Footprints AI, a Romanian technology company that develops one of the most advanced retail-media and retail-data-insights platforms in the world, has attracted a EUR 2.3 million investment for international expansion and acceleration of its technological development.
The funding round was led by Catalyst Romania, with a contribution of EUR 1.5 million. SeedBlink, an European equity crowdfunding platform, also contributed to the funding, raising EUR 100,000, according to the maximum threshold set for this round, despite significantly higher interest from active investors on the platform.
Retail media enables brands to efficiently target consumers based on shopping behavior, using anonymized data and advanced analytics, currently being one of the most dynamic segments of digital advertising. The global retail media market is estimated to reach USD 166 billion in 2025.
In the CEE region, Footprints AI is capitalizing on strong demand in a context where the supply is limited and fragmented. The company’s platform targets a population of over 120 million consumers in the region, offering retailers and brands integrated omnichannel solutions that combine online and offline data.
Footprints AI estimates that the retail media market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) could reach an annual value of EUR 500 million in the next six years, driven by increasing investments in data-driven advertising. Partnerships in the region include top retailers such as Profi Romania, Lagardère Travel Retail, Rimi Baltic, Studenac, Wolt, Bolt Food, Carrefour, Altex Romania, and others.