Innovation

The business model of Get Energy innovation is based on a technology platform – a user application that performs all internal management operations. So the chain of operation from the side of the consumer looks like:

1.Download the app.

2.Pay for the service.

3.Grab a powerbank.

4.Charge a gadget.

5. Bring the powerbank back.

To provide its services Get Energy uses high-quality backend management tools, the Internet of Things, optimal tariff rates and a payment gateway. Providing a technology platform is a franchise that involves providing a set of tools that will help potential partners capture a piece of the charger rental market, so the platform will allow one to launch any type of mobile device charging business and get up and running in a few days. And, sure, such approach helps to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and stimulate innovation, which is an essential part of SDG number 9.

The idea of ​​responsible consumption is still developing in Russia, so projects that are based on this idea are mostly innovative for the country. This project promotes the idea of ​​changing the consumption system as a whole, making a certain resource more available (in our case, batteries), and distributing it to the entire population of the city in which it is installed. Reuse things, instead of buying new and individual for each person, develop the idea of ​​​​responsible consumption and production, the project also aims to create infrastructure and offers on the market, a conscious choice for the use of reusable products. Thus, the project is a part of sharing economy, that is helping to deliver the 12th SDG. Moreover, it is important to note that this company cares about the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, which is necessary for ecology and supports the 6th SDG goal.

A whole team is involved in the development of the innovation. The manager was looking for people with different backgrounds and competencies to create a good team of professionals, which helps to create a socially responsible scalable innovative business.

Inspiration

Before the start-up was established its founder was looking for people with different backgrounds and competencies to create a good team of professionals. All team members were aware of the problems that afflict people when they find out that their phone or any other device’s battery is dead. Founder and CEO of Get Energy Roman Averianov told us about the observations he made in Asia: “People could not buy a subway ticket or pay a bill in a restaurant”.

And now in a very fast-changing world, where 4G is being replaced by 5G, traffic consumption is growing exponentially and the time an individual spends surfing the Internet exceeds 7 hours a day, it is very important to always have a ready-for-use gadget at hand. “It is difficult to imagine a person who cannot order a taxi or pay a bill via the phone,” – Roman observes. All of this is tightly connected with SDG 9 – the rapid growth of electronic services and the digital economy, on the whole, requires the development of infrastructure of high quality which facilitates the implementation of new technologies and ensures the rational use of resources.

The desire to improve urban infrastructure and help people avoid any inconveniences related to dead devices was, obviously, not the only reason for launching the start-up. The team is heavily concerned about the negative impact that discarded batteries and the substances they contain as well as their production may have on the environment and people’s health, corresponding to the 6th SDG. They are sure that control of these batteries’ lifecycle and their proper recycling are needed. Finally, they realize that their services can be interesting to different entrepreneurs who may be willing to install a powerbank vending machine and expand their business by entering a new market but who cannot create special software for this matter and, thus, are unable to compete with market leaders.

Overall impact

In general, Get Energy’s activities influence the environment and society in several ways. Firstly, in terms of SDG 6 Get Energy helps to decrease the negative impact on nature, including water resources, by encouraging citizens to quit using personal powerbanks or anything like that, which, in turn, results in more organized production and usage of batteries as well as reduction in toxic electronic waste.

What’s also important, with a focus on SDG 9 Get Energy contributes to the improvement of urban infrastructure and makes citizens’ lives easier. By installing vending machines in most high-passable places it provides people with the necessary tools to totally harness modern technologies and get a full range of digital services with the help of their devices.

Obviously, the start-up’s innovation lets thousands of people forget about the need to monitor the charge level of their phone – with access to publicly available powerbank vending machines they can use it almost limitlessly. Therefore, Get Energy changes society’s consumption model: it motivates them to participate proactively in the sharing economy and enables them to be always online apart from sleep time. As Roman Averianov emphasizes: “There are only two intervals of time when we don’t use our phone. The first is when we sleep, the second is when it’s dead. We’ve managed to address the second issue”. Finally, just like the team wanted it in the beginning, it now helps dozens of companies to improve their business, find a new source of income and increase their traffic and visitor loyalty, which helps to deliver social values of Get Energy to other companies.

Business benefit

Get Energy’s services have become especially popular among HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and catering) businesses, whose customers can now easily have their devices charged without searching for a spare socket. The start-up is expanding swiftly. Currently, they provide their services to not only famous Russian companies like Black Star Burger or Shokoladnitsa but also to international businesses located in Russia such as Crowne Plaza, Krispy Kreme, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, etc.; they even installed their machines at some Moscow metro stations.

Get Energy now accounts for over 40 franchises and more than 250,000 regular powerbank users. Its team has received a grant from the Innovation Promotion Fund and the business ranks among the top 200 franchises in Russia. Thus, the start-up does really prove to be successful and has a huge potential to grow further. Also, such numbers proves that the project is sharing its social values with other companies in Russia, which helps to deliver the SDG agenda in the whole country.

Social and environmental benefit

The service allows you to always stay in touch and have access to electronic services everywhere without being tied to a power outlet and without buying an individual battery. Sometimes this really can be lifesaving. The company is also very responsible for the disposal of batteries, which usually does not happen in 100% of cases of domestic use. This means with the impact on the environment harmful substances do not enter the soil, groundwater, and water bodies. Improper disposal and lack of treatment can become a threat to large areas, not just certain areas. The main advantages of innovation:

• Rational use of lithium-ion batteries, no need to purchase individual. That truly helps to achieve the 12th SDG goal.

• Reduction of emissions of toxic substances and heavy metals into soil and water. Of course, that helps to decrease the potential level of toxicity in water and supports the 6th SDG.

• Formation of the habit of reasonable and reusable consumption of available resources, which is an essential part of SDG 12th.

• Support cities to be more resilient and help prevent soil and water pollution, especially in densely populated areas, which is all about the 6th SDG.

• The long-term effect lies in the habit of the users charging gadgets everywhere without purchasing new chargers, thus reducing the overall consumption of lithium-ion batteries in the world.

The concept of the project solves the problem of recycling, and metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are toxic and can pollute water supplies and ecosystems, are now sent to toxic metal recycling centres on behalf of the organization. There have also been fires in landfills or battery recycling facilities when lithium-ion batteries are not properly disposed of, which should also be minimized with proper battery recycling. Of course, such approach helps to decrease the harm to nature and support ecological SDGs.

Interview

Roman Averyanov, CEO