What Are the Most Interesting Business Models?

There are a lot of exciting companies out there that come up with out-of-the-box ideas. In this slogging thread, our community shares a few of the most interesting business models they've ever seen, from a company that turns umbrellas to coats to one that boxes weirdly shaped vegetables.

This Slogging thread by Mónica Freitas, Sara Pinto, Jack Boreham, Melissa Brown and Abeer occurred in slogging's official #startup-hustle channel, and has been edited for readability.

What's the company with the most interesting business model you ever came across?

Mónica Freitas, a few years ago, I found a business where they use the remains of umbrellas to make clothing. I thought it was really creative. Plus, it's sustainable! What about you?

Mónica Freitas, a grocer that sells vegetables that look weird at a discounted rate 😂

Sara Pinto, what? Do you remember the name of the company? That's really creative.

Sara Pinto, I'm going to say Airbnb. How do they manage to get a platform where people rent their spaces and still get a cut just for the online space... it's genius

Jack Boreham, I'm going to need to elaborate on that 😂

Mónica Freitas I'll leave their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/shoprcoat/

I thought it was really innovative. I follow their work and the designs are pretty cool.

Mónica Freitas, true! It's a great idea and it's really resourceful! I take my hat for them, haha!

Melissa Brown, you can elaborate on this, haha!

Jack Boreham, haha, will do.

Mónica Freitas, it's called oddbox. I don't buy it, I might start to soon, but I think it reduces food waste by using odd-shaped fruit and veg that wouldn't otherwise be sold in supermarkets. It also saves money for the consumer I think - it's a great idea!

Melissa Brown, Jack Boreham, oh, that's interesting. Is it a local thing? Or is part of a nationwide business?

Mónica Freitas, the Ocean Cleanup collects litter and trash from the oceans and then sells it in bulk to recycling plants:
https://time.com/5389782/boyan-slat-plastic-ocean-cleanup/

Mónica Freitas, oddbox is based in London, but now branches out further, looks like the southwest and Wales from what it says online! They were featured in an article 'the most diverse tech startups of London in 2021' on UKtech 😁

Sara Pinto, just checked their socials. So they're specialized in raincoats... It's brilliant... similar materials and all.

Melissa Brown, oh, so it's not even a physic shop or chain of them... it is all online?

Abeer ah, that's amazing! Do you know where he's operating? What part of the world he's focusing on?

Mónica Freitas, they are also doing hats, but it makes so much sense to use that material, and no waste! I think they are based in Lisbon, but they have spaces all over the country where you can leave the broken umbrellas so they can be directed to Lisbon.

Sara Pinto, oh, I didn't notice the hats. Do you know if they have a physical store?

Mónica Freitas, as far as I know, they don't. For now, they're only online.

Mónica Freitas, the downside of these businesses is that even though the material is given, the manpower behind has to be skilled. So the product ends up being a little expensive.

Sara Pinto, that's smart. They can save more money that way.

Sara Pinto, expensive? How much is a jacket on average?

Mónica Freitas, the cheapest light jacket is 160 euros. They are friendly to the environment, but not to your wallet.

Oof, that's a bit expensive yes. I bet they have great quality and that they're sustainable but they're not really affordable to anyone and everyone 😑