Meet Neue Alchemy: The venture studio founded by an ex-Amazon executive turning AI ideas into real-world startups

Isaiah Steinfeld, a former Amazon executive who helped steer global startup growth at AWS, has launched something new—and it’s built for the post-AI era. After working with over 330,000 startups through AWS programs like Activate and helping shape strategy for GenAI initiatives, Steinfeld is now leading Neue Alchemy, a venture studio and innovation consultancy that leans into what’s next.

Neue Alchemy: Inside the Post-AI Venture Studio Backed by Leaders from AWS, Nike, and Fiverr

Neue Alchemy isn’t just another buzzword-filled studio. It’s a company backed by real-world experience from leaders who’ve built for brands like Nike, Lyft, Upwork, and Agility Robotics. The goal? To take emerging tech and turn it into market-ready businesses, fast.

“Neue Alchemy is here to help organizations navigate what’s next—this new innovation cycle is always-on and requires transformation today while enabling big companies to keep pace,” said Steinfeld. “We merge the strategic mindset of big tech with the creative instincts of bold brands to drive real execution at startup speed.”

The studio operates at the crossroads of AI, mobility, commerce, and culture. The founding team brings deep industry experience and includes:

• Isaiah Steinfeld, CEO — Known for his work at AWS and Nike Valiant Labs, where he built innovation arms and helped launch startups within a corporate setting.

• Justin Wang, Builder-in-Residence — A robotics and autonomous systems engineer with past roles at Agility Robotics, NIO, and Daimler Truck AG.

• Maggie McGowan, Executive-in-Residence — A fashion design lead with runway experience at Michael Kors, and co-author of The Banner Test, which explores the role of aesthetics in AI.

• Matt Jensen, GM of Alchemist Network — Former global community lead at Fiverr and early team member at Lyft and Upwork.

• David Monhait and Zach Adamson, Operating Partners — Entrepreneurs-in-residence from Nike Valiant Labs and co-founders of DIVERTbrands, with expertise across culture, tech, and digital retail experiences.

Neue Alchemy isn’t just an idea studio—it’s set up to execute. Its services cover everything from building corporate-backed startups to guiding innovation strategy and assembling talent ecosystems. What makes the team stand out is its ability to mix long-term vision with hands-on product work.

They’ve already built a working example: ALCHMY Coffee, an autonomous direct-to-consumer coffee brand that went from idea to launch in under two weeks. It’s a real product, sold to real customers, but also serves as a proof-of-concept for how fast brands can be built when AI tools meet smart execution.

“ALCHMY Coffee is a working case study of how to launch physical brands in a post-AI world,” Steinfeld said. “We built it in under two weeks as a test of what’s possible—an autonomous, small-batch coffee brand where beans, roasting, packaging, payment processing, fulfillment and marketing are automated or GenAI driven. It’s both a real product for real customers and a live demonstration of what DTC brands can become with the right mix of AI tools and human creativity.”

The project has already gained attention and is nominated for Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation by Design awards in the AI Design and On the Rise categories.

To support its venture-building efforts, the firm has launched the Alchemist Network—a partner and talent network built to keep things moving. This network includes freelancers, boutique agencies, corporate teams, startups, and VCs. It’s structured to connect people who know how to build with people who have the tools, capital, or ideas to make it happen.

“The Alchemist Network combines human expertise with AI capabilities to create an unparalleled innovation ecosystem—connecting specialized talent with cutting-edge tools to build breakthrough projects at the pace required in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace,” Steinfeld said.

Next on the roadmap: Neue Alchemy will roll out applications for a Fellowship and Learning Platform focused on venture building, innovation, and emerging tech, geared toward creatives, founders, and builders who want a structured way to get involved.

Neue Alchemy isn’t just here to speculate on the future. It’s placing bets, building fast, and inviting others along for the ride—no hype, just execution.