W Ventures, a one-of-a-kind VC and accelerator company, today announced the addition of Robomart to its growing portfolio. The Santa Monica, CA-based store-hailing technology company, which is revolutionizing the retail industry, received a six-figure cash investment as well as marketing communications services valued at six figures in exchange for equity. As part of the deal W Ventures struck with Robomart, the company has agreed to open an East Coast headquarters in Baltimore within three years to serve as Robomart’s base for its upcoming expansion.
Founded in 2017, Robomart is the world’s first store-hailing platform, and has revolutionized the retail industry, by delivering the store to consumers, instead of delivering only specific items from a brick-and-mortar store. Robomart works in a similar fashion to Uber in that you can hail a full store in a truck to come to you and you can pick out your own products without having to go through a lengthy checkout process. The Robomart system is engineered with cutting-edge technologies, including a proprietary RFID-based checkout-free system and purpose-built refrigeration. Users can handpick all their groceries in minutes – right at home – without having to go to the supermarket or wait for a delivery window.
In early trials, the average time from hailing via the app until completion of the transaction was less than 15 minutes. Currently, the company has developed three types of Robomarts: a Pharmacy Robomart, which was recently piloted in West Hollywood; a Grocery Robomart, which features fresh fruits and vegetables as well as refrigerated items; and a ready-to-eat Snacks Robomart – both of which will be rolled out very soon.
Since first making its debut at CES, where the company unveiled the world’s first self-driving grocery store, Robomart has disrupted the industry and received many high-profile awards and features in Forbes, Observer, CNBC and more. Robomart’s driverless vehicles will be added to their fleet as regulations allow. Now, following a successful beta, Robomart is launching in West Hollywood this spring, with the Pharmacy and Snack Robomarts, in addition to the Grocery Robomart.
Robomart has partnered with leading firms including Zeeba, its vehicle fleet supplier, and Zebra Technologies and Avery Dennison, the world’s leaders in RFID, who have provided support for Robomart’s proprietary RFID tracking technology.
W Ventures, in partnership with Warschawski, a full-service marketing communications agency, will implement a variety of integrated marketing and communications campaigns, ranging from traditional media relations and social media strategy to digital advertising in order to enhance national media exposure and increase consumer-focused brand awareness. W Ventures and Warschawski will also design a new website landing page to support the company’s continued growth.
“We are thrilled to have Robomart join our growing portfolio of innovative, industry-changing brands. As a society, our most valuable asset is time, and the Robomart team has created an exciting solution that offers a faster, more convenient way to purchase everyday household items, all while still allowing customers to hand-select what they buy,” said David Warschawski, managing partner of W Ventures. “Robomart’s creation of an entirely new category within the retail industry is exactly the type of disruptive, solution-oriented company we want in our portfolio. We look forward to Robomart’s upcoming launch and continued success and growth in the coming years.”
Ali Ahmed, co-founder & CEO of Robomart added, “We're excited to partner with David and his excellent team at Warschawski. As one of the nation’s leading full suite marketing agencies, their inputs and support will be invaluable as we scale our unique business, and we look forward to working with them on marketing and PR for our upcoming rollout and beyond.”
W Ventures accepts applications from startup founders on a rolling basis. Portfolio companies receive access to its network of angel and VC investors, as well as business and subject matter experts who can assist in refining every aspect of their offerings. The company provides either cash investments and/or marketing communications services in exchange for equity and offers beautiful office space and living quarters for executives. Additionally, W Ventures often works with its extensive network to share investment opportunities with other potential investors and to engage expert feedback on potential investments.
For additional information on W Ventures, or to schedule an interview with David Warschawski please contact Ally Moscucci at ally.moscucci@warschawski.com. For information on eligibility criteria and how to apply, founders should visit https://wventuresllc.com/.
About W Ventures
W Venturesis a one-of-a-kind accelerator that combines three elements: the ability to do marketing communications work in exchange for equity, the financial backing and connections of a VC firm, and a beautiful incubator workspace and living quarters for its founders. W Ventures focuses on high growth potential companies based in or willing to relocate to or co-headquarter in the Baltimore/Washington region. For information on eligibility criteria and how to apply, founders should visit https://wventuresllc.com/.
About Warschawski
Warschawski is dedicated to providing clients with the highest quality of digital, advertising, marketing, PR, interactive and creative design services. Warschawski has won the top recognition of being named “U.S. Small Agency of the Year” for four of the past six years. For ten consecutive years, it also has been ranked as one of the top 30 “Best Agencies to Work For” in the U.S. The company, whose clients include Fortune 500 and Inc. 500 companies, has won more than 200 awards for its marketing communications work over the last 15 years. Warschawski was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD with offices in New York City and Washington, DC.
About Robomart
Robomart is the world’s first store-hailing platform, delivering the fastest and most convenient shopping experience ever to consumers through its on-demand fleet of mobile mini-marts. Engineered with cutting-edge technologies, including a proprietary RFID-based checkout-free system and purpose-built refrigeration, users can hail a Robomart to their location, eliminating the need to go to the store, while enjoying the convenience of picking out their own items – right at home. Founded in 2017 by serial entrepreneurs with deep domain expertise in on-demand delivery, robotics and food retail, Robomart is creating the most accessible and immediate way to shop. To learn more about Robomart, visit robomart.co.
