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. Mónica Freitas Jan 20, 2022, 10:02 PM What's the company with the most interesting business model you ever came across? Sara Pinto Feb 8, 2022, 12:16 PM 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? Jack Boreham Feb 8, 2022, 12:19 PM Mónica Freitas, a grocer that sells vegetables that look weird at a discounted rate 😂 Mónica Freitas Feb 8, 2022, 1:29 PM Sara Pinto, what? Do you remember the name of the company? That's really creative. Mónica Freitas Feb 8, 2022, 1:37 PM 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 Mónica Freitas Feb 8, 2022, 1:37 PM Jack Boreham, I'm going to need to elaborate on that 😂 Sara Pinto Feb 9, 2022, 4:24 PM 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. Sara Pinto Feb 9, 2022, 4:25 PM Mónica Freitas, true! It's a great idea and it's really resourceful! I take my hat for them, haha! Jack Boreham Feb 10, 2022, 11:42 AM Melissa Brown, you can elaborate on this, haha! Melissa Brown Feb 10, 2022, 1:20 PM 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! Mónica Freitas Feb 12, 2022, 12:03 PM Melissa Brown, Jack Boreham, oh, that's interesting. Is it a local thing? Or is part of a nationwide business? Abeer Feb 13, 2022, 5:28 AM 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/ Melissa Brown Feb 14, 2022, 10:19 AM 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 😁 Mónica Freitas Feb 14, 2022, 1:18 PM Sara Pinto, just checked their socials. So they're specialized in raincoats... It's brilliant... similar materials and all. Mónica Freitas Feb 14, 2022, 1:19 PM Melissa Brown, oh, so it's not even a physic shop or chain of them... it is all online? Mónica Freitas Feb 14, 2022, 1:21 PM Abeer ah, that's amazing! Do you know where he's operating? What part of the world he's focusing on? Sara Pinto Feb 15, 2022, 12:11 PM 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. Mónica Freitas Feb 15, 2022, 2:12 PM Sara Pinto, oh, I didn't notice the hats. Do you know if they have a physical store? Sara Pinto Feb 16, 2022, 10:13 AM Mónica Freitas, as far as I know, they don't. For now, they're only online. Sara Pinto Feb 16, 2022, 10:16 AM 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. Mónica Freitas Feb 16, 2022, 10:19 AM Sara Pinto, that's smart. They can save more money that way. Mónica Freitas Feb 16, 2022, 10:20 AM Sara Pinto, expensive? How much is a jacket on average? Sara Pinto Feb 16, 2022, 10:59 PM Mónica Freitas, the cheapest light jacket is 160 euros. They are friendly to the environment, but not to your wallet. Mónica Freitas Feb 17, 2022, 10:04 AM 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 😑