NEUNOI Sneakers

AI Quick Summary

Very Short: NEUNOI is a circular sneaker system for kids – repairable, returnable, beautiful. Designed to shift behavior, reduce waste, and teach sustainability early on. Currently in launch prep with museums, families & schools.Short: NEUNOI reinvents kids' sneakers as a circular, repairable system.Each pair is modular, built for reuse, and comes with a return and repair program. Families get cashback or a new size – while the old pair gets repaired and re-used.We work with social workshops, use upcycled leather and biobased soles, and design with kids in mind. Over 18 months of testing, 16+ prototypes were worn in everyday life. The result: a sneaker that grows with the child – and inspires conscious consumption.Currently, we are finalizing our MVP and preparing for market entry. In collaboration with ZHdK and SCHD, we explore how to scale this model effectively and make circularity fun, educational, and accessible. NEUNOI – The Repairable Kids Sneaker SystemNEUNOI is a circular sneaker system for kids – where bold design meets material innovation and real-world impact.Our modular sneakers are repairable, returnable, and made for reuse. Families send them back when they’re too small; we repair, clean, and recirculate them. Each pair becomes part of a broader shift in how we consume – built to stay, not to be thrown away.The product has been tested over 18 months in real-life conditions, with more than 16 prototypes worn daily by children aged 2–10. Based on these deep user insights, we are now finalizing the MVP model – a versatile allrounder kids' sneaker using upcycled leather and KUORI-based biobased soles.NEUNOI is not just a product, but a system:Offers cashback, subscriptions, and repair-as-a-serviceEngages families with DIY kits, storytelling formats, and school workshopsCreates local and inclusive jobsHas already built a strong identity – passively at first, through quality and resonance – featured in national museum exhibitions, design weeks (Berlin, Milano, Zurich, Bern, Winterthur, Laax…), and in nationwide television (SRF 10vor10, Die Idee)Encourages behavioral change by embedding repair and circularity into daily family lifeInspires a new generation through design – making sustainability visible, fun, and actionable for kidsMore: www.neunoi.ch – with videos, interviews, press features, contact field and a podcast episode.JointCreate Relevance SummarySustainabilityBio-based KUORI soles, upcycled leather, non-toxic, traceable materialsCircularityRepairable, returnable, and reusable in 4–6 life cyclesInnovationModular sole system, repair-as-a-service, circular subscription modelSystem DesignFull redesign of how kids’ shoes are used, owned, and valuedEducationToolkits and formats for kids, schools, and familiesOpen SourceScalable outsole platform for other brands and repair actorsFeasibilityReady for pilot: 18 months of hands/feet-on testing, MVP in final sampling, feedback incredibly positiveCommunity / Co-CreationFamilies and kids involved from the startSocial InclusionProduction partnerships with disability, prison, and migrant workshopsScalabilityTransferable to other markets, age groups, or product typesDesign QualityFeatured in national museums, praised for branding and aestheticsBehavioral ChangeAims to normalize repair, reuse, and shared responsibility from early ageUpcoming CollaborationAs we prepare for market entry, we are launching a strategic collaboration with Lisa Ochsenbein (ZHdK – Industrial Design, Sustainable Design, Focus: Design & Ecology, interdisciplinary) and the team at the Swiss Center for Design and Health (SCDH) https://www.scdh.ch/enTogether, we will explore:Market feasibilityTarget group behavior (especially parent-child decision dynamics)Health and design impacts of the NEUNOI systemOptimal offering structure for the launchThis first collaboration within the Dragora / JointCreate framework comes at the perfect time: it will deliver key insights for immediate decisions and lay the foundation for future systemic research.A specific focus lies on children’s foot health. NEUNOI’s circular system ensures that shoes always fit – eliminating the harmful practice of buying oversized footwear for kids to "grow into."Our sneakers combine smart design with real needs:Anatomically adapted soles and insoles, per sizeSoft, pressure-free toe boxes for natural movementBuilt-in growth room to reduce friction and pressure pointsExpertise & EcosystemIn addition to ZHdK and SCDH, NEUNOI is supported by a growing network of experts in sustainable design, pediatrics, material innovation, and circular business.Lisa Ochsenbein brings hands-on design and sustainability expertise from her work with FREITAG, HEYNEW, and the award-winning sharing project Pumpipumpe, alongside her academic role at ZHdK.Beyond this core collaboration, dozens of advisors and contributors have already shaped NEUNOI through user testing, workshops, sourcing, and system design.This unique ecosystem makes NEUNOI launch-ready – and excited to collaborate with visionary partners who share our values.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: NEUNOI Sneakers
• Date: 7/12/2025 2:29:58 PM
• Administrators:
  • Narada Zürrer

Project Idea Description

NEUNOI – The Repairable Kids Sneaker System

NEUNOI is a circular sneaker system for kids – where bold design meets material innovation and real-world impact.

