Brick: power bank-sharing that allows users to pick up a charger in one location and return it to another.
Please introduce yourself and your startup Brick to our readers!
My name is Emil Esselin and I’m the founder and CEO of Brick – a Swedish startup for power bank-sharing that allows users to pick up a charger in one location and return it to another.
Today, Brick is available in 18 countries and on all continents. Our rapid global expansion has been possible thanks to our scalable and well-developed business model – and that we have succeeded in getting talented partners around the world. Their unique knowledge and experience of the local markets have been essential for our success.
How did you get the idea of Brick?
The idea for Brick was born when we realized that there are two growing problems around the world, the increased mobile dependence and poorer battery life. If you then merge the two together, you get a situation that in our opinion should not even exist.
Why did you decide to start with Brick?
We started Brick as a reaction to the development we saw in front of us. We wanted anyone to be able to charge their phone, even if you are on the go.
What is the vision behind Brick?
The vision is clear and simple – we want to have power banks available for people who forgot to bring a charger, do not want to buy one, or simply want to continue the day even when the mobile is dying. In other words, we want to send “my battery is dead” to the past.
How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?
Brick was founded in 2019, just before the pandemic. Many of our partners, who in many cases are bars and cafes, had a hard time running their company during the pandemic. After a slow start, we saw a boom in our business during 2021 and have since then quickly expanded to several new markets.
Who is your target audience?
Our target audience is both companies that have a natural space for anyone to charge their phone. It could be a café, restaurant or shopping-mall. But also our users all over the world, who can find, rent and return our power banks in our app.
What is the USP of your startup?
Our scalable and well-developed business model, that differentiates us from our competitors. Also that we are available to our users, whenever and wherever they need to charge. All hours of the day and in cities all over the world – from Stockholm to Brisbane.
Can you describe your typical workday?
During a typical workday, I am talking with Brick’s partners all over the world and looking for new markets to expand on. A lot of meetings with colleagues and various partners where we discuss how to develop and expand the company even more.
Where do you see yourself and your startup Brick in five years?
Today we are established in all the continents, however, in five years we expect to be available in even more countries around the world, and that Brick has become the number one choice for power-bank rentals. We also believe sharing is the future and we aim to take sharing beyond power banks, because access beats ownership. As CEO, I see myself developing and building an even better and bigger organization around Brick, with many more partners and colleagues on board.
What 3 tips would you give to founders?
My three tips to founders are (1) be bold – you always regret what you did not do, (2) listen to others and build a strong network, but always trust your vision, (3) find the right investor for your startup and go beyond the most obvious. Maybe someone wants to perform consulting services for your company in exchange for convertibles?
More information you will find here
Thank you Emil Esselin for the Interview
Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.
