Photo Credit: GGD News x PopCom
| Industry/Focus Areas | Smart Vending, Fintech, Retail |
| HQ Location | Columbus, Ohio |
| Launch Year | 2017 |
| Company Founder | Dawn Dickson |
| Key Products/Services | Smart vending/kiosk machines, fintech retail software |
| Key Investors | Techstars, Chase, Backstage Capital, Black Star Fund, Bart & Partners, and Darrel Frater |
| Latest Valuation | $26.5M+ |
| Company Stage/Status | Series B (Expanding, $20M–$75M) |
| Impact Categories | Black Owned, Women-led |
| Website | www.popcom.shop |
<Company Overview>
PopCom turns traditional vending machines and kiosks into smart retail spaces. Using biotech integration, automated retail software and artificial intelligence, PopCom manufactures vending machines; able to sell everything from digital NFT artwork to beauty products. Founder Dawn Dickson, established the company after realizing many vending outlets or self-serving kiosks were not providing owners with critical consumer data (like sales or traffic analytics). Dickson is a serial entrepreneur—she has successfully exited several companies; and is the first female founder to raise $1M in equity crowdfunding under the JOBS Act.
In addition to building and shipping smart vending machines, PopCom is also responsible for actually inventing retail technology. In 2020, PopCom was awarded a design patent for creating its “PopShop Machine” product. PopCom’s vending tech can be found across major U.S. cities; specifically targeting placement in hotels, airports, and convention centers. Key locations include Dallas, New York, Cleveland, L.A., and San Francisco. The fintech and retail company recently signed a deal with Ooredoo, a telecommunications giant based in Doha, Qatar. PopCom’s partnership with Ooredoo is part of its strategic efforts to expand internationally. Ooredoo serves 10 markets, reaching over 164 million customers worldwide. See how else PopCom is partnering with businesses here.
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