Nauta is a pan-European venture capital firm investing in early-stage B2B software companies with offices in London and Barcelona. With over half a billion assets under management and a team of 20 people, Nauta Capital is one of Europe’s largest B2B focused VCs. As a sector-agnostic investor, Nauta’s main areas of interest include B2B SaaS solutions with strong network effects, vertically focused enterprise tech transforming large industries as well as those leveraging deep-tech applications to solve challenges faced by large enterprises.

Nauta Capital

True invests in consumer businesses that are changing the way people live through its funds dedicated to investing in innovators and those who are reimagining their industries. Investing up to £100 million, through its private equity fund — is only one part of what True does for its partners. True is a value-add investor that nurtures brands supporting them with everything from access to emerging technologies, to extraordinary collaboration opportunities from across True's community.  True also invests between £100k and £5m in digital-first, breakout brands that represent the future of consumer behaviour when they’re at pre-seed to Series A stage. We also invest in the retail and consumer technologies which will enable consumer progress — and disrupt the way business has been done to date.

True.

We invest in people and technology. Our mission is to support extraordinary founders in their journey to build great companies, from early to growth stage. United Ventures is an independent Italian venture capital firm investing in digital technologies. Since 2013, it has partnered with over twenty-five technology startups, supporting their growth and international expansion process. United Ventures has €190M in assets under management on two early-stage funds, and it is currently raising the first Italy-based VC fund focused on growth equity investments to broaden the firm’s strategy of investing in the best technology entrepreneurs. The firm’s portfolio includes to date sixteen companies across Italy, UK, Switzerland, Israel, and USA: UV1 - Cloud4Wi, Datrix, Faceit, Loop AI Labs, Mainstreaming, Moneyfarm, Musixmatch UV2 - BOOM, brumbrum, Credimi, Equalum, Exein, Fiscozen, InSilicoTrials, MishiPay, xFarm

United Ventures

American Express Ventures is American Express's strategic investment group. They invest in innovative startups in order to enhance American Express’s core capabilities and accelerate the company’s efforts in consumer commerce and B2B services.

American Express Ventures

Gruppo Bertoldi is a family company and to enhance the characteristic activities and participate in new business projects that are changing.

Gruppo Bertoldi

MishiPay

MishiPay has  invented a new retail payment technology, which allows shoppers in retail stores to use their app to simply pick up a product they want to buy, scan the barcode with their phone, pay within the phone and just walk out. No more queuing or waiting at the Point of Sale.

<div>MishiPay is a London-based startup that offers a self-checkout system powered by Radio Frequency ID (RFID) and cloud computing. MishiPay provides an app that allows shoppers to scan the barcodes of products and carry out payments using their mobile devices. The company also provides a progressive web apps (PWA) solution to allow customers to use their self-checkout solution without the need to install and launch an Android app. The company claims the PWA increases transactions by 10 times and has a higher user adoption rate than platform-specific apps.</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

MishiPay is a provider of self-checkout technology that empowers shoppers to scan and pay for their purchases using their smartphones. The company's solution allows customers to scan barcodes on items and complete the payment process through a wide variety of digital payment methods, eliminating the need to queue at traditional checkout counters. MishiPay's technology can be seamlessly integrated into retailers' existing infrastructure, enabling a frictionless shopping experience for customers. The company's web and native app platforms ensure shoppers do not need to download additional applications to utilize the service.

MishiPay Contact Form

Think Shopping! Think MishiPay! (Self Checkout Technology)

Flying Tiger Copenhagen deploys MishiPay solutions across 56 UK stores, preps mPoS roll

MishiPay introduces mobile self-checkout solution for retail

MishiPay Series A Funding

Our investment in MishiPay — United Ventures

Digital Wallets

Just scan and go with MishiPay at Flying Tiger Copenhagen in Dubai Hills Mall

<div>
 
 MishiPay is a London-based startup that offers a self-checkout system powered by Radio Frequency ID (RFID) and cloud computing. MishiPay provides an app that allows shoppers to scan the barcodes of products and carry out payments using their mobile devices. The company also provides a progressive web apps (PWA) solution to allow customers to use their self-checkout solution without the need to install and launch an Android app. The company claims the PWA increases transactions by 10 times and has a higher user adoption rate than platform-specific apps.
 
