Stripped down, flexible and user-friendly - these are three of the advantages of the Kwikk payment solution developed by the start-up company of the same name. Earlier this fall, Kwikk finished its time in Dalarna Science Park's incubator and now a new phase awaits.
- "We feel well equipped and have several exciting collaborations in the pipeline," says David Forsberg, the company's CEO and one of the co-founders.
The story of Kwikk begins in 2019 in Mora when David Forsberg, Joakim Andersson and Madelena Stunis shared office space. At the time, they each had their own consulting company where they worked with programming, development, communicative design and design. Over coffee one day, the three started discussing a new, joint business idea: would it be possible to develop a scaled-down and flexible payment solution?
- We wanted to create something that could make a difference both at home and in the wider world. Above all, we wanted to help small businesses and associations in rural areas to be part of the digital evolution. All three of us had come across customers who really needed a different kind of payment solution to what was already available.
David, Joakim and Madelena took the idea further, formed the company Kwikk together and developed a payment solution with the same name - all within the space of a year. 2019 was also the year Kwikk joined Dalarna Science Park's incubator program.
- Since then, we have gradually developed Kwikk further, based largely on feedback and requests from customers," says David, who thinks there are great advantages to being part of a team.
- "Being able to switch gears is a prerequisite given everything that happens in life. The three of us are very different as people, as tests have shown, but the important thing is that we share the same values and are passionate about the same issues. Maybe that's why we are still friends and colleagues.
Share a buy button
Kwikk makes it easy to charge, for example on a website or social media.
- We've developed a buy button that can be shared across different platforms, so the start-up time for the seller is short. For example, if you want to sell your own pottery on Instagram, you can be up and running in just fifteen minutes. I usually say that it's like charging directly in the shop window," says David.
Behind the visibly simple buy button with built-in checkout are tens of thousands of development and programming hours.
- Our goal has always been to make it easier for small businesses and associations to charge, especially those who themselves think they are not keeping up with digital developments and find it too expensive or complicated to set up an online store. With Kwikk, they can sell more in channels they already have, without investing in new technology. All they have to do is add our buy button and they only pay when the customer makes a purchase.
Genuine engagement
Jörgen Bond works as a business coach at Dalarna Science Park. He has followed and supported Kwikk since its inception and is impressed by the company's development journey.
- Kwikk has taken on an issue that others have seen as too big a challenge. Now they have shown that it is possible to create a payment solution that is simple, both for sellers and buyers. What's more, they are fearless and have entered a tough market dominated by banks and large corporations, which is a good thing.
Before leaving the incubator, a company needs to meet several criteria. Among other things, it must have a functioning management, a profitable business model where sustainability is integrated, a functioning organization and an active customer approach. Kwikk has all of these.
- We are now leaving the incubator, but we will certainly have a lot of contact with Dalarna Science Park in the future," says David, who thinks that Kwikk owes a lot to the incubator.
- The coaches have a personal and genuine commitment, having that behind us has felt very safe. We have received help with everything from legal matters to PR and we have always received support when we needed to tackle various challenges. Whatever has come up, we've had experienced people to ask for advice and chat with, which has been worth a lot.
Quality stamp
Innovative Kwikk has been featured in the national media on several occasions and last year David participated in TV4's "The Apprentice Sweden", the program series where twelve entrepreneurs compete for a million-dollar investment.
- We didn't get any millions, but it was a great opportunity to showcase Kwikk to a larger audience. And of course, it was an honor to be one of twelve in Sweden," says David.
Kwikk recently received another seal of approval in the form of Master Card Lighthouse - a network where selected startups are connected with potential investors, banks and other partners.
- "It feels very exciting and we look forward to what it can bring.
