Adroit Worldwide Media

Adroit Worldwide Media (AWM), founded in 2016 by Kevin B. Howard, Emad Mirgoli, and Kurtis Van Horn, is a technology firm that provides automation solutions for physical retail environments. The company is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, and aims to merge the analytical advantages of online shopping with the tangible experience of in-store browsing. CEO Kevin B. Howard brings over 25 years of experience in digital transformation, having previously founded digital media firm ICG and held executive roles at Wells Fargo and UBS Financial. His background in developing scalable content management systems and even a facial recognition software for Princess Cruise Lines has informed AWM's strategic direction. Emad Mirgoli, the CFO, has a 20-year background in investment banking and energy trading.

AWM's business model centers on providing a suite of hardware and software products to retailers, CPG brands, and other sectors like healthcare to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement. The company generates revenue through the sale and licensing of its technologies. Its client base ranges from major retailers and brands to facilities requiring automated inventory management, like hospitals and industrial storerooms. A significant milestone was the closing of an $11 million Series A funding round led by Impact Venture Capital to accelerate growth and global expansion. As of July 2024, the company has raised a total of $45.1M over 9 rounds.

The company's product ecosystem is built on a foundation of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning. Key offerings include AWM Frictionless™, a cashierless checkout system that allows shoppers to walk out with items and be charged automatically, similar to Amazon Go. Another core product is the Automated Inventory Intelligence (Aii®), which tracks on-shelf inventory in real-time with over 95% accuracy, sending alerts for low stock or misplaced items. This is often paired with their Smart Shelf technology, which features dynamic LED displays for targeted advertising and pricing adjustments based on shopper proximity or demographics. The system can distinguish between a nearby customer to show pricing and a distant one to display promotional content. This integrated platform allows retailers to gain insights into shopper behavior, optimize planograms, reduce waste, and open new revenue channels through in-store ad sales.

Keywords: retail automation, computer vision, frictionless checkout, smart shelving, automated inventory intelligence, retail analytics, in-store marketing, cashierless stores, digital shelf-edge displays, shopper analytics, planogram compliance, retail technology, AI in retail, machine learning for retail, customer behavior tracking, dynamic pricing, retail operations, CPG brand solutions, inventory management systems, Adroit Worldwide Media