Oana Coșman
The Romanian startup, which has run B2C online store www.fenix.eco since April, now also offers over 20 refurbished Apple, Samsung, Sony and Huawei smartphone models to enterprises, up to 50% less expensive than new. Besides the refurbished phone itself, fenix.eco phones come with new accessories, as well as a 12-month guarantee.
“We successfully entered the consumer market eight months ago. We now intend to duplicate our B2C success in B2B. Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, many companies are currently trying to optimize their expenses. Our refurbished smartphones combine a perfect shape and working condition, at a much lower price than new. According to HMD Global, 91% of European businesses consider price an important factor when acquiring smartphones for their employees. I therefore believe fenix.eco is quickly going to become a ‘no brainer’ for a growing number of SMEs and corporate buyers,” said Serial Entrepreneur and Business Angel Grégoire Vigroux.
Fenix.eco targets companies that want to give their employees brand-name smartphones at an affordable cost. Apple currently accounts for 75% of fenix.eco’s sales, with the iPhone 8 the company’s bestseller. The online store has a B2B section, www.fenix.eco/B2B, from which corporate buyers can place orders and obtain discounts, based on order volumes.
BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA Bucharest Branch is the first corporate partner of fenix.eco on this segment. “Besides a sustainable finance business model, a fundamental part of our DNA is to be actively involved in initiatives that promote greater environmental responsibility. We are enthusiastic every time we meet visionary people who are determined to generate a positive impact for a better future, such as the start-up fenix.eco. We believe in the effectiveness of the shared economy to bring about more sustainable collective consumption behaviors. By choosing to reuse old smartphones instead of buying new ones, we are helping to reduce pollution,” said Miruna Senciuc, CEO BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA Bucharest Branch.
Grégoire Vigroux concluded: “Companies are increasingly recognizing that shifting to a circular economy not only makes economic sense, but environmental sense, too. According to Recommerce, manufacturing a new smartphone produces 56 kg of CO2 and requires 44 kg of raw materials. This makes fenix.eco an appealing option for companies that want to save money while also having a positive impact.”
Fenix.eco is a Romanian startup launched in April 2020, selling refurbished smartphones that combine many of the advantages of new phones, including perfect form and flawless working condition, as well as a 12-month warranty, but at the competitive price of second-hand models, up to 50% less expensive than new. The company distributes its phones through its online store www.fenix.eco, as well as through traditional retail channels and B2B.
