About us

Where retail meets real intelligence

At invent.ai, we create multi-agentic AI that empowers retailers to act with confidence, optimize operations and drive growth. Backed by our team of PhDs, retail strategists and hackathon-fueled innovators, our AI doesn’t just automate processes—it learns, adapts and solves real-world retail challenges, turning complexity into actionable insight.

Founded in 2013 by Gurhan Kok, a tenured Duke and former Wharton professor, invent.ai was built to enhance human decision-making in retail. By merging thorough academic research with deep operational expertise, we help retailers navigate a fast-moving market, anticipate trends and seize opportunities before the competition.

"Over a decade ago, we set out to redefine what’s possible in retail decisioning. Today, our AI-decisioning platform powers better, faster and more precise decisions across inventory, pricing and merchandising—helping retailers not just keep pace, but shape the market and lead with confidence."

— Gurhan Kok, Founder & CEO

A culture of innovation, precision and partnership

At invent.ai - 200+ data scientists, 75 PhDs, engineers, and retail specialists - combine academic expertise, real-world experience and cutting-edge AI to turn complex retail data into actionable insights. Our solutions tackle inventory, pricing, merchandising and promotions, helping retailers act faster, make better decisions and drive measurable growth. By bridging data science and business execution, we empower partners to anticipate change and shape it.

The experts reinventing the future of retail

Delivering insights is just the start. Our AI turns data into action, using predictive analytics, real-time signals and automation to optimize inventory, pricing and merchandising. Continuously learning and adapting, it helps retailers anticipate demand, boost efficiency and protect revenue, making data-driven decisions faster and more precise.

A leadership team built for the future of retail success

Our leadership team blends deep expertise in AI, advanced analytics and retail operations to drive innovation and deliver transformative solutions. With decades of experience building, scaling and guiding technology-driven businesses, our leaders ensure that every decision, from inventory planning to pricing strategy, is guided by cutting-edge technology and real-world retail insight. Their combined vision and operational experience enable invent.ai to anticipate market trends and empower retailers to act with confidence and achieve measurable growth.

Gurhan Kok

Founder & CEO

Gurhan Kok founded invent.ai in 2013 to develop advanced analytics solutions for the retail industry. Before invent.ai, he was a tenured faculty member at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He received his Ph.D. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 2003.

Jiri Nechleba

Founder & CEO, Nechleba Consulting

Jiri Nechleba brings 40 years of executive experience applying advanced science to businesses with extensive work in retail, CPG and financial services.

Jeff Smith

Retail Industry Expert

Jeff Smith is a seasoned executive with extensive experience launching and scaling technology companies. He excels in fundraising, strategic growth and building high-performing, innovative teams.

John Seung

General Partner, LFX Venture Partners

John Seung leads investments in value chain technology. He identifies and partners with early-stage companies driving innovation across supply chains. Previously, he held leadership roles at Fung Group and co founded retail consulting firm Castling. John holds a BSE from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Hub Model isn’t just service—it’s a partnership. One that evolves with your business and puts your goals at the center of every decision.

To ensure our solutions are grounded in cutting-edge research and deliver real results, we are guided by our Academic Advisory Board, a panel of world-class scholars in retail analytics, supply chain optimization and pricing strategy. Their expertise helps us anticipate trends, validate methodologies and innovate AI solutions that drive measurable results for our retail partners.

The minds driving AI-powered retail success