Equivalent. Smart Graphics.
Equivalent’s Co-Founder and CEO, a seasoned design expert, became a low-vision user and set out to transform how low-vision and blind users experience graphics on the web. She founded Equivalent to satisfy the urgent need for a graphics revolution that not only enhances digital accessibility but also promotes environmental sustainability. Our mission is to redefine digital content through an AI-powered image transformation engine, converting traditional images into accessible, responsive, lightweight code. This results in personalized Smart Graphics that instantly adapt to individual accessibility settings across all screen readers, mobile devices, and browsers.
Problem.
Trillions of online images are outdated and inaccessible, lacking descriptions, proper contrast, scalability, and clear resolution. These static files fail to adapt to user preferences like dark mode, causing slow load times and high energy consumption.
Alternative text, used by web developers to help screen readers convey image content to blind users, is often missing, creating barriers for millions. Sighted users also benefit from proper color contrast, image clarity, dark mode support, and colorblind-friendly features. Despite AI advancements, these technologies fall short when design software doesn’t support accessible graphics creation.
AI-Powered Transformation Engine
We are developing an AI-powered tool that helps designers create accessible, lightweight designs without requiring coding or legal expertise.
Introducing the Smart Graphic.
In addition to our transformation engine, we've developed the world's first adaptable image made entirely of code. We call them Smart Graphics. Smart Graphics adapt to the user’s personal OS-level settings, automatically changing colors to match their preferences. They are fully accessible to screen readers and remain crisp and clear at any size. Smart Graphics work in reader mode across all major browsers and reformat themselves seamlessly on mobile screens, eliminating the need for pinch and zoom. They respond to dark mode settings at the OS level and can be optimized for both speed and S.E.O.
Our patent-pending Smart Graphic technology allows images to adapt their colors to match user-selected themes, such as bright, high-contrast settings commonly used by individuals with low vision. This ensures that images align with the user's text color preferences, enhancing image perception dramatically. This has never been done before and is a game-changer for people who rely on their settings to use high-contrast color pairings.
Additionally, our advanced engineered graphics can incorporate live, selectable, and indexable text with custom reading orders, functioning seamlessly in reader modes across all browsers and mobile devices. This feature enables keyboard navigation and AI-driven translation into any language, further promoting inclusivity.
For a demonstration tailored to low-vision users, please check out our audio-described demo video.
Equivalent Smart Graphic Demo Video.
Next-Gen Graphics.
The Equivalent platform makes it easy to create graphics that everyone can use. With real-time tips and design fixes, chatbot support, and integration for Figma and Adobe, we ensure your designs are accessible and compliant with accessibility laws. Plus, our powerful technology automatically generates code, tests designs, and validates legal compliance, so your graphics are ready to share effortlessly.
Our flexible pricing works for everyone, from solo designers to enterprise companies. Plans start at $15 per month for basic features and $199 per month for advanced tools. Our revenue focuses primarily on Enterprise and agile Mid-Market organizations with large branding and design teams across the world that generate a high volume of graphics.
Initial Market.
We aim to quickly reach a large user base by launching a plugin for the Figma design and collaboration platform. Figma is a vital tool for over 4-million designers and the backbone of modern product design. We will limit features on the free plugin to encourage upgrades to our paid enterprise A.P.I. plan. If we focus solely on Figma, which has a serviceable obtainable market of $668-million per annum, we can reach our projected revenue goals.
Market Expansion.
Design Software and Digital Asset Management (D.A.M.) are 53-billion, and $6.6-billion per annum markets, respectively. Of 39 to 44 million total users, 8 to 9 million are within reach, representing over $20-billion in potential market share through direct software integration.
Traction.
Last year, we entered into our first partnership with Atos Group, a €12-billion leader in digital decarbonization, led by Neil Milliken, Global Head of Accessibility. Atos is collaborating with us to engineer the most accessible and sustainable graphics ever made. The Olympics Timeline Infographic Smart Graphic we created for Atos reached millions worldwide via their website. This infographic was designed for mobile responsiveness and optimized for low vision and blind users, featuring our patent-pending technology, custom reading orders, and a fully keyboard-navigable experience.
