AI in Peru’s food tech: An exclusive interview with the Nutri Co founders

Hello everyone! 👋🏻

Welcome back to our Insider’s Corner, where we gather opinions from machine learning experts and practitioners around the globe with first-hand experience in the AI industry.

Today, as part of our “AI adoption in Peru” series, we’re spotlighting Nutri Co, a food-tech startup from Peru that leverages AI to develop affordable and nutritious food options. We spoke with the founders, Carlos Noceda Martorellet (CEO) and Daniel Nuñez Valdivieso (CFOO), who shared their vision for the company, insights into the AI landscape across Latin America, and their perspectives on the global food-tech industry.

Disclaimer: Nutri Co (formerly Nutrishake) received subsidies through the ProInnóvate program at Peru's Ministry of Production, whom we’d like to thank for making this interview possible.

• Please tell us about your startup. From what we understand, you developed an AI “chef” that creates recipes. How exactly does it work? Who are your customers?

Carlos: Nutri Co is a food-tech startup on a mission to make nutritious, sustainable, and affordable products for everyone. We currently offer close to 60 products across seven categories, including shakes, biscuits, cereals, oats, bars, and other snacks. All of them are available through major retailers across Peru, Chile, and Mexico.

Virgilio AI, our in-house software, acts as a type of digital engineer. For us, it’s not just a fancy tool — it’s part of how we think. With a database of over 5,000 ingredients, Virgilio AI utilizes constraint-based optimization algorithms to develop product formulas in minutes. This allows us to really speed things up and bring healthier products to market in just under four months, while this process takes two to four years using traditional methods. 

Our AI system analyzes:

• Product category requirements (e.g., protein bars, functional beverages, cereals, etc).

• Nutritional and dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten-free, high-protein, low-sugar, low-fat, etc).

• Cost optimization (to ensure our products remain affordable without sacrificing quality).

We believe in inclusivity, so we invite everyone to visit our website and contribute. While we don’t publicly share the formulas of our final recipes, we process all of the inputs to understand consumer trends in real time, creating products with a greater chance of success. Currently, we have hundreds of active requests from consumers which fuel our technical know-how, enabling us to innovate faster and smarter. 

Our main customers are Millennials and Zoomers who seek to improve their health without compromising taste, convenience, or affordability. To date, we’ve sold over 20 million Nutri Co items. We’ve also patented Virgilio AI, protecting our proprietary technology in over 150 countries. Our end goal is simple: to democratize access to healthy food. 

• What’s your background? Were you initially drawn to AI and later found your niche in food tech, or did you start in food tech and then decide to utilize AI to disrupt the industry?

Carlos: My own journey began with a strong drive to solve real-world problems. I’ve always been fascinated by how businesses can have a real impact —  not just by selling products, but by changing the way people live. That mindset led me to entrepreneurship, where I came to see food as more than just what we eat. It’s about accessibility and health.

When my CFOO Daniel Núñez and I started Nutri Co, we saw the rise of plant-based food-tech companies working to replace animal products. While this was very exciting, we noticed that no one was really addressing the core issue: making nutritious food accessible to the masses. Healthy options did exist, but they were either too expensive or failed to meet the overarching nutritional needs of most people.

Initially, our focus was solely on the issue at hand, without AI in the picture. However, as we explored our options, we came to realize that the traditional food development pipeline was slow, costly, and often out of touch with modern consumer needs. That’s when it became clear that AI could be a powerful asset for solving this problem, eventually resulting in the birth of Virgilio AI.

• Are there plans to expand Nutri Co beyond Latin America? What’s your core mission as the company moves into new markets?

Daniel: Yes, we definitely plan to expand beyond the continent, but our strategy prioritizes consolidating our presence in key Latin American markets before exploring opportunities elsewhere. Currently, we’re preparing to enter Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina.

As we expand into new countries, our core mission remains the same: to provide access to healthy, nutritious products that, we believe, shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for a select few. Interestingly, we’re seeing big food corporations build healthier portfolios now, validating our early belief in nutritional accessibility. It’s encouraging to see the industry move in this direction, as it’s always been part of our DNA.

Crucially, our growth isn’t just about scaling business distribution — it’s about scaling social reach. We aim to understand local needs, adapt quickly, and deliver high-value, everyday products that resonate in the marketplace.

