Vinay Indraganti

#AI & Automation in #Grocery and #Restaurants are not going away . . . McDonald's announced its plan this year to spend $2 billion into employing AI and robots into restaurant and drive-thrus. And in 2022, grocery stores spent $13 billion on tech automations, according to research by FMI, The Food Industry Association. FMI expects spending on innovations like smart carts and revamped self-checkout aisles to soar 400% through 2025.

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💬"Retail is undergoing a transformation where understanding customers and their needs is more crucial than ever. By using predictive analytics, customers are matched with the right products at the right place and time, boosting sales, reducing waste, and anticipating supply chain disruptions." - Todd Redwood, Global Head of Consumer, Retail and Food Customer expectations and demands are continuously evolving, and a seamless blend of the physical and virtual is now demanded by 75% of consumers. Central to this is gaining a deeper understanding of the customer, creating ever-more personalized opportunities for customers to connect. Anticipating customer needs enables businesses to streamline – if not eliminate – the path to purchase, with brands understanding customers so deeply that in many cases, they preempt needs. This new report explores how advances in technology are transforming the retail sector: https://gag.gl/apAzZ8 #BSI #RetailTrends #FoodInnovation #AI #ConsumerTrends

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Some very good information here for emerging brands to understand as it relates to getting their brands from the store into the consumer's shopping carts (the hard part) vs. getting their brand into the store (the easier part). Fun stuff!

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What an incredible 3 days in Chicago at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Event and Expo with colleagues, friends, partners, investors, and customers. Great to attend with Todd Rands, Paul Vajda, Holden Sasser, Bill Aimutis, and Jonathan McIntyre ! The #startup pavilion was brimming with action, people, ideas, and innovation. Highlights from the week: > Innovation startups led by laser-focused founders: I met several innovative startups. While their tech was impressive, the founders stood out even more! They were SMART in their leadership and relentless focus. These founders are careful in how they spend money (like it was their own!), and laser focused on getting product-market fit, proving their first customer, and building an annual recurring revenue stream. >  A wave of women-led startups: It was also great to see a range of startups creating success with founders who were young and talented and women-led! > Old guard, new technology. Also, it’s energizing to see so many successful startups being launched by the ‘old guard’ like myself, bringing 30+ years of experience to new technology in our industry. It’s exciting times in #FoodTech—despite the challenging investment environment. I applaud the perseverance and resilience from founders and innovators that keeps our talent driving forward. Keep going! 

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POWER OF RAG MODELS? Have you ever wondered how some AI systems manage to stay so informed? Meet the RAG (Retriever-Augmented Generation) models—where cutting-edge technology meets real-time information! Combination of Powers: RAG models are a unique blend, combining a document retriever with a response generator. This dynamic duo pulls relevant information from extensive text sources like Wikipedia to deliver well-informed answers. Up-to-Date Information: Unlike traditional models, RAGs access the latest data from their sources, ensuring that the information they provide isn’t just accurate—it’s also incredibly current. Flexible Application: With their ability to adapt and apply detailed, specific knowledge, RAG models are perfect for answering complex queries and providing up-to-date explanations across various fields. Stay ahead in the AI game by understanding and leveraging the capabilities of RAG models. This is my Kaggle notebook of creating a rag from scratch where I've used Google's Gemma 2b model and trained it on the lean startup book https://lnkd.in/dQzhXteM #AI #MachineLearning #Innovation #TechnologyTrends

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AI and Automation: The Future of Food Retail and Drive-Thrus The retail landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. The compelling video offers a glimpse into the future of grocery stores and drive-thrus. Key takeaways: • Personalized shopping experiences: AI-powered recommendations and tailored product displays are creating highly personalized shopping journeys. • Frictionless checkout: Self-checkout kiosks and automated payment systems are streamlining the purchasing process. • Optimized inventory management: Advanced data analytics and predictive modeling are helping retailers optimize stock levels and reduce waste. • Labor efficiency: Robotic process automation is taking over repetitive tasks, freeing up human employees for more strategic roles. • Drive-thru reinvented: AI-driven order taking and automated food preparation are revolutionizing the fast-food industry. While these technological advancements promise increased efficiency and convenience, they also raise important questions about job displacement, data privacy, and ethical implications. It's essential for businesses to adopt these technologies responsibly, considering the impact on their workforce and customers. #AI #automation #retail #grocery #drivethru #technology #futureofwork #jobmarket #dataprivacy #ethics https://lnkd.in/eXbVhJsf

