You can see now on our YouTube channel the video of Flame´s participation in the Plug and Play Brand and Retail Center of Innovation Meetup.

On november the 13th 15 startups showcased cutting edge retail technology solutions at the Plug and Play Brand and Retail Center of Innovation meetup. A handful of these companies gave rapid-fire pitches on stage to an audience of 150 corporate executives, investors, and entrepreneurs interested in the technologies that will change the world of retail.

The Brand and Retail Center of Innovation connects the most innovative retail and e-commerce startups with the top brands, retailers, and technology enablers around the globe to enable value creation, to provide BizDev opportunities and to boost innovation. Our community consists of over 100 startups changing the world of retail and e-commerce and more than 50 corporations.

The Brand and Retail Center of Innovation at Plug and Play will hold a Meetup event on November 13th featuring the most innovative retail-focused startups and entrepreneurs who are changing the world of retail.

You can see the video Flame:

Last night, 15 startups showcased cutting edge retail technology solutions at the Plug and Play Brand and Retail Center of Innovation meetup. A handful of these companies gave rapid-fire pitches on stage to an audience of 150 corporate executives, investors, and entrepreneurs interested in the technologies that will change the world of retail.

Corporate sponsor and keynote speaker David Salisbury of processing and assembly technology company Star outlined the challenges and opportunities facing these startups.

“Retail innovation is interesting. When I look at the solutions available, I’m always thinking about how they can work in a physical location. Where I come from retail is brick and mortar.” David said.

He reminded the startups that there would always be a chunk of the retail market that will never fully exist online. He said, “You can’t get your haircut or wash your car online.”

Instead he offered a compromise, saying, “The offline guys need to create an online presence and the online guys need to create an offline presence. There has to be a hybrid solution between the two.”

He offered the companies who pitched some advice for entering the retail sphere:

1. Respect the market. Not everyone is in the cloud. Solutions have to be done in stages.
2. Think about the approach. Have a strategy. You need a road map to show retailers the goal and the stages that will get them there.
3. Don’t shock the retailer. Never throw a man who thinks he drowning a rock, throw him a life raft. It’s innovation not decimation.
4. Make sure your product is relevant. Know your customers. Being ‘cool’ doesn’t cut it in retail, you have to prove you can create revenue.