Client context

A‑INSIGHTS is a fast-growing Amsterdam-based SaaS company that provides food- and agri-sector leaders with comprehensive market intelligence. Its platform blends clean, structured trade, financial, and competitor data with expert insights. Their clients rely on A‑INSIGHTS to benchmark performance, evaluate market-entry opportunities, and understand global trade flows, enabling informed strategic decision-making.

The challenge

A‑INSIGHTS is experiencing significant growth through its existing SaaS model. However, the leadership team recognized both the opportunity and potential disruption posed by emerging AI technologies, specifically AI Agents. They wanted to proactively explore these opportunities in a structured manner, ensuring readiness without distracting from their core business operations. The key was to safely explore and validate AI-driven possibilities for enhancing both internal efficiency and customer-facing services.

The approach

To guide A‑INSIGHTS’ exploration, we started by introducing a strategic framework, structured around clearly defined opportunities, threats, and hypotheses. With this foundation, the management team selected a focused entry point.

Next, we formed a small exploration team, including two senior internal experts (one with deep domain expertise and another overseeing the data and tech platform) and myself. Through weekly working sessions and regular leadership check-ins, we ensured the exploration remained focused, effective, and tightly integrated with overall strategic priorities.

We developed a clear learning agenda around two core questions:

• Where could AI Agents practically enhance internal workflows?
• How might controlled self-service AI capabilities benefit customers in the future?

To concretely illustrate these concepts, I built a rapid, real-data demonstration live Multi-Agent System showcasing how AI Agents could augment specific internal processes. The POC helped turn abstract AI concepts into tangible experiences, enabling rapid learning without prematurely involving customers or disrupting daily operations.

Throughout this structured exploration, we rigorously documented learnings, assessed data and technical readiness, and clearly outlined decision factors to inform future development or integration paths.

Results and impact

The structured exploration delivered clear strategic insights and actionable next steps for A‑INSIGHTS, including:

• Strategic clarity: Provided the leadership with a structured, insightful understanding of how AI Agents could impact their market position, identifying clear opportunities, potential threats and strategic plays.
• Innovation method and mindset: Established a repeatable, structured innovation approach to effectively explore strategic AI opportunities alongside ongoing SaaS operations, without distracting from current growth initiatives.
• Accelerated AI knowledge: Enhanced internal awareness and practical understanding of AI Agent capabilities, potential use cases, and realistic business applications.

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