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Brownies with no chocolate, and cold brew with no coffee beans: With the return of U.S. tariffs still uncertain, reformulated snacks might soon be on the horizon. Whether it’s a global pandemic, looming trade wars, or actual wars, supply chain disruptions and continuity struggles are becoming increasingly common. In response, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are turning to Chilean food-tech startup NotCo to help reformulate fan favorites and build resilience to supply chain disruptions. Based in Santiago, Chile, with a U.S.-based hub in San Francisco, NotCo adopted AI early, launching a proprietary AI-powered product development platform called Giuseppe a decade ago. The engine was trained using curated data on everything from industrial food production processes and the molecular composition of over 8,000 ingredients to product reviews and social media insights. The result is an end-to-end service that guides product development from concept generation to exact formulation. NotCo first used its product development platform to create its own line of CPG offerings, including plant-based alternatives like NotMayo and NotMilk. In 2022, the company reached a $1.5 billion valuation, driven by the strength of its AI services. We are a CPG company as well, so all of our algorithms were created for exactly the same problems that these big companies have,” NotCo CEO Matias Muchnick says. “The thing is, we are 10 years ahead of them. [Photo: NotCo] Now operating as a B2B platform, NotCo has partnered with major brands like Kraft and Shake Shack to develop plant-based versions of existing products. For Kraft Heinz JV, Giuseppe helped create cheddar cheese and mac and cheese alternatives that preserved the original flavor while cutting costs. For Shake Shack, NotCo formulated a plant-based version of the chains custard ice cream, maintaining both taste and texture. For both of these projects, the traditional development timeline would have taken 12 to 18 months, but with the AI tool, development time was cut to less than six months. A collaboration between humans and technology AI is not to replace the product developer, it is to accelerate their learnings and to augment the product developer, says NotCo Vice President of R&D Alisia Heath. R&D teams input specific constraintssuch as budget, production requirements, restricted ingredients, desired taste, and textureinto the platform, which helps avoid trial-and-error paths unlikely to meet the products needs. AI allows you to minimize, to put a lot of inputs, a lot of restrictions at the very beginning of a formulation process, so as you don’t get any surprises, Muchnick tells Fast Company. Giuseppe then generates five formulations for developers to test in a sensory analysis. Feedback from those tests is used to fine-tune the ingredient ratios and produce another set of five improved formulations. You change one thing, you change every other thing. So it’s not just by replacing one thing, you’re going to get it right. Everything else will change, Muchnick says. Our technology allows you to understand how the rest of the formulation will change when you change one variable, and that allows you to actually get way more efficient and avoid going into a trial. Beyond efficiency, Giuseppes greatest strength may be its ability to understand flavor at the molecular level, allowing for unconventional ingredient combinations that replicate traditional flavors. For example, the dairy flavor in NotMilk is recreated using a blend of cabbage and pineapple. By removing human bias about how something should taste, the AI explores how it could taste. You’re able to look at the molecular structure of the target ingredient or the target product, and look at ingredients that might have a similar composition as a recommendation to try and use, and an exploration space for the tool to generate experiments, Head says. A relief for external pressures NotCos rapid and cost-effective R&D capabilities are now being applied to address broader challenges such as supply constraints and shifting regulations. The company is working on confidential reformulation projects addressing supply continuity issues, and is in initial discussions with clients regarding tariffs, according to Head. NotCo is currently collaborating with seven of the worlds twenty largest CPG brands, though it declined to name them. But looming tariffs are not the only constraint faced by CPG companies, as policies regarding sustainability and food safety continue to evolve. There’s a lot of external pressures going on, whether it is tariffs, whether it is state sustainability, whether it’s profitability, there’s a lot of pressures out there, Muchnick says. What we can do differently is go outside that traditional landscape and solve those challenges.
