How Schreiber Foods Works With Vadar Alpha To Use AI FTW.
A preview of their 2026 Summerfest TechAI panel on Wednesday, June 24.
This special edition was sponsored by Cream City Cyber, Milwaukee’s global cybersecurity consultancy helping companies of all sizes navigate digital risk. From AI governance to cybersecurity, they’ve got you covered. Learn more at creamcitycyber.com.
Who’s in this interview and what’s it about?
Sri Kantamneni [LinkedIn]: CIDO of Schreiber Foods.
Stephen Pounds [LinkedIn]: CEO of Vadar Alpha.
Summary: In this episode, I talk with Sri and Stephen about what happens when a food manufacturing giant teams up with a scrappy two-year-old startup. They break down (in lemonade-stand terms) how Vadar Alpha helps Schreiber manage pricing, risk, and the “spread” between what it buys and sells, and why the best partnerships pair deep data and expertise with the agility to actually use it. It’s a real-world look at cutting through AI hype to solve actual business problems. This is a preview of their fireside chat at Summerfest TechAI 2026 (more info and register here).
A lot of startups are trying to sell to enterprise. Why is this different?
Every time I talk with Sri Kantamneni about what’s going on at Schreiber Foods I’m grateful that we have both in Wisconsin.
If you’re wondering why, check out the first article I wrote about them here.
In a few short years, Sri has become an important part of the regional tech community. Not only attending events, but connecting the dots to what’s being built. And in a way, that not only helps Schreiber serve every part of its distribution and customer ecosystem better, but sometimes it also helps a startup keep starting.
That’s huge. Because the latter can require placing a big bet.
Now, when you have a guy like Stephen Pounds heading up said startup, you’ve got some serious firepower. His background in tech and finance is solid. And his company, Vadar Alpha, can turn math into metrics and decisions that matter. Which results in happier customers and sales that scale.
Let’s just say for Schreiber, their bet on Vadar Alpha is humming.
What did I take away from this interview?
Two key things.
First, if you want to sell to the enterprise, you better bring your A-game. Solving their problem is table stakes. Often, it means you’re adding value to every step in the enterprise work and delivery streams.
Second, I learned that these two guys and their companies are leaning on tech, data, and AI to make people better and more empowered, not obsolete. Boom.
Third (did I say two key things?), in looking forward to their panel discussion with Kathleen Gallagher at Summerfest TechAI on Wednesday, June 24 at 10AM, I asked them what they were excited about. Their answers: connecting with people.
Right on.
And fourth (seriously, did I say TWO?), if you want to hear how a startup / enterprise match comes together and turns into a blossoming relationship, then you should definitely attend this Summerfest TechAI session.
I can go on and on, but you should listen for yourself.
Love you Milwaukee.
You can listen to the full conversation below or on Spotify.