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https://lnkd.in/gpWEQsTE Here is a New Chapter in the Global Food Industry !! The announcement of Mars' $36 billion acquisition of Kellanova marks a significant milestone in the global food and consumer goods sector. This merger isn't just about expanding product lines or market reach; it's a testament to the evolving landscape of how major players in the industry are adapting to changing consumer demands and competitive pressures. Mars, known for its iconic brands and commitment to quality, and Kellanova, a leader in health-conscious and innovative food products, together create a powerhouse that will set new standards in the industry. This move signals a strategic alignment that could reshape the way we think about food production, sustainability, and consumer engagement. It's fascinating to witness how such large-scale mergers can open doors to new opportunities, create synergies, and drive innovation across the board. The combined expertise and resources of these two giants have the potential to enhance their impact on the global market, offering consumers even more value. As we watch this merger unfold, it's clear that the future of the food industry is being shaped by bold moves and visionary thinking. Kudos to both teams for embarking on this exciting journey! Plural Technology

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Cookies aren’t just snacks—they’re a timeless favorite for kids and adults alike. 👇🏻 In India, rising urbanization, gifting culture, and changing lifestyles have fueled the cookie market’s rapid growth. 📈 Globally, the cookie market is projected to grow from $36.09 billion in 2023 to $56.9 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.20%. 🫡 Indian cookie brands are stepping up their game with healthier options and innovative flavors—think oats, herbs and exotic fruits! But what makes cookies so beloved across the country? 🤔 🔍 Swipe through the carousel to explore: ► Why cookies fit perfectly into Indian lifestyles. ► Trends like masala flavors and eco-friendly packaging. ► How the e-commerce boom is shaping the market. Which type of cookie is your go-to—classic chocolate chip or fusion masala? Let us know in the comments! 📌 Follow Asish kumar for more simplified insights into food industry trends. #cookies #foodtrends #india #snacks #ecommerce #sustainablepackaging #healthyliving #foodindustry

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✅ Chips with dip taste better ✅ A dip led sales pulls in more chips - in the long run ✅ Various flavors of dip feed to the different taste needs of its customers ✅ Dip varieties create demand for different chip flavors and combos ✅ Pairing the right dips and chips become the full-stack play for Enterprises As the last bullet gave away, we are referring to AI semiconductors as chips and software/SDK, pretrained AI models and use case apps as dip. One shortfall of this "chip and dip" analogy is in its inability to explain the ARR/MRR dimension of software. Software enables recurring revenue and growth along with customer's business growth and evolution. I think we could soon see AIaaS (AI as a Service) offerings where AI applications and hardware would be bundled into a business value led subscription service. This combo of "dip and chip" is strategically important for Enterprises to adopt Gen AI. Bloomberg Intelligence chart reiterates the critical need for software - estimated to grow at 70% CAGR, more than double of hardware market. #software #hardware #AI #GenAI #Semiconductor #DipandChip #EnterpriseAI #AcceleratedComputing #semiconductorindustry #Cloud #EdgeAI #Datacenter

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CPG Is Constantly Changing - Except When It's Not (part 8 in a series) The Role of Sales in CPG The role of sales has actually changed little since trade promotion escalated over 30 years ago - and even before then. Sales has always been charged to increase a brand's DSMP - Distribution, Shelf Position, Merchandising Support & Pricing Effectiveness to improve profitable revenue and volume. The key phrase there being 'improve PROFITABLE revenue and volume'. And trade promotion is over 25% of your gross revenue - even though a lot of it may be buried in those distributor deductions. So, what does that mean? Here are a few quick questions to ask yourselves: * Are we securing the RIGHT doors, not necessarily the most doors. * Are we finding the RIGHT everyday price point to increase profitable revenue and volume, not just what happens based on the various markups. * Have we developed the RIGHT promotional mix, not just doing what the retailer or distributor thinks is great. So, how do you get there? I constantly have heard, 'We don't want our sales folks behind a computer, we want them out selling'! Let's face it, selling in CPG requires more analytical skills than most positions. Yes, both your sales team and brokers need to be with customers, but they need a lot to most of their time developing profitable brand plans for DSMP, developing profitable customer plans, executing & revising the plans as the environment is constantly changing, and then addressing the process all over again. That's happening with fact-based analysis. And it grows progressively. So, if you're an investor, founder, owner or leader, think before suggesting your sales team needs to get out from behind a computer - instead ask them more questions on how their volume / profit mix is being addressed by brand and by customer. And on every event. Then decide.

