Retail Innovation Tech Alliance is looking for startups to launch joint pilots with leading corporations in Russia

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Retail Innovation Tech Alliance (RITA) is created by leading Russian retail and technology companies in order to scout and adopt innovations

Opportunities for startups with Retail Innovation Tech Alliance

  • Testing
    Testing

    Check MVP performance on a dedicated part of the business process of one of the RITA partners.

  • Piloting
    Piloting

    Launch a pilot project with one of the RITA partners

  • Scaling
    Scaling

    Implement your project for millions of customers and in thousands of outlets. Scale cooperation with the entire business of RITA partners.

What solutions are of interest to us

  • Customer relationships
    Customer relationships

    Customer journey: From planning a purchase to feedback after a store visit

  • Offline stores and warehousing
    Offline stores and warehousing

    Boosting the efficiency of store personnel across different functions, from handling goods to managing people and equipment. Solutions for improving storage efficiency.

  • Online store and delivery
    Online store and delivery

    Solutions for increasing the efficiency of online trading, delivery and order assembly

  • Remote online sales support
    Remote online sales support

    Internet sales with the use of audio, video, co-browsing technology and other

  • Disinfection and contactless service
    Disinfection and contactless service

    Solutions to increase safety of customers and employees in stores, distribution centers and while delivering

  • Transport and logistics
    Transport and logistics

    Improving the efficiency of processes during the transportation of goods

  • Improving the efficiency of internal processes
    Improving the efficiency of internal processes

    Hiring and training personnel, working with documents, finances

  • Advertising and marketing technologies
    Advertising and marketing technologies

    Loyalty programs, targeting, marketing analytics

  • Automatic interior design
    Automatic interior design

    From smart furniture selection to 3D designs

  • Home Mobile Entertainment
    Home Mobile Entertainment

    Content Services, Gaming, AR

  • Financial technologies
    Financial technologies

    Payment solutions, insurance products, investments

What technologies we are looking for

  • 5G

    5G

  • IOT/M2M

    IOT/M2M

  • Machine Learning

    Machine Learning

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Artificial Intelligence

  • VR/AR/MR

    VR/AR/MR

  • Blockchain

    Blockchain

  • Big Data

    Big Data

  • Computer Vision

    Computer Vision

  • Mobile

    Mobile

  • Cloud Tech

    Cloud Tech

  • Self-driving vehicles and Robotics

    Self-driving vehicles and Robotics

  • Wearable Devices and Gadgets

    Wearable Devices and Gadgets

  • New materials, eco-friendly packaging

    New materials, eco-friendly packaging

  • Equipment for moving goods and quick collection of orders

    Equipment for moving goods and quick collection of orders

Project selection criteria

  • MVP

    MVP

  • No less than two team members

    No less than two team members

  • Idea scalability

    Idea scalability

Timeline

Deal Flow session #1 (Russia, CIS, Europe) May 2020
  • 30 April

    Application Deadline

  • 8 May

    Announcement of 15 finalists

  • 14 May

    Deal flow session #1

Deal Flow session #2 (Europe, USA) October 2020
  • 18 September

    Application Deadline

  • 2 October

    Announcement of 15 finalists

  • 9 October

    Deal flow session #2

Deal Flow session #3 (Russia, CIS, Europe) November 2020
  • 13 November

    Application Deadline

  • 24 November

    Announcement of 15 finalists

  • 02 December

    Deal flow session #3

Deal Flow session #4 (Israel) January 2021
  • 14 January

    Application Deadline

  • 28 February

    Announcement of 15 finalists

  • 04 March

    Deal flow session #4

Management board

Vladimir Salakhutdinov
Vladimir Salakhutdinov

Director of strategy at Х5 Retail Group

Michael Kuchment
Michael Kuchment

Co-founder of Hoff

George Held
George Held

Executive Vice President of Digital New Business Development at Beeline

Fedor Savelyev
Fedor Savelyev

Head of Strategy, Business Transformation Office M.Video-Eldorado

Experts

Evgeny Korobov
Evgeny Korobov

New business development director at Beeline

Nikolay Evchenko
Nikolay Evchenko

Head of innovation planning and development department at Beeline

Tatiana Vybornova
Tatiana Vybornova

Senior Market Development Expert at Beeline

Ivan Melnik
Ivan Melnik

Innovations Director at Х5 Retail Group

Denis Levchenko
Denis Levchenko

Head of Scouting at X5 Retail Group

Natalia Martemianova
Natalia Martemianova

Scouting Project Manager at X5 Retail Group

Eugene Babaev
Eugene Babaev

Scouting Project Manager at X5 Retail Group

Leonid Tsvetkov
Leonid Tsvetkov

Innovation Manager at X5 Retail Group

Sergey Semenchenko
Sergey Semenchenko

Innovation manager M.Video-Eldorado

Kirill Ivanov
Kirill Ivanov

Head of Data Office M.Video-Eldorado

Konstantin Peshekhonov
Konstantin Peshekhonov

CIO Hoff

Lev Samsonov
Lev Samsonov

Innovation Manager Hoff

More

Partners

  • Scouting partner in Russia, CIS

    Scouting partner in Russia, CIS

  • Scouting partner in Europe

    Scouting partner in Europe

  • Scouting partner in Israel

    Scouting partner in Israel

FAQ

How to apply?

To apply, fill out the form before 23:59 (Moscow time) January 14. On February 28th, a list of 15 finalists will be published in the blog section, stay tuned. In case of success, we will invite you to an online pitch session. The indicated dates are relevant for participation in the Deal Flow Session 4, the dates of next Deal Flow Sessions will be published later. to a deal flow session.

What is a Deal Flow Session?

Deal Flow Session is a pitch session of projects selected by RITA experts, which will be held in online or offline format. Dates, formats, and location will be determined later and published on the website.

Can I participate in several Deal Flow Sessions?

No, one project can participate in one Deal Flow Session only.

What is a pilot?

A pilot project is a test of the viability of your product in a limited process of one of the RITA partners’ infrastructure. The conditions of the pilot project are discussed individually. It depends on the RITA partner, on the basis of which the project is carried out, on the resources necessary for implementation, on time, etc.

From which countries does the selection involve startups?

Projects from all around the world are invited to participate. You can apply in both Russian and English.

I have 2 projects. Can I submit more than one application?

Yes. The number of applications is unlimited, but for each project it is necessary to submit a separate application.

Is it free?

Yes. Participation is totally free of charge. If your project is selected to participate in the Deal Flow Session, travel and accommodation expenses will not be covered.

I applied but did not receive any feedback. When will I get a response?

We check all applications and study them carefully. The list of finalists will be published on the blog at www.rita.vc

What should I do if a technical error occurred while filling out an application?

Please let us know about the mistake by sending an email with its description to startup@rita.vc

Can I apply as an individual?

You can apply as an individual. However, to conduct a pilot project, you need to register a legal entity.

Which are the key evaluation criteria when reviewing the applications?

The main evaluation criteria are the following: 1) the level of originality and uniqueness of the solution, and the level of technology used for its implementation; 2) team members experience (education, relevant experience, experience and skills related to the subject and the market, object knowledge, role distribution); 3) business “maturity” and the product’s or service’s potential in terms of scope for further growth and expansion.

Who will evaluate my application?

All applications will be evaluated by the RITA experts.

Can I discuss the issue in person?

You can send your question to the address startup@rita.vc. We will contact you. We do not provide individual consultations at the stage of applications collection.

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