 
 As of April 2024, MishiPay also provides a range of barcode scanner-based self-checkout kiosk solutions, which include a mounted 10-, 15-, or 22-inch tablet that can be integrated with existing point-of-sales solutions in the store.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 As of March 2024, MishiPay&rsquo;s solutions were used by 30 brands across 14 countries in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. In August 2016, MishiPay partnered with Cisco UK and had its first commercial deployment at Deloitte&rsquo;s &ldquo;Store of the Future&rdquo; in London. Mishipay&rsquo;s other retail deployment partnerships include Dufry (2017), Leroy Merlin (2017), Saturn (2018), Mango (2018), Decathlon (2019), MUJI (2020), SPAR (2020), Londis (2020), Flying Tiger Copenhagen (2021), Virgin Megastore (2022), and Grandiose super markets (2023).&nbsp;
 
 
 In March 2021, the company also deployed its technology in US airports in collaboration with Paradies Lagard&egrave;re, a North America-based airport retailer and restaurateur. As of 2022, MishiPay had deployments at 30 airports across North America.
 
</div>

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>
 .
 
</div>

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

MishiPay is a provider of self-checkout technology that empowers shoppers to scan and pay for their purchases using their smartphones. The company's solution allows customers to scan barcodes on items and complete the payment process through a wide variety of digital payment methods, eliminating the need to queue at traditional checkout counters. MishiPay's technology can be seamlessly integrated into retailers' existing infrastructure, enabling a frictionless shopping experience for customers. The company's web and native app platforms ensure shoppers do not need to download additional applications to utilize the service.In addition to enhancing the customer experience, MishiPay's solution enables retailers to reduce checkout times, collect valuable shopper insights, and optimize staffing by allowing employees to focus on providing personalized assistance instead of processing transactions. The technology has garnered acclaim from notable retail chains such as MUJI UK, Flying Tiger Copenhagen, and Paradies Lagardère, who have recognized its ability to streamline operations and elevate the in-store experience.In September 2019, MishiPay secured GBP 3.5 million in Series A funding from investors including American Express Ventures, Nauta Capital, and United Ventures. This investment facilitated the company's expansion into new markets and enabled the integration of its solutions across a diverse range of retailers.By October 2020, MishiPay had introduced a mobile self-checkout solution tailored for the retail industry, enabling contactless transactions and adherence to social distancing measures through the use of personal devices.In November 2023, Flying Tiger Copenhagen announced the complete integration of MishiPay's suite of transaction solutions across its 56 UK stores, marking a significant milestone for the company's technology adoption.Key customers and partnershipsMishiPay has established partnerships with several prominent retailers, including:MUJI UK: The mobile self-checkout solution has enabled MUJI UK to offer a new level of convenience, allowing customers to check out without queuing or interacting with hardware, while freeing staff to provide personalized assistance.Flying Tiger Copenhagen: Flying Tiger Copenhagen has fully integrated MishiPay's solutions across its 56 UK stores, enhancing the shopping experience by eliminating the need for customers to wait in line to pay.Paradies Lagardère: Paradies Lagardère, a leading airport retailer, partnered with MishiPay to implement the "Scan, Pay &amp; Go" technology at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Early results indicated travelers embraced the user-friendly service.

Dwolla is a leading provider of payment services specializing in account-to-account (A2A) payments. The company offers an innovative API solution called Dwolla Connect, designed for mid to enterprise-sized businesses. Dwolla Connect simplifies the process of replacing legacy, batch-based technology with modern infrastructure, enhancing the management and reconciliation of payments across multiple financial institutions. With Connect's bank-agnostic approach, businesses can leverage their existing commercial accounts at top US banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo, to effortlessly initiate payments by embedding Dwolla's API into their existing applications and payment flows.
Dwolla Connect serves a wide range of industries, such as financial services, lending, banking-as-a-service, marketplaces, and insurance, among others. Its API-first approach enables businesses to effortlessly integrate A2A payments into their apps or connect with existing ERP/cash management systems, offering a centralized location for payment information. Dwolla Connect provides substantial time and cost savings by allowing businesses to embed a single API, avoiding multiple bank integrations and simplifying their treasury management.
Over the years, Dwolla has expanded its offerings, introducing products like Dwolla Balance, a digital wallet solution, and exploring new payment methods and value-added services. The company has partnered with industry leaders like MX, a leader in open finance APIs, and Mastercard to enhance its payment capabilities and offer consumers more choice in managing their money.

Dwolla

Papaya is a SaaS fintech company that provides global payroll and payments technology through its comprehensive platform called Papaya Payroll OS. The platform automates payroll processes, ensures compliance, offers flexibility, and provides robust security features. Papaya's integrated approach connects data and processes from various HR and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools, creating a single source of truth. This turns payroll, a company's biggest expense and liability, into a strategic asset that enables growth at scale.
One of Papaya's key offerings is a personal portal that empowers employees with convenient access to their payroll financial information. In March 2023, the company introduced a mobile app as part of this portal, allowing employees to securely view and manage their payslips, work-related documents, and bank account details on the go. This app caters to the growing trend of employees accessing payroll information via mobile devices, with 53% of employees doing so as of March 2023.
Papaya's technology has been recognized by leading global analysts for its disruptive approach in workforce management and payments. The company has received accolades such as being included in the Forbes Cloud 100 and CNBC's Top Startups for the Enterprise.

