Sally Tobin launches AiPX Ventures to back AI-native founders

Mars United Commerce Founder Sally Tobin has launched AiPX Ventures, an AI-driven venture studio that supports founders building AI-native platforms from the ground up.

The studio will focus on industries still constrained by fragmented and outdated technology stacks, targeting sectors where AI can streamline workflows, optimise operations and accelerate decision-making at scale.

Rather than operating as a traditional venture capital fund, AiPX will work directly alongside founders to identify opportunities, design platforms, build minimum viable products and bring solutions to market.

Tobin’s work history

Tobin brings more than 20 years of experience across commerce marketing and technology product innovation.

She is the Founder and former Managing Director of Mars United Commerce ANZ, now part of Publicis Groupe, and a repeat founder who has built and exited multiple businesses with combined enterprise valuations exceeding $900 million.

During her tenure at Mars United, Tobin led the expansion into retail media, e-commerce and MarTech, alongside acquisitions that scaled the business across Asia-Pacific.

“Every company I’ve built has reinforced the same lesson: the hardest problems aren’t the ideas; they’re the systems that sit behind them. With AiPX, we’re taking what we’ve learned from building and exiting multiple businesses and applying it to support founders who are creating the next generation of AI-native platforms that solve genuine industry bottlenecks,” Sally Tobin, CEO of AiPX Ventures, said.

Gary Head joins the leadership team

Joining Tobin is Gary Head, former General Manager of Omnichannel at Mars United Commerce and Company Secretary of the industry body Shop! ANZ has appointed a Chief Product Officer at AiPX Ventures.

Head has 15 years’ experience across advertising and product design, having led award-winning omnichannel campaigns and overseen the global rebrand to Mars United Commerce ahead of its acquisition by Publicis Groupe in 2024.

In his new role, he will lead product architecture and platform development across the AiPX portfolio.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be back working with Sally to help founders turn ambitious ideas into real, scalable products,” Head said.

Head will continue his involvement with Cart Index AI, the venture he launched last year to address the creative effectiveness gap in retail media.

Targeting structural inefficiencies

AiPX is already developing a pipeline of four AI-native platforms centred on workflow systems and integrated partner marketplaces.

The first release, targeting the trades and construction industry, is slated for mid-year, with further platforms focused on marketing operations.

Main Image: Sally Tobin and Gary Head

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