Category:
E-Commerce
In a perfect world, workplaces would be environments of mutual respect, open communication, and fair treatment. Unfortunately, thats not always the reality. Whether you’re dealing with a micromanaging boss, a dismissive colleague, or a workplace culture that undervalues your contributions, knowing how to assert yourself is essential to avoiding burnout and developing as a professional. Standing up for yourself doesn’t mean becoming combative or aggressive. Instead, its about cultivating confidence, setting boundaries, and advocating for your worth. Heres how to grow a backbone at work while maintaining professionalism and integrity. Recognize your value This can be easier said than done, but before you can stand up for yourself, you need to believe that you deserve to. Many people struggle with internalized narratives of self-doubt, which can make them hesitate to speak up. Take stock of your accomplishments, skills, and contributions to the organization. If you consistently meet or exceed expectations, remind yourself that your input and boundaries are just as valid as anyone elses. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/acupofambition_logo.jpg","headline":"A Cup of Ambition","description":"A biweekly newsletter for high-achieving moms who value having a meaningful career and being an involved parent, by Jessica Wilen. To learn more visit acupofambition.substack.com.","substackDomain":"https:\/\/acupofambition.substack.com","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}} Strengthen your communication skills Assertive communication is key to standing up for yourself. This means expressing your thoughts, needs, and concerns clearly and confidently without aggression or apology. Here are some techniques: Use I statements: Instead of saying, You never listen to me, say, I feel unheard when my ideas are interrupted. Be direct and concise: Avoid excessive justification. A simple, Im unable to take on this additional task right now, is often enough. Maintain a calm tone: Emotional responses can undermine your message. Practice neutral and steady delivery. Leverage body language: Maintain eye contact, use open gestures, and stand tall to project confidence. Say no with confidence Saying no signals that you value your time, energy, and prioritiesand it helps others learn to respect them, too. Without the ability to say no, you risk overcommitting, burning out, and diluting the quality of your work. More importantly, saying no doesnt mean being difficult; it means being clear about what aligns with your goals and values. Practicing it thoughtfully builds confidence, earns respect, and creates space for the work that truly matters. Set and maintain boundaries Boundaries protect your time, energy, and mental health. If you consistently allow yourself to be overworked or disrespected, others will continue pushing your limits. Examples of setting workplace boundaries include: Workload: Im happy to help, but Ill need to deprioritize another task. Which should take precedence? Work hours: I do not check emails after 6 p.m., but Ill address this first thing in the morning. Respectful interaction: Id appreciate it if we could keep our conversations professional. Holding firm on your boundaries may initially cause discomfort, but consistency will reinforce them over time. Address issues directly and professionally When you encounter unfair treatment, dont ignore it and hope it will resolve itself. Instead, approach the issue strategically: Talk one-on-one: If a colleague oversteps, have a private conversation before escalating the matter. Be solution-focused: Instead of just pointing out a problem, suggest a constructive resolution. Keep records: Document incidents of mistreatment or unreasonable expectations in case you need evidence for HR or leadership. Know when to escalate: If direct communication fails, involve a manager or HR with a clear, factual account of the issue. Build a support network Having allies in the workplace can make standing up for yourself less intimidating. Seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, build relationships with coworkers who share your values, and leverage professional networks outside of your company. Develop a resilient mindset Standing up for yourself means accepting that not everyone will like your assertiveness. Some people may resist your boundaries, but that doesnt mean you should back down. Strengthening resilience will help you navigate workplace challenges without internalizing negativity. Strategies include: Reframing rejection: If an idea is dismissed, use feedback to refine it rather than feeling personally attacked. Practicing self-care: Prioritize mental and physical well-being to maintain confidence and energy. Reminding yourself of the bigger picture: Workplace conflicts are temporary; your long-term career growth matters more. Know when to walk away If your boss and coworkers consistently disrespect your boundaries, dismiss your concerns, or create a toxic environment, consider whether staying is worth the emotional toll. Sometimes, standing up for yourself means recognizing when its time to move on to a healthier professional setting. Standing up for yourself at work is a skill that takes time and practice. The key is to balance assertiveness with professionalism, ensuring that you advocate for your needs without alienating colleagues or leadership. By recognizing your value, communicating effectively, and setting clear boundaries, you can cultivate confidence and ensure that you are treated with the respect you deserve. So, grow that backbonenot to be rigid or aggressive, but to stand tall in your worth and carve out the fulfilling career you deserve. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/acupofambition_logo.jpg","headline":"A Cup of Ambition","description":"A biweekly newsletter for high-achieving moms who value having a meaningful career and bein an involved parent, by Jessica Wilen. To learn more visit acupofambition.substack.com.","substackDomain":"https:\/\/acupofambition.substack.com","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}}
