Footprints AI, a Romanian technology company that develops and commercializes an advanced retail-media and retail-data-insights platform, has secured a EUR 2.3 million investment to back its international growth and hasten technological advancements.
The funding round was led by Catalyst Romania, with a contribution of 1.5 million euros. SeedBlink, a European equity crowdfunding platform, also participated in the funding round, contributing 100,000 euros, the maximum amount available for this round, despite receiving higher investment interest from active investors on the platform. Moreover, all previous investors of Footprints AI participated in the round, demonstrating their confidence in the company's potential.
The investment will enable Footprints AI to expand its presence in Romania, Central and Eastern Europe, and worldwide. The funds will also be utilized to accelerate the platform's development, incorporating cutting-edge AI capabilities, automation, scalability, and robust data protection.
“Retail media is undergoing a significant transformation in the digital advertising landscape globally, and Footprints AI is a key player in this sector. We invested in Footprints AI due to its ability to develop a scalable and integrated solution that meets real market needs and delivers tangible results. The company's platform and team have surpassed our expectations, with the latest figures showing that Footprints AI's revenue increased sixfold in 2024 compared to the previous year,” said Marius Ghenea, Managing Partner at Catalyst Romania, part of the 3TS Capital Partners Romania network, a technology-focused venture capital fund.
"This investment enables us to cater to the rising need in CEE, an area where retail media demand far surpasses availability, and to enter new markets with significant growth prospects. Our key objectives encompass the ongoing enhancement of the platform, the incorporation of sophisticated artificial intelligence capabilities, and solidifying our status as a regional leader," said Dan Marc, CEO and co-founder of Footprints AI.
The global retail media market is projected to reach USD 166 billion by 2025, with the company forecasting that a substantial portion of the budgets currently allocated to channels like radio, TV, outdoor advertising, and digital marketing will shift towards this platform by 2027.
In the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, Footprints AI is taking advantage of a strong demand in a market where supply is scarce and fragmented. The company's platform is focused on a population of over 120 million consumers in the area, providing retailers and brands with integrated omnichannel solutions that combine online and offline data.
"Scalability and omnichannel integration embody the future of retail media. We are investing in artificial intelligence and automation to streamline processes and deliver measurable results to our clients in one of the fastest-growing industries. Platform fragmentation and scaling difficulties are major challenges for brands and retailers, and Footprints AI addresses these issues through an integrated platform that combines online and offline data," said Paul Gheorghiu, Head of Partnerships and Co-Founder of Footprints AI.
Footprints AI operates a cutting-edge retail media network in Central and Eastern Europe. The company analyzes and utilizes the purchasing habits of more than 25 million physical and online customers every month, achieving successful campaigns for global brands. Partnerships in the CEE region include retailers such as Profi, Lagardère Travel Retail, Rimi Baltic, Studenac, Wolt, Bolt Food, Carrefour, Altex, and others.
(Photo: Catalyst Romania)
simona@romania-insider.com