Boston-based startup SOS Group Inc. said it has raised $3.4 million in funding led by early-stage investor For Later LLC. Additional investment participation came from the Khan family, owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham F.C.; Jerod Mayo, a New England Patriots coach and former player; and Ju Rhyu, founder of Hero Cosmetics.
SOS is a female-founded company that operates interactive vending machines delivering premium products and digital content in public spaces. Founders Susanna Twarog and Robina Verbeek met as colleagues at a Fortune 100 company where they noticed the "alarming absence of quality health and wellness products" at the office and in most public spaces.
With that in mind, the duo invented in 2017 the SOS vender, described as a curvy, elegant IoT-enabled device that delivers individually packaged products.
The wall-mounting machine is equipped with a video touchscreen that delivers targeted content and enables ard-less, contactless purchasing. The company holds five design patents in the U.S., Canada, Europe and China.
The company has placed machines at Fenway Park, FLA Live Arena, Prudential Center and Boston Children’s Hospital, among other locations.
