In the dynamic world of tech startups, Dayton is witnessing a remarkable story of innovation and success with Mined XAI. This veteran-owned startup is not just making waves but reshaping the very fabric of artificial intelligence. Born from the high-stakes environment of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) explainable AI program and refined at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Mined XAI is pioneering a new frontier in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), crucial for today's data-driven decision-making.
Ryan Kramer, Ph.D., the founder of Mined XAI, explains the essence of their work. “At the heart of our company is the ability to convert data complexity into critical insights, typically in the form of very powerful explainable analytical architectures. Our business intelligence vertical includes every element of the sales enterprise, down to individual sellers, customers, and SKUs. This lowest level forecasting enables enterprises to strategize predictively around all business objectives, offering a composite picture that is unparalleled in the industry.”
The journey of Mined XAI is a testament to strategic decision-making and team building. One difficult lesson learned early on was managing the balance between the necessity of expanding their team and aligning it with their financial resources. However, the company's approach to this dilemma has been remarkably successful. "Most of Mined XAI’s customer relationships begin with a proof-of-concept trial phase. To date, almost all of these trials have resulted in new, lasting customer relationships," said Kramer, highlighting the company's effective strategy in overcoming initial obstacles.
“Our team is the secret to our success,” said Kramer. “They are intellectually curious and extremely creative. The culture we have established is truly collaborative in nature.”
Mined XAI's success is also rooted in its ability to recruit senior leaders like Morley Stone, Ph.D., and Rajesh Naik, Ph.D. Kramer emphasizes the importance of surrounding the executive team with people who can support the company with advice from differing perspectives, including legal, financial, and operational.
Reflecting on the challenges faced, Kramer admits there were lessons to learn. “Something I wish I had a better understanding of early on is around cultural change management when working with large enterprises. It doesn’t matter how good your models perform or how compelling the insights are, adoption by the end-user is critical. When the end users function across teams and sometimes across business divisions, aligning everyone to a common operating understanding can be challenging. Creating change begins by getting buy-in across the organization.”
For executives still on the fence about starting their AI journey, Kramer offers clear advice. “AI is now the differentiator in terms of which companies optimize business processes, win market share, and enhance profitability. I would recommend that executives begin integration around specific business objectives that can be tactically optimized but feed into a larger integrated enterprise function. Start now or potentially be left playing catch-up for a long time.”
The support from local organizations has been pivotal in Mined XAI’s growth. “The Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC), and specifically Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Matt Farrell, have offered strategic support to market the company to new customers. Beverly Shillito has been an angel on our shoulders throughout our journey, opening doors, seeing around corners, and strategizing the market opportunities. Some of our first customers took a chance on us, such as Omega CDC, One10, and Winsupply. They not only allowed us to prove our mettle, but also to explore powerful capabilities that can profoundly connect the entire enterprise," Kramer said.
Mined XAI's journey, while unique, offers valuable insights for startups in Dayton and beyond. It’s a story of a local venture that embraced the complexities of AI and turned them into a strategic advantage. For aspiring entrepreneurs in Dayton, reaching out to supportive organizations like the Entrepreneurs' Center could be the first step in a journey toward success and innovation in the tech world.
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