After the cashless “Saturn Express” in Innsbruck was one of the first pilot projects of the first round of the Retailtech Hubs After the launch of the innovation platform, the second round, which is being implemented jointly with the Plug and Play Tech Center, will begin on March 19. Eleven companies will participate.
The business models of the founders, selected from hundreds of applicants, range from intelligent surveillance systems that warn of impending thefts before they occur, to smart home solutions and cloud-based logistics solutions for the “last mile.”
Among the eleven new companies is a representative from Munich. Free Machines offers an artificial intelligence-based solution for mobile e-commerce. The system adapts to the individual user and, thanks to intelligent algorithms, guides customers to the desired product two to four times faster. The solution is web-based and works on all mobile devices without additional installation. The modular platform can be individually adapted to the retailer's needs. The customer can access all of their trusted retailers via a single platform.
Aachener Grundvermögen joins the company
In addition to the Schwarz Group with Lidl and Kaufland, MediaMarktSaturn was also able to win Aachener Grundvermögen as a partner.
Thorsten Marquardt, Managing Director of the Retailtech Hubs, says:
"The Retailtech Hub has gained momentum incredibly quickly. With the pilot projects and the new startups, we will firmly establish ourselves as an innovation driver for the retail industry as a whole. We are pleased that, after the Schwarz Group, we have been able to gain a partner from the real estate sector, Aachener Grundvermögen."
As an owner of retail space in German and European pedestrian zones, Aachener Grundvermögen is interested in a digitalized and customer-oriented design of the urban city.
"The digitalization of brick-and-mortar retail is in full swing. Soon, brick-and-mortar and online retail will be indistinguishable. As a major owner of retail properties, we want to be at the forefront,"
so Dr. Frank Wenzel, Managing Director of the Cologne-based company.
