US retailer Target Corporation announced its fourth batch of startups for its accelerator programme through which it mentors start-ups that work in tandem with the retail space relevant to Target’s business.

While the earlier batches focused on themes around retail including, personalisation search and omnichannel evolution, the scope of programme for the fourth batch is broadened to cover the growing wellness sector along with the internet of things (IoT) and technology space in retail.

The startups include, Preksh, which leverages visual merchandising in stores to create better online experience; MintM, an in-store customer engagement platform; Uncanny Vision, a computer vision processing platform; Lechal, an interactive haptic footwear; and Lawbot, which is an automated platform that analyzes legal contracts.

“Our sustained effort to tap into India’s innovation potential has led to the success of our accelerator program,” said Navneet Kapoor, President and Managing Director, Target India.

The fourth batch also includes two internal teams–A versus C, which provides tools to analyze online shopping cart abandonment behaviour; and Hashtag Shopping, to enable shopping on social media through conversational commerce.

“We’re excited to have this latest batch focus on potentially game-changing technologies as well as areas of opportunities for Target like wellness and IoT,” Kapoor said.

The accelerator in Bengaluru was launched in February 2014 and has completed three branches of start-up accelerator programme since. Some of the start-ups that were a part of their earlier batches, include, Findmeashoe.com, BugClipper, Whodat spaces and Twiddly.

Source: The Economic Times