ZenOwn

Based in Zug, Switzerland, ZenOwn was founded in 2018 by Blaz Bevc and Ladislav Klink. The founders' backgrounds shaped the company's direction; Bevc's experience with leading consumer brands highlighted the missed opportunities in post-purchase engagement, while Klink's work in developing award-winning apps revealed how outdated current consumer engagement models were. Initially launched as a B2C solution to gain direct consumer insights, ZenOwn pivoted to a B2B2C model in 2022, leveraging this knowledge to enhance brand partnerships. The company operates in the retail technology sector, providing AI-powered solutions to consumer goods brands across Europe, the US, and APAC.

ZenOwn's business model is centered on empowering brands to improve in-store execution and post-purchase consumer engagement. It generates revenue by offering its suite of AI solutions to these brands, claiming to help them increase sales by up to 30%. The company's core offerings are divided into two main AI-driven products: ZenShelf AI and LoopbyZenOwn AI. ZenShelf AI focuses on the in-store experience, enabling brands to plan and monitor product visibility and availability on shelves. Its features include Shelf Compliance AI, which uses computer vision to monitor planogram adherence and provide instant feedback, and Shelf Creation AI, which automates product placement on shelves. LoopbyZenOwn AI is designed to manage the post-purchase journey. This solution facilitates quick consumer registration, often by scanning a receipt, and allows brands to engage with verified customers through targeted content, support, and insights. It also offers an embedded insurance solution, allowing consumers to insure products quickly. The platform integrates with a brand's existing CRM systems and provides analytics on consumer behavior.

Since its inception, ZenOwn has secured $1.57 million in funding over two seed rounds. The first round in December 2021 raised $1.57M (€1.4M), and a subsequent post-seed round occurred in February 2023. Key investors include Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC), Century Oak Capital, daFUND, and several business angels. The company has served 26 brands across 31 countries, including notable names like Villeroy & Boch, Durex, and Reckitt. ZenOwn has also participated in accelerators such as Plug & Play in Munich. The team consists of 26 experts in software development, data science, and consumer goods. The company has been recognized with innovation awards from Swiss Digital Innovation and Plug & Play. Keywords: retail technology, consumer engagement, AI retail solutions, post-purchase experience, shelf monitoring, planogram compliance, computer vision retail, consumer insights, B2B2C platform, product registration, embedded insurance, retail analytics, in-store execution, CRM integration, customer retention, brand loyalty, AI-powered marketing, receipt scanning, warranty management, customer feedback