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AI manager for grocery stores

Kirana AI is building the first full-stack AI store manager for independent grocers. Our first product utilizes an on-premise GPU that monitors the store 24/7, scans for theft, looks for workplace health and safety issues, and optimizes customer service. With future POS/ordering data integrations, our manager will automate many of the day-to-day tasks of running a store, such as ordering, pricing, assortment, and delegating. Our CEO's family has owned and operated grocery stores for over 100 years, giving us unique insights into the independent grocery industry.
Active Founders
Prateek Pinisetti
Prateek Pinisetti

Prateek Pinisetti, Founder

CTO @ Kirana AI, Ex-Optiver SWE, Chess National Master.
Nicholas Sleeper
Nicholas Sleeper

Nicholas Sleeper, Founder

Co-Founder & CEO of Kirana AI, an AI store manager for grocery stores.
Kirana AI
Founded:2025
Batch:Spring 2025
Team Size:2
Status:
Active
Location:New York
Primary Partner:David Lieb
Company Launches
Kirana AI: Full-Stack AI Store Manager
See original launch post

Prateek and I are building a new full-stack manager for grocery stores. Growing up, in the summers I worked at my family's grocery store, and saw first hand the challenges my father went through on a day to day basis. My family's store was started over 100 years ago, and with this industry experience, Prateek and I are able to offer new insights.
Overview

The Problem: Operating an independent grocery store means surviving on razor-thin margins.

  • 3 % of sales vanish due to shrinkage.
  • Out of stocks wipe out 4% more in lost sales
  • Slip-and-fall hazards lead to liability risks.
  • These slim margins prevent grocers from hiring back office staff.

What We Built-

  • 24/7 Theft Detection – Real-time alerts when someone crosses the “no-go” zones behind registers or swipes merchandise.
  • Safety Monitoring – Automatic slip-and-fall hazard spotting so you can fix risks before they become claims.
  • Shelf & Stock Insights – Instant out-of-stock notifications to keep product levels optimized.
  • Pricing Research - Soon we will introduce an agentic workflow to manage one of grocers' most tedious tasks, looking up competitors prices.

Our Team-

  • Nic Sleeper, CEO – Former SWE at PredictionStrike.
  • Prateek Pinisetti, CTO – Ex-Optiver SWE and chess National Master; real-time systems expert.
  • We met as Harvard roommates, did psets together in our dorm, and have been collaborating ever since.

**The Vision-**
We chose to work in this space to help local grocers thrive in the AI age and be on the forefront of innovation. Our cameras are just the first step- by combining POS, ordering, and camera data, we can automate every back-office process in the store, allowing them to achieve their optimal margins.
**Our Ask-**
If you know any grocery or retail store owners who’d love a tireless 24/7 assistant to cut shrink, boost safety, and maximize sales, please loop us in!