Toolbox24 rethinks tool rental

Borrowing tools instead of buying them - around the clock, without staff and without complicated processes. With this idea, the Viennese start-up Toolbox24 is building a new form of urban infrastructure. Founder Wibke Giese is behind the concept, which radically simplifies traditional tool rental.

Previous solutions are complicated

Many tools are rarely needed in everyday life, but take up space and are expensive. At the same time, traditional rental offers are often inflexible, expensive or associated with bureaucratic effort. In fact, it was only last week that our editorial team received a request asking whether and which tool rental service we could recommend. The offers we found seemed either too complicated, had too little reach or raised clear legal questions regarding liability. On the other hand, there are local associations and initiatives that are fully committed to their work and are often supported by the public sector, but do not cover the entire range of tools. The second major player is DIY chains, whose pricing has room for improvement.

Toolbox24 is taking on the market in Austria. Self-service stations give users access to professional tools at any time and exactly when they are needed.

How the system works

The rental process is deliberately kept simple: Tools are booked online, after which customers receive an access code for the respective station. The tool can be taken out directly on site. After use, the tools are also returned independently. However, the return also includes photo documentation of the tool.

Whether you want to rebuild something spontaneously on a Sunday or are missing an important tool late at night - with Toolbox24 you are flexible. You can get started exactly when it suits you.

Wibke Giese, the founder of Toolbox24

The big advantage of the system is that there is no need for a counter, staff or fixed opening hours.

First two stations are in operation

The first rental station opened in December 2024 in Vienna's 15th district, not far from the Technisches Museum Wien. The service quickly established itself and met regional demand. A second location has since been added in the 20th district around Hannovermarkt. Both stations are deliberately located in densely populated residential areas and are easily accessible.

Product range and price approach

The range includes a wide selection of tools and appliances for everyday use and DIY. It includes everything from drills and cleaning equipment to special tools for more demanding projects. In terms of price, Toolbox24 is positioned well below traditional DIY store offers. Users only pay for what they actually use, without high fixed costs.

Sharing instead of owning

At its core, the company pursues a sharing model. Devices are used collectively instead of being purchased individually. This saves resources, reduces electronic waste and is particularly well suited to urban living realities with limited storage space.

An obvious next step could be to further develop the sharing approach and also offer a platform to private tool owners. After all, many high-quality machines end up in the basement, especially after construction projects, renovations or refurbishments. They are often hardly used, even though they could be used for years to come. If Toolbox24 were to integrate these devices into its network, it could activate unused resources, create additional sources of income for owners and significantly expand the range of services available to users.

The startup Toolbox24

Toolbox24 was founded on May 23, 2024 by Wibke Giese and operates as a sole proprietorship (e.U.). Despite the company's short history, the start-up is already breaking even and has a high rebooking rate. The vision goes beyond individual locations: in the long term, tools should be as readily available as car sharing. If the founder has her way, it will even be digitally organized, accessible at any time and directly in the living environment.

Toolbox24 intends to continue implementing its ambitious plan by expanding further locations in Austria.