This Canadian AI Startup Is Making Market Research Faster and Cheaper
AI-Powered Market Research Gains Momentum
The $90 billion market research industry has long been dominated by expensive, time-consuming methods. But a Canadian startup is changing the game with artificial intelligence. Cashew Research, based in Calgary, uses AI to create customized research plans and questionnaires that deliver insights in days rather than weeks.
Image source note: The image was generated by AI, and the image licensing service provider is Midjourney.
From Industry Pain Point to Tech Solution
Founder Addy Graves spent a decade in market research before launching Cashew. "Clients kept asking for comprehensive projects completed in just days," she recalls. "Traditional methods couldn't deliver both speed and quality."
The breakthrough came when Graves realized AI could automate much of the research process while maintaining data integrity. "This was our eureka moment," she says. The technology allows small and medium businesses to access services previously only affordable for large corporations.
How Cashew Stands Out
Unlike fully automated solutions, Cashew combines AI efficiency with human expertise:
- Customized research plans for each client
- Real consumer data collection
- Expert analysis of results
The company anonymizes all collected data to build a growing knowledge base that improves future projects. This unique approach helped them win TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield competition last year.
What's Next for the Startup
With $1.5 million in pre-seed funding secured, Cashew plans to:
- Launch a $5 million seed round in early 2026
- Expand US market presence
- Enhance B2B offerings
- Develop new technical capabilities
"We're creating a new category," Graves explains. "Many potential customers couldn't do research before due to cost and time constraints."
Key Points:
- AI efficiency: Reduces research time from weeks to days while cutting costs significantly
- Real data advantage: Combines fresh consumer insights with expert analysis
- Growth trajectory: Preparing for major funding round and US expansion in 2026
