J.D. Falcão takes on CEO role at AiFi

Article posted by Coliseum, September 25^th, 2025

Image: João Diogo Falcão and AiFi

Autonomous stores specialist AiFi is undergoing a leadership transition with co-founder and CTO, João Diogo Falcão, taking up the role of CEO.

Retail Technology Innovation Hub said current CEO Steve Carlin will return to his role as Venture Partner at one of AiFi’s investors, Translink Capital. Carlin will continue to support and advise the company.

An AiFi spokesman said, “We’re deeply grateful for Steve’s leadership and proud of what the team has accomplished under his guidance: deploying more than 300+ autonomous stores worldwide, expanding partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, launching the world’s most innovative stadium in the Intuit Dome, and much more.

“We’re equally excited to welcome our Co-founder and CTO, João Diogo Falcão, as our new CEO. JD has been with us from the beginning, building our technology, leading our teams, and shaping our vision.

“His appointment ensures continuity as we accelerate our mission to unlock the power of spatial intelligence for retailers, venues, and brands around the world.”

AiFi’s camera-only frictionless checkout experience allows fans in stadiums and arenas to purchase items in-store without having to wait in line or stop to scan and pay.

The company recently collaborated with Verizon and the Atlanta Hawks to power the newly added Hawks Express Cashierless Checkout store at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

In a LinkedIn post, Falcão said: “I’m honoured to step into the role of CEO at AiFi, a company I’ve had the privilege of helping build since the beginning. First, I want to thank Steve Carlin for his incredible leadership over the past three years.

“His guidance helped AiFi scale through an important growth phase, expand our global partnerships, and solidify our position as the leader in spatial intelligence. I’m grateful that Steve will continue to support and advise us in his role with Translink Capital as Venture Partner.

“For me, this is both a professional and personal milestone. From the beginning, our vision at AiFi has been to digitise physical spaces the way search engines digitised the internet; making them queryable, measurable, and actionable.

“To truly make AI available for the physical world. We’re just scratching the surface of what spatial intelligence can unlock, and I’m energised to lead our next phase of growth.

“To our team: thank you for your brilliance and passion, you’re the heart of AiFi. To our partners: we remain committed to delivering the most advanced spatial AI platform in the world. I’m excited to continue this journey with all of you.”

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