Dubai: A Dubai-based company that sells and leases mobile-device-charging kiosks is confident its business will expand after leasing kiosks to Dubai International.
Dubai Airports, management of the airport, has installed five charging kiosks in response to new security regulations that say passengers should have their mobile devices turned on or risk being denied boarding. A further five kiosks are expected to be installed on Monday.
The kiosks can charge mobile phones, tablets, mp3 players and digital cameras. It does not charge laptops.
Hesham Bakir, Managing Director of Charge Up, said the leasing deal with Dubai International offers the start-up “tremendous” and “immeasurable” exposure.
Charge Up was established in November 2013 with a Dh3 million capital. Bakir said he got the idea after being unable to charge his mobile phone at Riyadh Airport.
The company, which buys the kiosks from a European manufacturer, has the rights to sell the manufacturers product for all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and South Africa. In the UAE it has leased and sold charging stations to events, educational institutions and government offices. Bakir did not divulge details of the manufacturer due to competitive reasons.
But after landing the deal with Dubai Airports in response to the new security changes, Bakir is bullish on sealing other contracts.
“We’re looking at hotels, hospitals, conferences and exhibition centres and golf courses,” he said.
Bakir added that he hopes the new exposure through Dubai International will lead to conversations with other airports in the region.
Positive response
Charge Up has up to 25 of the kiosks in the UAE with a further 15 arriving by the end of July. Bakir said the company has had a positive response so far and expects to start turning a profit in the third quarter.
Bakir declined to reveal the value of the kiosks or the revenue earned through selling or leasing them.
Unlike some charging kiosks, there are no fees to use the Charge Up kiosk. They also feature lockers to store devices while they are being charged.
Bakir said the kiosks can provide new revenue streams with the purchasers or lessees able to sell advertising. Purchasers have full rights to the advertising space as well as branding of the kiosk. Lessees can elect to take on the advertising and branding space.
Charge Up is also looking to widen its product range. The current kiosk cannot be used outside in the Middle East. Bakir said discussions are underway to start stocking outdoor-friendly kiosks.
