Bright Pixel (formerly Sonae IM)

Sonae IM is the corporate venturing arm of Sonae (retail and telco group), which is focused on investing in tech-based companies. The company invests in a broad range of companies related to Sonae's core, joining funding with a strategic profile. With a flexible investment style and approach, Sonae IM leverages on its technology expertise, brand capital, and access to a global network. The company supports companies to achieve success with an internal pool of experts, which supports portfolio management. Sonae has been developing different corporate venturing initiatives for long, namely revenue assurance leader WeDo (2001) and Mainroad spin-off (2003) and subsequent successful exit (2014). Moreover, after deciding that Cyber security was an interesting area, it invested in Spanish cyber security company s21sec (2014). Another critical space for retailers, location analytics, led to the investment in Movvo (2014). Since the official launch of Sonae IM in late 2015, the company invested in InovRetail (demand forecasting for retailers), StyleSage (fashion tech predictive analytics) and Sysvalue (cyber security add on for s21sec). Additionally, Sonae IM got involved in the acquisition of Novo Banco's stakes in 3 funds managed by ES Ventures and launched Bright Pixel (company builder studio). Sonae IM was officially founded in 2015, but corporate venturing initiatives within Sonae are in Sonae's DNA for longer and led to what Sonae IM is today. The company is based in Porto, Portugal.

Filipa Costa

Finance Director

João Moutinho

People Director

Cristina Novais

CFO

Eduardo Piedade

Managing Partner and CEO

Past deals in Portugal

Jscrambler

Series A in 2021
Jscrambler LDA is a web security company based in Porto, Portugal, founded in 2008, with additional locations in Lisbon and San Francisco. The company specializes in protecting web and mobile applications from various security threats. Its primary product, JScrambler, employs advanced JavaScript obfuscation techniques, providing robust security features, including code locks, self-defending capabilities, and threat monitoring. This platform helps prevent tampering, reverse-engineering, and counterfeit applications, while ensuring compliance with major technology frameworks such as HTML5 and Node.js. Jscrambler also offers a Webpage Integrity module, which delivers real-time visibility into client-side attacks, enabling businesses to respond swiftly to security incidents. The company's solutions cater to diverse sectors, including finance, healthcare, gaming, and online advertising, and are trusted by numerous organizations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies.

Reckon.ai

Seed Round in 2021
Reckon.ai is a technology company based in Lisbon, Portugal, founded in 2017. It specializes in developing Reckon, a cloud platform designed for smart retail product analysis and price comparison. The platform leverages machine learning algorithms, data fusion, and computer vision to enhance how retailers gather competitive intelligence. By incorporating artificial intelligence and image recognition, Reckon enables retailers to effectively track and optimize their pricing strategies in relation to competitors. The company aims to address the inefficiencies and challenges faced by retailers in competitive analysis, recognizing that many opportunities for improvement remain unaddressed in the digital landscape.

Taikai

Seed Round in 2021
Most of the challenges organizations face go unsolved or lack different perspectives. We’re changing that by putting the right talent solving these challenges in an open collaborative environment. TAIKAI or 大会 (“coopetition” in Japanese) is the act of joining competing forces to cooperate to achieve a brighter solution together. By opening their innovation processes, companies and other organizations are able to improve the quality and speed of solution development. We do that by helping organizations to run their innovation challenges and hackathons acting as an online facilitator. Through our platform, it is possible to apply, participate, vote and reward the best projects that emerge from the challenge, in a fully online and transparent way.

Automaise

Seed Round in 2021
Automaise specializes in developing cloud-based, low-code artificial intelligence solutions that provide virtual employees for customer service. The company offers a diverse portfolio of AI-driven virtual employees capable of autonomously executing a range of tasks across various business sectors. By streamlining and automating customer service processes, Automaise enables organizations to reduce costs, enhance staff productivity, and ultimately drive sales growth.

Didimo

Venture Round in 2020
Didimo focuses on humanizing technology and reducing digital isolation. They automate 3D character creation - a once expensive and time-consuming task - in 30 sec or less. Their product - a Didimo - a lifelike 3D characters that look, act and speak like a person will connect every one of us more closely to the digital world, driving a new paradigm for communication, through the image they know the most - their own face.

