i5 FAQ – INDUSTRY 5

Who are you, and what is your company’s origin story?

We are INDUSTRY 5—or i5 for short. We’re building the operating system for intelligent, decentralized enterprise orchestration. Born from 30+ years of hard-won experience in enterprise software and supply chains, i5 isn’t a product of hype—it’s a rethink of how global systems make decisions.

Robb Bush, our founder, designed the first Supply Chain Control Tower in the late ‘90s, created the brand and overall concept for i2’s TradeMatrix B2B marketplace network, and led major enterprise product design & management initiatives at at SAP and Infor. Over time, it became clear that no matter how shiny the UI or smart the algorithm, legacy systems couldn’t keep up. So we didn’t layer AI onto old infrastructure—we rebuilt from the ground up.

We built i5 to move beyond visibility into real-time orchestration, powered by a system of autonomous agents that simulate, decide, and act—continuously.

What market problem are you solving, and why now?

Today’s enterprises are stuck. Billions invested in ERP and SCM tools still leave supply chains fragile, opaque, and reactive. Decisions lag. Systems don’t talk. Complexity wins.

The core problem? Legacy infrastructure is bloated, fragmented, and can’t handle the pace or volatility of today’s world. Most systems were built for a static past—not a real-time, multi-party, risk-loaded present.

Why now? Because AI, real-time data, and distributed coordination have matured—but enterprises still can’t use them effectively. i5 solves this by enabling intelligent orchestration across systems, partners, and workflows. It’s not just insight. It’s action. At speed.

What is your long-term vision for the company and your solution category?

To lead a new category: Decision Orchestration Systems.

We believe ERP, SCM, and BI are converging—and being outgrown. i5 is built as the adaptive intelligence layer above those tools. Our long-term vision is a world where enterprise systems don’t just record what happened—they continuously orchestrate what should happen next.

Think: real-time, self-adjusting global networks. Not dashboards. Not workflows. A living system. That’s what we’re building—and it starts with supply chain because that’s where the need is greatest.

Who are your founders and key executives? What relevant background do they have?

Robb Bush is the Founder and CEO of INDUSTRY 5.

He’s a systems designer, operator, and strategist with a deep track record:

Built the first Supply Chain Control Tower in 1997.
Co-created i2 Technologies’ TradeMatrix, one of the first B2B marketplaces.
Founded an early enterprise design studio before UX was a discipline.
Led global P&L and product roles at SAP, Infor Nexus, One Network.
Holds multiple patents in supply chain logic, collaboration models, and asset management.

Robb’s been on the front lines of enterprise transformation for over 30 years—and he created i5 to solve the deep-rooted structural issues he saw everywhere else.

How is your company funded, and what is your current scale (employees, offices, revenue range if public)?

We’re privately held and founder-led. Bootstrapped in early stages, with select strategic backers who understand long-cycle enterprise transformation.

Exact headcount and revenue figures aren’t public, but the team is small, senior, and deeply experienced across AI, enterprise platforms, and global operations. We are lean by design and high-leverage by architecture.

For more specifics, best to ask Robb directly.

What exactly does your product do? What are the core capabilities?

i5 is a decision orchestration system that works in four progressive modes:

Simulation – Run “what-if” scenarios before acting.
Alignment – Match demand, supply, movement, and risk in real time.
Coordination – Let autonomous agents collaborate across roles.
Execution – Drive real-world outcomes through existing systems.

Core capabilities include:

Agent-based coordination
Scenario simulation
Real-time demand-supply matching
Smart agreements that auto-adjust
Embedded sustainability and compliance
Visual, generative user experience

And it works without needing to rip out anything.

What makes your technology or approach different from others in the market?

Everything. Seriously.

Where others add AI to dashboards, we embed intelligence into the system itself.

Key differences:

Agents, not rules – Autonomous agents simulate, negotiate, and act.
Simulation-first logic – Every decision is tested before execution.
TNR + PQPT – Our time and data structures model real-world complexity (time isn’t a flat date, supply isn’t just a location).
Smart Agreements – Contracts that adapt automatically.
No rip-and-replace – We sit above existing systems, orchestrating decisions without disruption.

