What Aucnet does

Aucnet Inc. (株式会社オークネット, ticker: 3964 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market) operates one of the longest-running B2B online auction marketplaces in the world, founded on June 29, 1985 with the launch of the world's first used-car TV auction system. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, with a consolidated headcount of 1,119 employees, and organizes its operations across two reporting segments — Mobility & Energy (used automobiles, motorcycles, vehicle inspection, and a 2019 partnership-led move into used EV batteries via MIRAI-LABO) and Lifestyle Products (digital devices and fashion resale) — plus Other Businesses covering flowers/agriculture and circular commerce for used medical equipment. Revenue is generated primarily through commissions on transactions, with FY2025 GCV (Gross Circulation Value) of 783.3 billion yen running approximately 12x the 64.14 billion yen FY2025 consolidated revenue line.

The proprietary technology stack centers on an auction-theory-based auction engine accessible to 41,686 member businesses across 78 countries, supported by three differentiating assets: (i) the AIS proprietary vehicle-inspection standard, which has functioned as the de facto industry standard in Japan since 1985 and is used by manufacturer-affiliated used-car dealers; (ii) the blanco data-erasure software, internationally recognized and applied to all used smartphones, PCs, and digital equipment before secondary distribution to address data-security concerns; and (iii) the GCV metric, a proprietary, independently verified indicator quantifying the economic and environmental value of circular transactions. The company also runs Selloop, a service platform that helps manufacturers and retailers stand up and operate their own primary-to-secondary distribution operations, extending Aucnet beyond its own marketplace. ISMS certification and a Public Safety Commission antique-market operator license anchor the compliance posture required for cross-border secondhand-goods handling.

Aucnet's go-to-market is sales-led and B2B-direct, with monetisation derived from commission fees on the total goods handled (取扱高) through the platform. Membership is recruited through direct outreach to reuse operators, automobile dealers, and digital-device businesses; international expansion is driven by member-network growth in 78 countries. Ownership is concentrated: Flex Corporation holds 40.67%, Blue Peak 10.53%, and Goldman Sachs entities collectively ~9.09%, with the top three together controlling a majority. There are no funding rounds to disclose (the company has been public since 2017), and no M&A activity in the source data.

Name

Aucnet

Legal name

AUCNET INC.

Website

https://ir.aucnet.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Aucnet (株式会社オークネット, TSE Prime: 3964) operates a B2B online auction marketplace for the circular economy, serving 41,686 member businesses across 78 countries. Founded in 1985, it earns transaction-commission revenue on used vehicles, motorcycles, digital devices, luxury goods, flowers, and medical equipment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Auction Marketplace

NAICS

Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers (4251), Used Merchandise Retailers (459510), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Auction-based Generalist Marketplaces (CRAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Closeout & Liquidation Marketplaces (CRAEAFAF), C2C Resale, Auctions & Secondhand Marketplaces (BPAMAGAE), B2B Liquidation Auctions & Asset Disposition Retail (CRAEAFAG)

Keywords

• Used car auctions
• B2B online marketplace
• Circular economy distribution
• Used digital device resale
• Vehicle inspection services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Auction Commission Revenue: The company charges commission fees on the transaction value of goods that circulate through its online auction platform. '取扱高' (total goods handled/dispatched value) is the primary KPI, with auction commission revenue calculated by multiplying 取扱高 by the commission rate.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Aucnet operates a membership-based B2B online auction marketplace where reuse businesses, automobile dealers, digital device resellers, brand-goods resellers and other secondary-market participants in 78 countries/regions list and bid on used goods across multiple categories — used automobiles, motorcycles, digital devices, brand goods (bags, watches, jewelry, apparel, alcoholic beverages), flowers, and used medical equipment. The company charges commissions on the transaction value of goods successfully auctioned through the platform and layers in trust services such as AIS vehicle inspections and blanco certified data erasure for digital devices. Selloop extends the offering by helping manufacturers and retailers launch and operate secondary-circulation channels, while Smart Trade for Business issues CO2 reduction reports to corporates redeploying used digital devices.

Product overview

Aucnet is a circular commerce platform operator offering multiple online auction and resale services across diverse product categories. The company operates through two main segments: the Lifestyle Products segment (Digital Products and Fashion Resale businesses) and the Mobility & Energy segment (Automobile and Motorcycle businesses), plus Other operations (Agri and Circular Commerce). The platform connects reuse businesses globally through member-based online auctions, supporting used automobiles, motorcycles, digital devices, brand goods, flowers, and medical equipment. Key supporting services include AIS vehicle inspection standards, Selloop secondary market support for manufacturers, and GCV environmental impact measurement metrics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Selloop: 一次流通と二次流通の融合を推進するプラットフォーム。メーカーや小売事業者向けに二次流通サービスの立ち上げ・運営支援を提供。
• Smart Trade for Business
• GCV（Gross Circulation Value：総循環型流通価値）
• GCV®