Papaya

Citcon is a leading global payment gateway and service provider, offering innovative solutions that enable businesses to accept payments from consumers using various mobile wallets, payment apps, and methods. The company's technology empowers merchants to expand their customer base and streamline the payment process, enhancing the overall shopping experience. Citcon's platform allows merchants to securely process millions of payment transactions daily from over 200 payment methods, including popular digital wallets like Alipay, WeChat Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.
Founded in 2015, Citcon pioneered as the first authorized US merchant acquirer for WeChat Pay and Alipay, two of the most widely used mobile wallet providers in China. Over the years, the company has expanded its partnerships to include more than 20 global wallet providers, reaching over 2 billion mobile wallet users worldwide. Citcon's technology integrates seamlessly with various point-of-sale (POS) and ecommerce systems, making it accessible to merchants across diverse industries.
Citcon's solutions cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes, from Fortune 1000 companies like L'Oréal, Hermes, and Nordstrom to major retailers such as Macy's, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Revolve. Its platform is deployed at over 30,000 merchant sites and locations globally.
In October 2021, Citcon closed a USD 30 million Series C funding round, backed by leading global investors such as Norwest Venture Partners, Cota Capital, Sierra Ventures, Sonae, and East-West Bank. The company has expanded its presence with regional offices in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia to serve its global clientele better.
Citcon has also diversified its offerings to include cryptocurrency payments. In May 2021, the company partnered with Flexa, a leading pure-digital payments network, enabling merchants worldwide to accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin as payment options.

Citcon

PayNearMe is a leading bill payment platform provider that enables unbanked consumers to make cash payments for various services. The company's technology generates a barcode that consumers can take to participating merchant locations within their vicinity. At the store, customers scan the barcode, provide cash to the cashier, and receive a receipt confirming the payment. This innovative solution solves the challenge of accepting cash payments in an increasingly digital world.
PayNearMe's platform supports multiple payment methods, including cash, credit/debit cards, and bank accounts. The company has built an extensive merchant network of over 40,000 retail locations across the US, including partnerships with major chains like Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Walmart, and Family Dollar Stores. By March 2022, PayNearMe had expanded its network by nearly 50% over the previous 12 months, with the addition of nearly 9,000 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations.
PayNearMe offers a seamless payment experience for customers while enabling businesses to increase foot traffic and potential incremental sales. The company focuses on partnering with convenience stores, dollar stores, grocers, and pharmacies, as these merchant categories align well with their business model.

PayNearMe

Paydiant was a company that provided a cloud-based white-label mobile wallet platform enabling merchants and banks to deploy their own secure mobile wallet solutions under their brand names. Its patented technology allowed merchants to integrate mobile wallet functionality, including mobile payments, loyalty programs, offers, and e-receipts within their existing mobile apps.
The platform assisted merchants in acquiring new customers and increasing sales by delivering targeted offers and personalized loyalty programs directly to consumer mobile devices. Payment credentials were never stored on users' phones but instead securely held in a PCI-compliant data center, enhancing transaction security.
Paydiant's flexible platform supported various payment instruments like debit, credit, gift, and private-label cards while providing valuable insights into customer spending behavior. It facilitated seamless integration with existing point-of-sale systems across popular smartphone models, eliminating hardware upgrade requirements. The company's technology was compatible with emerging standards like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
In March 2015, Paydiant was acquired by PayPal to bolster the latter's in-store mobile payment capabilities and enable merchant partners to build branded mobile wallets integrated with PayPal's services.

Paydiant

These enable users to utilize their wallets for various transactions at virtually any merchant that accepts digital wallet payments without any restrictions on usage.

These enable users to carry out transactions at a selected list of merchants and locations. Merchants may need to set up predefined agreements with digital wallet issuers to accept payments from the wallet.

These are typically developed by merchants themselves and allow customers to use their wallets to make payments at the merchants’ own stores. Users are unable to use these wallets for transactions outside the issuing merchant.

Companies that offer white-label solutions for businesses and fintechs to set up their own digital wallet offering.

Leverages AI/ML to conduct various AML/KYC checks on customers and transactions processed through digital wallets

MishiPay

EDGE Insights

About EDGE

Contact Us

Resources

Area of Focus

Technology Research Made Effortless