This isn’t another tool. It’s a new category—built for how global business actually operates.

What pain points does your product address, and how?

i5 addresses five core pain points:

Delayed decisions – We eliminate latency with real-time simulation and coordination.
Disconnected systems – i5 bridges across ERP, TMS, WMS, etc., without needing to replace them.
Manual rework – Agents auto-reconcile issues that would otherwise need firefighting.
Blind spots – Our Move Graph and embedded metrics surface hidden risks and opportunities.
Compliance overhead – Regulations are embedded directly into agent behavior and simulation paths.

In short: less lag, less friction, better outcomes.

How is the product architected? Is it cloud-native, multi-tenant, modular, API-first, etc.?

Yes, yes, and yes.

i5 is:

Cloud-native and modular – Built for elasticity, composability, and speed.
API-first – Integrates with ERP, TMS, MES, and more via open standards.
Multi-agent, not multi-tenant – Each agent operates independently but coordinates system-wide.
Simulation-first execution engine – Every action is tested before real-world execution.
No system-of-record ambition – We orchestrate with the data where it lives.

It’s designed for plug-in deployment, gradual adoption, and zero disruption to existing systems.

How quickly can customers realize value? What does the onboarding process look like?

Fast. Structured. Risk-free.

i5 uses a four-phase adoption model:

STANDARD – Run simulations on synthetic data—no integration required.
EXTENDED – Add your own data for deeper insights.
INTEGRATED – Connect to live systems in shadow mode.
ORCHESTRATED – Let i5 drive real-time decisions and execution.

Teams will often see value in weeks, not months—especially in scenario planning and coordination. You start small, see results, and expand to the next stage only when ready.

As customers move into real operations, agent behavior becomes a management discipline:

Each agent is coachable—learning from simulation outcomes, override feedback, and execution alignment.
Teams can assign Agent Managers to monitor decisions, adjust confidence thresholds, and guide performance tuning.
Overrides aren’t friction—they’re fuel. Every override is logged, explained, and used to evolve agent logic over time.
System-level dashboards track agent fitness, trust metrics, and decision latency—giving you visibility into where autonomy is thriving, and where guidance is still needed.

It’s not just onboarding software. It’s onboarding a smarter way to operate—one agent, one simulation, one orchestration at a time.

Who is your ideal customer (industry, company size, buyer persona)?

We’re built for complex, high-velocity enterprises—especially those tired of duct-taping spreadsheets and dashboards.

Ideal customers include:

Global manufacturers
Tier 1 automotive, aerospace, electronics
Consumer goods companies
Logistics and infrastructure providers

Size? Typically $500M+ revenue, though we support agile innovation teams too.

Best-fit personas:

COOs, Chief Supply Chain Officers
Digital Transformation Leaders
CTOs/CIOs modernizing infrastructure
Sustainability or Resilience Directors.

What verticals or use cases are showing the strongest traction?

Strongest traction is in supply chain-intensive verticals:

Automotive – Scenario modeling, supplier coordination, SLA compliance
Consumer goods – Inventory optimization, launch simulations, ESG alignment
Electronics – Managing multi-tier risk, agile sourcing, carbon tradeoffs
Logistics and transportation – Dynamic rerouting, agent-based execution
Defense/public sector – Scenario resilience, multi-party coordination

Use cases that resonate most:

Disruption response
Scenario simulation
Real-time demand-supply planning
Smart contract execution

Where complexity lives, i5 thrives.

Can you share any customer logos or case studies?

We’re currently in select engagements with leading global brands across manufacturing, logistics, and government sectors.

Due to confidentiality and early-stage collaboration, most names are not public yet—but demos, simulations, and pilot outcomes are available upon request.

If needed, Robb can provide references under NDA.

How many customers do you currently serve, and in which regions?

