A LATAM startup innovation case during the Covid-19

We talked to Fernando Machin Gojdycz, CEO at BOxES on how they enhance shopping experience and here is what he said about it.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? 

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: We see it as a challenge to learn, build and try to grow. 

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded BOxES.

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: BOxES is a LATAM startup that started from a group of young innovators while we were studying at university. 

We managed to get a grant, and we were working one year from a bedroom till we got our first prototype. 

Now we have partnered with more than 10 CPG global companies.

How does BOxES innovate? 

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: BOxES develops interactive devices, connecting brands with consumers with an OMNICHANNEL, SUSTAINABLE & EXCLUSIVE approach to the consumer with the most convenient and elevated on-the-go purchasing experience COMBINING physical and virtual retail with powerful analytics!

We are passionate about BOxES because we really believe in our purpose: We want to digitize and facilitate purchasing processes with powerful devices that democratize commerce & contribute to improving the lives of millions of people.

How does the coronavirus pandemic affect your business finances?

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: Of course, we were hit. We have a presence in malls, gyms, universities. All of those places were shut down.

But we tried to be as pragmatic as possible.

When the Covid-19 came, we started to work on a solution for PPE products. We partnered with some labs and brands to launch a new solution.

 Here you can learn about one of them

When we launched the solution, THE CAF- DEVELOPMENT BANK OF LATAM– selected our innovation as one of the best in Iberoamerica (this includes The Americas plus Spain & Portugal) to fight Covid-19:

Now we have a presence with this solution in malls, airports & retail stores. We have distributed more than 100.000 PPE products to prevent Covid with a solution that can also measure the consumer’s temperature and connect with the Uruguayan government Covid app.

Did you have to make difficult choices regarding human resources, and what are the lessons learned?

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: We managed not to make those choices. 

How did your customer relationship management evolve? Do you use any specific tools to be efficient?

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: We lost some partners and got new ones. The big challenge was to find opportunities during the recession. And we did find a lot.

Did you benefit from any government grants, and did that help keep your business afloat?

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: The Uruguayan government had some initiatives to facilitate loans to SME companies. So that companies and startups can have enough liquidity. A very important support! 

Your final thoughts?

Fernando Machin Gojdycz: The main challenge is to stay focused and calm.

 There is a British proverb that I like very much, and it says:

 Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and expect to be surprised

 I think the latter is what usually happens.

Your website?

www.boxes.com.uy