Ekster's 10th Anniversary: A Year-Long Celebration
Ten years. That's how long we've been at this. And honestly? We're just getting warmed up.
When Olivier and Rick were two 22-year-old Dutch guys on a Fulbright scholarship in the US, they weren't thinking about building a global carry brand. They were just annoyed.
Annoyed at fat bifold wallets that caused back pain, overstuffed pockets that bulged, and zero security for their cards.
They teamed up with Richard, who had the business chops they needed, and together the three of them asked a question that turned out to be worth a lot more than they expected: what would a wallet actually designed for the 21st century look like?
The answer to that question became Ekster.
From a dorm room to the world
It started with a Kickstarter campaign. One campaign turned into a whirlwind start for the three co-founders who suddenly had to deliver thousands of wallets that were still in the prototyping phase.
The original Parliament Wallet went viral almost overnight, popping up on CNN, Forbes, CNET, Mashable, and more. We went from a team of three to a team of sixteen in the technology hub of Amsterdam before we even had time to catch our breath.
The early days were all about one thing: fixing the wallet.
Making it slimmer, smarter, and harder to lose. We developed a solar-powered tracker card, one of the first of its kind, roughly the size of a credit card and powered by sunlight.
Then we reached out to Apple and created the Finder Card, working with Apple's Find My® network to make tracking your wallet even easier.
But we didn't stop there. We never really stop.
A decade of not settling
Over the past ten years, we've expanded way beyond wallets.
We moved into key holders, cardholders, bags, travel accessories, and most recently the TravelPack Vacuum Kit.
It’s a compression kit that saves 60% of space in your bag using airtight vacuum seal bags and a portable pump. We went from asking "what should a wallet look like?" to asking "what should carry look like, full stop?"
Along the way, we picked up a few stamps of approval that mean a lot to us. We've won iF Design Awards and Red Dot Design Awards, two of the most respected design recognitions in the world.
We earned our B Corp certification, which reflects the way we've always wanted to do business: making great products without trashing the planet. We've used innovative sustainable materials, from vegan leather made from recycled car windshields to LWG gold-rated leather, because we believe the best gear should last and leave as little behind as possible.
And the people? Over two million customers across more than 100 countries. More than 60,000 five-star reviews. Partnerships with big names like Steven Bartlett, Lionel Messi, and Andrew Schulz. Forbes, GQ, WIRED, Business Insider and Esquire have all called us the best smart wallet in the world.
Not bad for a couple of guys who just really hated their old wallets.
So, what now?
Here's the thing about anniversaries: most brands use them to look back. We're using ours to look forward.
Ten years is a milestone, sure. But the way we see it, a decade of building, learning, failing, iterating, and shipping has just set us up for the best chapter yet. We've got more ideas than we have time to launch them. More collaborations than we can announce at once. And more ambition than ever.
That's why we're not doing a single anniversary moment. We're doing a whole year of them.
From July 2026 to July 2027, we're going all out. A full year of celebrating with the community that helped build this brand from the ground up.
That means limited-edition drops you won't see coming, unexpected creative collaborations, exclusive community activations, and a few surprises we're genuinely not ready to talk about yet. But trust us, you'll want to be around for them.
It kicks off this week
We're starting the way we know best: with something worth showing up for.
Today, our 10th Anniversary Sale goes live with up to 40% off across the range. And next week we're dropping the first of our anniversary collaborations.
You’ll have to stick around to find out what it’s all about. Just know that it's unlike anything we've done before. Quantities are limited, and there's no restock, so keep up.
This is just the beginning. Over the next twelve months, we'll keep rolling out moments worth remembering. Some will be big. Some will be surprising. All of them will be worth your attention.
Ten years. Still moving. And we're nowhere near done.
Head to www.ekster.com/pages/10-years-of-ekster to explore the campaign, shop the anniversary sale, and be the first to know what's coming next.
FAQs
What is Ekster's 10th anniversary campaign?
We're calling it "Ten Years. Still Moving." It's a year-long campaign running from July 2026 to July 2027, celebrating a decade of Ekster with exclusive product drops, limited-edition collaborations, community activations, and special offers throughout the year.
When did Ekster start?
Ekster was founded in 2016 by Olivier Momma and Rick Scharnigg, two Dutch students on a Fulbright scholarship in the US, along with third co-founder Richard Canneman. The brand launched its first product, the Parliament Wallet, through a Kickstarter campaign that went viral almost immediately.
What awards has Ekster won?
We've won multiple iF Design Awards and Red Dot Design Awards, widely considered two of the most prestigious product design recognitions in the world. Our products have also been consistently named the best smart wallet by Forbes, GQ, WIRED, CNET, Business Insider, and Esquire, among others.
Is Ekster a B Corp?
Yes. Ekster is a certified B Corporation, meaning we meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It reflects our commitment to doing business in a way that's good for people and the planet.
What's happening during the Ekster anniversary sale?
The anniversary sale kicks off in July 2026 with up to 40% off across our full range, plus the subsequent launch of a limited-edition collaboration drop. Quantities are limited, and there's no restock, so it's worth moving quickly.
Will there be more Ekster anniversary drops throughout the year?
Yes. The anniversary sale is just the start. Over the course of the year, we'll be releasing more limited-edition products, collaborations, and exclusive community moments. Follow us on Instagram or sign up to stay in the loop.
Where can I shop the Ekster anniversary collection?
Everything is available at ekster.com. Head to the anniversary page for the latest drops, offers, and campaign updates.
