Lula Commerce, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered e-commerce technology company for convenience retailers, has raised $8 million in Series A funding to expand its digital retail platform, the company announced Tuesday.
The round was led by SEMCAP AI, with participation from Rich Products Ventures, GO PA Fund, NZVC, UP.Partners, Green Circle Foodtech Ventures and Outlander VC. The new investment brings the company’s total funding to more than $16 million.
The Philadelphia-based company’s software helps more than 2,000 retailers streamline digital operations with tools for online ordering, pickup and delivery. Lula’s technology connects stores to major third-party platforms and supports branded online storefronts, enabling convenience operators to compete in an increasingly digital retail environment.
Despite being one of the most frequently visited retail sectors in the U.S., the convenience industry has lagged behind in e-commerce adoption, according to Lula. There are more than 155,000 convenience stores nationwide serving about 160 million customers daily, according to NACS, yet fewer than 10% currently offer modern online ordering or delivery options.
Adit Gupta, Lula’s co-founder and CEO, experienced the challenges of running a small c-store firsthand. When his parents’ New Jersey store struggled during the pandemic, Gupta and co-founder Tom Falzani built technology to connect it to delivery platforms. Though the family’s store ultimately closed, the experience led to the founding of Lula Commerce in 2020.
“We saw thousands of small operators without the digital tools to compete,” Gupta said. “Lula’s goal is to help convenience retailers modernize without adding complexity or high costs.”
Lula’s unified digital platform combines third-party delivery management, branded online ordering and AI-powered automation tools to help convenience retailers streamline operations and offer modern digital experiences without heavy technology costs.
The Series A funding will be used to expand Lula’s engineering and customer success teams and further develop its AI-powered retail operating system.
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