CoolerX
CoolerX is a Chicago-based retail media technology company that deploys IoT-enabled smart screens across grocery, drug, and convenience stores, providing a privacy-by-design AI-powered advertising and merchandising platform for major retailers and CPG brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What CoolerX does
CoolerX, Inc. (formerly Cooler Screens, Inc.) is a Chicago-based retail media technology company founded in 2016 by Arsen Avakian, Glen Tullman, and Greg Wasson (former Walgreens CEO). It deploys IoT-enabled smart screens across grocery, drug, and convenience store chains — replacing traditional cooler doors and other in-store surfaces with connected digital displays — and operates an in-store retail media and merchandising platform for major retailers and CPG advertisers. Named enterprise customers include Kroger, Walgreens, and a leading convenience-store retailer; CPG advertisers running campaigns on the network include Vita Coco, Talenti (Unilever), a national sports drink brand, and a leading adult beverage brand. The company is private, headquartered in Chicago, and operates with 11-50 employees.
The platform is anchored by the proprietary AI IntentEngine, which uses an intent coefficient algorithm, predictive conversion-funnel models, closed-loop machine learning, and contextual targeting to match content with shopper intent. Underlying architecture combines IoT sensors, edge computing powered by NVIDIA, vision AI for proximity and attention measurement, and a cloud-based SaaS layer hosted on Microsoft infrastructure. The full stack — comprising One Store One Platform, the Discovery Screen activation point, programmatic advertising integrations with The Trade Desk and Google DV360, and a data and analytics suite — runs on hardware-agnostic displays manufactured by Samsung, LG, BOE, and Foxconn. The platform is differentiated by a privacy-by-design architecture (identity-blind, no PII capture) certified under MSECB and GPS by Design frameworks, and has won consecutive Digiday Best In-Store Technology awards in 2023 and 2024.
CoolerX generates revenue through three streams. Retailers pay a SaaS subscription of $150 per screen per month (billed annually) and a one-time hardware fee of $200 per installation kit. The majority of monetization flows through a programmatic advertising marketplace in which CoolerX retains 50% of programmatic ad spend and shares 25% with retailer partners, while retailers retain 100% of advertising revenue they sell directly to suppliers. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise field sales targeting retailer media network operators and CPG brand advertisers, supplemented by self-serve programmatic buying through Trade Desk and Google DV360 integrations. The company has raised approximately $80.7 million in disclosed funding, most recently an $80 million Series C in October 2020 led by GreatPoint Ventures with participation from M12, Silicon Valley Bank, and Verizon Ventures.
CoolerX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CoolerX
- Legal name
- Cooler Screens Inc.
- Website
- https://coolerx.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CoolerX is a Chicago-based retail media technology company that deploys IoT-enabled smart screens across grocery, drug, and convenience stores, providing a privacy-by-design AI-powered advertising and merchandising platform for major retailers and CPG brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CoolerX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- In-Store Retail Media Platform
- NAICS
- Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118)
- SIC
- Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise/Creator Video Hosting & OTT SaaS Platforms (MPACAAAL)
Keywords
Where CoolerX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
CoolerX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SaaS Platform Subscription: Retailers pay monthly SaaS fee for access to the One Store One Platform technology. Revenue from software licensing and platform access.
- Advertising Revenue Share: CoolerX operates a programmatic marketplace and shares advertising revenue with retailer partners. Retailers receive 25% ad revenue share while CoolerX retains 50% from programmatic marketplace.
- Smart Screen Hardware: Sale of smart screens and installation kits to retailer partners for in-store deployment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | SaaS Platform - $150/month per screen |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Hardware - Installation kit $200 + S&H |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Ad Revenue Share - 50/25 split |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CoolerX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CoolerX provides an AI-powered, omnichannel retail media and merchandising platform that turns in-store cooler surfaces and other in-venue digital displays into IoT-enabled smart screens. The platform combines proprietary AI (AI IntentEngine), a unified SaaS (One Store One Platform), and a programmatic marketplace to let retailers deploy in-store digital media and let CPG brands buy targeted, measurable advertising at the point of purchase. Hardware (smart screens and installation kits) is paired with SaaS subscriptions and an advertising revenue-share model.
Product overview
CoolerX (formerly Cooler Screens) offers One Store One Platform, the #1 out-of-the-box, in-store retail media and merchandising platform. The platform is built around the AI Intent Engine which connects consumer intent with relevant content. Discovery Screen serves as a retail media starter solution. The platform includes Media & Merchandising for dynamic content management, an Advertising Platform for self-serve/programmatic ad buying, Data & Analytics for reporting and insights, and IoT & Edge for hardware-agnostic deployment. The company provides smart screens and SaaS technology to retailers, enabling them to launch in-store media with programmatic integrations to Trade Desk and Google DV360.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Discovery Screen: Retail media starter solution - smart screen on path-to-purchase that influences shoppers with relevant merchandising and advertising.
