Azoma pockets Best Startup award at retail technology show ShopTalk Luxe in Abu Dhabi

Azoma, a specialist in agentic commerce optimisation, has been awarded the judges’ vote for Best Startup at ShopTalk Luxe, which took place this week in Abu Dhabi.

The judging panel, made up of venture capitalist and industry experts, praised Azoma for the strategic potential of its agentic commerce technology in use at brands like Mars, David Protein, HPE and retailers across Europe and North America. 

Accepting the award, Azoma CEO, Max Sinclair, commented: “Recognition at the top luxury brand event in the world means so much to the team. Azoma’s hard work and our vision of the new era of agentic commerce clearly resonated both with the judges and the forward-looking retail experts at the show.” 

“More than the award, the acknowledgment matters. Managing retail brands and propositions through the era of agentic commerce is already hard and it will only get more challenging. To win in this environment requires access to deep innovation. If our award winning approach can help, we would love to guide retailers as they create and execute their agentic commerce strategies.”

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH proudly presents the first edition of its AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by VenHub Global, 3D Cloud and EdTech Innovation Hub.

Check out our finalists here.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2026 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2026 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.