Full-service marketplace embraces AI

1-2 Taste will give a presentation during the IFFI Masterclass ‘AI in Commerce’ on October 17th and 18th. CEO and founder Jasper Schouten explains what his company stands for. “We are a full-service marketplace for ingredients. We have three main tasks: we bring supply and demand closer together, support underlying processes such as shipping, import and export, and financing.”

The platform is doing well, and many companies are eager to join. “We currently have about a hundred affiliated suppliers, with 3,000 ingredients.” Not every supplier is accepted. “We are selective about which companies we allow. Of course, their certifications must be in order. Additionally, we want companies that show commitment. They need to have a multi-channel strategy. We are critical of companies that see their membership as a trial. They must genuinely want to do business through our platform.”

1-2 Taste sees various possibilities for AI, such as discovering new customers and suppliers. “We use AI for multiple purposes ourselves, including the chatbot for customers on our website.     We regularly receive questions about ingredients. We don’t know everything about all 3,000 ingredients, but we can use AI to assist with what we don’t know. Thanks to AI, we can also send hyper personalized emails to potential customers if we notice they stay longer on a page or use certain search terms.” When customers call, they still reach a human representative, although that might change in the future. However, Schouten acknowledges that maintaining a relationship with customers is important and will remain so, especially in the food industry.

For 1-2 Taste, the biggest challenge at the moment is finding staff. “We want the right people in the right place. We are looking for proactive and independent people. It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. When we grow and become more well-known as a company, it will be easier to attract good staff. But to get there, we also need good people. That’s something we are constantly working on.”

Jasper Schouten
Co-founder and CEO 1-2-Taste