FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced its FMItech Pitch Competition to showcase food retail technology start-up solutions.
After contestants provide a three-minute video that is reviewed by the FMItech at Midwinter Advisory Council, six top-scoring start-ups will compete at FMI Midwinter Executive Conference, highlighting their solutions to industry leaders and a panel of judges.
“Retailers were accelerating their investments across a wide range of technologies even before the pandemic began – and many of those initiatives paid off by enhancing overall capabilities,” said Doug Baker, VP of industry relations. “Technology solutions are warranted as 83 percent of our members expect their technology expenses to increase this year, with nearly one-third citing significant increases.”
Start-ups will share their expertise in areas such as process automation and robotics; AI-targeted loyalty and shopper behavior monitoring; digital receipts; and coupons, all to assist retailers in achieving business outcomes and meet consumer expectations.
“This competition aligns with our members’ needs for creating operational and financial efficiencies in addition to enhancing the grocery shopping experience for their consumers,” Baker said.
The 2023 FMItech Pitch Competition is open for submissions and closes Nov. 7. Qualifying companies with less than $3 million in funding will provide a three-minute video pitch for an expert set of judges. Ultimately, six companies will receive one FMI Midwinter registration, one FMItech private meeting tabletop and a five-minute speaking slot at FMItech.
As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain – from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services – to amplify the collective work of the industry.
For more information, visit FMI.org.
