
Ashwini Asokan’s journey into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) began in Silicon Valley, where she led a mobile innovation team that ignited her passion for AI-driven solutions. With a deep-rooted belief in technology’s power to transform industries, she, alongside her husband Anand Chandrasekaran, set out to revolutionize AI applications for everyday use. Returning to India, Ashwini and Anand embarked on an entrepreneurial quest that would lead to the founding of Mad Street Den, an AI platform with the remarkable ability to capture smiles, detect facial expressions, and analyze emotions through smartphone cameras. Their innovative approach bridged human emotions with technological advancements, setting a new precedent in AI-driven solutions.
Mad Street Den: Redefining AI in Everyday Interactions
Founded with a mission to bring AI to billions of people, Mad Street Den emerged as a game-changing platform that redefined the interaction between humans and machines. The company, headquartered in the Bay Area, California, with offices in Seattle and Chennai (India), quickly gained recognition for its revolutionary AI-powered facial recognition and emotional intelligence features. Mad Street Den’s technology was not just about recognizing faces but about understanding human emotions—a critical breakthrough in AI’s application across various industries, including retail, security, and customer engagement.
Vue.ai: AI-Powered Transformation in Fashion Retail
Building on the success of Mad Street Den, Ashwini and Anand co-founded Vue.ai, an advanced image recognition platform tailored for the retail industry. Vue.ai enables brands, retailers, and global marketplaces to leverage AI to transform operations, streamline processes, and optimize customer experiences through intelligent automation. With AI-powered automation, Vue.ai is disrupting the fashion industry, providing solutions that personalize shopping experiences, automate cataloging, and enhance visual merchandising. Working with some of the biggest names in retail, Vue.ai is reshaping the way fashion businesses operate—all driven by Ashwini’s visionary leadership and commitment to innovation.
A Trailblazer in AI and Female Tech Entrepreneurship
In an industry historically dominated by men, Ashwini Asokan has carved a niche as one of the most influential female tech entrepreneurs. Her ability to fuse cutting-edge AI with real-world applications has positioned her as a leader in AI-driven innovation.
Her work at Mad Street Den and Vue.ai underscores a future where AI isn’t just an abstract concept but an integral part of everyday life—making businesses smarter, more intuitive, and highly efficient. Ashwini’s relentless pursuit of innovation continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI, inspiring a new generation of women in tech and AI entrepreneurship.
Leading the AI Revolution
From Silicon Valley to India, Ashwini Asokan’s journey is a remarkable testament to vision, perseverance, and technological brilliance. As the co-founder of Mad Street Den and Vue.ai, she is driving the future of AI, making a profound impact in both retail and beyond. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, proving that with passion, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, technology can redefine industries and improve lives worldwide.