In this episode of the Private Equity Funcast, host Ryan Milligan speaks with OpenBrand CEO Greg Munves and Chief Economist Ralph McLaughlin about their innovative approach to tracking inflation through the OpenBrand Consumer Price Index for Durable and Personal Goods (CPI-DPG). The CPI-DPG is updated weekly, providing a third independent data point for measuring inflation. Its accuracy has been validated with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) as low as 1.6% in specific categories. Additionally, OpenBrand offers scenario-based inflation forecasts, enabling companies and investors to tailor predictions to their expectations and market views.

Munves and McLaughlin also outline practical use cases:

• Manufacturers and retailers optimizing their pricing and promotional strategies.
• Investors seeking early insights on market inflation trends to refine financial models.
• Policymakers evaluating the effects of economic policies.

Video Version

In this episode, Chris Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Fractional AI, joins the show to discuss how his company helps traditional businesses adopt and implement generative AI (GenAI) to improve operations and product offerings. Fractional AI focuses on transforming workflows with GenAI through practical, production-ready solutions, especially for companies lacking deep AI expertise.

In this episode of the Private Equity Funcast, Greg Munves (CEO) and Kristopher Kubicki (CTO) join Partner Ryan Milligan to discuss the rapid growth and transformation of Open Brand, a company formed through the combination of four market intelligence companies. They share insights on leveraging AI for real-time data analytics, scaling through strategic acquisitions, and modernizing technology infrastructure. The conversation explores how Open Brand is revolutionizing market intelligence, competitive analysis, and business decision-making across industries.