#UseThingsBetter. This is Paladin’s motto, and this is the first Italian app for object rental between private individuals.
How often do you realize you have objects lying around at home that you never use or use very little? How often do you need a product just for one event – for a weekend or a vacation – but you don’t want to buy it because of the cost?
Paladin is the solution: its aim is to change how we consume and create a better economy through sharing.
It’s up and running in Milan and Berlin, with the first two native App Mobiles developed on iOS and Android. Just a few weeks after its launch, more than 1,000 products were uploaded onto the App, with over 500 registered users.
How does Paladin work? It’s very easy: just insert the object’s price per day and decide on a deposit, chat with the person who’s interested and set a date to meet and make the exchange, and finally meet once again to return the product and conclude the loan.
For lazier folks there’s also the possibility to send objects to the Paladin staff, who will take care of inserting them on the App. The exchange is done safely via credit card: the money goes directly into the loaner’s bank account. Thanks to the deposit, loaners won’t have to worry about possible damages or loss.
Paladin brings together two different demands, with reciprocal advantages. There’s also the social value of lending from a “good neighbour” standpoint that’s both old-fashioned and contemporary, as well as reductions to the environmental impact due to saving money and sharing.
Launching this business in Milan and Berlin was not a random choice: both of these cities are pioneers in Europe’s sharing economy. The next opening will be in Barcelona, another city which has always anticipated new trends.
The shared economy has been a big success: in very little time, Airbnb, Uber, and Task Rabbit became giants in their sectors, and have changed our existence forever. However what’s missing from existing businesses is a reality that’s dedicated to sharing medium-high value objects.
Paladin aims to become a leader in this segment, which according to PWC estimates is worth 15 billion, and will rise to 330 in 2025. It’s calculated that peer-to-peer sharing of objects will grow +37% per year. And everybody can participate in this turnover: all it takes is getting used to the idea that any object in your house which you don’t need every day can become a source of earnings.
Paladin is ideal for students, off-site workers, expats, and tourists. It’s been conceived for young people, but is appropriate for any type of user. On the App, and soon also on the browser, you can find cameras, drills and other tools, bags, snowboards and other sports and leisure equipment, as well as gowns for special occasions. Each season the list will be updated with different products to rent.
Paladin – which has the support of several universities in Milan - can’t help but grow thanks to its new users and investors. It aims to give a helping hand to the great social sharing revolution.
The Paladin team consists of Nico Fusco, Marc Ferrer and Alessandro Perinotto.
Website: paladintrue.com.