Looking for backend + UX/UI builders to break the food industry open
The food industry hasn’t changed in decades — but the problems keep multiplying:
Trends move faster than brands can react! Compliance (FDA, Whole Foods, Non-GMO, etc.) kills speed and creativity. Formulation workflows are locked inside giant corporates, leaving small brands stuck. And every “innovation platform” looks like the same boring dashboard.
I’ve spent 13+ years inside global CPG companies commercializing 35+ products. I’ve seen how slow, expensive, and risk-averse this process is — and I know how to break it.
I’m working on an MVP right now, but here’s the bigger vision:
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Backend with live social + cultural scraping → capture food + ingredient trends as they emerge.
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Automated spec + compliance engine → turn regulatory bottlenecks into instant outputs.
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Formulation AI → an engine that makes it possible to test, iterate, and launch like software, not like the 1950s. Also, suggest cost savings
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Radical new UX/UI → a design language for food innovation that’s never been done before.
I’m looking for a technical partner — someone who can own the backend + new UX/UI layer and move fast. This isn’t about building another SaaS; it’s about redefining how we create food at scale.
If you’re an AI/ML engineer, backend hacker, or designer who wants to blow up the traditional food R&D model, DM me. Equity + early ownership on the table.
This isn’t a job. It’s a chance to build something that changes the entire food landscape.
if you think AI and new UI will change anything you need to spend another 13 years in the industry.
hello let connect
Absolutely! Please send me a DM or email me at pauldon26 [at] gmail. :)
This is super interesting. I’m a UX designer and the idea of rethinking the whole design layer for food innovation really caught my eye. Totally agree that most “innovation platforms” just end up looking like the same dashboards. Curious to hear more about what you’re building and how design plays into the MVP, would love to learn more.
@theuxguy For sure! Without giving away too much, the inspirations are: HER movie (ease of interaction, comfortability, vocal (future)); gamification (duolingo-esque); unified customer facing OS AGENT with "specified domain agents" as modular pieces to the unified OS; system is "Co-Creator".
I would love to chat with you if you have ideas! My wireframes aren't quite capturing the spirit of it.
This is a fascinating and hugely ambitious project. It's clear you have the deep domain expertise that most founders would kill for.
When the visionary's knowledge is this strong and the blueprint is this clear, the traditional co-founder model isn't the only path forward.
Building on that thought, there's a third path emerging that combines the expertise of hiring help with the scalability of a system: architecting an autonomous team of AI agents to build the MVP.
You've already perfectly defined the blueprint for your initial 'agent crew' right in your post:
The beauty of this approach is that it allows you, the domain expert, to stay in the architect's seat. You're not managing a team of human freelancers; you're orchestrating a crew of digital specialists that you've designed. It allows you to build and iterate on a complex, multi-faceted platform like this with a speed and capital efficiency that's hard to achieve with a traditional team.
It's a different way to think about the 'builder' role, moving from managing human teams to architecting intelligent systems. A project this ambitious is the perfect candidate for that new model. Really inspiring stuff!
no it is not, just another person that hopes adding AI in the seals pitch will get them investors
That's a fair sentiment. There's definitely a lot of "AI washing" happening right now where people are just adding buzzwords to their pitch decks.
Ultimately, the market is the only judge. The only thing that matters is architecting a system that solves a real, painful problem for a customer. The rest is just noise.
As much as I understand your position, @petrovn this is not the case of what I am building. This is the exact reason why I am working to build this concept out because I have been presented with such concepts. The issue I see is the lack of domain experience to effectively apply AI in ways that are intuitive and integrated. Everything is reactive versus AI being "proactive". It seems you've been exposed to people who lack understanding of the full scope of the problems they would like to solve with AI...I work with my future clientele every day so this is not just "AI washing". lol It's significant leverage for manuevering through an already crowded F&B space with confidence and precision. Anyways, I'll be happy to report progress and share with everyone!
Thank you @sinkol for the support and encouragement! Backend architect and Systems Engineer love the scope, direction and vision for the product. Moving swiftly and developing into a larger architecture to support expansion across industries, not just F&B. Thank you!
Thanks so much for this perspective! This type of build out and forethought about emerging solutions is exactly what I am looking for. This is a very fascinating route that I will delve into. It serves my larger vision for sure.
That's fantastic to hear. I'm really glad the perspective resonated with and serves your larger vision.
It's a powerful way to approach building an ambitious project – thinking of yourself as the architect of an intelligent system, rather than just a manager of tasks.
Excited to see what you build. All the best!
Instead of searching for a single co-founder, you might consider partnering with a team that already has complete expertise across AI/ML, backend, and UI/UX. We specialize in AI/ML and deliver full-stack solutions across industries. If you’re looking to get your MVP off the ground quickly and efficiently, feel free to consult with us at https://www.softwebsolutions.com/contactus.html