The NARI Founding Modernization Program helps eligible U.S. operators improve both the intelligence that runs their business and the physical equipment they deploy.
Up to $6 million in provider-sponsored, non-cash modernization support:
Up to 150 implementations for eligible operators.
Up to 500 eligible smart-kiosk deployments.
This is provider-sponsored implementation and hardware value, not grant funding or cash available to operators. Approved participants receive a voucher toward a defined provider package and may be responsible for an operator contribution, recurring charges, and third-party costs. Vouchers are limited, non-transferable, subject to eligibility and provider capacity, and allocated on a rolling basis until each track is filled.
It is designed to reduce common barriers to modernization, test implementation models across different operator environments, identify recurring technical and operational challenges, and improve the program criteria, interoperability guidance, and modernization pathways available to the wider industry.
NARI will use aggregated program experience to inform its research and future industry programs. No identifiable operator information will be published without consent.
NARI does not issue a cash payment to the operator. Approved operators receive a non-transferable voucher that reduces the cost of a defined implementation or hardware package supplied by the identified program provider.
Depending on the applicable tier and scope, an AI Digital Twin implementation package with a published value of $25,000–$100,000 may become available to an approved operator with a disclosed contribution starting at $2,500–$10,000. Recurring charges, third-party expenses, taxes, shipping, installation, and other excluded costs may apply.
NARI-administered and provider-sponsored. Non-cash, non-transferable, and redeemable only for the eligible products or services stated in the voucher notice. Not a government grant.
NARI establishes the program rules, receives applications, reviews basic eligibility and program fit, administers voucher allocations, publishes material terms, monitors participant experience, reviews complaints and conflicts, and reports aggregated program outcomes.
The relevant program provider funds the voucher value in kind, confirms technical eligibility and delivery capacity, supplies the approved product or service, discloses recurring and excluded costs, and enters into a separate agreement with the operator.
NARI does not provide the underlying implementation or hardware and does not replace the operator’s own commercial, legal, technical, or financial review. No provider reviews or approves its own offer. Material relationships are disclosed, and conflicted participants do not take part in decisions concerning their own companies.
Up to $5M in benefits · up to 150 implementations · 2026 cohort
An AI Digital Twin connects approved business information, workflows, knowledge, and operating systems into a structured environment that supports visibility, coordination, reporting, and AI-assisted decision-making.
Standard implementation scope
Participation tiers
Target: small operators & new entrants (~100 implementations). Helps smaller operators structure business knowledge, reporting, recurring workflows, and operational coordination.
Target: established mid-market operators (~40 implementations). Supports more complex workflows, route and fleet reporting, reconciliation, management visibility, and coordination across a growing operation.
Target: regional & multi-state operators (~10 implementations). Designed for deeper system integrations, customized workflows, broader data sources, and multi-region operational visibility.
Final scope, voucher value, operator contribution, recurring charges, third-party costs, implementation schedule, data requirements, and provider capacity are stated in the applicable voucher notice and provider agreement.
Up to $1M · 500-unit cap
Eligible operators may receive a provider-sponsored voucher of up to $2,000 per approved smart robotic coffee kiosk. The voucher applies only to eligible configurations supplied under the applicable program terms. Product pricing, required operator investment, delivery, installation, software, service, consumables, location performance, and operating economics are governed by the provider agreement.
Subject to eligibility and available capacity, operators may apply to both the AI Digital Twin and hardware tracks.
The initial program tracks are supported by:
Both companies are connected to members of NARI’s founding team and supplied the operating experience from which the initial program was developed. That relationship allows NARI to begin with deployable operating references rather than a program that exists only on paper.
Material commercial relationships and terms are disclosed. Providers do not approve their own offers. Conflicted participants recuse from relevant decisions. Provider terms are reviewed against published operator-value criteria by non-conflicted NARI decision-makers. Participation and provider selection remain voluntary, and the broader NARI program remains open to additional qualified providers.
Open to U.S. operators of any scale — single machine to regional chain.
Association membership is welcome but is not required.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Each track closes when its available program capacity is filled. We aim to provide an initial response within five business days.
Your founding cohort application is in. NARI will review it on a rolling basis and aim to respond within five business days.
Meanwhile, you can read about NARI or explore operator benefits.