VenHub hires former Amazon exec Ian Rasmussen to head up store expansion plans
VenHub Global, a specialist in autonomous store technology, has announced the appointment of Ian Rasmussen as Executive Vice President of Global Expansion and Partnerships.
Rasmussen brings nearly two decades of experience leading digital transformation initiatives across retail operations and will lead the company’s commercial growth strategies, enterprise integrations, and strategic partnerships as it looks to ramp up the deployment of its modular, unattended Smart Stores across North America.
He reports directly to VenHub Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Shahan Ohanessian.
“Our Smart Stores are already operating in real communities, serving customers around the clock and delivering value every day, proving that unattended retail is not a future concept, it is a reality today,” says Ohanessian.
“As we scale, commercial discipline and operational readiness will play a key role in our ability to achieve our growth goals. Ian brings deep experience turning advanced retail technology into repeatable, revenue generating deployments at enterprise scale. His leadership will be critical as we execute on our strategies to expand our footprint with major operators and partners. I am excited to welcome Ian to the team.”
Rasmussen joins VenHub after nearly a decade at Amazon Web Services, where he played a key role in expanding Amazon’s Just Walk Out offering and related checkout technologies across the energy and convenience sectors. From 2022 to 2025, he led teams responsible for deploying computer vision, IoT, and self-checkout systems with national and global operators.
Over the course of his career, Rasmussen has worked with brands including Coca-Cola, Phillips 66, iRobot, Stanley Black & Decker, Philips Hue, BMW, Five Guys, Shell, BP, and Eli Lilly, advising on connected retail, automation, and cloud-based innovation strategies. He is a member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and the National Retail Federation (NRF).
“I am impressed by how the VenHub team’s vision and execution to date have addressed many of the challenges that traditionally slow retail innovation,” he says. “VenHub Smart Stores are practical, autonomous retail technology that are already live and performing in real environments. As more national brands look to modernise their footprint and customer experience, I look forward to building the partnerships that will help extend VenHub’s reach and impact.”
RTIH AI in Retail Awards
VenHub was among the winners last week at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, picking up the Most Innovation Retailer gong.
Our 2026 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Lucy Porter.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “According to Amazon’s Andy Jassy: AI is a once in a lifetime reinvention of everything we know, and the largest technology transformation since the cloud.”
“Whether that’s overstating it or not, we're certainly seeing an increasing number of innovative, potentially game changing developments in this space across both traditional and digital retail spaces. And that is reflected in tonight's finalists, who are boosting customer experiences and tackling retailers' painpoints across the likes of physical stores, online, omnichannel, supply chain, and payments.”
“To quote one of our judges: I have to admit, judging these awards was so difficult. So many that would have been worthy winners. And great to see how AI has moved firmly into delivery mode. Firmly into delivering for customers and driving huge innovation.”
Congratulations to our 2026 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended our Thursday, 29th January gathering.
Stay tuned for an indepth review of the awards ceremony in the next edition of RTIH magazine.
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