hobbyDB
hobbyDB is a community-curated collectibles database and peer-to-peer marketplace serving 800,000+ collectors of Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, Hard Rock Cafe merchandise, and model cars. It offers price guides, collection management, white-label marketplaces, and mobile apps with image recognition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersBoulder, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What hobbyDB does
hobbyDB is a community-curated collectibles database and peer-to-peer marketplace platform serving individual collectors across categories including Funko Pops, Hot Wheels diecast vehicles, Hard Rock Cafe merchandise, model cars, designer toys, action figures, and trading cards. The platform, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Superior, Colorado, combines a structured catalog (Database Items, Subjects, Variants, and Subvariants) with an integrated Price Guide, Collection Management tools, Wish List functionality, and a transactional marketplace. It claims 800,000+ registered members and is supported by a multi-tier Volunteer Squad (Rookie through Coordinator) that contributes and moderates database content.
The platform is built on RESTful APIs and is accessible via web, iOS, and Android (with image-matching/identification via hobbyDB Vision). The business model is freemium: Free, Lite ($2.99/month or $16.99/year), and All-In ($4.99/month or $29.99/year) subscriptions unlock ad-free browsing, price guide research, unlimited selling/trading, and image matches. Revenue is further generated through variable marketplace transaction fees (hobbyDB Partner Fees plus PayPal processing), advertising managed by Freestar, and a monetized API ($1,200+ setup plus monthly fees). A significant portion of growth runs through white-label custom marketplaces and embeddable widgets — PopPriceGuide (Funko), The Toy Peddler (Hot Wheels), and HRC Collector (Hard Rock Cafe) — plus a widget integrated into Funko's official app and Official Archive partnerships with Hard Rock International, Kidrobot, Minichamps, and Hot Wheels Conventions.
hobbyDB operates as hobbyDB Corp., a privately held Delaware corporation. Disclosed funding totals approximately $3.85M across four rounds from 2015 (Techstars, Right Side Capital Management) through 2020, with the 2017 round of ~$2.87M the largest. In January 2017 the company acquired Rareburg. There is no venture or institutional investor ownership disclosed beyond early-stage backers, and the company states it is "owned by its users," reflecting the community-driven content model.
hobbyDB firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- hobbyDB
- Legal name
- hobbyDB Corp.
- Website
- https://hobbydb.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- hobbyDB is a community-curated collectibles database and peer-to-peer marketplace serving 800,000+ collectors of Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, Hard Rock Cafe merchandise, and model cars. It offers price guides, collection management, white-label marketplaces, and mobile apps with image recognition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
hobbyDB industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Collectibles Database and Marketplace
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Collectibles Marketplaces & Auction Retail (CRALAGAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Books, Media, Collectibles & Hobby Marketplaces (CRAFABAL), Vertical/Specialty Marketplaces (BPAMAGAB), Hobby Games & Miniatures Retail (Tabletop RPGs, Wargaming) (CRALAFAH), RC Model Kits & Parts (Cars, Drones, Boats, Planes) (CRALAKAI)
Keywords
Where hobbyDB is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boulder
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
hobbyDB business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Premium Subscriptions: Subscription-based revenue from Premium memberships (Lite at $2.99/month or $16.99/year, All-In at $4.99/month or $29.99/year) providing enhanced features including ad-free experience, full price guide access, unlimited selling/trading, collection management tools, and premium badges.
- Marketplace Transaction Fees: Variable hobbyDB Partner Fee charged on each sold transaction through the marketplace, plus standard PayPal processing fees. Sellers pay fees based on their subscription level.
- API Access Fees: API access available to partners and developers. Unless projects create significant traffic for hobbyDB, a one-off set-up fee of at least $1,200 plus monthly charges apply for API usage.
- Advertising: Site displays advertising, managed through Freestar (Publisher First, Inc.) for ad placement. Free tier users see ads while Premium subscribers get ad-free experience.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free tier with basic collection management and community access |
| Subscription | Monthly | Lite - $2.99/month or $16.99/year |
| Subscription | Monthly | All-In - $4.99/month or $29.99/year |
| Freemium | Monthly | Community Newsletter |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
hobbyDB product offering
Product offeringCore offering
hobbyDB operates a community-driven collectibles database and peer-to-peer marketplace covering categories such as Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, Hard Rock Cafe merchandise, and model cars. The platform combines a crowdsourced catalog, a price guide with estimated values, collection and wish list management, and an integrated marketplace for buying and selling collectibles. It also powers white-label custom databases and marketplaces for brand partners, embedded widgets, and a RESTful API for third-party developers.
