Over the course of my podcast, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing numerous remarkable entrepreneurs. Among them, Drew Fallon stands out as one of the most versatile individuals. Our last conversation took place in 2022, when he co-founded a tattoo skincare company. Prior to that, he had a background in investment banking.
Currently, Drew is at the helm of Iris, a financial modeling platform driven by artificial intelligence. In addition to this role, he keeps a close eye on consumer-focused M&A transactions, providing insights and reports in this area.
During our recent discussion, Drew shed light on the advantages of agent-powered automation, typical merchant scenarios, and the surge in enterprise M&A activity expected in 2026.
Below, you’ll find the full audio recording of our conversation. The transcript has been condensed for brevity and clarity.
Eric Bandholz: Can you explain your role at Iris?
Drew Fallon: As the founder and CEO of Iris, our focus is on collaborating with brands to implement AI agents that streamline their financial and operational processes.
Before launching Iris, I co-founded Mad Rabbit, a tattoo skincare company, where I served as CFO and COO for five years. My background also includes experience as an investment banker. Iris was established two years ago.
Bandholz: Your social media often highlights M&A deals. How do you gather this information?
Fallon: I utilize a set of AI agents that scour the web for relevant content based on my preferences. Once they identify pertinent stories, I curate and share them.
Recent weeks have seen significant activity, with notable acquisitions like Unilever acquiring Grüns, the nutritional gummy snack brand, for $1.2 billion. The Finnish Long Drink, known for its citrus-flavored alcoholic beverage, was purchased by the Mark Anthony Group, the company behind White Claw. Additionally, Huel, a British meal-replacement company, was bought by Danone for $1.1 billion.
After a relatively quiet 2025, the M&A landscape is now bustling with deals of various sizes. This uptick can be attributed in part to substantial capital raised by private equity firms.
Bandholz: Should modern brands target mass consumers or niche markets with higher price points?
Fallon: For emerging brands, I recommend focusing on niche markets with higher price points rather than catering to budget-conscious consumers. Opting for a high-dollar niche can yield better results. Beardbrand, for instance, targets a specific audience that values premium grooming products.
We’re observing positive trends in premium segments such as supplements, beauty, apparel, and gourmet food and beverages.
Bandholz: Can you elaborate on the use of AI at Iris?
Fallon: Iris was founded around the time ChatGPT was introduced. Our platform serves as the data foundation for deploying AI agents. We seamlessly integrate with various platforms including Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, and social media channels, among others.
Operating as a centralized data hub, we prepare and structure data for AI agents to leverage efficiently. While our current agents focus on automating financial workflows, the Iris infrastructure can support a wide range of AI applications. We concentrate on tasks such as financial modeling, inventory management, business analytics, and cash flow projections, similar to what an internal or fractional CFO would handle.
For instance, we assist merchants in determining optimal customer acquisition costs based on factors like gross margins, operating expenses, and cash reserves. By analyzing different scenarios, we help clients identify the most effective channels for growth.
Our inventory planning models are demand-oriented, predicting sales volumes and adjusting product distribution accordingly. This approach enables us to optimize inventory levels and distribution patterns throughout the year.
Furthermore, we offer insights into inventory turnover rates, comparing seasonal variations and identifying trends across different periods.
Bandholz: How can individuals connect with Iris or engage your services?
Fallon: To learn more about Iris, visit our website at IrisFinance.co. You can also find me on X and LinkedIn. Don’t forget to check out my Substack newsletter, “Making Cents,” at this link.
