A US-headquartered developer and provider of robots for retailers has opened its first international office in the UK and hired a new managing director.
The opening of Bossa Nova’s office in Sheffield and appointment of Red McKay as UK managing director comes just months after the firm closed a $29 million funding round.
Bossa Nova’s robots, currently used by the likes of Walmart, help make large-scale stores run more efficiently by automating the collection and analysis of on-shelf inventory data.
Building on the success of its US deployment in Walmart stores, Bossa Nova says its expansion will allow it to meet UK demand for its autonomous robot and real-time data services.
“The UK is a natural extension for our retail service solutions, and we expect rapid expansion under the leadership of Red McKay,” said Martin Hitch, co-founder and chief business officer of Bossa Nova.
“Red’s experience of working for retailers and their suppliers will ensure a successful launch of our services in the UK.”
In a statement, Bossa Nova said it chose Sheffield for its universities’ excellence in robotics and access to world-class talent.
The company plans to advance its partnerships with the UK robotics industry.
Graham Stuart MP, minister for investment, added: “Sheffield has access to first-class talent and a global reputation for excellence in robotics, so it is no surprise Bossa Nova has chosen to open its first international HQ in the city.
“Bossa Nova’s office move is another endorsement of Britain’s world-class investment environment, particularly outside of London, for the world’s leading tech companies.”
In June, Bossa Nova announced it had raised $29 million in a funding round led by Cota Capital with participation from China Walden Ventures, LG Electronics and existing backers.
It brought the company’s total funding to $70 million.
At the time, Cota Capital founder and managing partner Bobby Yazdani said Bossa Nova is “enabling retailers to rethink decades-old processes by providing a combination of sophisticated technologies”.
He said: “Bossa Nova and its technology are transforming the retail experience.”