GradedGuard
GradedGuard designs and sells protective cases, accessories, and monthly limited-edition finishes for graded trading cards (slabs) from PSA, BGS, and CGC, serving individual TCG and sports card collectors globally through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, retailer partnerships, and US convention appearances.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersUnited States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GradedGuard does
GradedGuard is a US-based, founder-led company established in 2021 that designs, manufactures, and sells protective cases and accessories for graded trading cards (commonly called slabs) issued by the three major grading houses: PSA, BGS, and CGC. The core product line consists of Standard Cases at $10 across 11-12 colors per grading format, with premium sub-brands added over time: the Jewel Line (jewel-tone finishes at $10, launched 2024) and the Metallic Line (Gold, Silver, Crimson, Viridian matte finishes at $22, launched 2025). Adjacent products include FlexFilm protection films against UV scratches, felt-lined storage boxes (12- and 36-slot configurations at $25 and $50), acrylic display cases manufactured by Phantom Display, and a digital gift card program ($10-$100).
The company operates a monthly Limited Edition Color Drop program that began in August 2023 and has produced 50+ exclusive color/finish designs (e.g., Aurora, Glow, Kryptik, Fruit Punch, Confetti, Year of the Horse). These limited drops are distributed via a draw-based system on the EQL platform, which the company adopted in mid-2026 to replace a queue-based system that had resulted in 300,000 users in virtual waiting rooms, bot attacks, and widespread duplicate orders; the switch yielded a 100% reduction in post-launch data cleanup and hundreds of thousands of dollars in saved cancellations.
GradedGuard sells direct-to-consumer through a Shopify storefront at gradedguard.com (free domestic shipping over $50), supplemented by retailer partnerships with SNKRDUNK, CardsHQ, and Oxley Grading, and physical sales at collector conventions across US cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Myrtle Beach. The company is privately held and founder-owned (Minh Hoang, Founder and CEO), with no institutional funding rounds disclosed. