Startups of the Year 2024: An Interview With avilo - How They're Empowering Technology

Welcome to HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 2024 interview series, spotlighting startups from around the world that are changing the way we live, one solution at a time. If you’ve been nominated, create a brand profile and answer these questions here.

Want to nominate a startup? Follow the steps here.

Use the following sections to tell readers about your startup and get them to vote for you! These questions are designed to help tell readers about your company and vision and you do NOT need to answer all of them. Answer the ones that you feel can provide the most information.

Looking for inspiration? Check out how other startups responded to last year’s Startups of The Year interview questions and examples of company responses here, here, and here.

Founded in 2019, avilo is built on the idea that technology should empower, not frustrate. Too often, businesses are stuck using tech that’s hard to understand and time-consuming to work with. We saw an opportunity to change that by creating solutions that people not only need but enjoy using. Whether it’s our laundry management system, Washd, or the various IT infrastructure projects we work on, we’re all about creating tools that people can actually enjoy using. We know that good technology should just work—no headaches, no stress.

Our mission is simple: make technology that connects people and businesses in meaningful ways, without the steep learning curve. Whether it’s Washd for laundries or other specialized tools, we focus on making user-friendly products that allow everyone to feel confident and happy when using them.

When we launched Washd, it became clear early on that we were solving real problems for businesses. Laundry management had long been stuck in the past, with inefficient processes and outdated systems. Our approach was simple: create a tool that’s easy to use and makes laundry operations faster and more efficient. And it worked. As we expanded around Norway, the positive feedback from clients confirmed we were meeting a genuine need in the market.

But Washd is just one part of our journey. Outside of laundry, we’ve focused on building broader IT solutions that are practical and adaptable. From setting up high-tech Teams meeting rooms to providing backup solutions that have saved businesses from potential disasters, we’ve always kept one thing in mind: making life easier for our clients.

Like many startups, avilo’s journey has been one of growth and learning. When we started in 2019, we were a small team with big ideas. But as demand for our solutions grew, we quickly expanded. One of the pivotal moments for us was growing from two people to a team of twelve, expanding from Norway to North Macedonia. The talented team we found in Macedonia has been crucial to our success, contributing skills and insights.

As we grew, we didn’t just add people, we added solutions. We introduced Washd Control and Washd Sorting, expanding our product line to cover more of the laundry management process. These innovations allowed us to provide even greater value to our clients, helping them streamline their operations and improve efficiency across the board.

Our journey has had some memorable milestones. One of the biggest was signing our 10th laundry client, a huge validation of the demand for Washd. We’ve also worked closely with industry leaders like Menova, whose input helped shape many of the features we offer today.

Of course, growth wasn’t without its challenges. When Covid-19 hit, supply chains broke down, and we couldn’t get the products we needed from suppliers. Instead of giving up, we adapted by developing our own hardware in partnership with a manufacturer. This was a turning point that showed our resilience and commitment to delivering for our clients, no matter the obstacles.

We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some incredible clients. Menova, for example, has shared a wealth of knowledge that we’ve incorporated into Washd, helping us stay ahead of industry needs. Most recently, we completed a project with Ny Vekst og Kompetanse in Nord Odal, where we installed Washd, further proving its versatility in the market.

Beyond laundry, we’ve also taken on IT infrastructure projects. For instance, we provided a comprehensive IT setup for Majas Surdeigsbakeri, ensuring secure network connections for both employees and guests. We also helped a client scale from a small player to a medium-sized business by upgrading their network with cutting-edge UniFi technology.

Looking ahead, our goal is to continue developing innovative solutions while staying true to our focus on user-friendliness. Within the next two years, we aim to expand our products into more countries and capture an even larger share of the markets we’re currently in. We’ll also keep building on the culture that’s made us successful so far—a close-knit, collaborative team that’s driven by shared goals.

For us, being part of HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year is about more than just recognition. It’s an opportunity to connect with other businesses and individuals who share our vision for making technology more accessible and user-friendly. We believe that strong connections and shared learning are the keys to success, and this initiative gives us a platform to build relationships, network with like-minded people, and explore potential partnerships. We’re excited about the opportunity to not only showcase our work but also to collaborate and grow alongside others who are pushing the boundaries of innovation.

We’re avilo, and we believe technology should be easy to use and accessible to everyone.

If you share that vision, vote for us today! https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/software-development?stup=66f325326ea4677e23e2897b