BusinessStartups

How Customer Listening Strategy Landed Little Spoon in 1,800+ Target Locations

After losing a major Whole Foods deal in 2015, Little Spoon’s founders built a direct-to-consumer empire before strategically entering retail. Their customer listening strategy identified unmet needs that resulted in Target’s largest food and beverage launch across 1,800+ locations.

When Little Spoon co-founders Ben Lewis and Angela Vranich lost a significant Whole Foods Market deal in 2015, they could have viewed it as a devastating setback. Instead, they told Inc. it became “the best thing that ever happened to them,” forcing them to build a robust direct-to-consumer business that would eventually position them for unprecedented retail success.

The Strategic Pivot From DTC to Retail Expansion

Arts and EntertainmentBusiness

PepsiCo’s AI Strategy: Owning Core Processes While Leveraging External Technology

PepsiCo’s Chief Strategy Officer reveals how the company buys AI tools while demanding influence over vendor roadmaps. The beverage giant maintains ownership of core AI-augmented processes while leveraging external technology partnerships for scale and innovation.

As enterprises worldwide accelerate their artificial intelligence adoption, PepsiCo has developed a distinctive approach that balances external technology acquisition with internal process ownership. The company’s strategy, articulated by Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Dr. Athina Kanioura at Salesforce Dreamforce 2025, emphasizes owning core AI-augmented processes while strategically partnering with technology providers.

The Core Philosophy: Own the Process, Influence the Technology

AcquisitionsBusiness

Frank McCourt’s Pursuit of TikTok Acquisition: A Deep Dive into the Ongoing Bid and Regulatory Hurdles

Billionaire investor Frank McCourt remains committed to his vision of acquiring TikTok, citing unresolved national security concerns and incomplete deal details. In a recent interview on CNN’s Terms of Service podcast, he highlighted the complexities of the sale amid geopolitical jockeying between the U.S. and China.

Billionaire investor Frank McCourt is steadfast in his ambition to acquire TikTok, despite the swirling uncertainties surrounding the platform’s future in the United States. In a revealing discussion on CNN‘s Terms of Service podcast, McCourt emphasized that publicly available information on the potential sale is insufficient to address critical issues, such as national security risks. His comments come at a time when the TikTok deal remains in limbo, caught in the crossfire of U.S.-China trade disputes and competition over resources like rare-earth materials. This article delves into McCourt’s motivations, the broader implications for digital sovereignty, and how his Project Liberty initiative aims to redefine internet infrastructure.

McCourt’s Critique of the TikTok Sale Process