Coronavirus: Cocolis launches local and solidarity delivery

In response to the pandemic, we are making it easier for neighbours to deliver to each other to help those in need while supporting local businesses.

Cocolis, the first collaborative platform dedicated to co-transportation, announces the launch of its solidarity delivery service to support hospitals and anyone in need.

With a community of over 700,000 members, Cocolis is making a detour towards local delivery, with the mission to help as many people as possible.

From parcel carpooling to local solidarity delivery

Launched by Eliette Vincent and Julien Lardé in September 2015, Cocolis quickly became the reference for parcel carpooling. The startup aims to reduce the number of vehicles running empty. Usually, it connects people who want to transport an item at a lower cost with those already making the corresponding journey. Today, with the health crisis shaking the country and the necessary lockdown in place, this goal is no longer the priority. Nevertheless, the founders of Cocolis have chosen to keep the site active to offer a solidarity delivery service, which they are announcing today.

A free delivery service, based on volunteering

Since the announcement of the lockdown, requests for help have flooded the Internet, especially on Facebook and Twitter. At the same time, many people want to offer concrete support but do not know how or who to turn to.

I would like to send about twenty boxes of masks to the nearest hospital but I don't have a car, what can I do? How can I deliver gowns and other protective equipment I have? How can I know if someone vulnerable near me needs groceries delivered?

Solving this connection problem was an obvious step for the Cocolis management.

"We are delighted to launch our solidarity delivery section today, connecting people who want to help with those in need. As soon as the lockdown was announced, it was clear that Cocolis, through its community and technological expertise in connecting people, had a role to play in this crisis. Solidarity is one of the founding values of our company," said Eliette Vincent, president of Cocolis.

Thus, as long as deliveries are made close to one's place of lockdown and comply with all government rules, anyone wishing to lend a hand can do so easily. Deliveries of medical equipment or essential groceries are now made easier.

This new service is available on the website and the mobile app of Cocolis.

To offer your help, simply register a journey on Cocolis. You will then be notified when a delivery request is posted near you.
To let people know you need a hand, simply submit a solidarity delivery request.

This service is completely free and based on the community's volunteering. The company does not take any money from it.

A community ready to mobilise

On 20 March, Eliette Vincent and Julien Lardé sent an email to Cocolis' 700,000 members, entitled: “Day 5, how can we help each other?” Through a survey, it was possible to determine how many people in the community needed help and how many wanted to help.

“73% of respondents wanted to help people in need. This high figure motivated us even more to carry out the project we are launching today.” said Julien Lardé, CEO of Cocolis.

Actions already underway…

Before this launch, the Cocolis team had set up a support group on Facebook, which has already enabled several connections and emergency deliveries.

About Cocolis:

With more than 330 million parcels sent each year in France, the delivery market is huge and the offer for individuals remains expensive and unsuitable for many items. Cocolis, a startup created in August 2015 by Eliette Vincent and Julien Lardé, meets their needs by connecting them with other individuals who are travelling. Focused on service and user experience, Cocolis aims to become the best alternative to traditional solutions. Cocolis now relies on a team of 16 people and a community of more than 700,000 co-transporters across France. Cocolis has won several awards:

October 2019: Cocolis wins the Canal Plus/Seat Easy Mobility Challenge
February 2018: Cocolis wins the European Startup Prize for Mobility ahead of 400 startups from all over Europe.
September 2016: Cocolis wins the Be a boss award
March 2016: Cocolis wins 1st prize, La Fabrique Aviva, category “Protecting the environment in 2016”

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