Operand

Operand positions itself as an AI-driven replacement for traditional management consulting, specifically targeting the consumer retail and e-commerce sectors. Founded in October 2024 by Ram Gorthi (CEO), Arjun Sahney (CTO), and Akhil Iyengar (COO), the San Francisco-based company aims to democratize high-level business strategy through artificial intelligence. The founding team brings a strong technical background, with Gorthi and Sahney having studied Computer Science at Dartmouth, and Iyengar having studied Computer Science & Economics at Cornell before they all dropped out to build the company.

The company's core offering is a platform of AI agents designed to automate and optimize critical commercial strategies. Instead of delivering static reports, Operand provides a continuously operating system that integrates with a client's entire data ecosystem—including sales, inventory, ad spend, and competitor activity—to deliver actionable recommendations. The initial focus is on pricing and discount optimization, where the platform conducts complex analyses like demand elasticity and SKU-level segmentation to identify opportunities for profit maximization. The process is human-supervised, with every AI-generated recommendation being verified by experts, including former MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) consultants, to ensure accuracy and alignment with the client's strategic goals.

Operand's business model is structured around a phased, value-driven deployment that culminates in an annual subscription. It begins with a "Proof of Value" phase where Operand's experts use the system on a client's data to demonstrate measurable financial lift against pre-agreed targets. Following a successful proof of concept, Operand's team manages data integration and training before transitioning the client to an annual subscription, which includes full platform access and ongoing expert support. The company has demonstrated significant early traction, reporting six-figure P&L improvements for its initial customers and securing $3.1 million in seed funding in a round led by Felicis, with participation from Y Combinator, SV Angel, and Soma Capital. Keywords: AI consulting, management consulting alternative, retail strategy, e-commerce optimization, pricing optimization, discount strategy, commercial strategy, AI agents, data analysis, profit maximization, demand elasticity, SKU segmentation, Y Combinator, Ram Gorthi, Arjun Sahney, Akhil Iyengar, retail analytics, business intelligence, automated strategy, margin health