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InContext Solutions delivers end-to-end virtual solutions for retailers and manufacturers via its ShopperMX platform. Utilizing advanced 3D simulation and machine learning, it creates immersive, data-driven environments for retail optimization. Clients visualize, test, and execute strategies across key retail areas, enabling informed decisions without physical prototypes for shopper insights, visual merchandising, retail execution, and virtual commerce.
Founded in 2009 by Bob Gillespie, Rich Scamehorn, and Tracey Wiedmeyer, the company emerged from the insight that scalable virtual and mixed reality could revolutionize retail strategy. They recognized an opportunity to streamline design and testing in dynamic, virtual spaces, minimizing risk and accelerating innovation for agile market responses. This foresight established the foundation for their pioneering approach to retail technology.
InContext Solutions serves a global clientele of retailers and brands. Its vision focuses on transforming the shopper experience through sophisticated 3D technology, helping clients drive sales growth, enhance loyalty, and integrate online with physical retail. The company aims to equip businesses with tools to proactively meet consumer demands and make data-backed retail decisions for future market success.
InContext Solutions has raised $50.2M across 5 funding rounds.
InContext Solutions has raised $50.2M in total across 5 funding rounds.
InContext Solutions is a Chicago-based technology company founded in 2009 that specializes in enterprise mixed reality (MR) and 3D simulation software for retail optimization, shopper engagement, and virtual market research.[1][2][3] It builds ShopperMX™, a platform powering end-to-end virtual solutions including visual merchandising, shopper insights, retail execution, and virtual commerce, serving retailers and manufacturers like P&G, PepsiCo, Unilever, Nestle Purina, Kroger, Mars, Target, Reckitt-Benckiser, Kellogg's, Anheuser-Busch, and Coca-Cola.[1][3][4][5] The company solves key retail challenges—such as understanding shopper behavior, testing merchandising concepts without physical prototypes, accelerating go-to-market cycles, and bridging online/offline experiences—by providing 3D store twins with 96% correlation to real-world behavior, AI-driven insights from millions of virtual shopping trips, and collaborative tools for faster, data-backed decisions.[1][3][5] With around 51-76 employees and $6.9 million in revenue, InContext demonstrates steady growth in a sector blending MR, AI, and retail tech.[3][4]
InContext Solutions was co-founded in 2009 by Rich Scamehorn, who pioneered virtual reality for retail simulations as early as 2007 and brought over 20 years of market research experience in converting data to consumer insights.[1] The idea emerged from harnessing 3D technology to modernize "21st century merchandising," shifting traditional practices into the digital age to better decode shopper behavior on shelves.[1][3] Early traction built on this innovation, evolving into a holistic platform amid rising tech-savvy consumer demands; pivotal leadership includes Erin Feeney (Chief Product Officer & President, with digital transformation expertise from NielsenIQ), Sheila Mulholland (Chief Growth Officer, with sales background at IRI, Nielsen, and clients like P&G), and advisors like Don Rippert (former CTO at Accenture and IBM).[1] Headquartered in Chicago's 300 W Adams St, the company has grown to 51-76 employees, maintaining an onsite workspace model.[3][4]
InContext rides the convergence of mixed reality, AI, and retail digitization, fueled by post-pandemic e-commerce surges, metaverse hype, and demands for omnichannel experiences where shoppers expect seamless online/in-store interactions.[2][3][5] Timing aligns perfectly with retail's innovation push—tech-savvy consumers drive 3D visualization needs, while economic pressures favor virtual testing over costly prototypes; market forces like supply chain disruptions and sustainability goals amplify its value for rapid, data-driven merchandising.[1][5] It influences the ecosystem by setting standards in shopper behavior simulation (96% accuracy benchmark), enabling CPG/retail giants to optimize shelves profitably, and bridging physical/digital retail ahead of pure-play AR/VR rivals.[2][3]
InContext is poised to expand ShopperMX™ with deeper AI integration for predictive insights and metaverse commerce, capitalizing on retail's digital twin adoption amid AR/VR hardware advances and Web3 shopping trends.[5] Emerging forces like generative AI for hyper-personalized virtual stores and global e-commerce growth (projected to hit trillions) will shape its trajectory, potentially scaling via enterprise partnerships. Its influence may evolve from niche leader to indispensable platform, empowering bolder in-store innovations as retailers prioritize shopper-centric, profitable agility—reinforcing its mission to digitize merchandising for faster wins.[1][3]
InContext Solutions has raised $50.2M in total across 5 funding rounds.
InContext Solutions's investors include Beringea, Doug Fisher, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Plymouth Growth, Converge Venture Partners, High Alpha, National Grid Partners, Ira Weiss, Manju Hegde.
InContext Solutions has raised $50.2M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $15.2M Other Equity in October 2016.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2016 | $15.2M Other Equity | Beringea, Doug Fisher | Hyde Park Venture Partners, Plymouth Growth |
| Oct 1, 2016 | $15.0M Series F | Converge Venture Partners, High Alpha, Hyde Park Venture Partners, National Grid Partners | |
| Aug 1, 2014 | $12.0M Series D | High Alpha, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Beringea, Plymouth Growth | |
| Jan 1, 2013 | $6.0M Series C | High Alpha, Hyde Park Venture Partners | |
| Dec 1, 2011 | $2.0M Series B | Ira Weiss | High Alpha, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Manju Hegde |
