Founded in 2016, Brookstreet Equity Partners is a growth/expansion firm based in London, United Kingdom. The firm is an award-winning, Mayfair-based international platform investing in asymmetric early-stage opportunities addressing the Scale Up Equity Funding gap. Brookstreet is recognized as the ''Best Commercially Motivated PE and is a platform for CEOs, UHNW Families, and Investors. The firm's notable awards include UK Innovative PEVC Fund Manager of the Year and UK Niche PE House of the Year. Brookstreet is a thematic investor in innovations across the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and ESG technologies with wider impact, growth potential, and evidence of value. Digital Transformation and Green Transition investments include Energy Management from NanoTech Materials to IoT Sustainable Smart Buildings and Smart Cities, Physical Security Management for Patrol Teams and Lone Workers, Cybersecurity for Assets including Maritime, Industrial Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies, as well Deep Tech Artificial Intelligence Platforms and Machine Learning. The firm leads efforts in emerging themes like Space, DeFi, and Longevity. Brookstreet does things differently, including focusing on selected key assets, having ties to Candesic (a McKinsey alumni strategy consulting and commercial due diligence affiliate with $10 billion of transactions and 500+ deals), and a hands-on approach.

Brookstreet Equity Partners

Harvard University is devoted to teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. Harvard faculty are engaged with teaching and research to push the boundaries of human knowledge. For students who are excited to investigate the biggest issues of the 21st century, Harvard offers an unparalleled student experience and a generous financial aid program, with over $160 million awarded to more than 60% of our undergraduate students. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Harvard University is an ivy league school.  Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000-degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world.

Harvard University

Plug and Play is an accelerator firm. The firm seeks to invest in companies operating in consumer products, consumer services, financial services, healthcare, information technology, materials, resources, and technology sectors. They are creating a unique ecosystem designed to facilitate meaningful introductions, invest in startups, and bring together key stakeholders.

Plug and Play

Potter Ventures

River Capital helps small and medium sized businesses to accelerate their growth and achieve their full potential.

River Capital

Autonomo Technologies

Autonomo is a Harvard award winning deep tech business that exists to simplify shopping for customers and retailers. Autonomo use computer vision to remove checkouts from retail stores, allowing customers to tap their card or phone, grab their products and walk out. Founded by former Metro Group CEO and Harvard graduate, Autonomo’s team of 28 people work with petrol stations, convenience stores and grab-and-go stores to increase customer satisfaction and increase efficiencies in brick and mortar retail.  To date the Autonomo technology has been used by over 20,000 customers and works with leading European brands such as Edeka.  The business was set up to impact the $1tr convenience retail market

<div>Autonomo is a Germany-based startup that develops computer vision-powered technology for fully automated stores. Its technology enables customers to enter a store by using either a mobile app or a credit/debit card at the store entrance. Autonomo then tracks items picked up by customers using cameras and computer vision technology to enable customers to pick up their purchases and exit the store to complete the transaction.&nbsp;</div>

Providing a seamless consumer experience is one hope for bringing back brick and mortar retail, automated stores are being built to do just that.

Automated Stores

Autonomo

<div>
 
 Autonomo is a Germany-based startup that develops computer vision-powered technology for fully automated stores. Its technology enables customers to enter a store by using either a mobile app or a credit/debit card at the store entrance. Autonomo then tracks items picked up by customers using cameras and computer vision technology to enable customers to pick up their purchases and exit the store to complete the transaction.&nbsp;
 
 
 In August 2022, Autonomo launched its first cashierless organic market in Hamburg, Germany, under the name, &ldquo;Hoody-Markt.&rdquo;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In April 2023, Autonomo partnered with Germany-based retailer Meyer's Frischecenter to launch several autonomous stores in northern Germany.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27651">
 March 2024
 </a>
 , Autonomo raised GBP 2 million (USD 2.6 million) in a seed funding round led by Potter Ventures to invest in introducing Autonomo's cashierless solutions in the UK.
 
</div>

<div>
 
 Grabango provides computer vision-powered, grab-and-go-styled fully automated checkout solutions for retailers. Grabango utilizes in-store overhead rails powered by machine-learning algorithms to detect items picked up by customers. The customers can pick up items in the store and complete their purchase by scanning a code generated in the Grabango mobile app.&nbsp;
 
 
 The technology can be deployed locally and on the cloud. Grabango is designed for stores with more than 100,000 sq ft of floor space. The company claims its solution can recognize objects at an accuracy rate of 99.9% and as of 2020 holds over 30 patents for its technology. Grabango&rsquo;s technology does not use facial recognition.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Grabango has deployed its solutions in the US in partnership with as 1) Giant Eagle supermarket to launch five stores (September 2020, expanded in 2021); 2) Circle K for six stores(November 2021); 3) bp to retrofit 10 stores, including ampm stations and Amoco locations (December 2021); 4) MAPCO to launch two stores (February 2022); and 5) Aldi for one store (
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26268">
 February 2024
 </a>
 ). The company also has partnerships with retailers 7-Eleven to launch 10 stores in Australia (August 2023) and Copec for 100 stores across South America (December 2023).
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Grabango raised USD 39 million in a Series B funding round in June 2021 led by Commerce Ventures to support the company&rsquo;s expansion plans.&nbsp;
 
