Over the past four years, French startup Fleet has experienced significant growth in the device-as-a-service (DaaS) sector, having deployed nearly 10,000 devices with long-term leasing contracts. The company has achieved this growth without outside funding, instead focusing on reinvesting its revenue back into the company.
Initially, Fleet offered a straightforward service that allowed organizations of varying sizes to rent a fleet of MacBooks rather than purchase them outright. This enabled companies to spread the cost over time, converting capital expenditures into predictable operating expenses.
Through a lean business model without warehouses or credit lines, the Fleet team efficiently processes client orders. When clients require laptops, Fleet sends a request to a financial partner, who then assesses the request based on several factors to help finance the devices. The client contracts are then signed on Fleet's website, and the company proceeds to process the order.
Fleet CEO and co-founder Alexandre Berriche explained the company's automated process: "We are connected to the APIs of seven financial partners in France — they represent pretty much the entire market. We have completely automated the process." This transparent pricing structure allows clients to easily assess the cost of leasing specific laptop models. Any risk associated with failed payments lies with the financial institution, not Fleet.
As the startup broadens its offerings beyond laptops, including Mac and Windows devices, Fleet now provides leasing options for smartphones, tablets, accessories, phone booths, and furniture. The company has also launched a donation program for unused devices at the end of their leasing period, partnering with non-profit organizations to repurpose laptops for teams that can continue to use them.
To enhance its service offerings, Fleet has partnered with Evy to provide insurance products and intends to add mobile device management (MDM) features for tracking and remotely locking devices. The startup aims to centralize these services and streamline the process, reducing the need for clients to negotiate contracts with multiple companies. This all-encompassing approach is inspired by the US company Rippling, which offers an all-in-one solution for managing employee data and systems.
By expanding its product portfolio and introducing new services, Fleet aspires to become the go-to operating system for workplace solutions. This can potentially transform how companies manage devices and other workplace assets, encouraging more organizations to adopt DaaS models in the future. Moreover, it may pave the way for increased integration of no-code platforms like AppMaster for more comprehensive workplace solutions.