• Words like balanced diet, nutrition, and sustainability have become buzzwords in food tech. But in the context of AI-assisted food design and production, what do they truly mean? 

Daniel: At Nutri Co, these aren’t just empty words, but principles that guide our actions and shape long-term strategies. Let’s not forget that three of the four leading natural causes of death worldwide — cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers — are directly linked to poor nutrition. That’s why all AI-designed Nutri Co products are low in fat, sodium, and sugar, and free from trans fats.

Additionally, our focus on plant-based products inherently reduces our footprint on the planet. Plant-based food systems require fewer resources and place less strain on the environment compared to animal products, making sustainability an integral part of how we design and produce food.

That said, we recognize that one company cannot change the food industry alone, which is why we welcome collaboration with large companies and key stakeholders. At present, we’re actively pursuing several strategic alliances and co-branding partnerships to accelerate the transition to more streamlined, eco-friendly food systems.

• AI in the food and beverage sector seems to be gaining traction in Latin America, particularly across the Andes, where we know of at least two other companies leveraging AI. What factors have prompted this?

Carlos: Latin America is moving in this direction due to the urgent need for change. The traditional food industry has long been unresponsive to consumer needs, while demand for healthier, more affordable options has steadily grown. 

The trend you describe highlights the disconnect between what’s available and what needs to be. AI is helping to close that gap. In a region with limited resources and complex challenges, a tool that enables quick and efficient innovation makes all the difference.

Known for its resilience and creativity, Latin America has begun to channel that energy into building solutions that disrupt the status quo. A new generation of savvy entrepreneurs is pushing boundaries and developing products that elevate people’s lives. As Daniel mentioned, this transformation is no longer limited to startups, it’s becoming an industry-wide movement.

• AI is also beginning to disrupt the alcoholic beverage industry: from AI-assisted beer production in Belgium and Scotch tasting in Germany to innovations in winemaking. What changes do you foresee in the months and years ahead?

Daniel: What we’re seeing is just the beginning of how AI will reshape the hospitality industry not by replacing the human element, but by enhancing and amplifying it. Hospitality has always been about creating memorable experiences, and new technology is giving us tools to do that in ways we’ve never imagined.

In the world of beverages, for example, AI can help perfect flavors, improve consistency, and even anticipate future consumer choices. So, beyond making a hoppier beer or a more refined wine, the real impact is in how AI can help brands connect with people’s preferences. It’s like adding an extra layer of intuition, powered by data.

What excites me most is the potential for customization. Imagine walking into a bar and having a drink crafted based on your unique taste profile without even having to ask. That’s where we’re headed. In other words, leveraging AI isn’t about making hospitality less human; on the contrary, it’s about making it feel even more personal.

And then there’s the sustainability angle. AI helps reduce waste, optimize resources, and make smarter decisions across supply chains, promoting efficiency with a purpose. Ultimately, I believe AI integration is about driving progress, fostering regional innovation, and reshaping industries for the benefit of end users.

• Do you think Peru is embracing AI across different sectors? What opportunities or challenges do you see in the region, both within and beyond food tech, that machine learning can help address?

Carlos/Daniel: AI in Peru is at a tipping point. It’s not yet fully mainstream, but a clear spark is there, as businesses from large corporations to startups, including traditional industries, begin to explore its potential. AI opportunities are vast in other developing nations in Latin America, which are characterized by economic contrasts and inefficiencies.

For instance, in agriculture, machine learning could predict crop yields and regulate water usage in ways previously thought impossible. In healthcare, the same technology could facilitate early diagnoses, even in remote areas where medical professionals are few and far between. Meanwhile, in logistics, AI could recalibrate routes and reduce costs despite Peru’s complex geography and expanding infrastructure. 

Naturally, challenges remain, particularly in shifting mindsets and developing talent. Many still see AI as something distant, confined to Silicon Valley unicorns, yet its true value lies in its everyday use as a problem-solving tool. When it comes to human resources, the potential is immense. However, nurturing local AI talent requires strategic collaboration — not just between private companies, but also among universities, governments, and local communities. This calls for a more focused effort.

In the right hands, newly emerging AI technologies can break down old barriers, empower people to solve real-world problems, and elevate quality of life around the globe.

For more info, please visit the Nutri Co website.

We hope you enjoyed this interview. Stay tuned for part 2 of the series! 🤖