Can AI solve the hidden risks in renewable energy supply chains?

By StartupValley · 24 September 2024

In this interview, Infyos co-founder Sarah Montgomery explains the story behind the company and how it uses AI to manage complex supply chain risks across the renewable energy and mobility sectors. Infyos was founded by Montgomery and Tony To, drawing on their experience scaling supply chain tech and working in Chinese supply chains, to address the geopolitical, human-rights and ESG risks facing the energy transition.

She describes Infyos’s vision — to power the supply chains behind the renewable energy transition — and how its AI operating system helps manufacturers, owners and investors identify and mitigate ESG and regulatory risks across their supply chains, with particular expertise in Chinese supply chains and tailored support for the EU Battery Regulation and the US Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Montgomery sets out what makes Infyos different from generic, annual, regional ESG databases: a laser focus on the renewable energy sector, AI-driven mapping of Tier-N suppliers, benchmarking against peers, and actionable steps for mitigation rather than box-ticking. She also highlights the finding that companies accounting for 75% of the global battery market have connections to suppliers facing allegations of severe human-rights abuses (from nearly 20,000 data points, Dec 2022–Jun 2024), and offers advice for founders: solve a real problem, build a diverse expert team, and stay adaptable.