BoxUp: smart lockers for sports equipment

HES-SO Valais-Wallis alums Frank Rouillier, Florian Voumard and Lucien Manueddu developed BoxUp during their masters in product development, using the design thinking method. It’s a smart locker and app that lets users rent sports and leisure equipment directly at green, outdoor spaces. The leisure, sport or relaxation equipment varies depending on the location of the boxes. Boxup helps people have fun and exercise at sports and leisure facilities, without having to buy, store and transport equipment – so there’re able to discover new activities and places to practise them easily.

“The Kickers’ Camp was amazing: so many sharp, experienced people in the room — we’ve never had so much, focused feedback,” said Rouillier. “The trainers are really able to put the finger on the problem and identify what you need to work on,” echoed Manueddu.

After joining Venture Kick BoxUp was admissible to win a 150,000-franc First Ventures grant from Gebert Rüf Stiftung. The team is working with engineers from HEIG-VD, the School of Management and Engineering Vaud, and preparing for industrialization.