Biography of Himanshu Upreti: Founder and CEO of Ai Palette- Entrepreneur
Biography of Himanshu Upreti:
Himanshu Upreti's career trajectory is a testament to
innovation and dedication. From his roots as a student at the Indian Institute
of Technology (IIT) Guwahati to being recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list,
Himanshu has carved out a notable path in technology and entrepreneurship. His
story reflects a blend of academic excellence, professional prowess, and
entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in his significant role at Ai Palette.
Academic Excellence at IIT Guwahati
Himanshu's academic journey began at the Indian Institute of
Technology, Guwahati, where he pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and
Computing from 2011 to 2015. During his time at IIT, he was actively involved
in various extracurricular activities. He served as Secretary of the Science
and Quiz Club, significantly boosting quiz participation by 40%. Himanshu also
represented his institute in quiz competitions and held leadership roles within
student bodies, showcasing his commitment and organizational skills.
Early Achievements in School
Before his IIT days, Himanshu excelled in high school at
General B C Joshi Army Public School in Pithoragarh. Graduating with a
remarkable 93% and topping the state of Uttarakhand in his 10th board exams
with a score of 97.4%, Himanshu demonstrated early signs of academic brilliance
and intellectual curiosity. His involvement in quizzing, debating, and
mentoring during this period further highlighted his diverse talents and
leadership potential.
Entering the Corporate World at Visa
After graduating from IIT Guwahati, Himanshu joined Visa as
a Senior Software Engineer. At Visa, he was part of the Platform as a Service
(PaaS) Analytics team within Visa Data Labs. His work focused on enhancing
Visa’s Big Data Platform. Himanshu played a crucial role in developing Hadoop
proof of concepts (POCs) and optimizing platform performance. His innovative
contributions included filing two trade secrets related to a Queue Management
Tool and a Graph-based Analytics Model, which improved operational efficiency
and data handling.
Building Foundational Skills and Innovations
During his tenure at Visa, Himanshu also led a seven-member
team in optimizing various big data processes, including Spark and Kafka
cluster development. His work on enhancing Visa’s tech stack and driving
predictive analytics positioned him as a key player in advancing Visa’s data
capabilities. Himanshu’s skills in Hadoop, Big Data Analytics, and machine
learning were honed during this time, setting the stage for his future
ventures.
Biography of Himanshu Upreti: Founder and CEO of Ai Palette- Entrepreneur/AI for Consumer Packaged Goods/Age/Net worth/wife/Ai Palette/Himanshu Upreti
Co-Founding Ai Palette
In 2018, Himanshu took a pivotal step by co-founding Ai
Palette, a deep-tech startup specializing in artificial intelligence for the
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. Ai Palette’s mission is to
revolutionize product innovation within the food and personal care sectors. The
startup leverages advanced AI technology to help brands predict market trends
and identify new product opportunities, thus addressing a significant need in
the industry.
Achievements and Innovations at Ai Palette
Ai Palette’s flagship product, the “Foresight Engine 2.0,”
has made a substantial impact in the industry. By analyzing over 60 billion
data points across 24 geographies and in 17 languages, this AI-powered tool
assists brands in understanding consumer preferences and forecasting trends.
The company’s technology has attracted major clients, including Fortune 500
companies and leading players in the snacks, breakfast, ingredients, and flavor
industries.
Entrepreneurial Recognition
Himanshu’s innovative work at Ai Palette did not go
unnoticed. In 2023, he was honored with a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in
the Retail & Ecommerce category. This recognition underscores his
contributions to technology and entrepreneurship, highlighting his role in
shaping the future of consumer product innovation through AI.
Incubation and Growth
Ai Palette’s growth was further supported by its incubation
at Entrepreneur First (EF) Singapore. EF is renowned for helping exceptional
individuals build deep-tech startups from the ground up. With backing from
prominent investors and founders, including Reid Hoffman and the creators of
DeepMind and PayPal, Ai Palette received critical support in its early stages,
aiding its development and scaling efforts.
Expanding Influence and Expertise
Under Himanshu’s leadership, Ai Palette has raised a total
of $5.5 million in funding, including a notable Series A round of $4.4 million
in 2021. The funding was co-led by pi Ventures and Exfinity Venture Partners,
demonstrating strong investor confidence in Ai Palette’s technology and market
potential. This financial backing has been instrumental in driving the
company's growth and expanding its impact.
Contributions Beyond Work
Aside from his professional achievements, Himanshu is also
known for his contributions to the startup and AI communities. He has been a
regular speaker at various conferences and events, such as eChai, 888VC SaaS
Talks, and Data Science UA Conference. His involvement in these forums reflects
his commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing the field of AI and data
science.
Personal Interests and Balance
Outside of his professional life, Himanshu is dedicated to
maintaining a balanced lifestyle. He is an avid fitness enthusiast, cinephile,
and voracious reader. His passion for fitness and love for cinema and
literature provide a well-rounded balance to his intense professional focus,
showcasing his diverse interests and commitment to personal growth.
Looking Ahead
Himanshu Upreti’s journey from IIT Guwahati to co-founding
Ai Palette and being featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list illustrates a
remarkable blend of academic excellence, professional innovation, and
entrepreneurial drive. As Ai Palette continues to grow and evolve, Himanshu’s
leadership and vision will likely shape the future of AI in the CPG industry,
bridging gaps between consumer needs and brand innovation.
Timeline of Himanshu Upreti's Career
2008 - Graduates from General B C Joshi Army Public School
with top honors.
2011-2015 - Pursues a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and
Computing at IIT Guwahati.
2015 - Joins Visa as a Senior Software Engineer, working on
Big Data and Hadoop technologies.
2018 - Co-founds Ai Palette, focusing on AI for Consumer
Packaged Goods (CPG).
2021 - Ai Palette raises $4.4 million in Series A funding.
2023 - Featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the Retail
& Ecommerce category.
2024 - Ai Palette continues to grow, with notable
advancements and industry impact.
