Sally Tobin, the accomplished founder of Mars United Commerce, has announced the launch of AiPX Ventures, a new AI-driven venture studio. The firm is dedicated to partnering with founders to create AI-native platforms from the ground up, targeting industries hampered by outdated technology. Tobin is joined by her former colleague Gary Head, who will serve as Chief Product Officer, bringing a wealth of product design experience to the new enterprise.
A New Model for Venture Building
AiPX Ventures introduces a distinct approach to company building, operating as a hands-on studio rather than a traditional venture capital fund. This model focuses on addressing the systemic challenges behind great ideas, which Tobin identifies as the most significant hurdles for startups. The studio will work intimately with founders to identify market opportunities, design robust platforms, and develop minimum viable products to accelerate their path to market.
The studio's framework is designed to provide comprehensive support, de-risking the entrepreneurial journey and fostering sustainable growth for its portfolio companies. Founders gain access to a suite of services spanning product design, engineering, AI infrastructure, and go-to-market communications. This integrated support system allows entrepreneurs to concentrate on innovation while AiPX manages the foundational operational, financial, and legal frameworks essential for scaling a business successfully.
Proven Leadership and Industry Expertise
At the helm is Sally Tobin, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in commerce marketing and technology innovation. As the founder of Mars United Commerce ANZ, now part of Publicis Groupe, she has a proven history of building and exiting businesses with combined valuations exceeding $900 million. Her expertise in scaling companies and navigating complex market expansions, particularly in retail media and MarTech, forms the strategic foundation of AiPX Ventures.
Joining Tobin is Gary Head, who has been appointed Chief Product Officer, reprising a successful professional partnership. Head brings fifteen years of experience in advertising and product design, having previously served as General Manager of Omnichannel at Mars United Commerce. In his new capacity, he will oversee product architecture and platform development across the AiPX portfolio while continuing his work with Cart Index AI, a retail media analytics venture.
Strategic Focus on Industry Transformation
AiPX Ventures is strategically targeting industries that are still constrained by fragmented and inefficient technological infrastructures. The studio's core mission is to deploy AI-native solutions that can consolidate essential workflows, eliminate operational friction, and elevate strategic decision-making. By focusing on these underserved sectors, AiPX aims to unlock significant value and drive a new wave of industry-wide transformation through connected, intelligent platforms.
The venture studio is already actively developing a pipeline of five ventures, with its first platform release scheduled for mid-year. This initial product will be an AI-powered operating system designed for the trades and construction industry, a sector ripe for technological disruption. Subsequent platforms will focus on marketing operations, including solutions for product commercialization, agency management, and supplier marketplaces, demonstrating a clear and ambitious roadmap for innovation.
The launch of AiPX Ventures marks a significant new entry into the technology startup ecosystem, distinguished by its hands-on studio model and formidable leadership. By combining Sally Tobin's extensive exit experience with Gary Head's product acumen, the firm is well-positioned to empower founders and build transformative AI-native companies. As it begins to roll out its initial platforms, the industry will be watching closely to see how this unique approach reshapes sectors long overdue for innovation.