Pillar: Crowdsourcing Platform for Interior Design Connects Clients and Designers
Founded in 2011 by Filippo Schiano Di Pepe, Federico Schiano Di Pepe, and Alessandro Rossi, the platform originally called CoContest and now Pillar uses crowdsourcing to connect clients with over 50,000 registered designers. Clients launch a contest for their project, receive proposals, and the top five designers earn cash prizes; the winner collaborates directly with the client. The startup has offices in Italy and the United States, backed by international business angels and recognized by Forbes in its under-30 innovators list. The article debates whether this model undermines creative dialogue or streamlines the design process, noting the inherently osmotic nature of interior design.
Key facts
- Pillar was founded in 2011 by Filippo Schiano Di Pepe, Federico Schiano Di Pepe, and Alessandro Rossi.
- Originally named CoContest, the platform rebranded to Pillar.
- Over 50,000 designers are registered on the platform.
- Clients launch contests for design projects; top five proposals receive cash prizes.
- The winner gets direct contact with the client to follow the project.
- Pillar has offices in Italy and the United States.
- The startup is supported by international business angels.
- Forbes included the founders in its under-30 innovators list from Europe.
Entities
Artists
- Filippo Schiano Di Pepe
- Federico Schiano Di Pepe
- Alessandro Rossi
- Flavia Chiavaroli
Institutions
- Pillar
- CoContest
- Forbes
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- United States