We are pleased to share that Paula Rivero, CEO and co-founder of Digital Link and COO of QRCodeKIT, has been accepted into Forbes Business Council, an invitation-only community for business owners and leaders.
Paula was selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.
As a member, Paula will connect and collaborate with other leaders in a private forum. She will also have the opportunity to share her insights through original articles and contribute to published Expert Panels on Forbes.com.
Why this matters for our industry
Paula joins the Council at an important moment for the industries in which Digital Link operates.
The relationship between physical products and the digital world is changing quickly. Brands and retailers are preparing for the transition to more capable 2D barcodes, while new product information, traceability and regulatory requirements are creating a growing need for reliable digital product data.
GS1's Sunrise 2027 initiative aims for retail point-of-sale systems globally to be capable of reading and processing product identifiers from both existing linear barcodes and more capable 2D barcodes by the end of 2027.
At the same time, the introduction of digital product passports and other product information requirements is changing how brands manage and provide access to product data.
These developments create new possibilities for physical products to connect consumers, brands, retailers and digital services through a persistent digital identity built on GS1 Digital Link. This is the work Digital Link does with brands and retailers every day, and it is the perspective Paula plans to bring to the Council.
In Paula's words
We're entering a fascinating moment for physical products. The barcode has been with us for more than 50 years, but what comes next is much bigger than simply replacing one code with another. Products are gaining persistent digital identities and becoming capable of connecting with consumers, systems and, increasingly, AI agents.
Joining Forbes Business Council gives me the opportunity to contribute to that conversation, share what we're learning from working at the intersection of GS1 Digital Link, connected products and emerging regulation, and learn from other leaders navigating equally significant transformations in their industries.
What comes next
Through the Council, Paula plans to explore how product identities are evolving, what the transition to 2D barcodes means for brands and retailers, and why the traditional barcode is no longer enough for many of the experiences and information needs now emerging around physical products.
We look forward to sharing her contributions as they are published.
About Paula Rivero
Paula Rivero is CEO and co-founder of Digital Link and COO of QRCodeKIT. Her work focuses on connected products, GS1 Digital Link and the infrastructure that connects physical products with digital information, services and experiences. You can follow her on LinkedIn.
About Digital Link
Digital Link helps brands and retailers connect physical products with their digital identities. The company works across GS1 Digital Link implementation, connected product experiences and the product data foundations required by emerging use cases and regulation.
