From Concept Validation to Business Growth
How Vendzai Is Building a Smart Retail Brand in Portugal
"We purchased our first machine to test the concept, and the results were so positive that we quickly moved forward with additional orders. Haha Vending provides much more than equipment—they deliver a complete solution backed by a professional team that is genuinely committed to their customers' success."
Testing the Market with One Machine—and Expanding with Confidence
For many entrepreneurs entering the smart retail industry, success begins with validating an idea before scaling it. In 2025, Portuguese startup Vendzai set out to explore smart retail opportunities within the hospitality sector. To test the concept and gauge customer demand, founder Luis Teles started with a single Haha Vending Mini 360. The results quickly exceeded expectations. Positive customer feedback, reliable machine performance, and a smooth operational experience gave the team confidence in the business model. Just a few months later, Vendzai expanded its network by purchasing two additional Mini 360 units, bringing its total fleet to three machines. What began as a simple proof of concept soon evolved into a growing smart retail operation.
Bringing Convenient Retail to Hotel Guests
As a young brand focused on innovation, Vendzai chose hotels as its initial market. Hotel guests often need quick access to snacks, beverages, and everyday essentials outside traditional store hours. Smart retail technology offered a practical solution, providing a seamless self-service shopping experience without requiring additional staffing. As testing continued, guest adoption and engagement reinforced the team's belief that the concept had strong potential for long-term growth.
Fast Delivery Accelerated the Launch Process
One of the first things that impressed the Vendzai team was the speed of delivery. The machines arrived quickly, professionally packaged, and ready for deployment. For a startup eager to validate a new business concept, reducing the time between purchase and launch was a significant advantage. The efficient delivery process allowed the team to begin testing the market sooner and gather valuable customer feedback more quickly.
Plug-and-Play Simplicity Makes Operations Easy
For a growing business, operational efficiency is critical. The Mini 360's plug-and-play setup enabled Vendzai to get up and running quickly without complex installation requirements. Product loading, pricing adjustments, and machine management could all be handled through the platform with minimal effort. This simplicity allowed the team to focus more on building the brand and developing new opportunities rather than managing technical complexities.
More Than Equipment: A True Business Partner
Beyond the machines themselves, Vendzai credits much of its positive experience to Haha Vending's customer support and ongoing commitment to innovation. Whether during setup or day-to-day operations, the support team has remained responsive and accessible. Personalized video tutorials and practical guidance have made it easy to resolve questions and maintain smooth operations. The team also values Haha Vending's continuous investment in new features and platform improvements, viewing it as a sign of long-term commitment to both the product and its customers. For Vendzai, Haha Vending delivers more than hardware—it provides a complete smart retail ecosystem supported by a team genuinely invested in customer success.
Looking Ahead
As Vendzai continues to build its brand and expand its presence in Portugal, the company plans to explore additional locations and further grow its machine network. The journey from one machine to three has reinforced the team's confidence in both the business opportunity and the partnership behind it. With reliable technology, ongoing platform innovation, and dedicated customer support, Vendzai looks forward to continuing its growth alongside Haha Vending for years to come.