</div>

Grabango

Zippin offers computer vision-powered grab-and-go checkout solutions for retailers. Zippin uses overhead cameras and shelf sensors along with computer vision algorithms to track items picked up by customers. The customers can use Zippin’s mobile app to enter the store, pick up their purchases, and exit the stores to complete the transaction. Zippin claims the combination of cameras and weight sensors provides a more accurate sensor fusion algorithm compared to a purely camera-based solution.Zippin does not use biometrics to identify consumers and only uses overhead cameras to map out customer movements. Zippin’s solutions are priced based on the square footage of the stores.The company also offers the Zippin Crew app, a mobile app that can be used to scan and locate inventory in-store. It provides retailers with inventory insights, such as planogram data, stock availability data, and out-of-stock alerts. Zippin Retailer Dashboard is a store analytics solution that provides insights on real-time shopping activity, planogram compliance, out-of-stocks, and shopper behavior.In 2022, the company launched Zippin Lane, a checkout-free solution suitable for high-traffic locations like sport arenas, airports, train stations, and busy college campuses. Zippin lanes are designed to fit into long and narrow areas with store sizes starting at 240 sq ft. As of September 2022, the Zippin had deployed over 20 Zippin lanes, including nine locations at NFL venues.Key customers and partnershipsAs of February 2023, Zippin had deployed its technology at 90 store locations (after opening its first demo store in 2019). Zippin’s technology powers supermarkets and convenience stores such as Lojas Americanas (August 2019) in Brazil and Azbuka Vkusa (May 2020) in Russia. As of September 2023 Zippin had 71 checkout free stores at sports venues and stadiums in the US including 1) Golden 1 Center arena (September 2019), 2) Mile High Stadium in Denver (November 2020), 3) Barclays Center (in partnership with American Express; June 2021), 4) Houston's NRG Stadium (in partnership with Aramark; March 2022); and 5) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (October 2022). In 2023, Zippin opened checkout-free stores at multiple NFL stadiums. Zippin also opened a checkout-free store in partnership with the Dallas-based restaurant and entertainment business, Dave &amp; Buster’s (July 2022). In December 2021, the company announced the launch of its first airport store in partnership with JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and SSP America, an airport foodservice operator. In May 2024, Zippin partnered with the food service company <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29719">Aramark</a> to introduce a frictionless and cashierless store at a theme park in the UK.The Japan-based systems integrator Fujitsu serves as Zippin’s exclusive distributor in Japan (December 2020). Under the partnership, Fujitsu has the authority to deploy Zippin’s technology integrated with Fujitsu’s biometric authentication technology. The two companies initially piloted an automated store at a Lawson convenience store chain in Japan (February 2020). In November 2022, the companies extended the partnership to support UK and Europe deployments.Funding and financialsIn September 2021, Zippin raised USD 30 million in a Series B funding round, to invest in its expansion plan and accelerate innovation specifically with regards to deployment and maintenance.

Zippin

<div>
 
 A vision technology company, AWM (Adroit Worldwide Media) Smart Shelf offers an array of retail solutions. The company&rsquo;s main cashierless checkout solution is called AWM Frictionless, a collaborative solution offered in partnership with Microsoft Azure, and uses several of AWM&rsquo;s product offerings to create an enhanced shopping experience.&nbsp;
 
 
 As shoppers arrive, they launch their mobile app to check in, where the AWM Frictionless platform notes their presence. As shoppers move, cameras track them, and their identity is further validated by facial-matching software. Product selection is then tracked through AWM&rsquo;s Automated Inventory Intelligence solution, which uses a series of super-wide-angle low-light HD cameras and AWM&rsquo;s LED Fascia technology (a type of automated shelving technology). Machine learning tracks shopper purchases and makes shopping list recommendations during subsequent visits. Once shopping is done, shoppers simply exit the store and are automatically charged in their online accounts.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s partnerships go beyond the retail sector. In January 2020, AWM partnered with OptiCrib to offer friction-free inventory management in the industrial and commercial supply space. Meanwhile, AWM&rsquo;s retail partnerships include Albertsons, Aramark, Coop, Diageo, The Home Depot, Greenpicks Market, and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25770">
 Choice Markets
 </a>
 .
 
