In today’s fast-paced startup world, founders and small teams often find themselves juggling an overwhelming number of responsibilities—from marketing and operations to sales and customer service—all while striving for significant growth. For Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) businesses, the imperative to digitize and innovate is constant, yet the vast array of available tools can be daunting. The promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) often feels out of reach, perceived as too expensive, overly technical, or exclusively designed for larger enterprises.

This session will demonstrate how AI can simplify day-to-day operations, significantly reduce costs, and robustly support your growth trajectory. CPG, D2C, and other small businesses actively pursuing digitization will discover actionable strategies for implementing AI in their daily workflows, without the need for a dedicated tech team.

What to expect

This workshop is crafted to provide immediate value and actionable insights, empowering you to confidently integrate AI into your business. In this dynamic session, you’ll walk away with:

• A clear understanding of AI: Gain a precise grasp of what AI truly is (and isn’t) specifically within the context of startups and small businesses, cutting through the hype to focus on practical applications.
• Practical AI applications: Learn tangible and easy-to-implement ways to leverage AI in your marketing, sales, and operational processes, all without requiring a dedicated in-house tech team.
• A cost-effective AI adoption framework: Discover a clear, step-by-step framework to begin your AI adoption journey with minimal financial investment, ensuring you maximize your resources.
• Insights into proven tools & workflows: Get an exclusive look into specific AI tools and efficient workflows that are already successfully helping small CPG and D2C brands streamline their operations and boost their competitive edge.
• Confidence in data-informed decisions: Build the confidence to make smarter, data-informed business decisions, ultimately reducing daily overwhelm and freeing up valuable time through strategic automation.

Who should attend

This workshop is an absolute must for any founder, entrepreneur, or member of a small team operating within the CPG, D2C, or broader small business sector that is actively undergoing digitization.

If you are looking to reduce operational overload, explore cutting-edge digital tools, or understand how to strategically begin integrating AI into your business model, this session is tailored for you. Whether you’re struggling with too many hats, seeking efficiency gains, or aiming for sustainable growth in a competitive market, you will find immense value in the practical, no-nonsense approach of this workshop.

Meet the Speakers

We are thrilled to feature two insightful experts who will guide you through the complexities and practicalities of AI for small businesses:

• Arun Srinivasan, Founder – Sustern: Arun brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience and a deep understanding of how technology can empower founders to overcome operational challenges and drive sustainable growth.
• Vivek Sai, Head of Strategy – Sustern: Vivek specializes in strategic implementation of innovative solutions, offering practical insights into how businesses can effectively integrate AI to achieve their objectives without extensive technical overhead.

Together, Arun and Vivek will provide you with the knowledge and tools to confidently embark on your AI journey.