About this episode

Valentin Lheureux discusses the challenges and opportunities in the rental market for large household appliances and its role in the circular economy.

What does it take to bring rental models into the world of large household appliances (white goods) and why might this be a key step in scaling the circular economy? In this episode of HappyPorch Radio, we’re joined by Valentin Lheureux , COO of HomeCycle , a French startup pioneering rental for washing machines, dryers, fridges, and other essential “white goods.” Valentin shares his journey from working in retail to founding HomeCycle, motivated by the unsustainable pressures he saw in the linear economy. He explains why tackling rental for large appliances is so challenging, what customers really want, and how partnerships with manufacturers could change the industry for good. ✨ In this episode: Valentin explains how customer demand is shifting, with convenience, repair, and simplicity driving adoption of appliance rental. We discuss the unique financing challenges of white goods rental and why partnering directly with manufacturers is the “royal way” forward. Valentin shares how HomeCycle approaches repair and refurbishment to extend product lifetimes and make rental a compelling alternative to ownership. We explore the difference between B2C and B2B customers, from…

People in this episode

Host: Barry O'Kane

Guest: Valentin Lheureux

Topics covered

• circular economy
• rental models
• white goods
• sustainability
• appliance rental
• partnerships

Keywords

• circular economy
• rental
• white goods
• sustainability
• HomeCycle
• appliance rental
• manufacturers
• repair
• refurbishment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HomeCycle

Places: France

More episodes of HappyPorch Radio: Circular Economy & Technology

• Circular Marketplace for Medical Equipment with Lieke van Kerkhoven - Exploring Circular Tech: Technology isn't magic · May 7, 2026 · 36 min
• Repair, Retention and Rethinking Fashion with Nancy Rhodes - Exploring Circular Tech: Technology isn't magic · April 9, 2026 · 37 min
• Why Circular Platforms Need Human Work: Building A Good Thing with Cathy Benwell - Exploring Circular Tech: Technology isn't magic · March 26, 2026 · 39 min
• EPR, Eco-modulation and the Data Behind Circular Textiles with Gerrard Fisher - Exploring Circular Tech: Technology isn't magic · March 12, 2026 · 38 min
• Exploring Circular Tech: Rental - Modular software innovator "Bob Is Your Uncle" with Frans Biegstraaten · October 9, 2025 · 38 min
• Exploring Circular Tech: Rental - From tech to starting a fashion rental with Büsra Zanner · October 2, 2025 · 34 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the HappyPorch Radio: Circular Economy & Technology podcast page.