Imagine being so excited about a product you haven’t even used yet that you offer to pay just to secure your spot. That’s exactly what happened with one of Lumina’s early customers. And once you understand what they’re building, it all makes sense.
At the heart of Lumina is a big idea: empowering supply chain operators by combining the flexibility of a spreadsheet with the functionality of an ERP, all powered by generative AI.
From Spreadsheet Struggles to Scalable Systems
Lumina’s origin story starts with founders Oana Bradulet and Pascal Bugnion spending years in the trenches of supply chain consulting. They saw firsthand how teams were constantly pushed back into spreadsheets. Legacy tools were too rigid, and getting even the smallest update required submitting a request to an overburdened IT team.
“If they needed any change in their ERP, they had to go through an overloaded IT team. It could take six months for something simple.”
That inefficiency sparked a new vision. What if supply chain teams had something as intuitive and flexible as a spreadsheet, but with the automation and power of a full system? And what if they didn’t have to rely on technical teams to make it work?
Trust Over Tactics: A Smart Growth Strategy
Instead of chasing attention in a crowded market, Lumina focused on trust.
Their breakthrough growth strategy came from partnering with supply chain consultants, experts who already had strong relationships with Lumina’s ideal customers. These consultants weren’t just lead sources. They became true allies in delivering value to clients.
“Partnering with domain experts has been our superpower. They already know how bad the existing tools are, and they’re looking for better solutions. We’re giving them something that makes them look good and helps their clients too.”
It’s a triple win. Clients get smart tech and trusted advice in one package. Consultants deliver more impact and earn more in the process. And Lumina gets warm intros to exactly the right audience.
From Feedback to Fanbase
Lumina’s early outreach wasn’t about selling. It was about listening.
The team started by reaching out to consultants on LinkedIn for product feedback. But those conversations quickly turned into real traction when consultants realized Lumina could solve pressing client problems.
A smart incentive structure helped accelerate things. Trials were free, clients faced zero risk, and consultants earned a reward if the product was adopted.
And it worked.
Getting Paid Before Going Live
One of Lumina’s most exciting milestones came last year. A client was so eager to implement the product that they started paying a license fee before rollout.
“It was a small amount, but a massive moment of validation. They wanted to secure their place in our backlog because they were so excited about what we were building.”
It’s rare for early-stage startups to see that kind of enthusiasm before a product is live, but it shows how deeply Lumina resonates with real-world users.
Pricing for Value
Currently, Lumina charges smaller businesses around £500 per month, though that may soon change.
“As we’ve seen the value we’re delivering, we’ve realized the product is underpriced. We’re still testing, but we plan to increase pricing in line with the impact.”
Lessons from the Journey
Reflecting on her experience so far, Oana shared two key takeaways for fellow founders.
First, action beats overthinking.
“As a first-time founder, I came from a background where I was used to analyzing and getting stakeholder approval. But as a founder, execution matters so much more than planning. If I could go back, I’d act sooner, even if it felt uncomfortable.”
Second, the founder journey is deeply personal.
“It tests your confidence, your values, your storytelling, everything. It’s not just a job, it’s a full-body experience.”
What’s Next for Lumina?
With paying customers on board before launch, a strong network of consultant partners, and a product that solves a real pain point, Lumina is building serious momentum.
They’re not just creating better tooling. They’re reshaping the way supply chain teams work, giving them control, clarity, and tools they actually want to use.
And if this is what the pre-launch chapter looks like, the next one is going to be even bigger.