Artificial intelligence is digging its roots into every industry. But even if many companies have realized that they need some kind of AI strategy, most have no idea where to start.

Hypergiant Inc. says these companies need “a guiding light” that can help them find AI solutions that meet actual business needs, and today the Texas-based startup emerged from stealth mode to try to do just that.

Quietly launched in August, Hypergiant has offices in Austin, Dallas and Houston, with backing from Mythic Ventures, Align Capital and Beringer Capital. The company said it’s dedicated to business outcomes rather than point products, so it has created three strategic Hypergiant divisions to fill different needs: Space Age Solutions, Applied Sciences and Hypergiant Ventures.

Hypergiant Space Age Solutions is meant to be “the Fortune 500’s AI outfitter,” helping companies find AI solutions that solve problems and create real value. For example, one of Hypergiant’s first projects was to create an AI-powered mixologist for TGI Fridays, which integrates with the restaurant chain’s existing rewards app. The automated mixologist builds taste profiles for patrons based on what they like, and it can offer drink recommendations or even invent new drinks that are custom-tailored to each guest.

In addition to TGI Fridays, Hypergiant said it’s launching with more than 10 Fortune 500 customers, including the likes of Bosch and Schlumberger. The company also announced that it has made five strategic partnerships for its solutions division, including General Electric Co. and Adobe Systems Inc.

Hypergiant Applied Sciences develops its own AI solutions for the company, but Hypergiant said it doesn’t want to be yet another technology-first company that pushes its own tools even if they do not create value. Co-founder and Chief Executive Ben Lamm (pictured, far left, with co-founders John Fremont, chief strategy officer middle, and Will Womble, chief revenue officer) told SiliconANGLE that the industry is already full of technology-first AI companies that treat every problem as an AI nail for their AI hammer.

Hypergiant went on a two-month listening tour to hear about different companies’ AI headaches, and it found that many had been burned by consulting companies that had oversold what their AI solutions could do. According to Lamm, who also runs conversational AI company Conversable Inc., Hypergiant decided to take a more pragmatic approach to its own AI solutions.

“Let’s not be so narcissistic to think that it has to be invented here or built here,” Lamm said. “Let’s find startups that have already solved those problems and invest in those and help them integrate with companies.”

The company makes these investments through its last division, Hypergiant Ventures, which has already invested in several other AI startups, including Pilosa, Cerebri AI and Clearblade.

Photo:  John Davidson / Hypergiant