Checkout-Free Tech Firm Zippin Beefs Up Executive Ranks
Zippin, which sells checkout-free technologies for brick-and-mortar food and other retailers, has a new senior vice president, business development.
Gary Jacobus comes from SSP America, a leading operator of food & beverage concessions in travel locations, where he grew the business by over $470 million in annual revenue during his three-year tenure. His proven track record within the sports, entertainment and transportation venue verticals will help to further expand Zippin's footprint in these core markets, Zippin said.
Previously he held a similar role within Aramark's Sports and Entertainment Division, which serves professional and collegiate sports stadiums and arenas, convention centers and amphitheaters. He also held senior business development positions with the NBA, NFL, IMG and the U.S. Tennis Association.
"As retailers look beyond the pandemic, they see a world changed forever," said Zippin CEO Krishna Motukuri. "Technologies that would normally take several years to achieve mass adoption have become commonplace in a matter of months, and frictionless retail is no exception. Gary's expertise will help continue our momentum and take advantage of the demand we're experiencing. His knowledge in both the airport business channels and pro and collegiate sports venues makes him the ideal candidate to lead our global expansion."
Zippin has been leading the deployment of checkout-free technologies around the world with installations in pro-sports stadiums — including the NFL's Denver Broncos and the NBA's Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs — corporate campuses of Fortune Companies, and global retailers in Brazil, Russia and Japan.
"Zippin's platform changes everything,” Jacobus said. “Guests at a sporting event, shoppers in a grocery store, travelers in an airport, or students on a college campus, will now be able to grab something to eat or drink and get on with their lives. Zippin eliminates the friction and keeps us moving — all the more important at a time of social distancing and keeping workers and shoppers safe.”
Zippin patent-pending approach uses AI, machine learning and sensor fusion technology to create the best consumer experience: banishing checkout lines and self-scanners for good, and letting shoppers zip in and out with their purchases. Zippin's platform leverages product and shopper tracking through overhead cameras, as well as smart shelf sensors, for the highest level of accuracy even in crowded stores. Founded by industry veterans from Amazon and SRI with deep backgrounds in retail technology, AI and computer vision, Zippin is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by Evolv Ventures (Kraft-Heinz), Docomo Ventures, Nomura Research Institute, SAP, Maven Ventures and Core Ventures Group.
