Norwegian technology start-up Add.Space aims to be the new Airbnb – not for travelers but for stuff. If the company succeeds, it might be the world’s largest warehouse – without stockroom.
Last summer, ADD.SPACE launched its app in New York, and in a short time received over 3,000 downloads. Users log their excess items on the app and the company sends someone to scoot them away.
The self-storage market, or “mini-storage” as it is better known as in Norway, is growing strongly globally, which is linked to the fact that more and more people live in cities, and new apartments are getting smaller and smaller. My wardrobe, for instance, is extensive and now needs a facility after I have moved from a detached house to a smaller apartment.
If it functions as described, I can have my paraphernalia stored with a few keystrokes while a private individual can get a passive monthly income by renting out their surplus space, e. g. attic, basement, garage or storage. I can keep track of my things through a “virtual closet” on the app. At the press of a few bottoms, my belongings will rematerialize on my doorstep.
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The global market is estimated to over 60 billion dollars annuallyThe global market is estimated to over 60 billion dollars annually and is today mainly operated by large players who have not adapted to the society we live in today, where, for example, the sharing economy and the environment are two important factors.
It sounds like a winning formula: Airbnb-style renting combined with seamless delivery reminiscent of a takeaway service and an AI-powered gimmick.
Turning your closet into everyone else’s might be a brilliant ostensibly business plan, ultimately making cities more hospitable for commodities than for people.
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Add+Space has chosen to launch its app out of New York City, and its quirky orange bicycles have got attention there.
The company will raise capital to scale for further growth in New York. The next phase will be to grow further in the US and then enter Europe. Add+Space already has a dozen VCs following the company closely, both from Europe and the US, so a natural next step is to raise capital from such an environment. The ambition is to become a global player in a market with almost unlimited possibilities.
World’s Largest Warehouse – Without Stockroom, written by Tor Kjolberg