Auctionata

What Auctionata does

Auctionata is a Berlin-based online auction platform for art, antiques, jewelry, watches, and collector objects, founded in 2012 as a digital auction startup and credited as the inventor of the livestream online auction format. Its core product is a live online bidding platform that enables remote real-time participation by collectors worldwide, supplemented by physical auction locations in Berlin (headquarters at Manteuffelstrasse 27, Berlin-Tempelhof) and Bremen (operated by Bremer Auktionshaus Bolland & Marotz). The platform reaches bidders through channel partnerships with online bidding platforms in the USA, China, and Europe, and has brokered more than 400,000 objects across 320+ auctions with a sustained 80%+ sell-through rate, serving a network of 300,000+ collectors.

The business model is commission-based, generating transaction fees as a percentage of hammer price on successful sales; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Customer segments split between individual collectors (primary) acquiring art and luxury objects and institutional consignors (estates, museums, manufacturers) seeking liquidation and dispersal services — notable consignments include the Pierre Brice Estate, DDR Museum Doberitz, Beate Uhse Erotikmuseum, Gatschina Museum Reserve, and the closure auction of Majolika Manufaktur Karlsruhe. Marketing runs across blog content, email newsletters, and earned media coverage, with go-to-motion categorized as sales-led given the bespoke nature of high-value consignments.

Since 2017, Auctionata has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Historia Auktionen Berlin under the combined Historia Auctionata brand, following acquisition by the four-decade-old traditional auction house. Historia has since pursued a rollup strategy, acquiring approximately 20 auction houses to extend regional and category coverage. Auctionata's digital infrastructure is the technology foundation that enables Historia's international expansion and hybrid online/in-person auction format. Prior to acquisition, Auctionata raised approximately $98.7M in disclosed funding across 2012-2016 and executed two acquisitions of its own — Paddle8 in 2016 (US art auction competitor) and ValueMyStuff in 2015 (online valuation service). Revenue is not publicly disclosed and no AI/ML capabilities are documented in the available material.

Name

Auctionata

Legal name

Auctionata (brand now operated under Historia Auctionata)

Website

https://auctionata.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Auctionata is a Berlin-based online auction platform for art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles, founded in 2012 as the inventor of the livestream auction format. It operates under Historia Auktionen Berlin since 2017, serving 300,000+ global collectors and institutional consignors through a commission-based model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Art Auctions

akta.pro primary industry

Auction-based Generalist Marketplaces (CRAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Collectibles Marketplaces & Auction Retail (CRALAGAO), Auction Houses (Luxury Watches & Jewelry) (CRAKAKAF)

Keywords

• Online art auctions
• Antique collectibles
• Livestream auctions
• Fine art marketplace
• Digital auction platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Auction Commissions: Revenue generated through commissions on successful auction sales, typically a percentage of the final sale price

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Auctionata operates a digital auction platform that enables real-time online bidding on art, antiques, jewelry, watches, and luxury collectibles. The platform pioneered livestream auctions and integrates with international bidding platforms in the USA, China, and Europe to provide global collector access. Since 2017, the technology has been incorporated into Historia Auktionen Berlin's operations, supporting both online and in-person auctions at Berlin and Bremen locations.

Product overview

Auctionata was a German startup that provided digital auction technology and platform infrastructure. Since 2017, Historia Auktionen Berlin has been building on Auctionata's digital foundation, utilizing its online auction platform capabilities for conducting live and online auctions across international markets including the USA, China, and Europe. The Auctionata platform enabled Historia to expand its global market presence and connect with over 300,000 collectors worldwide through digital bidding capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auctionata Digital Auction Platform A digital auction platform that enables real-time online and live auction participation for art, antiques, jewelry, watches, and collectibles. Provides the technical infrastructure for remote bidding by collectors worldwide, integrated with international bidding platforms in the USA, China, and Europe. Since 2017, the platform has served as the digital backbone of Historia Auktionen Berlin's international auction operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80%+ sell-through rate achieved consistently
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Historia Auktionen BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Historia Auktionen Berlin acquired Auctionata in 2017, building on Auctionata's digital platform foundation. Historia leverages Auctionata's technology to strengthen international market presence and digital auction capabilities.
• US Bidding PlatformscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration with American online bidding platforms providing US market access and expanded buyer network for consignors
• China Bidding PlatformscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration with Chinese online bidding platforms providing access to Chinese collector market and Asia-Pacific region
• European Bidding PlatformscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration with European online bidding platforms extending market reach across continental Europe
• Bolland & MarotzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBremer Auktionshaus Bolland & Marotz operates under Historia umbrella, contributing auction expertise and expanding presence in Bremen market

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bonhams: International auction house active in fine art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles with online bidding. Comparable in breadth of categories and global reach, though traditionally positioned.
• Heritage Auctions: US-headquartered auction house covering art, luxury, jewelry, watches, and collectibles with a strong online bidding platform. Comparable business model with a heavier US footprint and collector focus.
• Phillips: Global auction house specializing in contemporary art, watches, and jewelry with strong online and livestream capabilities. Closely comparable mid-to-high-end positioning and digital-first go-to-market.
• Christie's: The other dominant global auction house, with parallel coverage of fine art, jewelry, watches, and luxury collectibles, plus an established online bidding platform. Competes head-to-head for high-value consignments and global collector demand.
• LiveAuctioneers: Major online bidding platform aggregating auctions of art, antiques, and collectibles from thousands of houses. Comparable in providing the digital bidding layer for traditional auction houses and competing with Auctionata's platform.
• Sotheby's: One of the world's two largest traditional fine art and luxury auction houses, now owned by Patrick Drahi and aggressively expanding online and livestream auctions. Directly comparable in product category (fine art, watches, jewelry, collectibles) and in moving auctions onto digital platforms that compete with Auctionata's livestream model.
• Dorotheum: Vienna-based traditional auction house offering art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles with online bidding. Closely comparable in continental European positioning and category breadth.
• Invaluable: Online auction aggregator partnering with thousands of auction houses worldwide, including many in Europe. Direct competitor for online live bidding infrastructure and global collector reach.

Emerging players

• 1stDibs: Online marketplace for luxury furniture, art, jewelry, and fashion from vetted dealers. Adjacent in serving high-end collectors online, but operates as a fixed-price marketplace rather than an auction platform.
• The RealReal: Online marketplace for authenticated pre-owned luxury goods including jewelry and watches. Adjacent in target buyer (luxury collectors) and authentication-driven resale, but uses fixed-price consignment rather than timed auctions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/auctionata
• Facebookfacebook.com/auctionata
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auctionata-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors15 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auctionata