Product overview
hobbyDB is a comprehensive collectibles database and peer-to-peer marketplace platform designed for collectors of toys, figures, model cars, pins, and other collectibles. The core offering consists of the hobbyDB Database (cataloging Database Items, Subjects, Variants, and Subvariants), the Price Guide (providing estimated values based on aggregated price points from multiple sources), Collection Management tools, Wish List Management, and the hobbyDB Marketplace for buying, selling, and trading. The platform supports Custom Databases and Marketplaces as a white-label solution for partner brands and communities. Premium subscriptions (Free, Lite, All-In tiers) provide tiered access to features including unlimited selling, trading, and image matches. The hobbyDB Mobile App adds image matching capabilities for on-the-go identification. The Volunteer Squad community curation model powers the database with over 800,000 registered members maintaining collectible data.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- hobbyDB Vision: Mobile app for identifying collectibles using image matching technology
- PopPriceGuide
- HRC Collector
- The Toy Peddler
Products and services
- hobbyDB Database
- Price Guide
- Collection Management
- Wish List
- hobbyDB Marketplace
- Showcase
- Custom Databases and Marketplaces
- Widget Builder
- hobbyDB Mobile App
- hobbyDB RESTful API
Quantifiable outcome
- 800,000+ registered collector members
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use hobbyDB
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
hobbyDB technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
hobbyDB partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.
- FunkocoreFunko has integrated hobbyDB's marketplace widget into their official app, allowing collectors to access hobbyDB's Funko Pop! inventory directly through Funko's product ecosystem. This represents a significant distribution partnership bringing hobbyDB in front of Funko's massive collector base.
- PopPriceGuidecoreCustom Funko-focused marketplace powered by hobbyDB. Serves as a dedicated channel for Funko collectors to buy and sell, with specialized filtering and browsing tailored to the Funko collecting community.
- The Toy Peddler (73)coreHot Wheels-focused custom database and marketplace. Provides comprehensive Hot Wheels database and buying/selling capabilities specifically for diecast vehicle collectors.
- HRC CollectorcoreCustom marketplace for Hard Rock Cafe merchandise, one of hobbyDB's largest curated segments with over 100,000 items. Features official archive integration for Hard Rock memorabilia.
- Hard Rock InternationalcoreHard Rock Cafe has partnered with hobbyDB to create official archives for their merchandise, preserving the history of Hard Rock Cafe collectibles. The Pin Master Advisory Board manages Hard Rock Cafe Squad members.
- KidrobotnotableListed among Official Archive partners, indicating a partnership to preserve Kidrobot designer toy history and products in the hobbyDB database.
- MinichampsnotableModel car manufacturer listed among Official Archive partners, collaborating to document Minichamps products in the database.
- Hot Wheels ConventionsnotableOfficial Archive partner for Hot Wheels convention-exclusive items and merchandise, preserving limited-edition collector items.
- ModelPackRatnotableCustom marketplace for model cars featuring Funko, Hot Wheels, Jada, and M2 Machines. External site (modelpackrat.com) powered by hobbyDB infrastructure.
- Brooklin ModelsminorDedicated custom marketplace for Brooklin Models brand only, providing brand-specific database and marketplace functionality.
- Ferrari Model ClubminorNiche marketplace dedicated to Ferrari model cars, powered by hobbyDB with customized filtering for Ferrari collectors.
- HWDanminorHot Wheels-focused custom marketplace operated by hobbyDB community member HWDan.
- SpankystokesminorCustom marketplace for vinyl art toys, featuring spankystokes designer items and related collectibles.
- The Loyal SubjectsminorCustom marketplace for The Loyal Subjects brand merchandise and collectibles.
- Scale18minorSpecialized marketplace for 1:18 scale model cars.
- MB75minorCustom marketplace dedicated to Matchbox 75th anniversary and related Matchbox collectibles.
- T-HuntedminorNiche marketplace for Greenlight, Hot Wheels, M2 Machines, Matchbox and other diecast brands.
- VolvoModelCarsminorBrand-specific custom marketplace for Volvo model car collectors, with custom branding and item filtering.
- Collecting FriendsminorCustom marketplace featuring Airfix model kits with sales integration through the hobbyDB database.
- Colorado Viper ClubminorNiche marketplace for Viper vehicle enthusiasts and collectors.
- ErrorsminorSpecialized marketplace for Hot Wheels and other manufacturer error/特例 items.
- HW NewsletterminorHot Wheels-focused marketplace integrated with hobbyDB newsletter for the Hot Wheels collector community.
- PayPalcorePrimary payment processor for marketplace transactions. PayPal's standard transaction fees apply in addition to hobbyDB's partner fees. PayPal badges are displayed on checkout pages.
- ApplenotableApple Pay accepted as payment method on hobbyDB. Users' Apple Pay usage governed by Apple's Apple Pay & Wallet Terms and Conditions.
- Publisher First, Inc. dba FreestarnotableThird-party ad management partner handling advertising placement on hobbyDB. Freestar collects and uses data for advertising purposes per their privacy policy.
- American Arbitration Association (AAA)notableGoverning body for arbitration proceedings per hobbyDB's Terms & Conditions. AAA rules apply to dispute resolution, including Consumer-Related Disputes procedures.
