‘A game-changer in the healthcare industry’: Grab2Go launches its first autonomous pharmacy unit in Estonia

Grab2Go has opened a pharmacy self-service solution in Estonia.

Customers can select the product they need, use their preferred method of payment, and the machine will dispense it immediately.

The solution can also be used in convenience and petrol stations to sell products such as drinks and beverages, snacks, and other food items.

In a press release, Grab2Go says: “With the necessary regulatory changes now in place, these innovative self-service pharmacies are set to become a game-changer in the healthcare industry.”

“By allowing customers to access a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and healthcare products, 24/7, we are bringing greater convenience and accessibility to those who need it most.”

Funding round

Last year, Grab2Go secured €750,000 in funding.

That took the total raised by the startup to €1 million. It said it would the cash for product development, expanding its team and its go to market strategy.

The company has developed convenience store technology based on artificial intelligence, which forms part of a software platform.

This analyses consumer behaviour and sales dynamics, enabling stores to organise sales, logistics and management more efficiently.

The offering includes a robot that can observe and change a store’s processes, for example, the internal temperature or the shelf life of a product.

“Our initial plan was to introduce the prototype for the wider public in the first quarter of 2022, but our clients’ feedback and approval have made it possible for us to develop the product behind closed doors, so to speak,” said Mart Viilipus, CEO at Grab2Go.

“Right now, we’re working on certain pilots to launch the product with our clients. The exact time that the devices will be up and running at our clients will become clearer during this process.”

“We have big plans – with the first pilots, we want to prove that ours is a solution that changes the conception of convenience stores, just like Amazon Go did, however, our format is completely different,” added Co-founder and CSO, Reio Orasmäe.

“If we can achieve this, the software platform can be used in different sectors and linked to different hardware technology.”

The lead investor in this financing round was Madis Müür, who has also backed Cleveron.

“I made a follow up investment in Grab2Go based on a very good team solving a major problem in a big market and the timing being ideal,” he commented.

“Amazon and Alibaba are expanding with their solutions, and many retail customers need to take decisive action against them, so the timing could not be better to bring the product to market.”

“The winners are yet to be determined. The team has progressed well with product development. The investment is undoubtedly in the early phase, but the preconditions and the potential to do something great are very motivating."