Allbirds reborn as Smartbird: ex-AWS exec to build an AI-native cloud

What happened

On 19 June 2026, Allbirds announced it had sold its shoe business for $43M and raised $100M from public markets. The company simultaneously rebranded as Smartbird and hired Nadia Carlsten (formerly AWS, DCAI) as CEO. The mission: build GPU-as-a-Service and an AI-native cloud.

Context and impact

The pivot of a wool-sneaker brand into an AI cloud provider is unusual, but illustrates how capital-market pressure is funneling firms toward AI infrastructure. The 'data sovereignty over compute' positioning competes directly with hyperscalers (AWS, GCP, Azure) and specialty GPU clouds (CoreWeave, Lambda, Crusoe). Open question: with no customers and no team, this looks more like a shell vehicle with a big-name CEO.

Details

• CEO Carlsten compensation: $700K salary + $9M in stock
• Shoe business sold for $43M
• $100M fundraise from public markets