Kiwibot Buys Ad Startup, Turning Delivery Robots into Mobile Billboards
Robots, Wraps, and Big Money: How Kiwibot is Turning Delivery Bots into Mobile Billboards
From Campus Kiosks to Corporate Billboards
Remember 2017 when a fleet of wheeled robots first ambled across the UC Berkeley campus, delivering pizza, sushi, and whatever grub was on hand? Those autonomous pods didn’t just serve food—they became eye‑catching advertising hubs in high‑traffic spots. Fast forward to 2024 and the crowd jostling at their wheels is still a thing, meaning advertisers still see a goldmine: a moving billboard that pops up wherever people are.
25 Million Dollar Move
Kiwibot’s executives are so convinced of the value that they poured $25 million into acquiring Nickelytics—a Tampa‑based firm that was founded in 2019 and specializes in car‑wrap advertising. Nickelytics didn’t stop at the paint job; they branched into truck wraps and even threw in tablet‑based digital ads inside ride‑sharing cars.
Collapsing Brains, Not Wrappers
In March, the duo teamed up with Starship (a rival in the robot space) to deploy wrapped ads on robots serving the University of Utah and UCLA. The pilot kicked off with the “Love, Your Mind” campaign—an initiative launched by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council. Nods from Kiwibot were obvious: more data, better outreach, and a splash of new creativity.
Data Meets the Road
Kiwibot is especially keen on Nickelytics’ data analytics. When this layer is fused with Kiwibot’s detailed route mapping, advertisers can target high‑traffic zones across 20 + states. Think of it as a GPS for marketing campaigns that moves with you.
Everyone’s in the Driver’s Seat
Under the deal, Nickelytics’ CEO, Judah Longgrear, steps into Kiwibot’s cockpit as a co‑founder. The ad firm already boasts high‑profile clients like AWS, Coinbase, Nationwide, and DirectTV. These patrons now have rights to a fleet surpassing 500 mobile Kiwibots. In other words, the reach is massive.
“This acquisition is all about strategically positioning ourselves as a market leader and elevating our offering with Nickelytics’ added approach,” Kiwibot CEO Felipe Chavez said. Adding, “By integrating our technologies and scaling our operations, we’re laying the groundwork for global expansion and continued innovation that will bring a new edge to advertising.”
Never Stop Growing
Nickelytics, a 2020 Techstars graduate, made its own acquisition last year by buying Miami print shop Signs Printing Solutions. The move demonstrates that Nickelytics, and by extension Kiwibot, is hungry for growth—both vertically and horizontally—in the ad landscape.
Final Thoughts
In a world where everyone’s chasing the next big splash, Kiwibot’s investment in Nickelytics signals that the future of advertising goes mobile. With data‑driven routes, eye‑catching wraps, and a fleet ready to roll across the US, it isn’t far‑fetched to imagine ads bending around each street corner and coming alive with every motion. Keep an eye on those robots; you might be the next one to see your brand turned into a moving billboard.
Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.
Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
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