5 million rentals, 4'000 locations – the story behind Chimpy
What does it look like to go from intern to CEO and help build a company that’s changed how people charge their phones across Europe?
Our CEO and co-owner Edwin Winkler, was invited to the Swiss entrepreneurship podcast Mach dis Ding, to talk about the story behind Chimpy: how it started, why it works, and what it takes to grow a circular, solar-powered service that’s used by millions.
🎧 Listen to the full episode
A beginning that didn’t look like a beginning
In 2014, Edwin joined Chimpy as an intern. The company was still in the idea phase — working on rechargeable AA batteries, operating out of a small office, and experimenting with ways to reduce electronic waste while making life a bit more convenient.
It wasn’t clear yet that Chimpy would pivot to powerbanks. It wasn’t clear that we’d eventually be available in 4,000+ locations across Europe. But the foundation was already there: a belief in circular systems, renewable energy, and building something people actually need.
Building a company by doing
Over the years, Edwin grew with the company — from intern to operations, to co-owner, to managing director. In the episode, he shares how:
Early powerbanks were packed and delivered by hand
Financial tight spots were frequent (especially in the beginning)
Big partnerships — like with Valora and SBB — took years of relationship-building
Growth was never just about scale, but about improving how the system works
Today, Chimpy is not only profitable, but also proudly committed to CO₂-conscious operations, circular logistics, and powering everything with 100% renewable electricity — including our solar panels on the roof in Zurich.
The shift to powerbanks — and why it worked
The decision to move from AA batteries to powerbanks wasn’t easy. But it was the right one.
The idea: instead of buying a powerbank (which most people only use a few times), just borrow one when you need it, and return it anywhere. It’s better for people, better for the planet — and it actually works.
That pivot is what turned Chimpy from a niche idea into a scalable service.
What’s next for Chimpy?
As Edwin puts it, Chimpy isn’t just about charging phones — it’s about giving people peace of mind when they’re on the go. The long-term goal? Enable that feeling for 100 million people across Europe.
We’re already on the way.
Want to hear the full story?
🎧 Click here to listen to the podcast https://www.mach-dis-ding.ch/2025/09/08/5-millionen-ausleihen-4000-standorte-die-wahre-story-hinter-chimpy/
You'll hear more about, how Chimpy nearly failed in the early days, why we don’t bootstrap in new markets anymore and what keeps our team going.
Thanks to Nico Vogt from Mach dis Ding for having Edwin on the show.
