Hello Hakim,

What inspired when launching Geev ?

What pushed us to create Geev was not inspiration but a problem that needed to be solved. We wanted to tackle a phenomenon we witnessed every day: the waste of objects. This waste, when accumulated at a societal scale, is enormous!

In 2015, second-hand selling was already well established — via online plateforms like Leboncoin or at flea markets. But a gap remains when objects cannot be sold: they stay stored, collect dust, or end up in the trash. The issue isn’t just a matter of format but one of efficiency — familiar circles like associations are no more sufficient to handle the flow of unsold items.

We therefore wanted to address this strong desire to give that many people have, but which is hindered by a lack of simplicity. There was no digital tool that truly made giving easy. So, inspired by marketplaces, we have created Geev — a simple, local app that allows people to give items hand-to-hand within a structured environment.

How does this initiative encourage a culture of giving between individuals? What advantages does it offer users?

The culture of giving already exists in everyone’s heart: many people genuinely want to give items. It’s a deeply human value. However, our schedules are full and demanding. Our role is to bring this desire to give closer to daily life.

Geev is above all a facilitator, not a motivator. We help people to take action — to turn an existing desire into reality — without requiring too much time or energy. We can compare it to sports: everyone wants to be healthy, but few of us feel like going for a run every day. Our job is to reduce that barrier so that giving becomes accessible to as many people as possible.

Another key dimension is trust. On the internet, “free” often triggers suspicion. When an item is listed as “free,” people instinctively suspect a scam. This is why a framework of trust is needed for giving.

Unlike commercial transactions — where the buyer has the power — Geev places the giver at the center of everything. They are the one we seek to protect and support, with a clear, simple, and secure interface. The Geever’s experience must be smooth and reassuring, as should that of the person collecting the item. This is what allows donations to take place under the best possible conditions.

Will the app expand its role in promoting the circular economy and reuse in France?

Yes, absolutely. Geev is becoming increasingly mainstream, and our community of “Geevers” grows every year. We are helping more and more people take action. Even if they are not all aware that they are contributing in circular economy, the essential thing is that virtuous habits become natural — as a reflex like sorting waste today. When we reach that point, we will have achieved our mission.

What will be the next chapter in Geev’s story? 

That is a tough question! Our sector depends on many factors. Today, we address two major challenges: responsible consumption and purchasing power. Some people give to help, others pick up donations because they have fewer means. We operate at the crossroads of two significant social issues.

The future of giving is limitless: people will always give and be supportive. However, the ways we act must evolve. We are very digital today, but we are also starting to work in the physical world. In the long term, we could imagine a hundred Geev locations — spaces where people could come to give and collect items for free.

We are as well thinking of an international expansion! Giving is universal. However, it often remains informal, association-based, or limited to small communities abroad. There is not yet any equivalent structure to Geev. Professionalizing giving on a large scale would be a wonderful challenge.

But above all, what matters is our ability to evolve, to adapt to new habits, new generations, and new technologies. The world is changing very fast, and it is difficult to project ourselves two years ahead or more…

Thank you for these answers!