- Apr 11, 2018
Updated: Feb 18, 2021
LVMH launched La Maison des Startups, its’ startup accelerator at Station F last night and the Smartzer team was there to demo and introduce the Smartzer tech to LVMH CEO, Bernard Arnault, LVMH brands and press.
Launched in November 2017, Station F is a vast startup incubator started by French billionaire Xavier Niel. Described as a “small city” Station F is the largest startup campus in the world and the size of the Eiffel Tower laying down. The venue offers startups a post office, 24 themed lounges, 8 event spaces, a café and a 360-person auditorium.
LMVH follows in the footsteps of French cosmetics giant L’Oreal who started an accelerator at Station F last year. The LVMH incubator measures 2,400 square feet with 89 work stations and the LVMH program will host 50 international start-ups yearly in two six-month terms. Geared at accelerating collaborations between startups proposing solutions for the luxury market and LVMH’s portfolio of more than 70 brands, the LVMH accelerator is the perfect opportunity for Smartzer’s interactive video technology. Since the soft launch of the program in November, Smartzer has been introduced to many brands and is already developing partnerships.
At last night’s event, founder Karoline Gross, presented the Smartzer concept to Bernard Arnault, select press and distinguished guests including LVMH’s Chief Digital Officer, Ian Rogers and Vuitton’s Executive Vice President Delphine Arnault. All parties were interested in our tech and how interactive videos could work with luxury brands to boost engagement.
During his speech, Bernard Arnault praised the startups selected for the LVMH accelerator for their innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. This spark that the startups have is why the LVMH group wants to maintain a close relationship with them.
We are so excited to be part of the LVMH accelerator program and cannot wait to create interactive and shoppable videos for LVMH’s luxury brands.
Read more about the LVMH Station F launch:
"LVMH unveils initiative for start-ups" - Draper's
- Mar 13, 2018
Updated: Feb 4, 2021
Smartzer loves any opportunity to pitch our innovative shoppable video solution, especially if we find ourselves pitching near the beach. For Pitch to Pery, Smartzer founder, Karoline Gross was able to do just that. Pitch to Perry selected 10 start-ups with technology solutions for the fashion and retail industry that drive growth and revenue for a chance to win a commercial pilot with Perry Ellis International (PEI). Start-ups were chosen based on their ability to increase e-commerce sales, create awareness for PEI’s global lifestyle brands, enhance consumer in-store retail experience, or introduce new Internet of Things to products.
FINALISTS:
42 technologies - Modern Retail Analytics (centralized data platform)
VNTANTA - An end-to-end solution for premium mixed reality using proprietary holograms
Nobal Technologies (iMirror) - Reinventing the consumer retail experience with the iMirror
Tailored - Enhancing the fashion fitting experience from design to consumer
Bombfell - Online 1:1 personal styling platform
Perch Interactive - Digital Content based on what products shoppers touch
SmarterHQ - Personalize each and every shopper interaction in real time
Gramercy - Turns your loyal customers into your best salespeople
Trendalytics - Transforms your merchandising strategy
Smartzer - Making videos interactive and shoppable
At the demo day Karoline met with PEI and Miami’s top investors in Miami for a day of pitching and networking. Smartzer was an excellent solution to increase PEI’s e-commerce sales by incorporating visualization technologies to increase consumer engagement and revenue.
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- Mar 7, 2018
Updated: Feb 18, 2021
Run by the UK-based website and data service Retail Week, this annual event brings together innovators and world-leaders in retail to share compelling content via a mix of speeches, interviews, workshops and boardroom discussions. Smartzer spent two days pitching and networking with major brands and innovators, discussing solutions for the rapid changes facing retailers in the digital age.
One of the stages at Retail Week Live is Launchpad, dedicated to introducing retail experts with start-ups. For the second time, Smartzer was chosen as one of the 20 most disruptive retail technologies and asked to present our game-changing solution to the event’s top retailers. Smartzer founder Karoline Gross, presented the Smartzer concept to a panel of judges including David Hennessy, CIO of Superdry and Dan Saunders of L Marks.
After an impressive first pitch, Smartzer made it to the final round and was able to pitch before finalist judges on the finale stage. Karoline persuasively explained how retail brands can utilize their video content to engage customers and drive more sales. Smartzer was shortlisted as one of the top three finalists. It was an honor to be chosen not only as one of Retail Week’s revolutionary start-ups but was especially exciting to get runner-up in the competition.
Other than our wonderful experience pitching on the Launchpad start-up stage, we enjoyed networking with big retailers such as Tesco and Shop Direct at our stand in the exhibition hall. It was an excellent way to meet with retail industry experts on an individual basis, showing them new system capabilities and discussing our 2018 road map.