Interview with Cesare Riccobono, CEO of Bendu
August 31, 2021
Interview with Cesare Riccobono, CEO of Bendu, an innovative platform dedicated to the Made in Italy market.
The hard times the whole world is going through at the moment make us call for good news: Bendu is certainly among them.
Established by Cesare Riccobono and David Jordi Marti Sistere, Bendu is a platform focused on the brave goal of reinstating the Made in Italy trademark. With a solid background regarding the logistics and delivery sectors, acquired thanks to Wi Net’s leadership, Bendu’s founders offer to small and big Italian businesses the chance of a new rebirth.
What is Bendu?
Bendu is the online Made in Italy marketplace where Italian businesses, artisans and professionals can sell their products effectively. In a matter of just a few clicks, customers can purchase high-quality Italian products. But Bendu is more than that: given its part in the SardexPay network – and also Cesare Riccobono’s status as founding member of Venetex – the platform also accepts complementary currency payments. Great method to safeguard any company’s liquid assets, for sure. This conjunction of innovation and tradition, together with the two founders’ experience, will help restore the quality of our renowned Made in Italy trademark in all its glory. Bendu aids Italian businesses in promoting and marketing their products better, it gives 360° assistance and Image Consulting, and it helps improve Communication tactics. No entrance fee required; a small fee will only be applied following successful transactions. Lastly, Bendu’s offices are all located within the country, in order to guarantee employment-rate growth.
Bendu doesn’t just wait for the future to come: it creates it!
Hello Cesare, it’s a pleasure meeting you, and we thank you for your time. Bendu: what about it?
Bendu is, in a way, a tool shaped on the needs of the client who wants to purchase Italian products in order to expand his/her reach thanks to high-quality products and services. On the other hand, Bendu helps customers who have scarce resources sell their products and services online. And if the customer already has an e-commerce platform, Bendu can help increase its visibility. Special attention is given to commercial credit circuits.
How and when was this idea born?
I’m among Venetex’s founding members – Venetex being one of SardexPay’s regional communities. This idea was born about 5 years ago, after combining the values that support network effect and circular economy, which aims at expanding a certain area, and the increase of online sales on part of international entities that don’t give the companies they work with their fair return.
When will the platform be operating at full capacity?
We’re hoping for our base version to be ready in September. From there, our project will grow gradually. For instance, we intend on integrating booking and insurance-related services.
Why should someone choose Bendu?
Companies will receive full assistance, since we’ll be handling the promotion aspect and we’ll give customers guidance through the whole purchase and delivery process. Businesses will only need to worry about the quality of their products and services. Thanks to easy-to-use tools that help with sales flow, they won’t need to pay an entrance fee; during their first year there’ll only be sales commissions. Companies can also customize the percentage of complementary currency they can accept. Customers will also be fully assisted, they’ll get all-Italian, high-quality products and services, the possibility of choosing their favorite delivery method, and the opportunity of mixed payments.
What role did Wi Net play in launching this project?
Our experience with Wi Net regarding e-commerce and deliveries has been crucial; Wi Net will help provide assistance with deliveries and the opportunity of using the main express couriers.
Was crowdfunding involved with the launch of your project?
Wi Net contributed with the financing of Bendu. We haven’t started any campaign, and we don’t plan on doing it at the moment.
Future projects?
Making the platform as easy to use as possible, increasing product and service offer, and keeping a close eye on our customers by integrating preexisting commercial credit circuits and opening up abroad. Our motto has always been “Grow and let grow, work and let work, have fun and let have fun”, up to “earn and let earn”: it all comes down to an approach that values circularity, our resources and our territory. Moreover we collaborate with Wi Net with the objective of creating an app for the more and effective movements of luggage globally.
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