Biography of Ashwini Asokan: CEO and Founder of Mad Street Den and Vue.ai - Entrepreneur
Biography of Ashwini Asokan:
Ashwini Asokan is the CEO and Founder of Mad Street Den, an
innovative startup specializing in computer vision-based Artificial
Intelligence. Her company has developed a cloud-based platform that provides
AI-driven solutions for various sectors including eCommerce, Omni-Channel
retail, and robotics. One of their standout achievements is the creation of
vue.ai, one of the world’s first AI platforms tailored specifically for the
retail industry.
Ashwini Asokan’s Background and Vision
A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Ashwini’s career
is defined by her expertise at the intersection of technology, people, and
complex organizational systems. Before co-founding MSD with her husband, Anand
Chandrasekaran, she played a pivotal role in Intel Labs’ mobile innovation
portfolio in Silicon Valley. There, she was responsible for the research and
development of advanced mobile technologies. In 2013, Ashwini returned to India
to launch MSD, driven by her passion for product design and cultural research.
The Spark for Entrepreneurship
After spending eight years at Intel, Ashwini Asokan didn’t
experience a single "aha" moment that pushed her to become an
entrepreneur. Instead, the transition was driven by a long-standing interest in
solving complex problems related to artificial intelligence (AI). For years,
Ashwini and her co-founders had been discussing the challenges of creating a
versatile AI engine and developing a people-centered solution. Their background
in academia and the corporate world made it a natural progression for them to pursue
this venture, as they had been preparing for this journey for over a decade.
The Decisive Moment
Ashwini’s career path has been anything but linear,
characterized by deliberate moves across various disciplines. This approach was
intentional, aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of business and
technology. Her extensive experience at Intel allowed her to see how large
companies develop and market technology. By 2012-2013, it became clear to her
that the time was right to embark on her entrepreneurial journey. The decisive
moment came during a Christmas break on the East Coast of the US, where Ashwini
and her husband decided it was time to take the leap and start their new
venture.
Biography of Ashwini Asokan: CEO and Founder of Mad Street Den and Vue.ai/Artificial Intelligence/Success story of Ashwini Asokan/Mad Street Den
Founding Mad Street Den
Ashwini, along with her husband Anand Chandrasekaran,
co-founded Mad Street Den, a cutting-edge cloud-based platform. Their company
leverages advanced artificial intelligence and computer vision to transform
industries. Ashwini's extensive experience at Intel’s Interaction and
Experience Research Lab in Silicon Valley, where she led the mobile innovation
team, significantly shaped her interest in AI and its potential.
The Origins of Mad Street Den and Its Vision
The name Mad Street Den has an interesting backstory,
inspired by an evening at a microbrewery in Southern California. Initially,
their office was located in a basement at the end of a cul-de-sac, and the name
seemed to fit perfectly.
When Mad Street Den was founded, the team was deeply engaged
in exploring how technology could impact human connection. They noticed that as
technology evolved—from desktops to mobile and cloud computing—people were
becoming increasingly detached. Their vision was to address this by creating a
platform that would be integral to the next phase of technological evolution:
AI. They believe that just as people adapted to previous tech advancements, the
coming decade will see a shift towards becoming "AI-native," where AI
will become a crucial part of daily life and work.
Their goal was to build a general-purpose AI platform
capable of addressing a wide range of problems across various industries. They
aimed to create a truly horizontal platform that could be applied universally.
Current Role: Founder & CEO at Vue.ai
Ashwini Asokan is the founder and CEO of Vue.ai, a leading
AI orchestration platform under the umbrella of Mad Street Den. Since its
inception in June 2016, Vue.ai has been at the forefront of integrating AI
solutions into various industries, including retail, e-commerce, finance,
insurance, and logistics. Operating out of the San Francisco Bay Area, the
company specializes in creating AI-native experiences that streamline
operations and enhance user interactions across multiple sectors.
