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Where AI innovation meets human expertise

Meet the people behind AI-powered retail success

At invent.ai, our team of specialists, innovators and problem-solvers is redefining retail decision-making. We believe that great technology is only as powerful as the people behind it. Our team of 200+ experts—spanning academia, AI, data science, retail strategy and engineering—work together to build solutions that empower retailers to confidently make every retail decision count. With a collaborative approach and a passion for precision, we help retailers navigate complexity, maximize margins and act with confidence—every time.

Although AI is at the core of what we do, our focus goes beyond just developing technology. We cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning—ensuring that while we’re helping retailers succeed, we’re also providing our team with opportunities to grow, lead and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether it’s advancing AI capabilities, solving complex retail challenges or pioneering new ways to drive value, our success is driven by the collective brilliance of our people.

A leadership team built for the future of retail success

Retail is changing faster than ever, and our leadership team is at the forefront of that transformation. With deep expertise in AI, advanced analytics, and retail operations, our leaders drive invent.ai’s mission to revolutionize retail decision-making. More than just leaders, they are innovators, problem-solvers, and mentors—fostering a culture where bold ideas and continuous improvement drive real-world transformation.

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Gurhan Kok founded invent.ai in 2013 to build advanced-analytics products for the retail industry. Prior to invent.ai, Gurhan was a tenured faculty member at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He received his Ph.D. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 2003.

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Jiri Nechleba brings 40 years of executive experience applying advanced science to businesses with extensive work in retail, CPG and financial services.

john seung

John Seung is former CIO of the Americas at Fung Group and co-founder of Castling. As a technology expert with in-depth knowledge of eCommerce and supply chain platforms, he now focuses on early tech investments with LFX Venture Partners.

jeff smith

Jeff Smith has held numerous executive-level leadership roles and brings extensive expertise in launching and growing tech companies, excelling in fundraising, strategy, and creating excellent work environments.

Our leaders aren’t just guiding the company, they’re actively shaping the next generation of AI-powered retail solutions.

image -a culture of innovation precision and partnership

A culture of innovation, precision and partnership 

Great AI doesn’t build itself. It takes bold ideas, determination and a team that’s always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Invent.ai is where creativity, expertise and cutting-edge technology intersect. We believe innovation isn’t just about what we build—it’s about how we equip people, from our partners to our own team, to challenge expectations and rethink what’s possible.

We provide retailers with superpowers, equipping them with the intelligence to make the best planning and operational decisions. Every recommendation we make, every insight we deliver and every solution we build is backed by scientific rigor and practical, real-world application—allowing retailers to trust AI-driven decisions that continuously optimize for the best outcomes.

Our Hub Model: Redefining how teams work together

What truly sets invent.ai apart is our revolutionary Hub Model—a revolutionary approach to collaboration that breaks down silos and aligns every function around a single, profit-driven strategy. Our partnership doesn’t end when the software is implemented, and unlike traditional providers who focus solely on deployment, we are committed to ongoing collaboration, continuous innovation and long-term success.

Instead of separate teams working in isolation, the Hub Model acts as an extension of the client’s organization and aligns every department under a shared vision to help retailers drive growth, improve efficiency and create meaningful results in their organizations. Our AI solutions are powerful, but it’s our collaborative approach that continuously drives competitive advantage through AI-powered decision-making that makes them truly transformational.

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I've worked with many retailers over the last 10+ years helping to solve a number of challenges, including supply chain, process improvement and unification of data.  Here at invent.ai we go above and beyond, empowering our customers with a full suite of AI superpowers and a high focus on increasing profit dollars with our inventory, pricing, and merchandise planning optimization solutions.

courtney hoffman
Courtney Hoffman
I work in Business Development at invent.ai. We enjoy helping enterprise retailers grow sales, revenue and margin dollars by harnessing the power of AI and advanced analytics. With our fast implementation, you can kick-start your project within a few months and dramatically decrease your time to market. By aligning with your business, our team works to fulfill your expectations and enables you to improve productivity and decision-making to ensure you are a future-fit retailer.
Kevin florez bernal
Kevin Florez Bernal

Invent.ai is a place where my creativity and strategy come together in a way that keeps things exciting. I love the energy of our team, the opportunity to make a difference, and the chance to work on projects that genuinely move the needle. It’s a collaborative, fast-moving environment that makes every day interesting.

Chris Becker
Chris Becker

I lead the Preseason Planning Solutions team at invent.ai, where our mission is to empower retailers with cutting-edge technology to build their best collections. We understand the complexities of preseason planning, from demand forecasting to choice count optimization, and we provide the tools to make data-driven decisions with confidence. By leveraging advanced technology, we help our customers create assortments that are both profitable and aligned with their brand vision—turning planning into a competitive advantage.

Mustafa Erdoğan
Mustafa Erdoğan

I bring 25 years of experience in applying analytical methods to areas such as multi-echelon inventory optimization, demand planning, assortment, procurement, price optimization, etc. If it’s in the Retail Supply Chain, I have probably seen it before! As Director of Science, my mission is to listen to our clients very carefully and help to bring the right balance of advanced analytics, robustness and scalability to deliver measurable value through AI-powered solutions.

Stefano Alberti
Stefano Alberti

Within the Data Platform Team at invent.ai, we build products that supercharge retailers to make the best decisions in a cloud-agnostic way, delivering fast proof of value. Working with a wide variety of businesses, we encounter many different problems—offering a great opportunity for us to build lasting, tangible products. It's a privilege to work with such transparent, curious and tenacious people.

Sezai Kantarcı
Sezai Kantarcı

At invent.ai, it's truly impressive how people are genuinely obsessed with learning and sharing every day. This winning culture clearly reflects the fact that we are led by a university professor and scientific researcher, and it's been much appreciated by our customers being that we do not only provide software, but we empower them with vertical know-how, best practices and explainable AI to ensure sustainable success.

Valerio
Valerio Cisternino

As a project delivery manager, my team is on the "frontline", actively listening to the customer to find solutions to their most complex supply chain challenges. Our team of data scientists and integration architects work with our client's IT and business teams to turn their data into automated outputs so that they no longer need to do the "busy" work, but rather focus on the bigger picture and manage only the rarest exceptions. Invent.ai's culture is humble, people-focused and encourages everyone to ask questions, share ideas and take action.

Luke Gass
Luke Gass

Being a part of invent.ai since the establishment of the HR team has been incredibly valuable to me. Here, there is an environment where you can feel the team spirit at all times and work with people who are truly passionate about what they do. It is a great privilege to be part of a supportive and dynamic culture where everyone's contribution matters. I am proud to be a member of this team!

Arzu
Arzu Soruklu

I am the head of human resources department at invent.ai. We put selecting, valuing and developing talented employees together at the center of our company's values. Each employee's story and invent.ai journey is very precious to us, so much so that we grow together with this strength. We enjoy the pleasure of working with selected people who love their job and become people who shape the industry. I am grateful to everyone who contributes!

Burcin
Burçin Yiğit

Invent.ai’s product stands out with its adaptable, profit-driven approach to inventory optimization. The solutions backed by science are designed to meet each customer’s unique needs while delivering proven results. Beyond the technology, the people make all the difference—I’m part of a highly competent and collaborative team. Meeting colleagues from around the world at our annual retreat has been a highlight of my year.

Nina Jackson
Nina Jackson