Products and services

• Used Automobile Auction Service (オートモビル事業 / 中古車) B2B online auction marketplace where used-car dealers globally list and bid on pre-owned automobiles, supported by AIS vehicle inspection services and shared-inventory and live-broadcast auction formats.
• Used Motorcycle Auction Service (モーターサイクル事業 / 中古バイク) B2B online auction service for the resale of pre-owned motorcycles, targeting reuse businesses and motorcycle dealers as part of the Mobility & Energy segment.
• Used Digital Device Auction Service (デジタルプロダクツ事業 / 中古デジタル機器) B2B auction and distribution service for used smartphones, PCs and other digital equipment, with internationally certified data erasure using blanco software before secondary circulation.
• Fashion Resale Auction Service (ファッションリセール事業 / ブランド品・酒類) B2B auction service for luxury brand goods (bags, watches, jewelry, apparel) and alcoholic beverages, with authentication support to address counterfeit concerns.
• Flower and Horticulture Auction Service (アグリ事業 / 花き) B2B flower and horticulture auction service connecting agricultural producers with buyers in the secondary flower market.
• Circular Commerce Service (サーキュラーコマース事業 / 中古医療機器・その他) B2B circular-commerce service handling used medical equipment and other secondary-market goods, addressing fragmented distribution channels and product-lifecycle sustainability.
• Selloop – Secondary Circulation Platform for Manufacturers and Retailers Service that supports manufacturers and retail businesses in establishing and operating secondary-circulation services, integrating primary and secondary market channels into new circular-economy business models.
• AIS Vehicle Inspection Service (AIS検査基準) Vehicle inspection service delivered by wholly-owned subsidiary (株)AIS using proprietary AIS inspection standards that have become the de facto industry standard in Japan, adopted by domestic manufacturer-affiliated used-car businesses.
• Smart Trade for Business (Corporate CO2 Reduction Report Service) Service for corporate clients that sell used digital devices which issues CO2 emission reduction reports as part of Aucnet's environmental-value visualization initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• GCV of 7,833億円 reflects total annual transaction value through the platform
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• MIRAI-LABO (株)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Aucnet invested in and formed a business partnership with MIRAI-LABO in 2019 to jointly develop reuse/recycling schemes for EV batteries. The collaboration aims to establish evaluation standards for used EV batteries, contribute to the sustainable development of the automotive industry, and address environmental issues by enabling secondary circulation of EV batteries along with secondary circulation of EV vehicles and recycling of spent batteries.
• AIS (株式会社アイオーク)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company providing vehicle inspection services. AIS inspection standards were developed by the company and have become the industry standard (de facto standard) for used vehicle inspection in Japan, supported by domestic manufacturer-affiliated used car businesses.
• blanco (ブランコ) SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationData erasure software recognized by government agencies and institutions worldwide. Aucnet uses blanco software to securely delete personal data from used digital devices before secondary circulation, ensuring data security for consumers.
• Selloop (一次流通×二次流通融合プラットフォーム)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerService that supports manufacturers and retail businesses in establishing and operating secondary circulation services. Creates new circular economy business models that integrate primary and secondary circulation, supporting the development of primary circulation while accompanying the process.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Mercari: Mercari operates one of Japan's largest C2C resale marketplaces (Mercari and Mercari Shops), specializing in peer-to-peer transactions for used goods. Comparable to Aucnet in the Japanese reuse commerce market, but C2C-focused and consumer-facing rather than B2B-auction-based.
• BeForward: BeForward is a major Japanese-based used vehicle exporter specializing in cross-border B2C/B2B sales of Japanese used cars to Africa, Asia, and other emerging markets. Comparable in product category (used Japanese vehicles) and global export reach, though operating through a different distribution model than Aucnet's auction-led platform.
• Recycle (Japanese apparel/brand resale): Treasure Factory / Recycle-style operators run B2B and B2C used-brand-goods buying and resale chains in Japan, often supplying inventory into the secondary auction ecosystem that Aucnet's Fashion Resale segment serves. Comparable as supply-side participants in the same Japanese luxury-resale value chain Aucnet orchestrates.

Direct peers

• StockX: StockX operates a global resale marketplace for sneakers, apparel, watches, handbags, and collectibles with authentication services. Comparable to Aucnet's Fashion Resale Business (brand goods, watches, jewelry, clothing) — both monetize through commission-based auctions/marketplace transactions with third-party authentication to address counterfeiting concerns.
• Copart: Copart is the dominant US-based B2B online auction platform for used vehicles, salvage cars, and wholesale auto remarketing. Highly comparable to Aucnet's core automobile auction business — both operate member-based online vehicle auctions with third-party inspection and grading services, generating transaction-commission revenue at scale.
• IAA (RB Global): RB Global (parent of IAA Insurance Auto Auctions) operates one of the largest global digital marketplaces for used and salvage vehicles, serving insurance, dealer, and commercial buyers. Directly parallels Aucnet's used-car auction franchise and total-loss / insurance vehicle liquidation channels.
• Back Market: Back Market is a leading global B2C/B2B marketplace for refurbished electronics including smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Highly comparable to Aucnet's Digital Products Business, which auctions used digital devices with certified data erasure (blanco) — both address information asymmetry in the second-hand device market through quality certification.

Broad incumbents

• Sotheby's: Sotheby's is a centuries-old incumbent auction house for fine art, jewelry, watches, and luxury collectibles, now operating both live and online auctions. Overlaps with Aucnet's brand goods and luxury authentication services, but at the very high end of the market with a different brand and customer profile.
• Manheim (Cox Automotive): Manheim is the largest wholesale used-vehicle auction operator in the world, owned by Cox Automotive. It operates physical and online auction lanes with deep dealer relationships; overlaps with Aucnet's automobile segment but is a broader conglomerate incumbent rather than a dedicated digital marketplace specialist.

Emerging players

• Carsome: Carsome is a Southeast Asia–focused used-car marketplace with online auction and inspection capabilities, expanding across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. Comparable as an emerging region-focused digital used-vehicle platform, though smaller and geographically narrower than Aucnet's global footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Aucnet