BackOps bags $26 million Series A to build AI powered operating system for supply chains

BackOps, an AI native operating system for supply chain operations, has raised $26 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Theory Ventures, with participation from Gradient, Construct Capital, and 10VC. BackOps will use the cash to scale its team and accelerate the product roadmap.

“Supply chains are incredibly complex systems with dozens of vendors, tools, and workflows involved in every shipment,” says Sean McCarthy, Co-founder and CEO at BackOps. “Companies need systems that go beyond tracking the problems, they need help solving them.”

“We built BackOps to connect those pieces together and automate the work logistics teams have historically had to do manually. The result is clear: teams gain the time and headspace to focus on delivering excellent customer service. This is just the beginning of how we’re raising the bar for what companies can expect across their entire supply chain.”

“Supply chains are the backbone of the global economy, but most of the work that keeps them running is painfully manual. BackOps is building the intelligent operating layer for logistics,” says Tomasz Tunguz, General Partner at Theory Ventures.

“By applying AI directly to the operational fabric of supply chains, BackOps has the potential to unlock massive efficiency gains for companies moving goods around the world. We’re excited to support a team that understands these problems from the inside out and is turning AI into a real force multiplier for logistics operations.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Supply chain technology will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.