SUPOMAT

What it does

Supomat solves the problems of outdated rental companies that require reservations, staff, and limited-time availability. With this solution, customers can spontaneously and intuitively rent a board by scanning a QR code and picking boards.

Your inspiration

Previously, I ran a startup that developed software for stationary kayak and SUP rental companies. I saw all their problems and, using our system, helped them solve them. SUPOMAT takes this a step further and completely automates the entire process. In the coming years, I want to revolutionize the approach to water equipment rental.

How it works

The entire operation is based on smart padlock technology. They use a special cryptographic technology that allows the app to generate unique codes that are only available for a specific padlock at a specific time. Thanks to the encryption algorithm, the padlocks can operate offline, completely without power, and thus offer customers a service even in a forest by a lake where there is no power. The battery lasts for several months, and the padlock is weather-resistant, making the solution universal and reliable. Customers approach the station, scan the QR code, and navigate to our web app. There, they select the available slots in the locker they wish to rent and pay a deposit, which will be refunded upon acceptance by the next user or at the end of the day. They can then have fun as much as they want, with the final fee deducted from the deposit for each hour started. The construction is perfectly designed to provide users with a low barrier and ease of use.

Design process

Initially, the idea was to create vertical cabinets with rollers and stainless steel walls, but such a design would have caused wet equipment to rot inside and was very heavy (400 kg). Ultimately, we decided on a design with opening cabinets, a cabinet standing on cement blocks to level the cabinet, and the entire cabinet is made of stainless steel mesh, which helps with visualization, ventilates the cabinet, and shows what's inside, while also being lighter to transport. The entire concept of automatic locks and software was built on the zaklepuje.to platform using technologies such as NextJS, React, Firebase, Stripe webhooks, and Nodemailer. The current cabinet is a prototype, but within the same system concept and smart padlocks, we plan to expand the project to include pedal boats (automatic mooring platforms with QR codes), kayaks, and recently we are also considering entering skimboards in locations on Baltic Sea beaches. Each of these solutions will differ in size and operating principles, but everything will be based on the same idea.

How it is different

Our project is a complete revolution on a national scale and completely changes the approach to renting sports equipment compared to traditional rental companies. Our inspiration comes from, among other things, city bikes and similar solutions from abroad. The project is generating significant interest; it has already been mentioned in the media, including newspapers and blogs. The dozens of customers who used it this summer were incredibly satisfied and provided tons of positive feedback, as well as advice on how we can improve. https://mycompanypolska.pl/artykul/deske-sup-wypozyczysz-jak-hulajnoge-24-7-studencki-startup-stworzyl-supomat/18323 https://piraiee.com/blog/zaklepujeto-launches-paddleboard-rental-station

Future plans

This season, we built a prototype and are devoting our entire summer to observations and improvements to develop a perfectly functioning model. We're already receiving contact from hotels, restaurants, and lakeside rental companies interested in implementing this solution. Next year, we'll create a network of such stations across Poland and a centralized system where you can find the nearest station and head out for a weekend of water fun. We're already in talks with one voivodeship about implementing a similar solution across the entire voivodeship, so the scaling project is already underway and will be implemented after summer vacations.

Awards

The startup Zaklepuje.TO, under which we are developing the project, took first place in the BraveCamp student entrepreneurship academy, where it won PLN 15,000, and 2nd place in Poland in the Enactus National Competition 2024.