AB InBev + FounderNest: Streamlined startup discovery and optimized innovation.
“FounderNest has completely replaced Crunchbase and CB Insights in our team.”
Carmel Appel Raskin, Global Director, Tech Innovation
Company.
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is one of the world's largest brewing companies, boasting a diverse portfolio of over 500 beer brands, including well-known names like Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Corona. Operating in more than 50 countries with products sold in over 150 countries, AB InBev's mission is to brew quality beer and create a future with "more cheers." The company fosters a culture of ownership, inclusion, and empowerment while also focusing on making a positive societal and environmental impact.
Challenge.
Manual scouting efforts were time-consuming and inefficient.
Before discovering FounderNest, AB InBev's team faced significant challenges in identifying startups that addressed specific pain points. Traditional scouting methods, including attending events and manual research, were time-intensive and not always fruitful. Although the team used platforms like CB Insights and Crunchbase, finding contact information and startups that directly addressed their needs remained a struggle.
"The opportunity cost of spending so much time reaching out to startups manually was high." Carmel mentioned.
Even after identifying potential startups, gaining access to relevant contact information was difficult, requiring non-ideal outreach methods that slowed down their innovation pipeline.
Why FounderNest?
AI-powered startup discovery to optimize time and resources .
AB InBev turned to FounderNest to transform its startup discovery process. Traditional tools like CB Insights and Crunchbase still had value, but as AB InBev’s accelerator scaled, those solutions lacked the efficiency and flexibility required.
FounderNest offered something different: an AI-driven platform that streamlined the time-consuming tasks of sourcing startups and gathering contact information, while also reducing bias. With global coverage and the ability to uncover startups that addressed AB InBev’s pain points more effectively, FounderNest quickly became a critical partner in their innovation journey.
As Carmel put it, “The biggest factor for us was being able to use our time in other impactful ways outside of scouting efforts.”
Benefits.
Here’s how it empowers AB InBev’s innovation team:
1. Reducing manual effort: FounderNest automates startup discovery and data collection, freeing the team from hours of repetitive, low-value tasks.
2. Uncovering relevant startups: Its AI surfaces high-potential companies aligned with AB InBev’s specific pain points, ensuring nothing is missed.
3. Scaling with global needs: With wide geographic coverage, FounderNest matches the scale and scope of AB InBev’s global operations.
4. Eliminating bias: The AI-driven approach ensures objectivity in discovery, moving beyond traditional reliance on network-driven or biased sourcing methods.
Results.
Maximizing efficiency with AI-driven insights.
Since implementing FounderNest, AB InBev’s team has sent over 2,000 emails to startups found through the platform, based on a total of over 3,500 startups identified. However, they faced some limitations in tracking applications, which made it difficult to quantify the precise impact.
Key results include:
1. Expanded reach: FounderNest enabled AB InBev to engage with more startups than in previous cohorts.
2. Improved efficiency: The team could focus on higher-value tasks rather than spending excessive time on manual startup research.
3. Increased scalability: FounderNest’s large database and geographic spread were crucial in scaling their innovation efforts.
Looking ahead, AB InBev envisions FounderNest continuing to play a vital role in future cohorts, particularly with potential improvements in application tracking and AI learning for trend identification.
Testimonial
“The biggest factor for us was being able to use our time in other impactful ways outside of scouting efforts.”
Carmel Appel Raskin
Global Director, Tech InnovationUncover the 20% of opportunities others miss.
Join companies like L'Oreal, Roche and Telefonica to supercharge your market intelligence and be one-step ahead of your competition.
