Goal: Collect startups for Retail in the areas of “Store Operations”, “Customer relations”, “Supply chains”, “Back office” that use such technologies as Computer vision, Big Data, IoT, Robotisation, AR/VR, and Blockchain for implementation in the retail chains of X5 Retail Group. Make a preliminary analysis of the formed funnel and organize two online pitch sessions with the participation of startups and X5 Retail Group.
Before the start of scouting, GoTech Innovation analysts studied the markets of target countries for the number of companies that meet the X5 Retail Group criteria, developed an online application form using the TechScout platform, which was embedded into the X5 Lab website as a widget.
GoTech Innovation team planned and implemented a PR campaign in the media of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia, as well as in social networks to announce the goals of X5 Retail Group when cooperating with startups from these countries. More than 30 unique publications were issued in the media. From July 27, 2019 to September 17, 2019, GoTech Innovation technology scouts were looking for startups and telling them about the opportunities of cooperation with X5 Retail Group.
As a result of scouting, 232 applications were received from startups of 12 countries (Russia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Germany, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, USA, and Brazil) and 43 cities. X5 Retail Group experts selected 15 companies to participate in online pitch sessions. Entrepreneurs got the opportunity to present their solutions and voice proposals for cooperation.
Despite the different level of projects, the finalists turned out to be strong. We chose the really best ones and did not select according to the residual principle.
I was pleased with the positive attitude of foreign startups to the Russian market. Those who have already worked in our country described their experience as positive, the rest mentioned that they were ready to adapt and did not see this as a problem.
GoTech team has been working with startups for more than 10 years. If you want to run a corporate accelerator, prepare to hold a contest, conference, hackathon, pitch-session or any other event, where it comes to startups and technologies – let’s get acquainted, we will be glad to help.
GoTech is a leader in the field of technology scouting. Our funnel numbers more than 12 000 startups from 50 countries and is constantly updated. Experienced team and international partner network allow finding solutions for corporate tasks and startups for investment in Russia, CIS, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
We use our own TechScout platform to work with startups. Now it is available for wide use. With the help of TechScout, you will be able to collect applications from startups on your website, manage the pipeline, organize the work of experts and monitor the results of the assessment.
What’s on your mind? We would love to help you with all topics related to innovation and getting things done. Let’s talk.