VenueX, a fast-growing AI startup based in Istanbul, has secured $1.2 million in bridge funding to expand into the Middle East, with new offices planned in Dubai and Riyadh. The round was led by Singapore-based Orbit Startups, with additional participation from Re-Pie, Akkök Holding, and Akyasam.
This funding marks a strategic move as VenueX aims to scale its operations across the MENA region, targeting the intersection of physical retail and digital advertising.
AI-Powered Retail Marketing, Reimagined
Launched in 2022, VenueX connects digital ad spend directly to in-store sales—solving a long-standing challenge for retailers. The platform allows brands to manage their multi-channel advertising efforts from a single interface, bringing together fragmented data sources for smarter campaign execution.
- âś… Unified platform for managing online-to-offline (O2O) advertising
- âś… Real-time connection between digital ads and physical store performance
- âś… 25 paying clients onboarded since its April 2024 product launch
A Focus on MENA Growth
With fresh funding in place, VenueX is doubling down on growth across the Middle East. The company plans to:
- âś… Launch regional offices in Dubai and Riyadh
- âś… Strengthen sales teams in local markets
- âś… Expand channel partnerships in Turkey
- âś… Invest in AI enhancements for deeper automation
The goal is to evolve VenueX into a fully autonomous retail marketing platform. That vision includes building out several next-gen capabilities:
- âś… AI agents for smarter inventory management
- âś… Dynamic creative generation tailored to customer profiles
- âś… Advanced customer segmentation using behavioral insights
Global Problem, Scalable Solution
“VenueX solves a global inefficiency by automating the link between digital marketing and physical retail sales,” said William Bao Bean, Managing Director at Orbit Startups. “Their AI-powered platform has the potential to redefine how retail advertising operates in both emerging and mature markets.”
Retailers today are looking for precision, personalization, and performance—without overwhelming manual work. VenueX delivers on that demand by using real-time store data to dynamically optimize ad campaigns and spend.
What’s next?
As VenueX builds momentum, its focus will remain on scaling up its growth, data science, and business development teams. With rising interest in AI-driven retail tech across MENA, the company is well-positioned to lead the charge.
From Istanbul to the Gulf, VenueX is setting a new standard for data-driven retail marketing—one that promises better ROI, smarter decisions, and stronger brand outcomes.