Kora and Rytle win Unilever Foundry Startup Battle 2019

• Indonesia’s Kora distributes consumer products through a network called Poskora
• Singapore’s Rytle combines technology and environmental protection in city logistics

UNILEVER Foundry, Unilever’s global corporate innovation pillar focused on partnering and accelerating innovations across Unilever’s 400+ brands and functions, on July 1 announced Kora and Rytle as the joint winners of Unilever Foundry Startups Battle 2019.

Held at Innovfest Unbound from June 27-28, this year’s battle rounded up some of Asia’s most promising startups that are pushing the envelope of retail innovation.

“The variety of startups that competed in this year’s battle under the banner of Smart Retail demonstrated that we need to look at innovation through the lens of an ecosystem of technologies that goes beyond buying and selling,” said Unilever Foundry Asia director Barbara Guerpillon.

“At Unilever Foundry, we are looking at the integration of latest technologies in the retail industry and how they are transforming the rules of consumer engagement as well as opening up new opportunities.”

Kora is an Indonesia-based startup that distributes over 500 different consumer products through a network of 2,800 individuals called Poskora.

Sharing the winner’s podium with Kora, Rytle is a Singapore-based startup that combines state-of-the-art technology and environmental protection for maximum flexibility in city logistics.

In addition to Kora and Rytle, other finalists that also pitched their smart retail solutions and products included Fairbanc, Perx Technologies and Fabulyst.

Since the launch of Unilever Foundry Startup Battle in 2015, over 500 startups from across the region have applied to take part in pitching their innovations.

This year, the battle focused on smart retail with startups covering various categories such as smart vending, supply chain, retail experience, product loyalty and shopper analysis.