Our Latest News
Wasserman Venture Fund Invests in SOS To Help Fuel Growth of Vending Machines in Sports Arenas, Other Venues
“Here are two incredible women founders who are creating a product that is accessible and convenient that ensures everyone in a venue feels served and welcomes and valued and catered to. It felt like a bit of a no-brainer for me at least to serve that up to the Wass Ventures team.”
SOS Secures $7.6M from Wasserman Ventures and Urban Us Capital to Scale Its Smart Wellness Vending Machine Network
“Given our sports, music and entertainment legacy, expertise and connections, we are well-positioned to make SOS’s forward-thinking technology an integral part of the fan experience of the future. The industry is long overdue for wellness innovation like this, and we look forward to supporting the SOS team in operationalizing it nationwide.”
Fortune Term Sheet: Will A.I. replace venture capitalists?
“SOS, a Boston-based on-the-go health and wellness product provider, raised $7.6 million in funding from Wasserman Ventures and Urban Us Capital.“
“SOS is unveiling a new deployment of 14 of its personal care product vending machines at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, the company’s second sports venue deployment.”
“The first machine launched in the Boston Seaport in January 2020. With more than 14 locations and 40 more to come in New York, San Francisco, Miami, and beyond, SOS marks a major milestone for inclusive public space in cities that have historically been built for men.”
“[SOS] just closed a $3.4 million round to expand its offering of health and wellness products in vending machines … The latest round was led by the cleverly named For Later, which is the investment arm of Boston-based retail incubator For Now.”
“[An] aha moment of women’s needs being overlooked in the workplace is what sparked the SOS smart vending machine: a tech-savvy apparatus that easily delivers femcare, wellness essentials, and PPE products to women around Boston.”
“Boston’s strength in consumer tech might be one of our best-kept secrets. Beyond the large brands we all know like Reebok, Bose, TripAdvisor and now Wayfair, Techstars Boston counts Pill Pack and Rocket Book among its alumni. [Introducing] the consumer startups in Techstars’ 2020 class.”
“We’re defining “health and wellness” broadly to include a wide range of personal care, beauty, PPE, supplements, and even apparel products that people often need as they go about their daily lives.”
“The installation of 14 machines will provide fans with access to personal care products on demand, including items from brands like Cora, First Aid Beauty, Hero Cosmetics, Megababe, Kosas, Ursa Major and H-Proof, The Anytime You Drink Vitamin.”
“SOS is committed to providing essential products exactly where they are needed most, via an elevated contactless retail experience, and is uniquely positioned to support emerging needs in response to Covid-19.”
“They [Susanna and Robina] have succeeded in reimagining an outdated machine by creating a sophisticated health and beauty platform that delivers a retail experience that women can trust and enjoy.”
“Boston women pivot new business to help female healthcare workers in pandemic, realizing their business model was perfect for the time. The future of SOS exists through a seamless, app-based, shopping experience.”
“The Red Sox have installed 12 SOS personal care product digital vending machines throughout Fenway Park’s concourses and restrooms, part of a broader team initiative to better serve fans.”
“The partnership will enable SOS to monetize its smart vending machines, which provide feminine care products to consumers in stadiums and other locations.”
“Robina and Susanna are finding it’s always a good idea to have some extra images related to their business — especially now that they have to record a video pitch for Techstars Boston’s virtual Demo Day.”
“SOS, creator and operator of interactive vending machines for public spaces that deliver feminine hygiene products and digital content, has brought its installations to TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a company press release.”
“In our increasingly on-demand world, it's kind of shocking how difficult it can be to get basic necessities in the moment when you're out and about. If you need anything like tissues or Tylenol or deodorant, and you're not near a 7-11 or CVS, then you're out of luck.”
“…SOS will leverage the investment to expand into sports arenas, entertainment venues and college campuses, while continuing to deliver on its mission of creating a more inclusive and elevated wellness experience—underscored with always-free period care products.”
“SOS was selected as one of the Top 20 Emerging Brands in Retail by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).”
“The feminine care products will be free at all of SOS’s more than 100 vending machine locations, based in highly trafficked places such as Fenway Park in Boston and Rockefeller Center in New York City.”
“More of a vending machine than a robot, SOS dispenses wellness products developed by on-trend brands, including always-free menstrual care products. Who even needs Duane Reade these days?”
“An increased global footprint will also help provide a direct and valuable channel for wellness brands through media sponsorship opportunities and product discovery in targeted, high-value entertainment locations.”
“Aligning with Wasserman provides us the opportunity to work alongside a global partner who can help us open doors, shape our consumer narrative and scale our business to provide our wellness service and products to millions of fans and consumers...”
“The common thread among all of the brands on this year’s FUTURE50 list is their commitment to challenging the status quo, their potential to harness their momentum to exponentially scale and create the framework for the future of the business of beauty.”
“Since installing its first machine in 2020, SOS has grown its footprint to more than 100 vending machines in Boston, New York and Florida, including prominent locations like Rockefeller Center and Fenway Park.”
On this episode of ChedHER:
“Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of SOS, Susanna Twarog and Robina Verbeek, break down how they are redefining wellness on the go.”
“With no prior tech experience, we took it upon ourselves to create something that better met the needs of women on the go.”
“We speak with Susanna Twarog, CEO and co-founder of SOS, which makes vending machines for necessities when women need them most.”
“Robina Verbeek and Susanna Twarog left their careers in finance to launch SOS, a startup that develops smart vending machines that distribute personal-care products.”
“SOS, the Boston-based female-founded company behind the machines, launched in 2020 and now has more than 100 vending machines out in the world—and with some new funding, it's planning an even bigger expansion.”