AI/Machine Learning

The fresh chatbot people: Woolies is seasoning your grocery buy with AI, but do shoppers want it?

- January 16, 2026 4 MIN READ

Woolworths has announced a partnership with Google to incorporate agentic artificial intelligence into its “Olive” chatbot, starting in Australia later this year. Until now, Olive has largely answered questions, resolved problems and directed shoppers to information. Soon, Olive will be able to do more: planning meals, interpreting handwritten recipes, applying loyalty discounts and placing suggested… Read more »

Dr Hazel MacTavish-West, Seedlab Australia
Funding

Woolies doubles down on product accelerator Seedlab with another $7 million

- August 23, 2024 2 MIN READ

Retail giant Woolworths is obviously impressed with the products rolling out of food and drink startup incubator, Seedlab Australia, tipping another $7 million into the project. Woolies previously invested $4 million in Seedlab when it kicked off in 2021, supporting nearly 400 businesses develop new products over that time. Seedlab Australia CEO and cofounder Dr Hazel… Read more »

Milkrun
Business

Woolies gobbles up Milkrun, brings it back to life

- May 25, 2023 3 MIN READ

When rapid grocery delivery service Milkrun shut down suddenly last month, many acknowledged the impact that startup had on improving a moribund sector dominated by lethargic supermarket giants. Founder Dany Milham said at the time “I believe the impact that the Milkrun team had on the industry will be long lasting”. The startup certainly had… Read more »

Woolworths
Business

Coles and Woolworths have turned to big tech, bringing in warehouse robots as online ordering jumps in lockdowns

- August 29, 2021 4 MIN READ

As lockdowns continue across Australia, many households are doing something they may not have considered just 18 months ago: ordering groceries online. Australia’s supermarket duopoly, Coles and Woolworths, have raced to implement new technology and transform labour arrangements to keep up with the e-grocery boom. Both are investing in “smart” warehousing and distribution systems with… Read more »

Dr Hazel MacTavish-West, Seedlab Australia
Accelerator

Woolies ploughs $4 million into product accelerator Seedlab Australia

- July 19, 2021 2 MIN READ

Supermarket giant Woolworths is backing accelerator Seedlab Australia with a $4 million investment to help startup founders develop new food, beverage, home and personal care products. The Seedlab accelerator program will identify founders and ventures with the potential for high growth in categories such as artisan foods, health and wellness, and more sustainable products, offering… Read more »

farming
Funding

Woolies backs meat-free protein startup in $3.5 million raise

- July 14, 2021 2 MIN READ

Sydney plant-based proteins startup Harvest B has raised $3.5 million in seed funding just 12 months after launching. The seed raise was led by Aura Ventures and W23, the venture capital arm of supermarket giant Woolworths. The startup also landed a $1 million grant from the federal government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Commercialisation Fund. It… Read more »

Topic

Openpay signs B2B deal with Woolworths

- February 4, 2020 < 1 MIN READ

  ASX-listed Openpay has signed a deal with Woolworths that takes the fintech into the B2B sector. Woolworths will launch Openpay for Business, which allows companies to manage trade accounts end-to-end, including applications, credit checks, approvals and account management in the one system. The move is a shift way for Openpay from buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services… Read more »