Two former Tesla executives, Neal Suidan and Michael Rossiter, have founded an AI inventory firm called Atomic. Suidan, Tesla’s former Senior Manager of Global Demand Planning, and Rossiter, former Director of Sales Operations and Senior Manager of Business Planning, announced the launch alongside a $3 million seed funding round. The funding was led by DVx Ventures, the capital fund run by Jon McNeill, former Tesla President, and Madrona.
Atomic’s AI Planning Software
Atomic’s platform aims to make demand and inventory planning more efficient using AI. The software has helped early customers reduce inventory costs by 20-50%. It allows users to simulate scenarios based on real-time data.
Background and Inspiration
Suidan and Rossiter’s experience at Tesla inspired the creation of Atomic. During the Model 3 production ramp in 2018, they developed a unit-level planning system that reduced Tesla’s inventory from 75 days to 15, unlocking billions in working capital.
Challenges Addressed by Atomic
“If you have too much capital tied up in inventory, you could really harm the business,” said McNeill. “And if you have too little, where you don’t have the right things in stock when the customer is ready to purchase, then you’re costing yourself big time.” Atomic addresses these challenges by providing businesses with tools to manage supply and demand more effectively.
Related Developments in Tesla and the EV Industry
The launch of Atomic follows other notable ventures by former Tesla employees, including Drew Baglino’s Heron Power and JB Straubel’s Redwood Materials. Tesla continues to innovate, with recent updates on its Q1 2025 earnings and plans for autonomous vehicles.
