Allbirds who? Smartbird CEO unpacks the company’s pivot

Smartbird CEO Nadia Carlsten is driving one of the boldest moves out of the direct-to-consumer retail era: a pivot from selling footwear to AI infrastructure.

As part of Business Insider’s The Long Play, Carlsten discussed why the company formerly known as Allbirds is now betting its future on AI and rebuilding its team.

“I think every company needs to reinvent itself every now and again,” Carlsten told Ben Bergman, Business Insider’s chief correspondent covering venture capital and startups.

She also shared how Smartbird is convincing customers and investors that its shift isn’t a gimmick.