Russian retail giant seeks UK tech start-ups with the support of GenerationS

One of Russia’s largest retail companies is looking to work with start-ups in the UK.

Lenta and corporate accelerator GenerationS are inviting early-stage companies to apply for a paid pilot scheme, with their solutions potentially then being implemented within Lenta’s chain of 250 hypermarkets and 135 supermarkets in around 90 Russian cities.

The call includes international start–ups in the USA, Europe, Israel, China and South Korea, with the main goal of finding mature technology solutions for optimising the retailer’s business in marketing, operations, logistics and supply chain management, as well as HR areas.

“We understand the local technology landscape and now looking for promising solutions in countries with the most advanced innovation ecosystem,” said Vladimir Sorokin, General Director, Lenta.

“Our goal is to identify breakthrough projects that will enable us to lead the technological leadership in retail in a number of areas. 

“We are confident that the expertise and experience of GenerationS will help us in the implementation of this project.”

The main requirements for applying start–ups are a legal entity, a team of not less than two people and first sales – or successfully implemented pilot projects – in the field of retail. Teams must be ready to pilot their projects in Russia. 

Start–ups have until November 8th to apply and can do so here.

Accelerator experts will then select most promising projects, which will present their solutions at the pitch session to the management of Lenta. 

Based on the results of the pitch session, the best teams will get the opportunity not only to start paid pilots, but also the possibility of long-term cooperation both with the company itself and with other corporations of the Severgroup – an Investment Group which also includes Lenta.

Ekaterina Petrova, Director of GenerationS, said: “A joint project with such a large and significant Russian retail player as Lenta plays an important role for GenerationS. We already have a successful experience working together with international retailers, so cooperation with a Russian company will be a logical course and valuable experience for us in terms of getting new expertise. 

“Having deep knowledge and understanding of aspects of the innovation international market, as well as longstanding close cooperation with the international innovation ecosystem, GenerationS will be able to use all the tools to find mature solutions. 

“Close collaboration with international startups will help Lenta to reach a new innovative level putting it on par with the largest European and Western retailers.”