Qsic, the intelligent in-store audio platform redefining the retail experience, has announced the successful close of a $25 million Series B funding round led by Hedosophia. The funding will probably be used to speed up the platform’s AI-driven capabilities, expand into recent retail locations, and enhance its ability to spice up in-store sales while unlocking recent revenue streams for retailers.
With over 100 million shoppers reached monthly at the purpose of purchase, Qsic’s cutting-edge platform powers audio and retail media networks for industry giants comparable to 7-Eleven, McDonald’s, and Coles Express. The corporate’s proprietary AI-powered tools enable retailers to create dynamic, engaging audio content tailored to local conditions, helping brands connect with customers in meaningful ways.
Driving Innovation with AI-Driven Audio Solutions
Qsic’s generative AI model, Lucy, is a game-changer in retail audio promoting. Lucy leverages retailer data to dynamically generate localized audio ads that incorporate details like inventory, local pricing, and even weather conditions. By ensuring ads are relevant and interesting, retailers using Qsic have reported a median sales lift of as much as 14%. Lucy also sets a brand new standard in retail media by robotically adjusting audio volume to ambient noise levels, ensuring clarity and impact, and timestamping ads to validate in-store compliance.
said Matt Elsley, Co-Founder and CEO of Qsic.
Breaking Barriers in Retail Media
Despite the explosive growth of retail media online, roughly 85% of shopping still happens in physical stores. Nonetheless, in-store retail media adoption has been hindered by high costs, scalability issues, and measurement challenges. Qsic addresses these barriers by offering an end-to-end solution that features all the things from music curation and custom audio ads to advanced analytics and automatic campaign management tools.
Qsic’s recent partnership with 7-Eleven highlights its rapid growth trajectory. The rollout of Gulp Radio has already been accomplished across 5,000 stores within the U.S., with plans to expand to 12,000 locations by the tip of 2025. This expansion includes 7-Eleven®, Speedway®, and Stripes® stores nationwide. Once fully deployed, Gulp Radio will rank amongst North America’s largest business radio networks, reaching 13 million every day shoppers and offering unparalleled opportunities for advertisers.
A Global Vision for Retail Media
Founded in 2012 by Matt Elsley and Nick Larkins, Qsic began as Australia’s first business music streaming platform. Today, the corporate powers audio networks for over 10,000 locations across North America and APAC, influencing 100+ million shoppers monthly. Its proprietary HQ platform enables real-time campaign performance insights and supports seamless management of retail audio networks, including intelligent volume adjustments and playlist scheduling.
said Nick Larkins, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer.
Constructing a Higher Retail Experience
Qsic’s commitment to innovation extends beyond its technology. The corporate’s values—honesty, problem-solving, continuous learning, and teamwork—are the muse of its culture. Its team of designers, problem solvers, and media creators is devoted to bringing dynamic, data-driven in-store experiences to life.
As Qsic continues to expand its footprint, it’s poised to guide the following wave of retail media innovation, helping brands and retailers connect with their audiences like never before.
