In the latest edition of Velocity Talks, Christopher Durham, President of the Velocity Institute, had the privilege of sitting down with Oisin Hanrahan, the CEO of Keychain, a company making waves in the private brand and manufacturing sectors. As the Velocity Institute continues to bridge the gap between thought leaders in retail, sourcing, and private brands, this conversation with Oisin provided invaluable insights into Keychain’s innovative journey and its transformative impact on the industry.

We are thrilled to present another enlightening episode of Velocity Talks. Velocity Talks’ mission is to connect with industry leaders who are driving change and share their experiences and wisdom with the audience. In this episode, the spotlight is on Oisin Hanrahan, a visionary entrepreneur whose work with Keychain reshapes how brands and manufacturers collaborate.

Meet Oisin Hanrahan

Oisin Hanrahan’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Originally from Ireland, Oisin made the bold move to the United States for business school, only to drop out and start Handy, a groundbreaking company that became synonymous with on-demand home services. Handy’s success eventually led to its acquisition by Angie’s List, where Oisin continued to lead, helping the parent company, Angie, grow into a home services marketplace generating billions in business annually.

From Dublin to Silicon Valley: Oisin’s Entrepreneurial Path

Oisin’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on, as he navigated the worlds of real estate, venture capital, and tech startups. His first major success, Handy, revolutionized the home services industry and set the stage for his next venture. After leaving Angie, Oisin took a step back to reflect on his next move, eventually channeling his passion for problem-solving into the creation of Keychain.

The Birth of Keychain: Addressing Industry Pain Points

The idea for Keychain came to Oisin during a period of introspection after his time at Angie. Realizing the complexities and inefficiencies in the way brands and retailers connected with manufacturers, Oisin saw an opportunity to disrupt the status quo. With a year dedicated to research, factory tours, and feedback collection, Keychain was born, officially launching in February 2023.

Keychain’s Mission: Simplifying Connections in a Complex Industry

Keychain is a platform designed to streamline the connection between brands, retailers, and manufacturers. Much like how Handy simplified finding contractors, Keychain is making it easier for businesses to find the right manufacturing partners. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the platform addresses the traditionally cumbersome process of sourcing manufacturers, offering a more efficient and transparent solution.

A Strong Start: Keychain’s Early Achievements

In just six months, Keychain has made a significant impact. The platform has attracted over 10,000 brands and retailers, facilitating projects worth approximately half a billion dollars. With a robust database of food and beverage manufacturers and detailed product indexing, Keychain is proving to be an indispensable tool for industry players.

How It Works: Navigating Keychain’s Platform

Keychain’s user-friendly interface allows retailers and manufacturers to search for products and services, apply filters, and connect with potential partners effortlessly. Importantly, Keychain is free for brands and retailers to use, with revenue generated through premium listings and analytics services offered to manufacturers.

A Transparent Business Model

Keychain’s business model emphasizes transparency, ensuring that brands and retailers can make informed decisions when choosing manufacturing partners. For manufacturers, the platform offers the added benefit of market insights through premium services, allowing them to better understand and navigate the industry landscape.

Looking Ahead: Keychain’s Growth and Vision

Keychain’s future looks bright, especially with the recent addition of Mitch Madoff, a veteran from Whole Foods’ private brand program, who now leads their retail partnerships. Mitch’s expertise and belief in Keychain’s potential highlight the platform’s growing influence and the team’s commitment to driving further innovation in the industry.

Getting to Know Oisin: Rapid Fire Insights

We wrapped up the interview with some rapid-fire questions, giving us a glimpse into Oisin’s personal side. From his favorite Irish phrase to his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, Oisin’s responses were as insightful as they were entertaining. His advice? Focus on macro trends and be adaptable in an ever-changing world.

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

As we conclude this edition of Velocity Talks, I want to remind you about the Velocity Institute’s fifth annual Sustainability Summit, which will be held on October 22nd and 23rd in Phoenix, Arizona. Industry leaders from Sprouts and Walmart will speak, making it an event you won’t want to miss. For more information and to register, visit velocityinstitute.org.

Thank you for joining us on this journey with Oisin Hanrahan. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on upcoming episodes. Until next time, this is Christopher Durham signing off from Velocity Talks!