Charrdonay Smith

HYLA Mobile, an Assurant company

As part of Assurant's Connected Living business, HYLA Mobile provides Trade-in and Upgrade solutions for the mobile device ecosystem of mobile operators, retailers, OEMs, insurers, and online brands. These solutions support lifecycle management for pre-owned mobile and connected devices including new revenue, market insights, environmental sustainability, customer churn reduction, reduce the cost insurance and warranty programs, and promotions that help consumers offset the cost of new handsets. By extending the life of pre-owned devices, HYLA provides consumers in developed and emerging markets with access to affordable, high-quality wireless technology; builds economic opportunity and enables information access to new users; and protects our planet from further e-waste. HYLA Mobile began in 2009 when a group of people saw an opportunity to "do well by doing good." Our founders, who are leaders and entrepreneurs in the telecommunications and mass retail industries, noticed a growing issue in the mobile device industry: e-waste. This waste, however, comes in many forms. Waste in the form of cell phones being thrown into drawers or, worse, in the trash where they ended up in landfills, or in the form of economic assets that were not being utilized; and waste in the form of additional natural resources used to create even more mobile devices. At the same time, consumers were (and still are) clamoring for the latest and greatest mobile devices, creating even more used devices. All of which presented our founders with a huge opportunity: to redirect millions of used mobile devices into the hands of people who could use them to enhance their lives. Our mission statement says it all: Our work will create economic opportunity for all who participates; help promote digital inclusion by accelerating emerging market access to advanced mobile technology; and protect the environment by reusing mobile devices and responsibly recycling those that cannot be repaired.