In a significant strategic shift, Allbirds, the company once renowned for its sustainable footwear, has rebranded itself as Smartbird and appointed Nadia Carlsten as its new president and CEO. This move marks the company’s full transition from the footwear industry to becoming a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure services.
In April 2026, Allbirds announced its decision to pivot towards AI, selling its footwear brand and assets to American Exchange Group for $39 million. This decision led to a substantial surge in the company’s stock value, reflecting investor optimism about the new direction. The rebranding to Smartbird and the appointment of Carlsten as CEO solidify this transformation.
Nadia Carlsten brings a wealth of experience in AI and advanced computing to her new role. Her background includes leadership positions at DCAI, where she oversaw the development of AI infrastructure platforms, and at SandboxAQ, an Alphabet spinoff focused on AI models and platforms. Additionally, Carlsten has served as an advisor to the World Economic Forum on computing and AI matters.
Under Carlsten’s leadership, Smartbird aims to provide managed AI infrastructure services, enabling clients to deploy private AI clusters without the significant upfront costs typically associated with such endeavors. The company is currently in discussions with potential customers and is in the process of designing its initial cluster deployments. This approach is particularly appealing to industries that prioritize data sovereignty and require direct control over their AI infrastructure, such as the pharmaceutical, energy, financial, and public sectors.
To support its new strategic direction, Smartbird has expanded its convertible financing agreement from $50 million to $100 million. The company plans to use these funds to acquire graphics processing units (GPUs) essential for building its AI infrastructure. This financial move strengthens Smartbird’s position as it enters the competitive AI infrastructure market.
Smartbird’s transition from a footwear company to an AI infrastructure provider is a bold move that reflects the growing demand for AI services across various industries. By focusing on managed AI infrastructure, Smartbird positions itself to cater to organizations seeking customized AI solutions with greater control over their data and operations. The success of this pivot will depend on the company’s ability to build a competent team, establish strong partnerships, and effectively navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