We’re working with a targeted set of early adopters in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific—including multinational manufacturers and logistics operators.

Rather than pursue volume, we focus on deep, high-value deployments—proving value in complex environments before scaling widely.

Again, for specific counts or regions, ask Robb directly.

What is your renewal or retention rate?

Still early—but so far, retention is 100% 😅 and engagement deepens over time.

Our revenue model is based on measurable outcomes, not licenses—so if value isn’t there, customers don’t expand.

How do your customers measure ROI or success using your product?

ROI is tracked through tangible operational improvements, such as:

Reduced decision latency (faster reaction to events)
Higher SLA adherence
Lower inventory and expedite costs
Carbon impact per order
Improved forecast accuracy
Scenario resilience (before/after comparison)

We also track agent performance: how many decisions are resolved autonomously, with measurable gain.

How do you acquire customers (direct sales, partners, online self-service)?

Today: direct engagement and founder-led relationships.

Robb and the leadership team are closely involved in scoping, simulation, and roadmap alignment.

As we scale:

Select strategic partners (consulting, integration)
Referral and network-driven expansion
Platform-led onboarding and partner agents (considering)

No self-serve at this stage—we’re building with and for serious enterprises.

What channels or alliances are strategic to your growth?

We’re focused on value-aligned partners, not volume plays.

Strategic channels include:

Enterprise transformation consultancies (SCM, digital ops)
SaaS platforms looking to add orchestration or simulation logic
System integrators who want to offer next-gen coordination tools
Domain-specific specialists (logistics, ESG, compliance)

Some extensibility to enable / participate in a ‘Agentic’ Partner Ecosystem model – in a way that is similar to our Expert Employee Model. You get paid for the performance of your contributions. Royalty-like, and / or possibly in ‘i5-Currency’.

What does your pricing model look like?

i5 is priced on value and usage, not seats.

Models include:

System license – Annual subscription, tiered by scale (agents, geography, orchestration volume)
Compute & simulation usage – Pay only for what you run (covers typical ‘cloud’ costs)
Outcome-based pricing – Identified & Benchmarked first. Cost savings, Service lift, ESG performance, etc. Ideally this becomes the only way to ‘pay for i5’.
Custom extensions & services – Optional, scoped per engagement

We don’t charge for access—we charge for impact.

As a counter to the ‘cost of i5’ – think about the typical soft-costs a customer typically absorbs with each vendor / svc provider. (meetings, trainings, etc.)

Yes, i5 runs i5 (a variant of). Why wouldn’t we? INDUSTRY 5’s ‘i5 instance’ is a part of the network. (ex: ‘i5 Support’ is 100% agentic.)

Do you offer free trials, POCs, or freemium tiers?

Not “freemium”—but yes to phased pilots:

i5 STANDARD – Run full simulations on synthetic data—no integration required.
i5 EXTENDED – Load real data for tailored insights.
i5 INTEGRATED – Mirror live ops, in shadow mode.
i5 ORCHESTRATED – Go live with real-world coordination.

Low-risk, high-impact entry points—designed to prove value early.

What is your average sales cycle length?

Varies by phase.

i5 STANDARD: Days to a few weeks (synthetic data, sandbox setup)
i5 EXTENDED: 30–60 days (customer data, scoped scenarios)
i5 ORCHESTRATED: 3–6 months for full operational rollout

That said—value is visible early, and cycles tend to accelerate once teams see the simulator in action.

How are you educating the market or generating demand?

Primarily through:

Direct executive conversations – especially with transformation and ops leaders
Vision-led content and prototypes – we let the system speak for itself
Selective analyst and partner briefings
Scenario demos – real-world use cases showing measurable impact
LinkedIn presence (Follow us here) for updates and thought leadership

We’re not playing the ad game—we’re attracting the curious, the frustrated, and the forward-looking.

Who do you consider your primary competitors (both direct and indirect)?

We compete with legacy systems (ERP, SCM, IBP, dashboards) not directly—but by outperforming them where it matters.