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E-Commerce
If you were to establish an electric truck company today, would the trucks be built in America? In April 2025, the answer is yes. In 2022, even after the pandemic, the answer might have been different. That was the year I initially founded Chang Robotics, a company that manufactures what we believe to be one of the worlds most powerful battery-operated commercial rigs. Its first commercial use will be for fast snow removal in airports and other mission-critical facilities. At the time, advisors, investors, and partners all said Lets take this to China. Ill bet we could get this done in six months. I declined. New Manufacturing Should Focus on Being American Made For companies already in production, of course, the answer may be different. Even if the current tariffs remain in place, immediate shifts can be prohibitively expensive and difficult. Ill talk more about that in a future column. In my own case, only one person agreed with meMarc Manning, a remarkable mechanical engineer and vehicle architect with extensive experience in helping organizations transition to cleaner technologies. Marc is now CEO of Kodiak Technologies, a company I founded, precisely because of his ability to meet a challenge like this when others couldnt. I tell you this for two reasons: To reinforce how emphatically I believe manufacturing in America will strengthen U.S. companies and its economy and workforce. To compel every entrepreneur to think differentlyeven wildly differentlyas you innovate the products you build. Here’s an example. We designed and built our hybrid electric machine to be used for snow removal in airports. We chose this niche product because airports must keep their runways snow-free at all times. For airports close to the snow line, the massive equipment required to meet these requirements may only be used a few days of the year. So, we designed our machine with a dual power capability that allows the equipment to serve as a micro-grid power source when the equipment is not removing snow. Airports can use this equipment as back-up power, allowing for energy cost-shaving that reduces power costs. Our product allows airports to meet massive regulatory and safety requirement while also gaining power safety and savings, which encourages them buy an expensive piece of machinery. Other high-requirement facilities such as hospitals and municipal buildings could potentially benefit from our equipment as well. Made in America Protects your Supply Chain We strive to use this level of creativity in every product we create, and we urge and mentor other creators to adopt this level of thinking. As for our Made in America focus, for the past several years, and especially since the pandemic, theres been a trend toward supply chain near shoringconfining any out-of-country production to the contiguous countries of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, as opposed to relying on materials from China and the European countries, to solidify and protect our supply chain from disruption. That movement has unveiled some surprising discoveries. When we delve into the creation of nearly every consumable good and product, we uncover a deeper reliance on foreign partners than wed ever imagined. For example, the core materials in pharmaceuticals, aluminum, and steel products, even when obtained in America, are being shipped to Europe, China, or other locations for further refinement before being shippedbackto America to complete our U.S. manufacturing goods. Knowing this, we and many others have been progressively moving much closer to North American and U.S. sourcing. In 2025, the shifts in tariff policies are further deepening these complexities. While Id love to say we knew it all along, none of us is immune to the sudden changes in pricing and availability. Our own company was impacted the week I wrote this when the robots we ordered from Canada suddenly cost $100,000 more to obtain, due to robotic equipment having been coded as light trucks, seemingly to enjoy a lower tariffprice at the border. At 2.5% tariff, the cost of this customs coding is small, but when higher tariffs kick in at 25%, the consequence is immense. My words of wisdom on this, for a supplier or provider, is to construct your contracts carefully to protect yourself from price changes or geopolitical events you could not have predicted. Beyond this, however, we need to increasingly strive to minimize transport distances and costs, to assure quality and safety, and to grow and protect American jobs. To this end, we advise all entrepreneurs to join us in becoming as close as possible to being a truly Made in America organization. Our future generations will thank us. Matthew Chang is the founder and CEO of Chang Robotics.
Category:
E-Commerce
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