Expanding Horizons in AI
At Mad Street Den (MSD), our initial focus was on
revolutionizing the retail sector, and today we have extended our expertise to
various global industries. Our AI platform offers a comprehensive suite of
solutions ranging from personalization and inventory management to workflow
automation, styling, photo shoots, and merchandising. Unlike many companies
that pursue a high-volume approach, we adopt a top-down strategy, partnering
with large enterprises around the world. In the past two years, our AI-driven
technology has also ventured into sectors such as healthcare, education,
finance, and insurance.
Diverse Experience and Recognition
Ashwini's career is marked by a rich tapestry of roles
including UI designer, business development representative, ethnographer,
program manager, product manager, and artist. Her multifaceted background,
coupled with her experience as a mother and a trained classical dancer, has
uniquely equipped her to forge her own entrepreneurial path. Her
accomplishments have earned her notable recognition, such as being featured in
Fortune’s 40 Under 40 lists and highlighted in prestigious publications like
Vogue, TechCrunch, and Nikkei.
About Mad Street Den
Mad Street Den (MAD) is at the forefront of artificial
intelligence and computer vision technology. The company's mission is to
develop models of generalizable intelligence that can be utilized by billions
of people. Since launching its image recognition platform, Vue.ai, in 2016, MAD
has been making waves in the fashion industry with its innovative solutions.
With a team of over 175 professionals, MAD is leading a revolution in how
fashion is understood and experienced through technology.
A Global Presence
Mad Street Den operates on a global scale, with teams based
in San Francisco, India, and London. This international footprint allows the
company to drive innovation and bring cutting-edge AI technology to a diverse
range of markets and applications.
Innovative Products
The company’s flagship product, vue.ai, represents a
significant advancement in AI technology. This platform is transforming the
future of retail, both online and in-store, by leveraging AI to enhance
customer experiences across various social channels and retail environments.
Journey from Silicon Valley to India
Ashwini’s journey is marked by her transition from Silicon
Valley, where she spent over a decade leading Mobile Innovation Portfolio at
Intel Labs, to founding Mad Street Den in India. She returned to her home
country to bootstrap her startup alongside her husband, Anand Chandrasekaran, a
neuroscientist. This move was driven by her passion for applying AI in meaningful
ways and making it accessible to billions of people worldwide.
Vision and Impact
As a product leader, Ashwini Asokan is focused on bridging
the gap between socio-cultural and technological systems. Her work is centered
on bringing AI out of the confines of scientific and technological research
labs and into real-world applications that can benefit a global audience. Her
leadership and innovative approach continue to push the boundaries of what is
possible in the field of AI and computer vision.
Timeline of Ashwini Asokan and Mad Street Den
Pre-2013:
Ashwini Asokan gains experience in various roles at Intel
Labs, focusing on mobile innovation and advanced technologies in Silicon
Valley.
2013:
Ashwini returns to India with the goal of launching her own
startup.
2015:
Ashwini Asokan and Anand Chandrasekaran co-found Mad Street
Den (MSD) in India. The company is focused on artificial intelligence and
computer vision technologies.
June 2016:
Launch of Vue.ai, Mad Street Den’s flagship AI platform
tailored for the retail industry.
2016-2020:
Vue.ai develops and expands its suite of AI-driven solutions
across various sectors, including eCommerce, Omni-Channel retail, robotics,
finance, insurance, and logistics.
2020-2022:
Mad Street Den broadens its focus beyond retail, entering
new industries such as healthcare, education, and finance.
2022:
Ashwini Asokan and Mad Street Den gain recognition in the
tech industry, with Ashwini featured in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 lists and
highlighted in publications like Vogue, TechCrunch, and Nikkei.
Current:
Ashwini Asokan continues to lead Mad Street Den, driving
innovations in AI and computer vision with a global presence that includes
teams in San Francisco, India, and London. The company remains a pioneer in AI
technology with Vue.ai transforming retail experiences worldwide.
This timeline outlines the key events and achievements that
have defined Ashwini Asokan’s career and the evolution of Mad Street Den.