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We all saw what happened when Wendy's announced the potential for a dynamic pricing model. People were not pleased. I'm not sure that will entirely kill the possibility of dynamic pricing eventually rolling out in the industry, but it did put the brakes on it for the short term. What about surveillance pricing? As this article from Reuters covers (https://lnkd.in/e_JdG5rB), there is the possibility that surveillance pricing will allow companies to charge individuals more based on past searches, purchases, and any other number of data points. Now, there's an economic basis for some of this. If demand increases at certain times or for certain products, prices can go up...welcome to supply and demand. We see this playing out all the time without all of the surveillance or high-tech traffic tracking. Dynamic pricing is, essentially, the high-tech and real time version of this principle, whether we really like it or not. Surveillance pricing, however, is something else entirely. But, is it surprising this is happening. In the industry, we're talking about the possibility of creating hyper-customized products based on a person's DNA or other bio-data. Wouldn't it also follow that pricing would become that individualized as well? But that makes more sense for products that are distinctly different rather than individualized prices for the same product. Either way, I think we can expect more of this type of activity as technology allows for this level of individual behavior surveillance and analysis. #innovation #trends2024 #pricingstrategy #foodservice #retail #cpg #foodandbeverageindustry #restaurants #technology #economy #menumattersllc

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10% higher output by 2 simple (not easy) steps 1) Recipe tweaks for batch consistency and less waste 2) bigger batches 10% output improvement with same overhead. That’s a direct improvement on net margin. This is why operations matter in CPG. This is also why self manufacturing is the best long term solution

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I am loving Q4. Finally this year the operational efficiency of the last 4 years of CPG vertical integration is paying off. It's all about building a high-margin business versus a topline business. It's also about building a lifestyle-focused business. Strong margins give the confidence to dig deeper into what's working. CPG will never be like SAAS. Lifestyle focussed was a major turnaround for me in 2024. The process is simple (not easy) Eliminate > Automate > Delegate and most importantly focus on margin versus topline. Q4 is the best time to work on designing an amazing 2025.

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The question often arises: Why the ongoing fees for kiosks? Advanced kiosks, delivering fresh food/beverage products, are akin to purchasing IT hardware and maintenance contracts. Customers engage through an upfront kiosk purchase/placement, with ongoing fees (rev share % or fixed $) to uphold the technology ecosystem. In this space, most kiosk companies don't profit enough from the kiosk sale alone; ongoing fees are vital for sustained support. Without them, customers depend on the company's new kiosk sales to stay in business A risky scenario. Charging appropriate ongoing fees is crucial for a sustainable business model, safeguarding customers from potential risks. #automation #kiosks #fresh #businessmodels

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𝑩𝑪𝑫'𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒚'𝒔 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 BCD, a pioneering startup in the realm of AI-driven food formulation, recently made waves at the Plug and Play Tech Center Food and Beverage Spring 2024 Accelerator Batch in Alberta, Calgary. Led by the visionary Indraganti, BCD's groundbreaking platform garnered tremendous acclaim and sparked a flurry of conversations with fellow startups and industry leaders. A Disruptive Solution for the Food Industry: BCD's AI-driven food formulation platform is poised to revolutionize the way food products are developed and formulated. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, BCD's platform streamlines the complex process of ingredient selection, recipe optimization, and product development. This cutting-edge technology empowers food manufacturers to create innovative, nutritious, and sustainable products with unprecedented speed and precision. During the startup pitch event, Vinay Indraganti captivated the audience with his compelling presentation, showcasing the transformative potential of BCD's platform. His insights into the challenges faced by the food industry and the innovative solutions offered by BCD resonated deeply with the attendees. Igniting Conversations and Forging Connections: The event proved to be a fertile ground for BCD to engage with a diverse array of stakeholders in the food and beverage industry. Conversations ranged from exploring potential collaborations and partnerships to discussing the practical applications of BCD's platform in addressing specific challenges faced by food manufacturers. The team's expertise and passion for revolutionizing the food industry were palpable, sparking lively discussions and fostering a sense of excitement among the attendees. Paving the Way for a Sustainable and Innovative Future: BCD's resounding success at the Plug and Play Tech Center Food and Beverage Accelerator Batch underscores the growing demand for innovative solutions that can transform the food industry. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, BCD is poised to drive significant advancements in product development, nutritional optimization, and sustainability. The overwhelmingly positive response from industry peers and potential partners solidifies BCD's position as a trailblazer in the field of AI-driven food formulation. With a strong foundation built on innovation, expertise, and a commitment to revolutionizing the food industry, BCD is well-positioned to shape the future of food production and consumption. #AIForFood BCD iLabs AI For Food Satya Nadella Michael Walton George Lenhart Ravi K. Jeff Winter M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund Anand Shah Kimbal Musk Biz Stone Vinod Khosla Elaine Watson Christine Hall Plug and Play Tech Center Karl Mehta Chamath Palihapitiya Cory Olishansky Gopal Krishna Agarwal

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https://lnkd.in/g_xTyu_z the demand of fibers has risen sharply in harmony with consumer demand particularly with folks that are using #glp-1 agonists. But, fibers provide so much more like mouthfeel, humectancy, fat emulation just to name a few. Check out my lasted Icon Foods post on best practices for soluble fibers and let me know your thoughts.

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