Swiftly

It markets itself as helping brick-and-mortar stores compete with online business. These stores have the benefits of locality and community, but with swiftly’s app and mobile tools they have data-heavy consumer analytics, targeted product suggestions, delivery options and loyalty schemes on top. There’s a couple of other features as well, but essentially it lets physical stores operate in a digital market while still benefitting from the functionality of the store itself.

It’s a clever idea that seeks to capitalise on the myriad potential of smaller businesses, rather than looking for a handful of big client deals. There are other companies operating in the digital/physical crossover retail space, like Foxtrot, but Swiftly’s one-size-fits-all platform has greater potential for scaleability, turning heads by raising $200 million in funding in just 6 months. Its latest investment is being focussed on expanding into new stores, new countries, and new areas of retail.