Indirectly: platforms like SAP IBP, Kinaxis, Blue Yonder, O9, and so on.

Directly: no true equivalents yet—i5 is building a new category: Decision Orchestration Systems.

If anyone’s doing “cross-functional agent-based enterprise decision-orchestration”—we haven’t seen them yet.

What are your key differentiators compared to those competitors?

Seven stand out:

Agents, not dashboards – We simulate, decide, and act—not just observe.
TNR + PQPT – Proprietary data logic for reasoning across time, place, and quantity.
Smart Agreements – Contracts that evolve in real time.
Simulation-first logic – Every action is tested before execution.
Non-disruptive integration – We don’t replace. We orchestrate across.
No “system of record” baggage – We’re not trying to own your data.
Unified, modular platform – Not stitched together tools.

What are common reasons customers choose you—or don’t?

Why they choose i5:

They’re stuck in legacy tools, can’t coordinate across teams or systems.
They need to simulate outcomes, not just track history.
They’re pushing toward ESG goals, resilience, or digital transformation—and current tools don’t help.

Why they might not:

Change readiness isn’t there yet.
They’re under short-term cost pressure.
Some IT teams are hesitant to layer a system above ERP until proven.

But we meet customers where they are—no rip-and-replace, no big bang.

What do you believe analysts or the market often misunderstand about your category?

They assume AI means faster dashboards or smarter reports.

i5 is not that.

This is real-time decision orchestration—with autonomy, simulation, and adaptive contracts. Most analysts still categorize us under “supply chain planning” or “control towers”—which misses the deeper shift.

We’re not optimizing old workflows. We’re replacing them with intelligence in motion.

How do you see your product and the market evolving in the next 2–3 years?

We expect a category shift from visibility tools to orchestration systems.

i5 is already evolving to:

Support dynamic agent marketplaces
Embed real-time risk and compliance logic
Integrate multi-party coordination and trustless contracts
Extend from supply chain into finance, ESG, and even space logistics

The system will become more autonomous, more explainable, and more plug-and-play. The market? Moving fast toward this new paradigm—because static dashboards can’t cut it anymore.

What emerging technologies (e.g., AI, ML, blockchain, low-code) are relevant to your roadmap?

All the above—but here’s how we use them:

AI/ML – Powers our agents’ reasoning and simulations.
Agentic AI – The core design model (not just “chatbots”).
Blockchain principles – Underpin Smart Agreements (auditable, adaptive).
Low-code config – Being explored to empower partner-built agents.
Digital twins – On the roadmap for fully mirrored, testable ecosystems.

We build for today, but with eyes on where decision-making is headed.

How are you addressing upcoming regulations or compliance trends (e.g., data privacy, ESG)?

It’s baked in, not bolted on.

ESG metrics (carbon, energy, sourcing) are embedded in every scenario.
Smart Agreements reflect live regulatory thresholds.
Compliance logic is continuous—not post-facto audits.
We don’t store your data—we reason over it where it lives.

Bottom line: i5 helps you stay compliant in motion, not just in review.

What do you hope to get out of this briefing?

Clarity. Credibility. Category recognition.

We’re here to:

Introduce a new class of enterprise system
Help you understand how we’re different—not just better
Share our vision—and the real results already happening

We’d love feedback, alignment, and to be on your radar as this space matures.

Are you available for client inquiries or deeper follow-ups?

Absolutely. Robb and the team are ready for:

1:1 executive briefings
Scenario demos
Cross-Domain / Technical deep dives
Joint working sessions with client teams

We want to help analysts guide their clients to better outcomes, faster.

Would you be willing to share reference customers with us for validation purposes?

Yes—under NDA, and selectively, depending on engagement stage and relevance.

Some of our best validation comes from active simulations and pilots we can walk you through directly.

How can we stay updated on your progress?

Follow us on LinkedIn: INDUSTRY 5 on LinkedIn
Periodic analyst updates available upon request
You can also contact Robb directly for roadmap briefings or custom demos.