San Francisco, CA - With over 65,000 stores, the rental industry is a big business in the United States. From power tools to party supplies to electronics, rental businesses comprise $85B of the national economy. Despite its size, the industry is behind the times with today's tech-savvy consumers. San Francisco-based startup, Rentcycle, is changing this by bringing the entire rental category online. Now rental stores have a marketplace where their goods can get discovered, compared and booked online. The company's mission is to raise awareness for renting as an alternative to buying - a concept often lost in our overly material society. As a form of exchange, renting boasts many benefits over owning, including cash savings, waste reduction and an uncluttered lifestyle.

A savvy solution

"Today's consumer expects to do everything on the Internet. So why is renting any different?" asks Rentcycle Founder, Tim Hyer. Hyer discovered that, outside the automotive space, very few rental businesses facilitate reservations online, including some of the big players like United Rentals and Rent-A-Center. Though critical, Hyer realized a reservation system alone wouldn't solve the issues that face this old-fashioned industry. He learned rental businesses also need a promotional vehicle to raise consumer awareness about their rental options. Hyer hopes Rentcycle can be that conduit. The website, which launched a reservation solution for rental businesses last fall, is now engaging consumers to discover the benefits of renting in a convenient online marketplace.

Save your wallet

In tough economic times, many people seek ways to shave expenses off their budgets. One tried-and-true method is to rent instead of buy. This applies to more than just houses. Rental goods offer the full benefits of ownership at a fraction of the price. From the outright expense of buying to the cost of upkeep and maintenance, the economics of renting makes a lot of sense. Rentcycle offers a new channel to money-conscious consumers.

Save your planet

Environmentalists have long pointed out that we can significantly reduce our impact on the planet if we borrow the things we only need occasionally. The manufacture of purchased goods takes a massive influx of energy and resources. Fortunately, more renting means less production. Rentcycle's entire brand is built around the sustainable benefits of renting. The company name plays off the idea of "recycling" the things we own which is further strengthened by its tagline - reduce, reuse, rent.

Save space

Studies show the average power tool is only used for about half an hour in its lifetime. Think about how much space is taken up by idle items like these lying around our homes and garages. Especially in dense urban environments where space is at a premium, renting can fill the void of minimal closet space. Rentcycle hopes its services are especially popular in major cities where storage is hard to come by and rental options abound.