The smart way to start a business

Newsletter abonnieren


Blog

Interview with Silvio Trionfini of sakku SWISS SOLAR BAG

Zurich-based start-up sakku SWISS SOLAR BAG makes bags and rucksacks that are classic in design but driven by the latest technology. With their integrated solar panels, they can be used to recharge electronic devices when you’re on the move. But design and technology aren’t the only benefits. The products and their components are produced and processed almost exclusively within Switzerland. And all of sakku’s staff are students from Zurich’s United School of Sports. STARTUPS.CH spoke to managing director Silvio Trionfini to learn more about this unique business idea.

The team of sakku

 

Mr. Trionfini, sakku makes bags and rucksacks with highly efficient solar panels that enable the wearer to charge electronic devices on the move. The first bags were produced in 2006, when mobiles, iPods etc. hadn’t achieved the ubiquity they enjoy today. How did you come up with this idea?

In 2006 – i.e. before the smartphone era – the energy consumption of mobiles was still quite modest. But now that we can all be online all the time, our smartphone batteries run down more quickly, so there is a huge need to be able to charge our mobiles while we’re on the move. That’s why we seized on the concept of energy solutions that are both sustainable and mobile, and took that idea and ran with it. With our solar bags and rucksacks, you can charge your smartphone, or the battery pack integrated into the bag or rucksack, with a constant stream of solar energy. So the problem of dead batteries is a thing of the past.

The end of last year saw the media launch of sakku’s latest models. What challenges did you face in product development and market launch?

The procurement of the textiles and of components such as the photovoltaic module and battery took a lot of time and effort. As we use only premium materials and components, we invest a lot of time in the evaluation and testing of finished and semi-finished components. And as far as marketing is concerned, for a start-up it is always a challenge to create a market presence with a relatively modest budget.

What challenges do you see ahead for a young start-up in such a fast-moving market?

To ensure constant growth, you have to get the timing of all your marketing measures right. And for that you need sufficient financial resources and staff.

 sakku uses products that are produced almost exclusively in Switzerland, and also manufactures domestically. How did you come to this decision?

As we develop and sell sustainable energy solutions, it was inevitable that we would want to manufacture here in Switzerland and use only premium-quality, long-lasting materials. And it was only by working with a Swiss manufacturer that we could put the prototypes our design team comes up with into production within a relatively short period of time.

You employ only students from the UNITED School of Sports. How did you come up with this idea?

The idea of working with students to create a purely Swiss brand was initially suggested by the School itself. I’ve been leading this start-up since 2015. As well as being its chief executive, I am also training three young salespeople who, as well being apprentices, are also sportsmen and women.

Is there a difference between working with young athletes and working with students completing regular vocational studies?

Students form the UNITED School of Sports need a high degree of flexibility to stick to their training schedule. This can mean irregular workplace attendance. But because they are training to be top athletes, our students are used to setting goals for themselves and pursuing them relentlessly. They are ambitious and eager to learn, and that suits our corporate culture.

One final question: what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who are founding their own start-up?

Here at sakku SWISS SOLAR BAG, we are continually feeding back on our individual and team performance, testing new product and marketing concepts, and operating on kaizen management principles. These are all management approaches that make sense for established companies as well. In my opinion, there as no such thing as a typical start-up, because the markets they operate in, their teams and their starting points, are all very different.

Mr Trionfini, thank you very much for your time
» Startups Scene
» Foundation Platform

New comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *