Smartbird's CEO talks about converting a shoe company into an AI player
Smartbird CEO Nadia Carlsten spoke at Business Insider's #TheLongPlay on how the company went from selling sneakers to AI infrastructure.
Nadia Carlsten, CEO of Smartbird, discussed the company's transition from a sustainable sneaker business to an AI infrastructure player in an interview with Business Insider's The Long Play. The shift was announced to the public, resulting in a significant increase in the company's stock value, which later experienced a decline.
Carlsten explained that Smartbird's approach to AI focuses on addressing customer needs rather than developing large language models, which was the company's previous focus. The company's origins can be traced back to Allbirds, a sustainable sneaker company that went public in 2021 before the market turned against direct-to-consumer businesses.
Smartbird sold its footwear division and laid off most of its workforce after the shoe business underperformed. Carlsten, who became CEO in June, emphasized that the company's long-term potential is what matters most, rather than the short-term fluctuations in the stock market. She highlighted the unique aspect of Smartbird's business model, which allows for close collaboration with customers while being less capital-intensive compared to other AI infrastructure providers.
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