rapitag GmbH

Based in Munich, Germany, rapitag GmbH is a retail technology firm established in August 2017 by founders Alexander Gaab and Sebastian M. Czich. The company is positioned at the intersection of IoT and retail, providing a sophisticated anti-theft and mobile checkout solution. rapitag has developed a patented, IoT-enabled smart security tag that allows shoppers to scan a product with their smartphone, pay for it directly within a retailer's app, and then automatically unlock the tag themselves. This business model addresses two critical pain points in brick-and-mortar retail: security and customer experience, operating under the principle of making items "Easier to shop, harder to steal."

The core of rapitag's offering is its smart tag system, which integrates with a retailer's existing infrastructure. For consumers, this technology facilitates a frictionless shopping journey by eliminating the need to wait in line at a traditional checkout counter. For retailers, the benefits are multifaceted. The system provides robust, best-in-class security for high-value goods, reducing shrinkage. Simultaneously, it enhances operational efficiency and provides valuable data insights into customer behavior, similar to analytics available in e-commerce. Each tag opening is logged, allowing retailers to track when, where, and by whom a tag was removed. The company's technology is applicable across various retail sectors, including apparel, electronics, and spirits. Revenue is generated through a B2B model, likely involving hardware sales, software-as-a-service (SaaS) fees, and possibly a commission structure.

Since its founding, rapitag has secured backing from several institutional investors and accelerator programs, including German Accelerator, SAP.iO, WERK1, and Plug and Play, participating in multiple funding rounds and grant acquisitions since 2017. This support has enabled the company to develop and patent its technology extensively, with active patents for its anti-theft security system. A significant milestone was the company's expansion into the Japanese market in July 2024 through a strategic partnership with Takachiho Koheki, aiming to elevate retail security standards in the region.

Keywords: retail technology, smart security tags, mobile checkout, anti-theft solutions, frictionless shopping, IoT retail, scan and go, loss prevention, customer experience, inventory management, omnichannel retail, self-checkout systems, asset protection, retail analytics, patented security, connected devices, in-store technology, B2B retail solutions, smart sensors, merchandise protection