BRAND & RETAIL INNOVATION PLATFORM
Brand & Retail
About the Program
Our Brand & Retail innovation platform connects forward-thinking brands, retailers, and consumer-focused companies with global startups transforming the retail value chain. From data capture and hyper-personalization to operational efficiency, join our platform to elevate your business and stay ahead in the ever-evolving brand and retail industry.
vertical launched
vertical launched
partners
partners
offices worldwide
offices worldwide
startups accelerated
startups accelerated
Who We Work With
AI is Rewriting the Customer Journey
Agentic commerce and AI-guided shopping are rapidly replacing traditional discovery funnels. Retailers who integrate intelligent personalization now will define the next decade of consumer loyalty.
Data Capture Is Driving Hyper-Personalization
Brands that master first-party data and AI-driven insights are delivering customer experiences that competitors can't replicate. The gap between data leaders and laggards is widening fast.
Innovation Ecosystems Beat Isolated Efforts
Retail innovation at scale requires network effects. Our global platform gives your team curated startup exposure, peer learning from 70+ partners, and offices in Silicon Valley, Munich, and Paris.
How it Works
Our proven methodology compresses the innovation cycle from years to weeks, delivering tangible results your leadership team can act on.
Define Your Innovation Agenda
We work with your team to identify priority challenges across the retail value chain, from customer experience to supply chain.
Curated Startup Introductions
We help our partners narrow down challenges and have one-on-one meetings with startups exclusively sourced for them.
Rapid Pilots & Real Validation
Run fast, structured pilots with startups that match your use case. We facilitate the process, so you get proof of concepts in weeks, not quarters.
Scale What Works
Convert pilots into partnerships, with continued support from us to manage long-term startup relationships.
Industry Events
Our partners gain access to industry-specific events curated for their interests throughout the program.
Expos & Summits
Programs conclude with an Expo or Summit, where all batch startups present to a broader audience.
Our Focus Areas
AI in Retail
Decision-making improves, shopping experiences become more personalized, and operations are optimized through AI in retail. By leveraging AI, retailers gain deeper insights, streamline processes, and build stronger connections with their customers.
Customer Experience
Customer experience shapes perceptions, influences loyalty, and drives purchasing decisions. Brands that prioritize exceptional customer experiences gain a competitive edge and foster long-term relationships with their customers.
Data Capture
Capturing data is essential for informed decision-making and enables businesses to understand consumer behavior, optimize strategies, and enhance customer experiences. Brands can stay competitive in today's dynamic market landscape by leveraging captured data effectively.
Delivery
Delivery is paramount in the brand & retail sector, shaping customer experiences and satisfaction. Punctual and dependable delivery services boost brand loyalty, fostering repeat purchases. Streamlined delivery operations are vital for surpassing customer expectations and excelling in a cutthroat market.
E-Commerce
E-commerce is a cornerstone of the brand & retail sector, providing businesses with a channel to engage a worldwide audience and grow their market influence. Through the ease of online shopping, consumers can explore, buy, and receive goods from the comfort of their homes, revolutionizing how businesses engage with their customers. Embracing e-commerce not only drives sales but also enriches brand exposure and customer interaction in the contemporary digital era.
Hyper-Personalization
Hyper-personalization is a game-changer, allowing companies to tailor products and services to individual customer preferences. By analyzing data and leveraging technology, businesses can create unique and targeted experiences for consumers, fostering stronger connections and loyalty. This approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives sales and sets companies apart in a competitive market.
Operations Efficiency
Efficient operations are crucial in streamlining processes, and optimizing workflows can lead to cost savings and improved customer satisfaction. By focusing on operational efficiency, businesses can enhance productivity and stay competitive in the market.
Sensors
Sensors allow businesses to collect valuable data on customer behavior and preferences. By utilizing sensor technology, companies can improve personalized shopping experiences and streamline inventory management. The deployment of sensors enhances operational efficiency and promotes customer engagement and loyalty.
Brand & Retail Innovation Program Testimonial:
“In just 10 weeks of being at Plug and Play, we heard 250 startup pitches, 30 private dealflow sessions, and at least three projects moving forward. In a very short time, the Colgate-Palmolive team in the Bay Area has some tangible results under our belt to take back to the head office on the East Coast."
— Gary Binstock, Former Director of Technology for Tech Scouting, Colgate-Palmolive
How we help our Brand & Retail partners innovate
Real Success Stories
FAQs
Why should brand and retail companies invest in innovation now?
Over the past 20 years, retail has undergone three major disruptions. E-commerce and mobile-first approaches pushed retailers to adopt omnichannel strategies. Big data and personalization enabled targeted customer profiles and optimized supply chains. Now, generative AI and agentic commerce are transforming shopping, with AI agents handling search and comparisons for consumers. Businesses that fail to adapt risk losing relevance with both customers and the algorithms shaping those interactions.
What is a brand and retail innovation platform, and how does it work?
A retail innovation platform connects established brands with startups that are creating the next generation of commerce technology. Instead of building new capabilities in-house, corporations use these platforms to co-develop, pilot, and scale solutions like AI personalization and AR-powered clienteling. Plug and Play’s Brand & Retail program works with mass-market retailers, luxury brands, QSRs, and D2C companies.
How does retail disruption affect my specific segment?
The impact varies by sector. Mass-market retailers are using omnichannel logistics and automation to boost efficiency. Luxury brands employ AR/VR and AI for personalized experiences, showcasing the power of AI in retail. Quick-service restaurants are adding self-service kiosks and AI-powered drive-thrus to speed up service. D2C brands are skipping traditional retail, owning the customer relationship, and setting a new standard for direct engagement.
How do brands partner with startups to innovate in retail?
The best corporate-startup collaborations focus on defined innovation goals, matching corporations with startups to test real solutions through time-bound pilots. Plug and Play’s Brand & Retail program connects global brands with startups across AI commerce, personalization, and supply chain optimization. The aim is to focus on a few key trends that align with your business and customers.
Which retail tech startups and technologies should I explore?
Key priorities in brand and retail tech, especially with the rise of AI in retail, include AI clienteling, demand forecasting, AR/VR try-ons, autonomous checkouts, and post-cookie loyalty tools. The best innovations leverage AI to combine personalization with efficiency, enhancing customer experience while reducing costs. Plug and Play’s Brand & Retail program highlights top startups in these areas each year.
Catch Up With the Latest Trends
The Latest Industry Insights
Next-Gen Retail Industry Trends in 2025 to Gain an Edge
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The Future of Commerce Report
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How Brands Use Gen-AI in Fashion to Design Their Collections
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Circular Fashion Startup Series — Hardloop: Profitable Resale
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Circular Fashion Startup Series — EALYX: Scaling Take-Back
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Our Locations
Our Global Events
Discover our global locations
We have a community of experts all over the world. We work as a bridge between Silicon Valley and the rest of the world, making innovation open to anyone, anywhere.