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AWM Smart Shelf

AiFi offers a grab-and-go checkout solution powered by computer vision and AI. Its solution enables a customer to enter a store using a mobile app, pick up the items required, and exit the store to complete the purchase. The solution also generates statistics and insights on customer behavior. The company claims that its technology can track up to 500 customers while also tracking tens of thousands of items in a store. It also claims a 99% accuracy rate and can be used within a space of up to 10,000 square feet, without using facial recognition technology or storing biometric data.AiFi’s flagship platform, “Orchestrated Autonomous Store Infrastructure &amp; Services (OASIS)” is designed for stores ranging from 200 square feet to 10,000 square feet and allows users to select between a fully autonomous shopping experience or a hybrid model. The stores will have a turnstile, a kiosk or door locks at the entrance, which the customer can interact with to gain access to the store. It also can be integrated with existing payments, inventory management, and electronic shelf labeling systems. The stores operate on a subscription-based model, and the company guarantees 12 months to achieve a return on investment (ROI).AiFi leverages the OASIS platform to offer retail clients the option of deploying an AiFi NanoStore, a custom-designed, fully-automated, container-sized, unmanned, checkout-free store format that can be operated 24/7. The NanoStores come in sizes of 160, 300 and 370 square feet specifications. Company claims that its technology can save around USD 20 per hour of operation.Key customers and partnershipsAs of February 2023, AiFi’s technology was deployed at over 100 stores globally. In January 2022, AiFi launched its largest store, a 6,000 sq ft Aldi location in London. AiFi’s key partnerships include Carrefour (November 2018) in the UAE, Zabka (February 2019), Wundermart (February 2021), PostNL (May 2021), Morrisons (July 2021), Aldi (January 2022), Compass Group (December 2021), Kende Gastro (January 2022) in Europe, Loop Neighborhood (January 2020), Choice Market (April 2021), Verizon (May 2021) , Acrisure Arena ( <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29120">May 2024 </a>), and Chicago White Sox (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33472">September 2024</a>) in the US, and AiGo (December 2020) in China.AiFi also has a partnership with Microsoft (January 2023) to launch a cloud-based analytics service for cashier-less stores. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9389">March 2022 </a>AiFi partnered with Sodexo, the French campus food service operator, to bring autonomous grocery stores to campuses across the US.Funding and financialsBy 2022, AiFi reportedly had revenue growth of 5–6x YoY. In March 2022, AiFi raised USD 65 million in a Series B funding round led by Canada-based investment management firm Khaira CapitalAiFi. It planned to leverage the new funding to scale partnerships, strengthen its deployment team for faster store rollouts, and invest in product development and feature enhancement.

AiFi

<div>
 
 Eflyn is an Ontario-based developer of interactive digital displays, self-checkout kiosks, and vending machine solutions with operations in Canada and the US. Eflyn&rsquo;s self-checkout kiosk range includes solutions designed for the retail industry, as well as restaurant self-ordering and donation and fundraising kiosks for places of worship and non-profit organizations.&nbsp;
 
 
 Eflyn&rsquo;s self-checkout kiosks and stations for retailers enable customers to scan items using a built-in scanner and complete the purchase process using the interactive screen and an attached debit/credit card machine. Eflyn also offers shopify integrations to its kiosk solutions, enabling retailers to integrate their ecommerce operations with retail. The customers can use an Eflyn kiosk with a shopify integration to browse products in the retailer&rsquo;s ecommerce store, check in-store availability, and place an online order in the event an item is not available in store.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In November 2020, Eflyn Shopify Kiosks were made available to all the company&rsquo;s customers after a trial period with select retailers. Since then, Eflyn served customers across various industries, including retail, education, and foodservice, including customers such as Pet Collar Emporium, Lowe's, Toys&ldquo;R&rdquo;Us Canada, and Ryerson University.&nbsp;
 
</div>

Eflyn

Companies providing smart shelves (hardware and software systems, including vision-based systems) and stock tagging systems (including radio frequency identification [RFID]) to track items inside a store

Companies providing shopping carts enhanced with cameras, sensors, and AI to enable automatic checkout

Includes self-checkout kiosks (typically cameras and weight sensors) and mobile app-based scanning solutions (commonly leveraging barcodes and QR codes) that enable users to carry out the checkout process themselves

Companies providing hardware and software solutions (including cameras, sensors, and AI computer vision solutions for stores) to enable customers to completely avoid the checkout process (allowing them to enter a store, pick up an item, and exit the store)

Solutions in the industry are often powered by AI, and ML

Solutions in the industry are often powered by IoT, cloud computing, AI, and ML

Companies in “automated checkout” often use IoT

<div>
 The computer vision-powered self-checkout solutions developer, Autonomo, based in Germany, has successfully raised GBP 2 million (Essentially USD 2.6 million) in its seed funding round. This funding was led by Potter Ventures, and River Capital participated as well. The current funds managed to broaden Autonomo's total funding to approximately GBP 3.8 million, or USD 4.8 million.
 Autonomo's plans for these funds are centred around introducing their cashierless solutions to the United Kingdom.
 The specialized technology employed by Autonomo liberates customers to enter a store by interacting with a mobile app, gather their purchases, and exit the store to finalize the purchase. The system employs cameras and AI to automatically monitor items picked up by customers. As of now, Autonomo's technology is implemented in Germany across diverse retail spaces such as convenience stores and fuel stations. 
</div>

Autonomo

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