- Copyright AlliancenotablehobbyDB is a member of the Copyright Alliance, an organization supporting copyright owners' rights. Demonstrates commitment to intellectual property protection.
- RSA CollectiveminorhobbyDB is a member of the RSA Collective, supporting copyright and IP rights protection.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
hobbyDB competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- StockX: StockX is a major online marketplace for collectibles and authenticated goods including sneakers, watches, and trading cards. It competes directly with hobbyDB on the marketplace layer for categories like Funko Pops, model cars, and trading cards, and dwarfs hobbyDB in GMV, marketing reach, and capital backing.
- eBay: eBay is the dominant peer-to-peer collectibles marketplace and is one of hobbyDB's primary pricing data sources for its price guide. eBay's massive buyer base makes it the default liquidity venue for most collectible categories hobbyDB covers, putting structural pressure on hobbyDB's marketplace.
- Mercari: Mercari is a peer-to-peer marketplace for a wide range of secondhand and collectible goods. It is one of hobbyDB's price-guide data sources and competes for hobbyDB's seller community with a broader, more general-purpose marketplace.
Direct peers
- Discogs: Discogs is a community-driven database and marketplace for music collectibles (vinyl, CDs, cassettes). It is the closest analog to hobbyDB in combining a volunteer-curated database, price guide, and integrated marketplace for a hobbyist collector community — making it a strong structural and product peer.
- Cardmarket: Cardmarket is the largest European marketplace for trading card games (Magic, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, etc.). It is a direct peer in combining a community-built database, pricing intelligence, and integrated P2P marketplace for a specific hobbyist category — analogous to hobbyDB's vertical-specific approach.
- MyFigureCollection: MyFigureCollection is a community-driven database and marketplace for anime figures, scale figures, and designer toys. It is a direct peer in product/category (collectible figures), community curation model, and integrated buy/sell functionality.
- Worthpoint: Worthpoint is a subscription-based collectibles price guide and research database that aggregates historical pricing from eBay, auctions, and estate sales. It is a direct peer to hobbyDB's Price Guide / Estimated Values product on the research and valuation side of the collecting workflow.
Emerging players
- Whatnot: Whatnot is a livestream-auction marketplace for collectibles including Funko Pops, trading cards, and toys. It overlaps with hobbyDB's marketplace and even contributes to hobbyDB's price guide; its livestream format creates differentiated buyer engagement that hobbyDB does not currently offer.
- TCGplayer: TCGplayer (owned by eBay) is a marketplace and price-guide platform for trading card games, providing database, pricing, and P2P selling functionality. It overlaps with hobbyDB's trading card segment and is a relevant benchmark for how a category-specific marketplace plus database can scale — and ultimately be acquired by a much larger incumbent.
Regional players
- Collector Square: Collector Square is a European-focused authenticated marketplace for collectibles including toys, figurines, and designer goods. It overlaps with hobbyDB's higher-end collectibles categories and offers a regional, authentication-led alternative for European sellers and buyers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
hobbyDB social profiles
Digital presencehobbyDB compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
hobbyDB financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
hobbyDB leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
hobbyDB subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
hobbyDB funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
hobbyDB M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about hobbyDB
What does hobbyDB do?
hobbyDB operates a community-driven collectibles database and peer-to-peer marketplace covering categories such as Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, Hard Rock Cafe merchandise, and model cars. The platform combines a crowdsourced catalog, a price guide with estimated values, collection and wish list management, and an integrated marketplace for buying and selling collectibles. It also powers white-label custom databases and marketplaces for brand partners, embedded widgets, and a RESTful API for third-party developers.
Is hobbyDB a public or private company?
hobbyDB is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was hobbyDB founded?
hobbyDB was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is hobbyDB based?
hobbyDB is headquartered in Boulder, United States, in the North America region.
How does hobbyDB make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Premium Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are marketplace Transaction Fees, API Access Fees and advertising.
Who are hobbyDB's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are StockX, eBay and Mercari. Direct peers are Discogs, Cardmarket, MyFigureCollection and Worthpoint. Emerging players are Whatnot and TCGplayer. Collector Square is listed as a regional player.
Does hobbyDB have an API?
Yes. hobbyDB's system architecture is fully based on RESTful APIs. Database Items, Estimated Values, Subjects, and Items for Sale are all accessible through the API. Access requires approval and a detailed project overview including URL, timeline, value proposition, planned monetization, key team members, and how the project advances hobbyDB's goal to document 100 Billion Collectibles. Unless the project creates significant traffic for hobbyDB, a one-off set-up fee of at least $1,200 plus monthly charges applies. Developer documentation is at help.hobbydb.com/support/solutions/articles/36000265069-access-to-the-hobbydb-api.
What industry is hobbyDB in?
hobbyDB's product category is Collectibles Database and Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAGAO, Online Collectibles Marketplaces & Auction Retail, with a secondary code of CRAFABAL, Books, Media, Collectibles & Hobby Marketplaces. Its NAICS code is 459120 and its SIC code is 5945.