Probely

Seed Round in 2020
Probely is a SaaS platform that specializes in web vulnerability scanning for agile teams, aimed at enhancing the security of web applications. The service offers continuous scanning capabilities, allowing businesses to efficiently manage the lifecycle of identified vulnerabilities through an intuitive web interface. Probely provides detailed remediation instructions, including code snippets, to assist users in addressing these vulnerabilities effectively. The platform incorporates advanced features such as machine learning and heuristic techniques to minimize false positives, while also supporting direct integration with continuous monitoring tools and development processes. This functionality enables businesses to automate security testing, thereby reducing the risk of cyber attacks and enhancing overall cybersecurity posture.

Replai

Seed Round in 2020
Replai is a technology company based in Porto, Portugal, founded in 2019, that specializes in creating a platform for generating short esports videos using artificial intelligence. The platform connects to live streams to automatically generate highlights, calculate sponsor value, and adapt content for different audiences. By leveraging AI algorithms, Replai enables esports organizations to enhance fan engagement and loyalty through personalized storytelling and custom-made video clips. The company's innovative approach supports mobile companies in developing effective marketing strategies by providing creative intelligence that elevates their brand presence within the esports community.

Probely

Seed Round in 2018
Probely is a SaaS platform that specializes in web vulnerability scanning for agile teams, aimed at enhancing the security of web applications. The service offers continuous scanning capabilities, allowing businesses to efficiently manage the lifecycle of identified vulnerabilities through an intuitive web interface. Probely provides detailed remediation instructions, including code snippets, to assist users in addressing these vulnerabilities effectively. The platform incorporates advanced features such as machine learning and heuristic techniques to minimize false positives, while also supporting direct integration with continuous monitoring tools and development processes. This functionality enables businesses to automate security testing, thereby reducing the risk of cyber attacks and enhancing overall cybersecurity posture.

Taikai

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Most of the challenges organizations face go unsolved or lack different perspectives. We’re changing that by putting the right talent solving these challenges in an open collaborative environment. TAIKAI or 大会 (“coopetition” in Japanese) is the act of joining competing forces to cooperate to achieve a brighter solution together. By opening their innovation processes, companies and other organizations are able to improve the quality and speed of solution development. We do that by helping organizations to run their innovation challenges and hackathons acting as an online facilitator. Through our platform, it is possible to apply, participate, vote and reward the best projects that emerge from the challenge, in a fully online and transparent way.

Automaise

Seed Round in 2018
Automaise specializes in developing cloud-based, low-code artificial intelligence solutions that provide virtual employees for customer service. The company offers a diverse portfolio of AI-driven virtual employees capable of autonomously executing a range of tasks across various business sectors. By streamlining and automating customer service processes, Automaise enables organizations to reduce costs, enhance staff productivity, and ultimately drive sales growth.

Jscrambler

Series A in 2018
Jscrambler LDA is a web security company based in Porto, Portugal, founded in 2008, with additional locations in Lisbon and San Francisco. The company specializes in protecting web and mobile applications from various security threats. Its primary product, JScrambler, employs advanced JavaScript obfuscation techniques, providing robust security features, including code locks, self-defending capabilities, and threat monitoring. This platform helps prevent tampering, reverse-engineering, and counterfeit applications, while ensuring compliance with major technology frameworks such as HTML5 and Node.js. Jscrambler also offers a Webpage Integrity module, which delivers real-time visibility into client-side attacks, enabling businesses to respond swiftly to security incidents. The company's solutions cater to diverse sectors, including finance, healthcare, gaming, and online advertising, and are trusted by numerous organizations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies.

Sensei

Seed Round in 2018
Sensei Tech develops an AI-driven real-time video recognition system that transforms traditional video surveillance cameras into advanced sensors for retail environments. By employing sophisticated algorithms, the company digitizes brick-and-mortar stores, enabling the analysis of in-store activities and customer interactions. This technology provides retailers with valuable insights into traffic flow, product performance, and out-of-shelf detection, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and boosting sales. Sensei's integrated system allows for a cashless shopping experience, supporting the evolution of "Phygital" stores that blend physical and digital retail. Founded in 2017 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, Sensei Tech aims to empower retailers with comprehensive analytics and a seamless customer experience.

advertio

Pre Seed Round in 2017
advertio aims to set a new standard in digital advertising solving the actual complexity of the process. We offer a free to use platform for small business owners to advertise in multiple ad networks. Simply enter the URL for your website, we scan the web for your online presence and create a campaign fit for your needs which will be continuously improving to achieve better ROI.

