Infyos is a company that develops AI-driven solutions to help manage complex supply chain risks in the renewable energy and mobility sectors, ensuring a sustainable and responsible energy transition
Could you start by telling us a bit about the story behind Infyos and the people who founded the company?
Infyos was born out of a crucial realisation: the renewable energy transition, while essential for our planet, comes with significant supply chain risks. From mine and my co-founder Tony To’s previous work scaling supply chain tech startups and working in Chinese supply chains, we knew that overcoming the geopolitical, human rights and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks facing companies in the energy and mobility sector is essential to stay on track with net zero targets. We founded Infyos to address this critical issue by bringing together a team of experts in supply chain management, AI technology, and sustainability. Our goal is to build an AI operating system specifically for the renewable energy and mobility industry that enables the energy transition to take place both quickly and sustainably by effectively managing these complex supply chain risks.
What is the overarching vision of Infyos, and what steps are you taking to ensure that this vision becomes a reality?
Our vision at Infyos is to power the supply chains behind the renewable energy transition. To do this, we believe that the complex supply chain risks need to be managed. We’re taking concrete steps to realise this vision by developing an AI operating system for managing supply chain risk specifically designed for the renewable energy sector. This platform helps manufacturers, owners, and investors identify and mitigate ESG and regulatory risks across their supply chains. We’re constantly expanding our database of Tier N suppliers and their ESG performance, collaborating with industry leaders, and refining our AI algorithms to provide the most accurate and actionable insights possible.
How would you define the key target audience for Infyos, and how do you ensure that their specific challenges and needs are addressed?
Infyos’ key target audience includes renewable energy investors, manufacturers, and owners across the battery, solar, and wind sectors. We understand that these companies face unique challenges in managing complex, global supply chains with high ESG risks. To address their needs, we’ve developed a platform that offers industry-specific insights, global reach (including expertise in Chinese supply chains), and step-by-step risk mitigation strategies. We ensure our solution is tailored to meet specific regulatory requirements like the EU Battery Regulation and the US’s Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act and provide ongoing monitoring to help our clients stay ahead of emerging risks and industry trends.
What are the most significant hurdles Infyos has faced since its inception, and how have you approached solving them?
One of the most significant hurdles we’ve faced is the sheer complexity and opacity of renewable energy supply chains. Many companies have over 10,000 suppliers across their network, making it challenging to identify and address risks effectively. We’ve approached this challenge by leveraging AI technology to gather, cleanse, and classify vast amounts of unstructured data from thousands of sources. This allows us to provide accurate, up-to-date information on supply chain risks that was previously impossible to obtain. Additionally, we’ve built a team with deep expertise in global supply chains, particularly in high-risk regions like China, to ensure our insights are both comprehensive and nuanced.
Infyos operates in a highly competitive space. What do you consider to be the unique selling point that sets your company apart?
The status quo is to consult a generic regional-level risk database, ask your suppliers to submit responses to a few ESG questions and update their responses every year. This is often done through a consultancy, which results in a one-off report with high-level analysis or risk tools that focus on multiple sectors and are too broad to address the particular nuances and ever-changing nature of renewable energy supply chains.
The problem is that companies using these approaches don’t actually know who is in their supply chain and where the major red flag risks might sit, putting them on the back foot to proactively identify and then mitigate any ESG risks which could harm their reputation. The rise of AI, however, is changing the way due diligence can be done, allowing us to parse through thousands of supply chain data points and accurately identify and predict where incidents may occur.
Our USP is our laser focus on the renewable energy sector. Unlike generic ESG solutions that merely tick boxes, we provide in-depth, industry-specific insights that truly solve supply chain risks. Our unique selling points include our renewable supply chain network, which allows companies to benchmark their performance against peers; our global coverage, with particular expertise in Chinese supply chains; and our ability to not just identify risks but also provide actionable steps for mitigation. Our AI-driven platform offers a level of accuracy and speed in risk assessment that was previously unattainable, making us a crucial partner for companies navigating the complex landscape of renewable energy supply chains.
