UDRY HK
U-DRY operates Hong Kong's first app-based shared umbrella network, letting commuters, shoppers, and tourists borrow and return durable, wind-proof umbrellas at self-service stations across the city. Users unlock umbrellas via QR codes through the mobile app, which handles cashless payments and refundable deposits, while the company manages installation, maintenance, and replenishment for property owners. The network also offers location-based advertising on umbrellas and stations, with NFC technology and digital analytics for measurable campaign impact.
- Advertising Technology
Funding
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Hong Kong experiences rain on nearly one-third of the days each year, yet commuters, shoppers, and tourists frequently find themselves caught in sudden downpours without an umbrella. Disposable umbrellas contribute to waste, while property managers face lobby congestion and safety hazards when visitors cluster at entrances to wait out the rain.
Solution
U-DRY provides Hong Kong's first app-based shared umbrella network, allowing users to borrow and return durable, wind-proof umbrellas at any self-service station across the city. Through the mobile application, users scan a QR code to unlock an umbrella, with all payments handled cashlessly and a refundable deposit held in-app. The company manages full installation, maintenance, and replenishment for property owners, turning their locations into convenient pickup and drop-off points. U-DRY also offers a unique advertising platform, turning umbrellas and stations into mobile and fixed billboards that reach users at the moment they need protection from the weather.
Target Audience
Primary users are commuters, shoppers, and tourists in Hong Kong who need convenient access to umbrellas during sudden rain. The service also targets property owners and managers of commercial buildings, malls, residential communities, and cultural landmarks seeking to add a convenient amenity, as well as brands looking for location-based advertising opportunities.
Features
- App-based rental system with QR code unlocking and cashless payments supporting credit cards, Apple Pay, and PayMe
- Refundable deposit held in-app, with one-touch refund processing to the original payment method
- Long-handled, wind-proof umbrellas specifically designed for repeated shared use, more durable than disposable or folding alternatives
- Any-station return policy allowing users to return umbrellas at any U-DRY station, not just the original pickup location
- Full-service installation, maintenance, and replenishment for property owners, including commercial buildings, malls, and offices
- Advertising options including branded umbrella prints, station placements in high-traffic areas, and in-app banner ads, with NFC technology and digital analytics for campaign performance measurement