Probely

Seed Round in 2017
Probely is a SaaS platform that specializes in web vulnerability scanning for agile teams, aimed at enhancing the security of web applications. The service offers continuous scanning capabilities, allowing businesses to efficiently manage the lifecycle of identified vulnerabilities through an intuitive web interface. Probely provides detailed remediation instructions, including code snippets, to assist users in addressing these vulnerabilities effectively. The platform incorporates advanced features such as machine learning and heuristic techniques to minimize false positives, while also supporting direct integration with continuous monitoring tools and development processes. This functionality enables businesses to automate security testing, thereby reducing the risk of cyber attacks and enhancing overall cybersecurity posture.

EatTasty

Convertible Note in 2016
Producing every-day tasty food through a decentralized model, aiming to deliver the best food through the biggest community of producers.

InovRetail

Venture Round in 2016
InovRetail, Lda is a predictive analytics company based in Porto, Portugal, focused on enhancing retail performance through advanced analytics tools. Founded in 2011, the company develops various platforms to support retailers, including SEEPLUS, a customer retail experience management system that optimizes in-store atmospherics, and SEEMOBILE, a mobile extension of SEEPLUS. It also offers SEE-EXPLORER, an analytical tool integrated with Office Excel for data modeling, and SEEWALL, a fitting room management system. InovRetail's services extend to predicting sales baselines, promotional impacts, customer churn patterns, and inventory management to improve logistics for retailers in fashion, food, and sports sectors. By leveraging artificial intelligence, InovRetail aims to empower store staff and enhance customer experiences, making informed decisions that drive sales performance and operational efficiency.

Movvo

Series A in 2016
Movvo, Inc. is a company that specializes in indoor tracking and real-time analytics, focusing on understanding shopper behavior in physical environments. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Oporto, Portugal, with additional offices in London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, Movvo serves a diverse range of clients, including shopping malls, department stores, airports, and smart cities. The Movvo platform integrates consumer behavior wireless sensor technology with artificial intelligence and big data to provide actionable insights for retail and commercial real estate operators. By analyzing in-store browsing patterns and leveraging machine learning, the platform facilitates better decision-making related to asset value, tenant changes, and overall retail performance. Movvo’s solutions enable businesses to maximize rental value and enhance the visitor experience, effectively monetizing physical spaces while delivering a comprehensive understanding of consumer interactions.

SysValue

Private Equity Round in 2016
Sysvalue is specialized in consulting, integration and security services. Focused on interactive business and Internet services, SysValue helps companies get more value from their systems and communications assets, while making them more secure.

WeDo Technologies

Funding Round in 2001
WeDo Technologies is a global leader in revenue and business assurance, specializing in software and consultancy services that enable organizations to analyze large volumes of data. By focusing on operational efficiencies, the company helps businesses minimize risks and achieve substantial returns on investment through revenue protection and cost savings. WeDo Technologies collaborates with prominent blue-chip companies across various sectors, including retail, energy, and finance, as well as 180 telecommunications operators in nearly 90 countries. With a team of over 500 skilled professionals, the company offers expert solutions for fraud management and enterprise business assurance, allowing organizations to audit their systems and effectively manage risks.

Saphety

Funding Round in 2000
Saphety Level - Trusted Services, S.A. is a leading technology company based in Lisbon, Portugal, specializing in electronic document exchange, invoicing, and data synchronization solutions. Founded in 2000, the company provides a range of services, including electronic bill presentment, procurement, billing analytics, automated negotiation, and catalogue management. With a diverse clientele that includes prominent names like Coca Cola, Samsung, and NOS, Saphety aims to enhance business processes for its customers by maximizing efficiency and reducing costs. The company operates a global network that supports over 5,000 businesses and 350,000 users across 40 countries and four continents. Saphety also maintains strategic partnerships with various firms to bolster its service offerings and has local offices in Brazil and operations in Colombia.
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