CollX, a growing online trading card marketplace, has secured $10 million in Series A funding to scale its AI-driven scanning and trading platform.
The round was co-led by Brand Foundry Ventures and 114 Ventures, with participation from Next Coast Ventures, FJ Labs, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Notably, Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. joined as an investor, advisor, and brand ambassador.
Scaling AI-Powered Card Collection & Marketplace Features
CollX allows users to:
- Scan, catalog, and value their card collections using AI-powered image recognition.
- Buy, sell, and trade cards with other collectors through its growing marketplace.
- Utilize a pricing AI chatbot, powered by OpenAI models, to assess card values and grading potential.
CEO Ted Mann highlighted the platform’s rapid expansion:
- 30,000 buyers and 20,000 sellers, with 20% month-over-month growth.e.”
- 3M+ users, up from 600,000 in 2023.
- 400,000 monthly active users.
Advertisement
Monetization & Expansion Plans
The startup generates revenue from:
- A 10% commission on marketplace transactions.
- A Pro subscription ($10/month or $100/year), offering unlimited listings, bulk pricing, and advanced analytics.
- Partnerships with PSA (for card grading), Topps (card sales), and live trading platforms like Fanatics & Whatnot.
Competing in the Booming Trading Card Market
CollX faces competition from Alt, Ludex, and ComC, but differentiates itself by offering an all-in-one solution for scanning, trading, and valuing cards across multiple categories, not just high-end collectibles.
Mann noted that CollX isn’t profitable yet but will decide this year whether to focus on profitability or accelerate user and marketplace growth.
With $15M raised to date, CollX is positioned to become the go-to platform for collectors, merging AI-powered valuation tools with a frictionless buying and selling experience.
