Pol Karaso, co-founder of EALYX, is disrupting traditional payment methods by allowing consumers to pay with their used products. EALYX combines sustainability and technology to offer instant discounts while promoting the circular economy. In this interview, we explore how this innovation is changing the shopping experience and contributing to a greener future.
Who is Pol Karaso and how has your entrepreneurial background influenced the creation of EALYX?
I am the co-founder of EALYX, a tech solution that allows consumers to pay for new purchases with used products. In just a few clicks, the users get an immediate discount on their new purchase by selling their used products, while the ecommerce platform increases sales and contributes to the circular economy.
Before EALYX, I co-founded Boxmotions with my current partner, Àlex Corbacho. Boxmotions was a company that grew to 40 employees and raised €6 million in venture capital, but we had to close it at the end of 2022 after 7 years. That experience provided me with deep and valuable knowledge on how to build innovative solutions. I am an aeronautical engineer by training and I am 37 years old.
How did the idea of allowing consumers to pay with used products come about?
The idea emerged while we were working on consultancy projects for brands and e-commerce platforms. We noticed that the refurbished market and Trade In (selling used products from consumers to merchants), especially in sectors like electronics and fashion, was growing rapidly, but many brands and stores were not using it as a lever to drive circularity and growth.
We saw an opportunity to integrate Trade In as a payment method within the e-commerce checkout, allowing consumers to instantly monetize their used products. This also helps brands boost sales while contributing to the circular economy. This is how our current vision was born: to create a new "currency" based on used products, which not only promotes more sustainable consumption but also increases sales for businesses.
EALYX seeks to transform the way we consume products, but how do you envision this platform impacting the circular economy in the long term?
Our goal is for EALYX to become the essential platform for e-commerce to optimize trade-in as a payment method. We want consumers to use it naturally to instantly monetize their used products, facilitating the transition to a circular economy.
In the long run, we imagine a world where you can buy any product, like a jacket, paying with the value of a used mobile phone. This convergence between categories will not only help consumers make better use of the value of their possessions but will also accelerate the transition to a more circular economy.
You've previously spoken about the challenges of launching EALYX. Could you share a specific situation where you had to make difficult decisions to stay true to sustainability principles?
Sustainability is in the DNA of EALYX. From the beginning, our mission has been to align the circular economy with profitability for businesses. We don’t see sustainability as a challenge, but as an opportunity to transform the consumption model.
Trade-in not only enables consumers to be more sustainable, but it is also an effective business strategy to increase sales. We haven’t had to choose between sustainability and growth because we believe both can go hand in hand when solutions are designed to benefit both consumers and businesses.
In terms of technology, what specific innovation or tool has been key to the development of EALYX, and how do you think it could evolve to further improve the platform?
Our differentiating approach is allowing the value of used products to be instantly applied as a discount on a new purchase. What’s innovative here is how we manage risk: by using financing services, we can advance the value of the used product without needing to inspect it first, linking that risk to the consumer's repayment capacity. This combination of technology and fintech is key to providing a smooth, frictionless user experience.
As we increase platform maturity,it will continue to improve through the integration of more product categories and partnerships with new strategic partners, expanding opportunities for both consumers and businesses.
What types of collaborations or strategic alliances have you considered for EALYX?
We’ve built partnerships with financial companies, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, payment platforms, and companies that buy used products, which we call our Buyback partners. These alliances allow us to offer a complete experience that spans from product valuation to instant payment to the consumer, benefiting all parties involved.
On a personal level, what motivates you to continue innovating at the intersection of sustainability and technology?
I firmly believe that the climate challenge won’t be solved with drastic changes, but through a gradual transition where all actors in the current consumption system can benefit. For businesses to invest in sustainability, there must be a clear incentive. At EALYX, we are building a tool that not only drives the circular economy but also offers tangible commercial benefits.
This is the motivation that drives us to keep innovating: creating a model that works for both the planet and businesses, proving that sustainability is not only ethical but also profitable.
Many entrepreneurs face the dilemma between growth and sustainability. What have you learned in this regard while building EALYX, and what would you recommend to others who are trying to balance these two goals?
It’s true that growth is often prioritized over sustainability because the former is necessary for a company’s survival in today’s economic system. However, I believe the balance can be achieved through a combination of compliance, changes in consumer behavior, and a more sustainable offering.
Businesses need to find ways to make sustainability economically attractive for both themselves and consumers. A good example is the market for refurbished products, which is not only more sustainable but also more affordable, making it an attractive option for consumers.
I wouldn’t dare to make a recommendation, as it’s a highly complex issue, but I do see a solution as described. Time will tell if I was right.
EALYX is redefining how we think about consumption, proving that businesses can thrive while embracing sustainability. Pol Karaso’s innovative platform is paving the way for a future where paying with used products becomes the norm, accelerating the shift toward a circular economy.