With a 500% growth in crowdfunding for its B2B projects in just one quarter, the Franco-Belgian start-up Enky is now set to launch an unprecedented range of refurbished second-hand furniture from its new workshops. Riding a wave of enthusiasm from customers and investors, the company has doubled its workforce and opened its capital to the public, aiming to raise millions of euros through its own crowdfunding platform.
'On one hand, the increasing pressure from ESG and CSR regulations, and on the other, the natural shift in attitudes, mean that the growth rate of second-hand sales in B2B is three times that of new items,' explains Aïssa Laroussi, co-founder and CEO of Enky. 'This trend is even more pronounced in our sector, where property owners, tenants, architects, and project managers are all seeking to reduce their carbon footprint by turning to more circular sourcing models.'
As demand booms, Enky is committed to bridging the gap in second-hand stock availability. Its model offers professional furniture on a subscription basis, allowing customers to either purchase the items or sell them back to Enky. This sustainable, flexible, and cost-effective solution is enhanced by a new team of specialists who refurbish and modernise furniture pieces as needed before they reach clients.
'In our industry, it's paradoxically the first mile that matters most,' emphasises Shari Dewannemacker, Enky's Sales & Marketing Director. 'To minimise transportation by bringing supply and demand closer together, we will be opening two refurbishment workshops on the outskirts of Paris and London.'
More Information:
Enky
www.enky.com