We conducted $13,000 in paid reaserch and development with Atos in 2024. Please listen to our Atos Case Study Video on Smart Graphics narrated by Neil Milliken. Our MVP Software currently has 86 Users in 10 Countries.
The AI-Generated Image Era.
The generative AI market is projected to reach $207-billion by 2030. This market is already devouring energy at an unprecedented scale.
AI Generated Images.
Approximately 34-million AI-generated images are created daily, and none are inherently accessible. Our engine will integrate with all AI platforms. The AI image market has a T.A.M. of 600-million users, a S.A.M. of 100 to 200-million, and a S.O.M. of 17-million. With the global market expected to exceed $40-billion per year, our technology is well-positioned to meet this demand.
Making websites accessible is the law.
Digital graphics must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to avoid legal risks, including fines of up to $75,000 for the first violation. These regulations apply to U.S. businesses with 15 or more employees or $1-million or more in revenue. Many businesses struggle to meet these standards, as they apply to both online and offline images. However, the complexity of these rules, similar to tax laws, often leaves brands without the tools, time, or resources to stay compliant.
Revenue Model.
We will reach $100-million A.R.R. in 5 years.
Our strategy focuses on leveraging the existing customer bases of key partners to drive significant growth. In the first year, we expect to gain 994 users, generating $2.37-million in annual recurring revenue and $2.87-million in total revenue. By the second year, we anticipate increasing to 3,352 active users and $9.26-million in revenue. Growth continues in year three with 8,595 active users and $22.83-million in revenue. By the fourth year, we project 19,844 active users and $51.18-million in revenue. In the fifth year, with 42,224 active users, we expect to reach $108.53-million in total revenue.
About.
Co-Founder and CEO, Accessible Graphics Expert.
Heather S. Neff brings over 24 years of leadership and expertise in brand management, UI/UX design, graphic design, and web development. She participated in the equity-free Techstars program for disabled Founders and was selected to be a Fellow for the 2024 International Zero Project Scaling Solutions Program. She was also part of the 2-gether International Accelerator Program. Connect with Heather S. Neff on LinkedIn.
Team.
Professor Volker Sorge, PhD. Serves as Equivalent’s Chief Technology Officer. With over 22 years of experience, Volker is a recognized expert in the accessibility field, having been invited by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as an SVG specialist. He is also a professor of computer science and holds a PhD in artificial intelligence, bringing a deep understanding of both academic and practical aspects of technology and AI.
João Barbosa is the Chief Product Officer with more than 20 years of accessibility experience in product design and executive leadership. His career includes impactful roles such as Director of user experience at Illuminate Education, leading and building the design organization at Workboard, and most recently, VP Of Customer Experience at Renaissance Learning. In addition to his corporate endeavors, João has been actively involved in consulting and freelance design since 2004, as he is an Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma expert.
Craig Pouliot holds the position of Chief Financial Officer, offering over two decades of financial and operational experience in the technology sector. He possesses an MBA, underscoring his strong business acumen.
Valerie Miller serves as the Chief Marketing Officer, and is based in San Francisco, CA. With 17 years of design expertise, across both agency and in-house roles at major tech brands, including Twitter, Amazon, Samsung, Verizon, Walmart Connect, and LG, she has proven project success from concept to delivery. She is also an Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma design software expert user.
Advisory Board.
Our advisory board comprises distinguished experts who provide invaluable guidance to our company.
Mike Paciello, a pioneer in accessibility, has significantly contributed to digital inclusion initiatives.
Edwin L. Thomas, Ph.D., formerly of MIT, is renowned for his expertise in engineering.
Thomas Knoll, associated with Techstars, brings a wealth of experience in technology startups and entrepreneurship.
Matt May, from Adobe, is a leading authority on inclusive design and accessibility.
Andrew Kirkpatrick, serving as our Senior Advisor, has a strong background in accessibility standards and compliance and worked as the Director of Accessibility at Adobe for nearly two decades.
Fundraising.
We are currently raising $250,000 to support our research and development efforts and to expand our marketing and engineering team. Our vision is to convert images into compliant and customized code, making the internet an inclusive and sustainable space.
Book a meeting.
