PHILADELPHIA, PA — Lula Commerce announced it has raised an $8 million Series A round led by SEMCAP AI, with additional backing from Rich Products Ventures, GO PA Fund, NZVC, UP.Partners, Green Circle Foodtech Ventures, and Outlander VC. The latest funding brings the company’s total capital raised to more than $16 million as it accelerates efforts to modernize the $650 billion convenience retail sector.
While nearly half of all Americans visit convenience stores daily, most of the industry remains offline—fewer than 10% of retailers currently offer digital ordering or delivery. Lula Commerce aims to close that gap with an AI-powered operating system designed specifically for convenience stores.
Its platform includes Lula Hub, which integrates delivery partners like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub into one dashboard; Lula Direct, a white-label solution for branded web and mobile ordering; and Lula Operators, a suite of more than 30 AI tools that automate critical functions such as refunds, reviews, and uptime management.
“Lula Commerce is an ideal example of the type of portfolio company SEMCAP AI targets for investment, leveraging AI to disrupt how businesses operate, boosting productivity, and transforming markets,” said Vince Menichelli, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner at SEMCAP AI.
Lula’s technology is already being used by franchisees of major convenience brands, including Circle K, United Pacific, Jacksons Food Stores, Par Mar Stores, and Clipper Petroleum. The company says it now supports more than 50 regional convenience chains across the United States.
“It’s an incredible privilege to build mission-critical technology for some of the most iconic and forward-thinking retail brands in the country,” said Adit Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Lula Commerce. “As consumer expectations shift and digital continues to reshape retail, we’re committed to being the backbone that powers this transformation.”
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