Move and Swap is a platform designed to help Erasmus students buy and sell homeware necessities and small furniture when moving in and out of temporary housing. The idea came from my own experience of moving abroad six times, four of which were short-term stays of six months or less. I struggled with repeatedly buying household essentials for every new place, only to face the challenge of reselling or disposing of them when moving out. My most frustrating experience was when I left Spain—I tried selling my items through existing platforms, but they were disorganized and inefficient. I also attempted gifting them to friends and roommates, yet I still had to throw many things away, which left me feeling guilty about its environmental impact. After speaking with other Erasmus students, I realized that this wasn’t just my challenge—it was a shared frustration. That's when I decided to address the problem with a more sustainable solution.

At this stage, I haven't received any external funding. I have been bootstrapping the startup by leveraging my technical skills to build the first version of the platform. Right now, my priority is to test the MVP with real users first to ensure it solves a real problem before looking for external funding or grants.

A key trend shaping my business is the increasing environmental consciousness of Gen Z. My generation cares about the planet and is driving a shift in consumer behavior. People are now more inclined to buy second-hand items, preferring to shop sustainably rather than contribute to fast consumption. There's a noticeable rise in demand for sustainable brands which has led to a high rise in pre-loved marketplaces. As more consumers look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint, Move and Swap, aligns with this trend by offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution for Erasmus students to buy and sell homeware and furniture.

The biggest challenge has been ensuring that all stakeholders in the ecosystem work together to solve the problem. Key players, such as students, universities, housing agencies, and waste management systems, need to collaborate to promote the reuse of items and implement sustainable solutions. Coordinating their efforts is a major obstacle, especially with the lack of clear government regulations supporting these initiatives.

The biggest challenge has been ensuring that all stakeholders in the ecosystem work together to solve the problem. Key players, such as students, universities, housing agencies, and waste management systems, need to collaborate to promote the reuse of items and implement sustainable solutions. Coordinating their efforts is a major obstacle, especially with the lack of clear government regulations supporting these initiatives.

My advice would be to understand your target audience and their needs before investing significant time or money into building a solution that they don't actually need. It is important to engage with potential customers early to refine your idea and ensure that the solution addresses a real problem. In addition, try to be part of start-up communities like EGC because it keeps you motivated throughout your entrepreneurship journey, especially during tough times.

I’ve always wanted to create something of my own that can make a positive impact. During tough times, the fact that I’m working on solving a problem I’ve personally faced is what really keeps me going. Moreover, I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship because it gives me the chance to bring ideas to life.