With the power of AI, we can transform the internet into a space that is both inclusive and sustainable — where everyone, regardless of ability, can equally participate, and where technology works in harmony with the planet. Please help us by sharing this information with other investors and advocates. Book a meeting with Heather to learn more about working with Equivalent.
Heather S. Neff's phone number: +1 828-575-7731. Heather is on Whatsapp for international calls.
Heather's email: heather@equivalentsvg.com.
Pitch Deck Appendix.
This appendix has additional information, links, and resources.
Smart Graphic, noun.
A single, tiny dynamic file designed to instantly adapt to multiple display conditions such as dark mode, mobile layouts, custom color settings, and personalized accessibility preferences. Smart Graphics are highly energy-efficient due to their minimal code-based file size and responsiveness to dark mode.
The Future of Graphics.
Our Smart Graphic technology can function like a webpage, offering:
- Traversable, semantic text that is searchable, selectable, and S.E.O-friendly.
- Full keyboard navigation.
- Unlimited text characters.
- Embedded metadata, including keywords.
- Optimized for lightning-fast load times.
- Support for animations and interactivity.
- Next-Gen Graphic Code Engineering.
- AI-powered language translation.
Speed.
Typically, making an image WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliant manually involves several steps: adjusting contrast, ensuring color blindness compatibility, optimizing for screen readers, and testing for different user settings like dark mode and contrast themes. This process can take hours or even days, depending on the complexity of the image and the level of compliance needed. Companies should hire and work with both low-vision and blind users to understand their actual experiences.
In contrast, our transformation engine automates much of this process, creating graphics that meet accessibility standards. The time saved can be substantial: what could take hours or days to manually adjust can often be done in mere minutes with our tool.
This time efficiency not only speeds up workflows but also reduces costs, particularly for teams working with large volumes of assets. For enterprises and design teams handling hundreds or even millions of images, the transformation engine can save thousands of hours annually. In the context of a growing market for AI-generated images and the need for WCAG compliance, this time-saving feature positions our technology as a highly valuable tool for businesses seeking both efficiency and accessibility. We also made it a top priority to ensure that blind designers and developers can fully use our design software with a screen reader, making it accessible for all users regardless of ability.
Patent Pending IP.
The Non Provisional was filed February 9th 2024. Application number: 18/438,219.
Our Patent Pending IP allows graphics to adapt to user-selected colors called “contrast-themes.” Contrast themes are used daily by 56 million people who select custom colors for their computers. Additionally, 50% of low-vision users prefer high-contrast color themes. By adapting graphics to these themes, our IP can be a game-changer for people with many forms of vision impairment.
Our comprehensive approach to brand compliance safeguards your company's reputation and helps to ensure that all creative assets meet the necessary legal requirements.
Our graphics will help companies meet the following criteria:
- WCAG 2.2 AAA.
- EU Accessibility Act.
- Section 508.
- ADA Title II.
- AODA.
- EN 301 549.
- IS 5568.
- Stanca Act.
ADA Compliance.
Over 4,500 ADA lawsuits were filed in 2023, emphasizing the need for graphics accessibility and more inclusive user experiences. We also prevent lawsuits by ensuring your graphics are ADA compliant, as the Americans with Disability Act applies to images online, and these laws will be enforced in the Spring of 2026.
Notable ADA Compliancy Lawsuits:
- Netflix, $755,000 in 2012.
- Target, $6-million in 2008.
- Harvard, $1․5-million in 2020.
Award Winning Startup.
Equivalent were finalists in the NC Biotech Venture Challenge 2024 and won $10,000. They participated in the J.P. Morgan Chase Techstars Founders program and were selected to be a Fellow for the 2024 Zero Project Scaling Solutions Program.
Global Impact.
By simplifying the creation of accessible content, Equivalent will empower individuals with disabilities to fully engage in the digital world, bridging gaps and breaking down barriers. This mission not only advances social equity and inclusion but also provides a sustainable solution that nurtures both people and the planet, driving positive change at a global scale.
We believe everyone deserves an Equivalent experience. Please reach out to learn more and we look forward to answering any questions you have. Thank you!
Book a meeting with Heather S. Neff, Co-Founder + CEO.
heather@equivalentsvg.com or call +1 828-575-7731.