Bio & Headshot

Robbie Allen has spent 20+ years building AI companies, long before generative AI became a household term. He is the Managing Director of Automated Consulting Group (ACG), where he helps mid-market companies implement AI strategies that drive revenue, increase profitability, and elevate employees. In 2007, Robbie founded Automated Insights, one of the first commercial generative AI companies. Automated Insights generated millions of personalized narratives weekly for Yahoo Fantasy Football and the Associated Press, and was acquired by Vista Equity Partners. He then co-founded Infinia ML, applying deep learning to enterprise problems for clients including Walmart and the Department of Defense. Infinia ML was acquired by Aspirion. His fourth company, Bionic Health (acquired by Thrive), brought proactive, physician-guided healthcare to busy professionals. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Robbie spent 13 years at Cisco, where he became their youngest Distinguished Engineer, the company's highest technical honor. He authored 10 technology books for O'Reilly Media in five years, holds multiple patents on generative AI technology, and was named NC Tech Executive of the Year in 2017. He holds two master's degrees from MIT. As General Partner of the NC Tweener Fund, Robbie's firm has invested in 170+ startups across North Carolina. He lives in Durham, NC with his family.