- AI IntentEngine
Products and services
- One Store One Platform Omnichannel retail media and merchandising SaaS platform for enterprise retailers (grocery, convenience, drug) and CPG brands. Unites merchant and media teams, supports campaign management, content scheduling, dynamic pricing/promos, audience targeting, and real-time measurement.
- Discovery Screen Smart screen hardware and self-install kit, paired with the CoolerX Retail Media and Merchandising Software, sold to retailer partners for in-store deployment. Influences shoppers at the point of purchase with relevant merchandising and advertising content.
Quantifiable outcome
- 16% unit sales increase (Vita Coco campaign)
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use CoolerX
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CoolerX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
CoolerX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- MicrosoftcoreTechnology partner providing cloud infrastructure and platform support for CoolerX's SaaS solution.
- NVIDIAcoreTechnology partner providing GPU and AI/compute capabilities for edge computing and vision AI processing.
- SamsungcoreHardware partner providing smart screen displays for in-store deployment.
- LGcoreHardware partner providing display technology for retail smart screens.
- FoxconncoreHardware manufacturing partner for smart screen production.
- BOE Technology GroupcoreDisplay technology partner providing screens for retail deployment.
- The Trade DeskcoreProgrammatic advertising integration allowing automated ad buying through Trade Desk platform.
- Google DV360coreProgrammatic advertising integration with Google Display & Video 360 for ad buying capabilities.
- Circana (formerly IRI)supportingThird-party measurement partner providing independent sales lift measurement using Circana's data.
- Retailer Partners (Grocery, Convenience, Drug)coreRetailers deploy CoolerX smart screens and SaaS platform in stores, sell advertising to suppliers, and share revenue. Includes Kroger, Walgreens, and major C-store chains.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CoolerX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Grocery TV: In-store retail media network that places digital screens in grocery checkout lanes and runs programmatic advertising for CPG brands. Directly comparable to CoolerX's cooler-door digital advertising model in the grocery vertical.
- Aisle Labs: Provider of in-store digital signage and shopper analytics for grocery and convenience retailers. Comparable to CoolerX in deploying smart screens in-store to drive merchandising and advertising revenue.
- Vistar Media: Programmatic platform for digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising, including in-store retail media networks. Comparable to CoolerX's programmatic marketplace approach with Trade Desk and DV360 integrations.
- Place Exchange: Programmatic DOOH supply-side platform that enables automated buying of in-store and out-of-home ad inventory. Directly comparable to CoolerX's programmatic advertising layer for retail media networks.
- Firefly: Street-level digital media company that places smart screens on ride-share vehicles and curbside for proximity-based advertising. Comparable business model of hardware + programmatic SaaS for place-based media networks.
- Neptune Retail Solutions: Retail media technology provider (formerly Quotient Technology) offering digital promotions, in-store advertising, and measurement for retailers and CPG brands. Comparable to CoolerX's retail media and merchandising platform.
Broad incumbents
- Walmart Connect: Retailer-owned retail media network operated by Walmart, including in-store digital advertising. Represents the largest incumbent competitor to third-party platforms like CoolerX.
- Kroger Precision Marketing: Retailer-owned media network operated by Kroger, monetizing first-party shopper data across digital and in-store channels. Both a current CoolerX retail partner and a long-term competitive threat as Kroger expands its owned RMN.
- Instacart Carrot: Retail media platform operated by Instacart, serving CPG advertisers with measurable in-app and increasingly in-store advertising. Broad incumbent in retail media competing for the same CPG ad budgets.
- Criteo: Global commerce media platform serving retailers and brands with retargeting, retail media, and CTV advertising. Broader incumbent that overlaps with CoolerX in the CPG advertiser and retailer demand stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CoolerX social profiles
Digital presenceCoolerX compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CoolerX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CoolerX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
CoolerX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CoolerX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CoolerX
What does CoolerX do?
CoolerX provides an AI-powered, omnichannel retail media and merchandising platform that turns in-store cooler surfaces and other in-venue digital displays into IoT-enabled smart screens. The platform combines proprietary AI (AI IntentEngine), a unified SaaS (One Store One Platform), and a programmatic marketplace to let retailers deploy in-store digital media and let CPG brands buy targeted, measurable advertising at the point of purchase. Hardware (smart screens and installation kits) is paired with SaaS subscriptions and an advertising revenue-share model.
Is CoolerX a public or private company?
CoolerX is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was CoolerX founded?
CoolerX was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CoolerX based?
CoolerX is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does CoolerX make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SaaS Platform Subscription is the primary driver. The others are advertising Revenue Share and smart Screen Hardware.
Who are CoolerX's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Grocery TV, Aisle Labs, Vistar Media, Place Exchange, Firefly and Neptune Retail Solutions. Broad incumbents are Walmart Connect, Kroger Precision Marketing, Instacart Carrot and Criteo.
Does CoolerX have an API?
No public API is recorded for CoolerX.
What industry is CoolerX in?
CoolerX's product category is In-Store Retail Media Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAAAL, Enterprise/Creator Video Hosting & OTT SaaS Platforms. Its NAICS code is 334118 and its SIC code is 3577.