Including Zyntrix and Finmile: 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards startup finalists

We’re pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Startup of the Year category.

We received a record number of entries this year and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.

Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process!

It’s now over to our judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, taking place  at The HAC in Central London.

The event will be held on Thursday, 16th October and consist of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

Book your place at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony on Thursday, 16th October here.

Our 2025 runners and riders as follows:

AiDA Intelligent Solutions

AiDA Intelligent Solutions is a fast growing startup using AI to help retailers fix messy product data.

It scans thousands of product pages to spot issues like missing details, duplicate images or greenwashing claims - then help teams fix them fast. Our tools also compare retailers to their biggest competitors, showing where they can do better.

Brands like Kingfisher and The Very Group use AiDA to boost trust and sales online. Whether you sell sofas or skincare, we make sure your product pages are clear, accurate and ready to convert - without the usual guesswork or manual effort.

Finmile

Finmile is redefining last mile logistics with an AI powered operating system that cuts delivery routes by up to 42%, lowers costs, and reduces emissions.

Unlike traditional tools, Finmile optimises at parcel level, delivering unmatched efficiency for retailers and delivery partners. In just two years, it has scaled from London to millions of parcels optimised each month across the UK, US, Europe, and MENA.

Trusted by global brands including JD.com, Temu, Inditex, TikTok Shop, Shein, and ILG, Finmile combines strong margins, world class investors, and a clear path to profitability, making it the technology layer powering the future of e-commerce delivery.

frnt

frnt transforms live shopping into a measurable, data driven channel.

As social commerce continues to reshape consumer behaviour, most brands lack meaningful analytics.

frnt is the first platform purpose built for live shopping - capturing and analysing video, audio, engagement, and sales to uncover what truly drives conversion. By turning millions of complex data points into actionable insights and competitive benchmarks, it empowers retailers to optimise content, scale performance, and achieve sustainable ROI.

Kindred

Kindred operates the world’s largest database of coupon/promo codes.

With over 140 API network integrations across hundreds of thousands of retailers in 180 markets, its database is refreshed, QA’d and validated daily, Kindred is the white label technology and data behind browser-based discount/savings services from global partners including Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, ITV, O2, Etisalat, and Telecom Italia.

RetailNext

RetailNext, the first retail vertical IoT platform to bring e-commerce style shopper analytics to bricks and mortar stores, is a pioneer in optimising the shopper experience.

Through AI powered insights and machine learning, RetailNext delivers comprehensive traffic analytics, including customer demographics, dwell times, occupancy monitoring, and customer journey mapping. Retailers use these real-time AI insights to run test and learn initiatives, optimise operations, and enhance asset protection.

Its Traffic 3.0 platform marked a 2025 breakthrough, moving retailers beyond static counts to actional, AI first decision-making. RetailNext is trusted by more than 560 retailers in 100+ countries, including Macy's, Estée Lauder, Sephora, Calvin Klein, and Bloomingdale's.

Staqu Technologies

Staqu Technologies is transforming offline retail with JARVIS, a non- intrusive (GDPR, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 compliant) video and audio analytics platorm that turns existing CCTV infrastructure into a real-time analytics engine with no new hardware needed.

Staxel

Diageo selected Staxel as a winner of the Secure Retail track of its Partnership Innovation Programme. Diageo’s challenge was high theft in a physical store environment for premium alcohol categories.

Solutions like “Buzz for Booze”, where customers need to push a button and wait for assistance in front of the shelf, not only boosted alcohol sales, but also drove customers away from retailers like Morrisons.

VenHub Global

VenHub Global is revolutionising bricks and mortar retail with a fully autonomous smart store, designed for 24/7 operation, zero on-site staff, and maximum efficiency.

Its modular units combine AI, robotics, and robotics arms to eliminate labor costs, reduce shrinkage, and operate in high traffic or underserved areas where traditional retail fails.

Four Initial deployments across California include a landmark store at LAX Airport / Metro Transit Center and one at the Hollywood Bowl.

WeCarryBags

WeCarryBags revolutionises retail convenience through technology that eliminates the burden of carrying shopping bags. Its proprietary single QR code system seamlessly connects customers, retailers, and delivery services via an intuitive mobile platform.

Founded by UK graduates who transformed personal adversity into innovation, it has expanded from solving local challenges to operating internationally across the UK, South Korea, India, and UAE.

Its technology supports bricks and mortar retailers while enhancing customer experience through hassle free shopping and delivery. Currently developing AI powered personalisation and launching global personal shopping services, WeCarryBags represents the future of integrated retail technology solutions.

Zyntrix

Zyntrix combines open banking (A2A) payment, loyalty and digital ID to create new payment gateways online and in-store for retailers.

Retailers get faster receipt of funds, less fraud and fewer chargebacks whilst customers enjoy extra loyalty rewards for paying by bank. Zyntrix also enables digital ID’s at PoS for age restricted products sold at auto checkout.