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When it comes to innovation in the delivery sector, Robomart founders Emad Suhail Rahim, Tigran Shaverdyan and Ali Ahmed are passionate about it. The company’s self-driving, on-demand “stores on wheels” are now on the road, bringing big brands right to customers’ doorsteps with the tap of a button.
Learn more about the company’s technology-forward business, growth plans, and advice for entrepreneurs looking to invest in their dream projects.
Please tell us Robomart’s elevator pitch.
Emad Rahim: Robomart is a self-driving store for cafes, ice cream parlors, convenience stores, and quick service restaurants with checkout-free shopping, temperature-controlled compartments, and advanced monitoring and security. They are designed to be the smartest, most cutting-edge stores in existence, allowing retailers to expand their store footprint at 90% less cost and allowing consumers to have their store delivered to their home in under 10 minutes. You can call.
Ali Ahmed: We own patents around the idea of self-driving stores and one-tap ordering with store dispatch. The app lets you see what’s in stock at a nearby Robomart. When you find something you want, say it, get a push notification when it shows up, go outside, use the app to slide open the door, and get your item. that’s all! He currently has eight contracts for 102 Robomarts, including Ben & Jerry’s, Mars, and several other quick-service restaurants.
Credit: Robomart
What about the cost?
Ali Ahmed: We are B2B and provide Robomart licenses to retailers. Therefore, consumers can use our app to call a retail customer’s store. Therefore, it is up to the retailer to define price and set inventory.
How did the three of you come up with this idea?
Ali Ahmed: Emad and I worked together about 15 years ago. We are also cousins. At the time, he was in the ice cream industry and I was in the food industry, and he wanted to recreate the ice cream van, but he wanted to apply it to everything in retail. . This was before smartphones, so his idea was to pick up a rotary phone and say, “Send me the store.” It was a good idea, but technically it was too early. So we put the idea on hold and went to the UK to start his company called Dispatch, which is the fastest growing delivery service there. I learned from the experience and reconnected with Emad. He believes that by applying all the new technology at our disposal, self-driving stores will not only offer retailers two to three times faster deliveries, but will also cost much less than brick-and-mortar stores. has figured it out. So we developed a smaller model and brought it to his CES in 2018. It was a hot topic at the show and caught the attention of Tigran, who has a background in robotics and automation. We talked, considered ideas, and he became his third co-founder.
Related: How this entrepreneurial couple is revolutionizing brand loyalty
How do you approach business decisions between the three of you?
Tigran Shaverdian: When we founded the company, we decided to take responsibility for decision-making regarding our business areas, as each of us has specific expertise. Most important decisions are discussed between us and usually he votes with a two-thirds majority. However, in some cases, one of us feels very strongly about a decision that the other two do not agree with, and if it is directly related to our area of business, then we need that expertise. In some cases, the final decision may be left to the founder, who has a This model has worked incredibly well for us over the years.
Where do you think your company will be in one year or five years?
Emad Rahim: Within one year, the first 100 Robomarts must be delivered to the first eight customers, with contracts renewed based on scale. I predict that within five years, fully autonomous Robomarts will represent more than 50% of our fleet and will be operating across the United States.
Credit: Robomart
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What do you think was important to your success in connecting with investors and receiving funding from them?
Tigran Shaverdian: With my expertise in robotics, Emad in retail, and Ali in on-demand delivery, I am recognized by investors as the ideal founding team for this business, launching the first new retail channel in 30 years. Founded and exciting investors. About our vision.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs seeking funding?
Ali Ahmed: It’s a grind. Fundraising is never easy. Like the quote about eating glass, it won’t kill you, but it won’t be fun. Don’t be discouraged if you’re reading about deals being done and feel like you’re not getting anywhere. We all go through the same process. It’s a numbers game. You will have to spend a lot of time performing the necessary steps. Founders need to remember that they have to be like ducks. Be calm and cool on the water and exude an air of confidence that you know everything. Meanwhile, beneath the surface, they are paddling furiously.
Related: Have an exciting idea? Pitch your entrepreneurial venture here.
