At first glance, the consequences of losing an item are solely financial—an inconvenience that, with approximately four misplaced items a month and more than 3,000 in a lifetime, will cost someone an average of $6,000. However, the issue extends beyond that, significantly affecting the already striking climate crisis. With millions of missing belongings on the streets, eventually finding their way to landfills, a solution is necessary.
For co-founders Vittorio Strigari and Thomas Lucas, respectively the CEO and CTO, FindR is the first step to fostering a thriving, sustainable society devoid of overconsumption and unnecessary spending. With an eco- and human-centric ethos fused with technological aptness, FindR harnesses the convenience and accessibility of QR codes, offering unique stickers that make item recovery possible.
Understanding that misplacing items is a challenge daunting everyone—from reckless youth to sleepless parents, busy young adults, and the elderly—FindR stickers come in a kaleidoscope of sizes, colors, and finishes. Whether you choose a glossy vinyl bright pink package, a silver or gold sticker sheet in a brushed alloy finish, or a holographic flyer, FindR empowers customers to not only safeguard their belongings but to express their personalities while doing so.
FindR's commitment to functionality results in a collection of some of the world's smallest QR stickers, with dimensions suitable for sunglasses, pods, sim cards, and USBs. Meticulously designed to add a layer of relief and safety to people's most valued belongings, FindR stickers are UV-, scratch-, and water-resistant, providing a durable and reliable solution that alleviates anxiety and reduces waste.
The proprietary FindR app, available on iOS and Android, emanates the platform's philosophy of 'Lose less, replace less™.' Through connected QR codes, the app unites a community centered around kindness and sustainability, helping people recover passports, wallets, smartphones, and family heirlooms. "We live in an era of overconsumption error," stresses Vittorio. "Standard lost and found practices aren't efficient and often lead nowhere, forcing people into the spiral of purchasing replacements. The need to substitute objects is immediate, especially if the missing item is essential, like keys, wallet, or documents."
What sparked the conceptualization of FindR were the founder's personal experiences. As someone who would always forget where he had left his stuff, Vittorio felt the stress-inducing impact of unexpected disappearances firsthand. To soothe his worries, he tapped into his extensive experience in design and technology, embarking on a mission to find a universal solution to the problem. COVID-19, with its impact on democratizing the QR code, cemented FindR's foundation, building it on innovation, kindness, and sustainability.
Vittorio began the research and development stage with the belief that Lost & Found is a niche industry that only a few types of customers are aware of—think forgetful individuals, travelers, or parents of raucous, energetic offspring. The facts Vittorio discovered throughout the process were sobering, helping him realize that, while some groups are more susceptible, no one is truly ever immune to losing a valuable possession.
After years of research and constant refinement, FindR's first iteration was made, quickly attracting thousands of customers with its vibrant colors, various sizes, and a community united by kindness. Through the app's non-invasive, sleek, and user-friendly interface, users can keep all their valuable belongings in one place. When an item is lost, the finder can scan the QR code and contact the owner directly via email, with FindR acting as the middleman.
FindR, keeping its focus on customer behavior and brand awareness, has successfully recovered hundreds of items, demonstrating kindness as an innate human trait. After completing its pre-seed funding round, the platform plans to expand globally, launch novel products such as its QR-coded bracelets, and collaborate with talented artists. These QR code stickers serve as a gateway to a community of like-minded individuals valuing sustainability and philanthropy.
