Hundreds of startups fight for entry into the Retailtech Hub in every new round. The fifth batch starts on 25 June - 12 applicants have met the strict selection criteria and are working together with partners such as MediaMarktSaturn on exciting innovations for the retail sector. The criteria are, for example, the expertise of the start-ups, the cooperation within the team and the probability for the retail partners to tackle a pilot project with the start-ups.

The variety of ideas of the new start-ups is enormous: There are coin-operated vending machines that convert customers' accumulated small change into vouchers, and smart shopping carts that not only automatically record each product when it is put in, but at the same time suggest the right recipe for the purchases. A customer management software centrally controls all customer communication and thus ensures happy customers and relaxed support staff in the event of a support incident. A special sensor automatically detects the gender, age and mood of the customer without neglecting data protection. Work is also underway on interactive shop window displays, the creation of personalized videos, numerous optimization tools for web shops and much more.

Instead of eleven so far, this time even 12 startups from six different nations qualified for the three-month program. The official conclusion of the fifth batch will again be an Expo Day in Munich, which this time will take place on 16 October. At the public event for partners, investors and interested parties, startups from various batches that have successfully initiated and/or completed pilots will share their findings and results.

Here are all startups of the fifth batch in detail:

AB Tasty: AB Tasty is a software that enables online shop operators (who already have an existing website) to quickly and easily collect and evaluate customer data (user insights) and adapt the shop accordingly. At the same time, the tool enables the adjustments to be rolled out in advance to small groups as a test in order to test the effectiveness of the measures before a large rollout. 

adnymics GmbH: Adnymics enables retailers to print personalized package inserts. Digital printing and web analysis are combined so that retailers can deliver package inserts with individual product recommendations and editorial content for any online shopper. In this way, the most emotional touchpoint in online retailing, unpacking, is used for customer retention.

Caper: Caper builds smart shopping carts that recognize, identify and add items to the digital shopping cart as they are placed in the shopping cart. At the same time, individualized offers and recipe suggestions with the required ingredients are displayed on the trolley's screen.

Coindrum: Coindrum operates coin-operated vending machines with which customers can exchange their collected small change directly in the shop for vouchers for the respective shop. The highlight is that the vouchers have a value of 110% of the deposited value. This increases sales and creates added value for the customer in the store. 

Dotaki: Dotaki recognizes the personality of website visitors with the help of artificial intelligence. In addition, the company helps to adapt the web content accordingly. If, for example, the software recognizes a rationally decisive customer, the web shop places the product description and data in the foreground. For customers who tend to make decisions from their gut, emotional product images and a story about the product are displayed. 

Kustomer: Kustomer.com offers a platform with comprehensive tools for customer communication - whether by e-mail, telephone or social media. At the same time, it helps with the team-internal handling of support requests. This significantly accelerates communication with the customer and makes it more efficient. This in turn leads to satisfied customers and less work for the customer advisors.

Outernets: Outernets offers digital and interactive shop window solutions. Using screens and cameras, retailers can address their customers directly on the street and display individual content. The data gained enables the retailer to optimise his customer approach and adapt his offers accordingly. At the same time, Outernets' interactive programs encourage customers to join in and thus increase attention for the presentations in shop windows.

RetailQuant GmbH: RetailQuant analyses customers shopping in compliance with data protection regulations. For this purpose, a special sensor is mounted at the checkout which, unlike cameras, does not take pictures of customers. With the help of artificial intelligence, the system recognizes customer characteristics such as gender, age and mood in fractions of a second. The data obtained in this way can then be linked to purchasing and used to optimize marketing and sales space.

Spirable: Spirable combines live data and AI to create personalized videos on a large scale. The system superimposes multiple videos to create new content in real time. For example, a video with the skyline of a city can be combined with a video of a model with a product and a message to create a video. The result is a video of a model with a new handbag in front of the Eiffel Tower with the fade-in "Summer Trend 2019", without the three elements having previously been recorded at the same place or at the same time. With little effort, customers can be addressed via all digital channels (social media, display, CRM) with personalized videos. 

Texel: Texel specializes in 3D scans and offers stationary and smartphone-based scanning solutions to retailers. Thanks to Texel, customers can scan themselves in the store or with their smartphone and thus receive detailed information about their body measurements for online orders. This significantly reduces returns from mispurchases for retailers.

YR Store: YR specializes in real-time textile design and printing. The system enables the creation of personalized clothing via touch screen. The individual designs and graphics, for example for T-shirts or patches, are then printed or embroidered directly on site. The unique garments can be designed and created live during an event or ordered for campaigns. 

ZyseMe: With ZyseMe, fashion brands and retailers can offer customized clothing. The customer chooses a garment and answers a few questions - then the customized product is made for them and sent to them.