Leading livestream auction house Auctionata has taken over one of the largest online valuation companies in the global market ValueMyStuff) (VMS), based in London. Auctionata extends its global expert network with this acquisition and continues its international growth trajectory towards market leadership.
Alexander Zacke, founder and CEO of Auctionata, stated: “Having access to the best experts worldwide is an essential aspect of Auctionata’s business model. Through the acquisition of VMS we are able to expand the expertise from which we provide our customers with fast and reliable valuations. As the market leader and inventor of the livestream auction, we are thus not only shaping the user experience for our bidders, but also for our consignors.”
VMS was founded in 2009 by its current CEO Patrick van der Vorst, former President and Head of Department at Sotheby’s in London. VMS offers fee-based valuations with a team of over sixty fine art, luxury objects, antiques and collectibles specialists who have formerly worked at major international auction houses. It is one of the largest online valuation companies in the global market with over 469,000 valuations and 400,000 customers.
Auctionata brings the world of unique works of art, antiques and luxury collectibles to the internet. As the inventor of the livestream auction, Auctionata broadcasts auctions in real-time and provides an online auction room that is accessible to bidders worldwide via desktop and mobile devices. Auctionata also offers all of the typical services of a traditional auction house via its website. Sellers benefit from the free and non-binding online valuation, which gives a first quick perspective on potential auction results.
Auctionata professionals and its global network of over 300 experts from more than 40 countries ensure a proper assessment and authentication of each object that goes to auction. The spectrum ranges from paintings, prints, sculptures and antiques to furniture, design objects and porcelain, to watches, jewelry, wine and even classic cars. The company was launched by Alexander Zacke and Georg Untersalmberger in 2012 in a hotel room in Berlin. Today, Auctionata is operating globally with offices in Berlin, New York, London, Zurich, Rome and Madrid. The company recorded total net sales of €31.5 million in 2014, and €35.7 million in the first half of 2015.
Moreover, Auctionata set the world record for the most expensive work of art sold in an online auction, when it sold a Chinese clock for €3.37 million (US $3.83 million) in June 2015.
