Tiny Library, founded in 2020, is the online rental platform for baby and children's items needed up to approximately four years. The range includes approximately 550 products, ranging from strollers to buggies, co-sleepers, high chairs, car seats, cribs, bouncers, playpens, cargo bikes, children's bikes, travel products, baby carriers, baby monitors, breast pumps, washable diapers and toys. Customers can rent products for a fixed monthly fee for as long as they need them, and then return them. Manufacturers make the products available (apart from pilot products) in exchange for a part of the rent.
Less new production required
“In the first four years of a child’s life, parents need all kinds of consumer products – spread over relatively short periods of time,” says founder and owner Julie Munneke of Tiny Library. “All these items not only cost a lot of money, but also put a heavy burden on the climate. For example, a new stroller quickly has a CO2 footprint of more than 300 kilos. Because parents can rent items from us instead of buying them, we all need far fewer new baby and children’s products. Because manufacturers remain the owners of their products, our platform encourages them to develop these products in such a way that they last longer. That indirect effect also leads to lower CO2 emissions in the long term.”
Expanding in range and partners
After Munneke entered into the first collaborations with suppliers in 2020, she quickly managed to get major brands such as Bugaboo, BabyPlanet and Joolz on board. Through promotion via social media, advertising and marketing, she expanded the range considerably in 2023 and turnover grew considerably. The investment of ROM InWest in her company is especially welcome right now. “This money helps us to further develop the platform and further professionalize the organization. We are in a crucial phase for further growth. I also expect to get a larger network of other financiers through ROM InWest. If we get through this phase well, we can continue to expand our range and partners and increase our impact even further.”
Reason for ROM InWest's investment in Tiny Library
“ROM InWest sees Tiny Library as an entrepreneur who professionally helps young parents make a sustainable choice without sacrificing quality. Because Tiny Library makes it possible to rent baby and children's items instead of buying them, it contributes to the circular economy,” says Janet Nieboer, CEO of ROM InWest.
