In January 2024, Stephen Pratt, co-founder and long-time CEO of Noodle Analytics (Noodle.ai), reflects on the company’s significant milestones as he prepares to transition to a strategic advisory role. Founded in 2016, Noodle.ai embarked on a journey to harness AI for enterprise applications, focusing initially on diverse industries before zeroing in on supply chain planning. This case chronicles Noodle.ai’s evolution, highlighting its early explorations in predictive analytics, the establishment of the BEAST (Beast Enterprise AI Supercomputing Technology) platform, and pivotal projects with clients like XOJET and Big River Steel. Despite initial successes, the company faced challenges in scaling custom AI solutions and achieving profitable growth. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further pressured the company to rethink its strategy. By 2020, Noodle.ai pivoted to specialize in supply chain AI, securing key clients like Estée Lauder and Kellogg’s, and proving the value of their focused approach. As Stephen Collins takes the helm as CEO, the case examines Noodle.ai’s strategic decisions, the complexities of integrating AI into business processes, and the critical lessons learned from their diverse AI applications. This case provides an in-depth look at the strategic, operational, and technological challenges faced by Noodle.ai, offering insights into the dynamics of leading an AI-driven enterprise through periods of innovation and market disruption.
