Local startup introduces a revolutionary smart device for car renters

Renters can now simply use their mobile phones to unlock the car and start driving.

iCarsclub bills itself as a revolutionary personal mobility solution for everybody. It’s a marketplace where car owners can list their vehicles and rent it out, and those who need a car can rent a nearby one by hour or day at low rate.

As a renter, you simply search for nearby cars on iCarsclub website and make a booking with the online payment support. Later you can use you mobile phone to unlock the car without meeting the owner and start driving!

iCarsclub was founded in May 2012, with the mission of collecting all the free resources from the society and making them easily accessible to everyone.

iCarsclub first went live on 12/12/2012 in Singapore, with support from NUS Enterprise.

Here’s what founders said when asked what makes them unique from other car rental companies:

“We don’t invest any money in buying cars, but rather in building up a platform to facilitate the sharing and re-using the resources. We build up the framework including the system, the rules, the channels etc. so that the market place will be running properly. With such model, not renters on iCarsclub can enjoy the convenience anytime anywhere, but they also have variety of choice. From compact cars to luxury cars, you can always find something meet your favor on iCarsclub,”

Besides the innovative business model, iCarsclub also invented the keyless entry technology.

By installing a smart device, which we called iCarbox, into the owner’s car, the renter can simply use their mobile phone to unlock the car and start driving.

Founders boast that it got hot response from the community since it was launched. During the past month, iCarsclubgot over 150 car owners and over 500 renters joining the marketplace.

Founders said that the big picture for the next 6 months is to establish its brand in the Singapore car sharing market.

“ We will have 1000 cars on our platform by June 2013. After that we will enter other markets, especially the China market.”

“In terms of offering, we’ll form strategic partnership with more merchants relevant to the automotive industry to provide more benefits to our members. Up to now we have formed partnership with Esso, which offers exclusive 20% petrol discount to our members, and several car servicing workshops that offers 20%-30% discount on car washing, polishing grooming etc.”

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name of the company: iCarsclub Pte Ltd
Founder/Founders: Eddy Zhang, Joya Zhao, Chengkun Xue, Jamie Wang
Website: https://iCarsclub.com
Major Investors: bootstrapped
Total funding at hand: N.A.
Target fund: $500K-$1M
Start of operation: 2012 May

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