Sensei Secures $16M to Expand Contactless Store Tech in Europe

Sensei Secures $16M to Expand Contactless Store Tech in Europe

Portuguese retail technology company Sensei has raised €15 million in Series A funding to accelerate the deployment of its autonomous store technology across Europe. The Lisbon-based startup aims to eliminate checkout lines by using AI and computer vision to track shoppers' selections automatically.

The funding round was led by BlueCrow Capital, with participation from new investors Lince Capital, Explorer Investments, and Kamay Ventures – backed by Coca-Cola and Arcor Group. Existing investors Metro AG and Techstars Ventures also joined the round.

Sensei's product lineup includes ready-to-deploy autonomous pods that function as compact stores, modular cabinets for flexible retail spaces, and smart lanes that can transform traditional buffet services into self-running stores during off-peak hours. These solutions allow retailers to quickly expand their presence into new locations while maintaining operational efficiency.

"We are driven by a relentless obsession to deliver the ultimate store experience," says Vasco Portugal, CEO and co-founder of Sensei. "Our technology operates invisibly within the store environment, yet it has a massive impact – enhancing the shopping journey for consumers and driving operational efficiency for retailers."

The investment comes as retailers worldwide race to adopt autonomous store technology, a trend pioneered by Amazon Go but now seeing widespread adoption. Sensei's system uses AI-powered sensors and computer vision to automatically track selected items and update virtual shopping carts in real-time, while maintaining customer privacy.

With the fresh capital, Sensei plans to expand beyond its current operations in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Brazil, targeting new markets in central and northern Europe. The company has set an ambitious goal of powering 1,000 autonomous stores by 2026.

"Artificial intelligence is transforming several industries, and at BlueCrow we believe that retail is one of the biggest opportunities and is about to be disrupted," says António de Mello Campello, Partner at BlueCrow Capital. "Sensei has proven to be one of the best in the sector."

The funding will also support a 30% increase in Sensei's workforce over the next six months. The company recently strengthened its management team, bringing in Laurents Fricke as CFO to spearhead central European expansion.

This Series A round brings Sensei's total funding to €21 million, following a €5.4 million seed round in 2021. The company faces competition from well-funded rivals in the autonomous retail space, including Standard Cognition, Trigo, and AiFi, who have each raised significant capital to develop similar technologies.

Chris McKay is the founder and chief editor of Maginative. His thought leadership in AI literacy and strategic AI adoption has been recognized by top academic institutions, media, and global brands.

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