reflects. "There will be times when things don't work. But if you have a clear understanding of the 'Why' behind your business, you can adjust the 'How' until you find the right fit."
Founder's Lesson: Team Culture Over Skill
Deep emphasizes that in the early days of a startup, cultural fit is more important than high-level skill. "Choose the right people who have the courage to join a startup and the resilience to weather the storms. Your initial team will go a long way in defining the soul of your company."
The Future: Leading the Video Power in India
Deep’s vision for SaleAssist.ai is to become the leading "Video Power" in India and the West. He wants to replace the 20-year-old "static" model of e-commerce with a dynamic, live-streaming experience that makes online shopping as rich and satisfying as a visit to a high-end boutique.
SaleAssist.ai is proving that in the digital age, the most powerful technology is the one that brings us closer together. By turning a button into a human connection, Deep Malik and his team are ensuring that the future of commerce is not just digital—it's alive.
About the Guest
Deep Malik is the Founder and CEO of SaleAssist.ai. A technology veteran with nearly two decades of experience, Deep has held senior leadership roles at Infosys and Publicis Sapient. He is a passionate advocate for video commerce and conversational AI, focusing on how human-centric technology can drive business growth. Under his leadership, SaleAssist.ai has achieved massive revenue growth and secured strategic partnerships with global brands like ASICS.
SaleAssist.ai is an AI-powered live video commerce platform that helps businesses provide personalized shopping experiences. By offering 1-on-1 video calls, screen sharing, and co-browsing, the platform enables D2C brands to improve customer engagement and significantly increase conversion rates across multiple industries.