What is one of the most critical factors driving innovation at Infyos as you plan for future developments?
The reputational risk for individual investors, companies, and energy developers or their suppliers ending up as a front-page news headline for their connections to human rights abuses, is what we’re on a mission to help our customers avoid. We’re constantly enhancing our AI algorithms to ensure our platform can quickly identify new incidents in supply chains. We’re also innovating in how we integrate and analyse diverse data sources to offer increasingly granular and accurate risk assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of potential supply chain disruptions and reputational risks.
How do you prioritise customer and stakeholder feedback when planning the future roadmap for Infyos’ offerings?
Customer feedback is integral to our development process. We maintain close relationships with our clients in the renewable energy sector to understand their evolving needs and challenges. This feedback directly informs our product roadmap, ensuring that we’re always aligned with industry requirements. We also engage with stakeholders across the supply chain, from raw material suppliers to end-users, to gain a comprehensive view of the entire ecosystem. This holistic approach allows us to anticipate future needs and develop features that address emerging challenges in the renewable energy supply chain.
Can you share a recent development or feature at Infyos that you are particularly excited about?
I’m particularly excited about our recent advancements in AI-driven supply chain mapping. This feature allows us to automatically compile and analyse data from across the global battery supply chain, providing unprecedented visibility into Tier N suppliers.
It’s a game-changer for our clients, enabling them to quickly identify potential risks deep within their supply chains that were previously hidden. This development is crucial for companies striving to comply with new regulations and maintain ethical supply chains in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.
In terms of recent developments at Infyos, we recently identified that companies accounting for 75% of the global battery market have connections to one or more companies in the supply chain facing allegations of severe human rights abuses. That statistic came from analysing nearly 20,000 data points and uses data from December 2022 to June 2024. This clearly shows the scale of the problem we are trying to overcome.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs navigating the startup ecosystem, especially in the tech sector?
My advice would be to focus on solving a real, pressing problem in your chosen industry. At Infyos, we identified a critical issue in the renewable energy transition and built a solution specifically tailored to address it. I’d also emphasise the importance of building a diverse team with deep industry expertise. Our success has been largely due to combining tech innovation with in-depth knowledge of supply chains, sustainability and the renewable energy sector.
What strategies do you use to balance day-to-day operations at Infyos with the long-term strategic goals of the company?
Balancing day-to-day operations with long-term goals is always challenging, but it’s crucial for sustainable growth. At Infyos, we’ve implemented a dual-focus strategy. We have dedicated teams that focus on current client needs and platform maintenance, ensuring we deliver immediate value. Simultaneously, we have teams working on long-term research and development, keeping an eye on emerging trends and technologies. We regularly bring these teams together to share insights and align our short-term actions with our long-term strategic vision of transforming the renewable energy supply chain.
What do you see as the biggest trends shaping the future of the industries Infyos operates in, and how are you positioning the company to lead in those areas?
The biggest trends we’re seeing include increased regulatory scrutiny, growing investor pressure for ESG compliance, and a push for greater supply chain transparency. We’re also seeing a trend towards the concept of “battery passports” and more stringent requirements for responsible sourcing. To lead in these areas, we’re continuously enhancing our AI capabilities to provide more granular and predictive risk assessments. We’re also expanding our database to cover an even wider range of suppliers and risk factors, positioning Infyos as the go-to platform for comprehensive supply chain risk management in the renewable energy sector.
If you had to share three key lessons for aspiring startup founders, what would they be?
Focus on solving a real and significant problem. The renewable energy transition is critical, but it comes with complex challenges that we’re addressing head-on at Infyos.
Build a diverse team with complementary skills and expertise. Our success comes from combining tech innovation with deep industry knowledge.
Stay adaptable and responsive to your market. The regulatory landscape and industry needs are constantly evolving, and your ability to pivot and innovate quickly can make or break your startup. Remember, it’s not just about having a great idea, but about executing it effectively and adapting as you grow.
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Bildcredits: Infyos
Thank you Sarah Montgomery for the Interview
Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.