Our modular sneakers are repairable, returnable, and made for reuse. Families send them back when they’re too small; we repair, clean, and recirculate them. Each pair becomes part of a broader shift in how we consume – built to stay, not to be thrown away.

The product has been tested over 18 months in real-life conditions, with more than 16 prototypes worn daily by children aged 2–10. Based on these deep user insights, we are now finalizing the MVP model – a versatile allrounder kids' sneaker using upcycled leather and KUORI-based biobased soles.

NEUNOI is not just a product, but a system:

• Offers cashback, subscriptions, and repair-as-a-service
• Engages families with DIY kits, storytelling formats, and school workshops
• Creates local and inclusive jobs
• Has already built a strong identity – passively at first, through quality and resonance – featured in national museum exhibitions, design weeks (Berlin, Milano, Zurich, Bern, Winterthur, Laax…), and in nationwide television (SRF 10vor10, Die Idee)
• Encourages behavioral change by embedding repair and circularity into daily family life
• Inspires a new generation through design – making sustainability visible, fun, and actionable for kids
• More: www.neunoi.ch – with videos, interviews, press features, contact field and a podcast episode.

JointCreate Relevance Summary

Sustainability

Bio-based KUORI soles, upcycled leather, non-toxic, traceable materials

Circularity

Repairable, returnable, and reusable in 4–6 life cycles

Innovation

Modular sole system, repair-as-a-service, circular subscription model

System Design

Full redesign of how kids’ shoes are used, owned, and valued

Education

Toolkits and formats for kids, schools, and families

Open Source

Scalable outsole platform for other brands and repair actors

Feasibility

Ready for pilot: 18 months of hands/feet-on testing, MVP in final sampling, feedback incredibly positive

Community / Co-Creation

Families and kids involved from the start

Social Inclusion

Production partnerships with disability, prison, and migrant workshops

Scalability

Transferable to other markets, age groups, or product types

Design Quality

Featured in national museums, praised for branding and aesthetics

Behavioral Change

Aims to normalize repair, reuse, and shared responsibility from early age

Upcoming Collaboration

As we prepare for market entry, we are launching a strategic collaboration with Lisa Ochsenbein (ZHdK – Industrial Design, Sustainable Design, Focus: Design & Ecology, interdisciplinary) and the team at the Swiss Center for Design and Health (SCDH) https://www.scdh.ch/en

Together, we will explore:

• Market feasibility
• Target group behavior (especially parent-child decision dynamics)
• Health and design impacts of the NEUNOI system
• Optimal offering structure for the launch

This first collaboration within the Dragora / JointCreate framework comes at the perfect time: it will deliver key insights for immediate decisions and lay the foundation for future systemic research.

A specific focus lies on children’s foot health. NEUNOI’s circular system ensures that shoes always fit – eliminating the harmful practice of buying oversized footwear for kids to "grow into."

Our sneakers combine smart design with real needs:

• Anatomically adapted soles and insoles, per size
• Soft, pressure-free toe boxes for natural movement
• Built-in growth room to reduce friction and pressure points

Expertise & Ecosystem

In addition to ZHdK and SCDH, NEUNOI is supported by a growing network of experts in sustainable design, pediatrics, material innovation, and circular business.

Lisa Ochsenbein brings hands-on design and sustainability expertise from her work with FREITAG, HEYNEW, and the award-winning sharing project Pumpipumpe, alongside her academic role at ZHdK.

Beyond this core collaboration, dozens of advisors and contributors have already shaped NEUNOI through user testing, workshops, sourcing, and system design.

This unique ecosystem makes NEUNOI launch-ready – and excited to collaborate with visionary partners who share our values.

Very Short: NEUNOI is a circular sneaker system for kids – repairable, returnable, beautiful. Designed to shift behavior, reduce waste, and teach sustainability early on. Currently in launch prep with museums, families & schools.

Short: NEUNOI reinvents kids' sneakers as a circular, repairable system.

Each pair is modular, built for reuse, and comes with a return and repair program. Families get cashback or a new size – while the old pair gets repaired and re-used.

We work with social workshops, use upcycled leather and biobased soles, and design with kids in mind. Over 18 months of testing, 16+ prototypes were worn in everyday life. The result: a sneaker that grows with the child – and inspires conscious consumption.

Currently, we are finalizing our MVP and preparing for market entry. In collaboration with ZHdK and SCHD, we explore how to scale this model effectively and make circularity fun, educational, and accessible.