Retail media startup Vector launches after securing £600k

Vector, a UK startup at the heart of a rapidly growing retail media landscape, has launched today, with over half a million pounds in investment from an independent group of investors.

Founded by serial ad-tech entrepreneur, Rupert Staines and Dan Brown, seasoned business executive and founder, Vector is designed to elevate and scale brands at pace, by harnessing the immense power of Amazon’s ecosystem. The startup leverages cutting-edge advertising technologies and AI to enhance these services, supported by partnerships with MarTech providers Perpetua, Carpio and Skai.

Vector is already empowering seven brands to embrace the full potential of the thriving retail media landscape by leveraging the Amazon ecosystem. This includes launching a prominent US brand’s expansion into Amazon Germany to establish a strong presence and drive sales, as well as leveraging extensive Amazon data for a leading British fashion house to engage a targeted US audience via Connected TV (CTV). Vector is also launching with several commercial partners, including TSW, Passion Digital, PASHN, Active International, Rhapsody, and TMWi to fuel further growth.

Committed to making a positive impact

Vector has a clear purpose to drive positive impact for both brands and the world around them; the founders Staines and Brown have partnered with Pinwheel.earth to allocate a share of all of Vector’s revenue to fund essential ecological initiatives that remove carbon from the atmosphere and protect keystone biodiversity. Vector’s clients are also invited to match fund the planet-saving projects.

Rupert Staines, CEO and Co-Founder, Vector commented: “Retail media is the third and most powerful wave of digital marketing. The potential to leverage shopping behaviour directly from the world’s largest retailer promises to have a transformational impact on digital advertising, particularly with the impending deprecation of third-party cookies…

“That being said, embracing the Amazon ecosystem for digital marketing can be a minefield. So, we’ve launched Vector to unlock the full value of Amazon and the power of retail marketing for brands and their agencies.

“Our combined knowledge in this space, along with our robust partnerships, put us in a position to empower progressive marketers to lead in this arena. But what is also hugely important to us is to create a movement where these marketers not only drive commercial success from their digital marketing, but also promote their companies’ sustainability goals. As every penny we are paid contributes to a more sustainable future.”

Gavin Sheppard, CEO at Pinwheel.earth added: “For too long corporate sustainability projects have concentrated on offsetting the environmental impact of brands. Vector founders Dan and Rupert are approaching this differently and changing what it means to operate as a prosperous, sustainable digital business.

“They’re trailblazing a more positive contribution model with Pinwheel, where the success and growth of Vector will empower them to drive forward our combined mission of repairing the planet. This is a solid commitment from a team that is determined to drive real impact, and I have full faith that they will inspire others to do the same.”