Conjure

Conjure (also known as Robomart) develops autonomous mobile grocery minimarts that can be hailed on-demand using a mobile application. Conjure promotes the unique idea of store hailing, which competes with ADVs and sidewalk droids in last-mile delivery automation. Sensors such as LiDARs, cameras, and radars enable its self-driving system. The mobile minimarts are equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors for a checkout-free shopping experience, where a customer's credit card would be charged automatically by tracking items taken. Its products include,

1) Oasis: (planned deployments in 2024), which offers retailers the option for customized branding and a capacity of approximately 300 stock-keeping units (SKUs) or 440 lbs. The platform is largely geared toward foodservice industry partners such as bakeries, sandwich shops, coffee shops, ice cream brands, pizzerias, and chicken shops.

2) Haven: (planned deployments in 2025), a mobile minimart focused on supermarkets and convenience stores. The solution offers retailers customized branding options and a capacity for 300+ SKUs or 4,400 lbs. 

Conjure has tested its technology in geographies including Santa Clara, Alameda, Los Angeles (California), and Boston (Massachusetts). The company’s business model involves charging a hailing fee on top of the cost of goods sold. 

Key customers and partnerships

As of January 2024, Conjure has customer partnerships with companies including Unilever (Ben & Jerry’s), Mars, Fatty Mart, REEF, and Arts Specialties to deploy over 100 Robomarts.

Conjure has product partnerships with 1) fleet leasing company Zeeba Vans to obtain vehicles; 2) Zebra Technologies and Avery Dennison for merchandise tracking technology (as of June 2021); and 3) Pix Moving, a developer of self-driving chassis platforms, to launch autonomous mobile retail stores using PIX’s technologies (January 2024).

Funding and financials

In August 2023, Conjure raised USD 2 million in seed funding led by W Ventures.

Key competitors: None comparable (Conjure is the only startup in the Last-mile Delivery Automation space that offers a mobile grocery minimart for customers to hail)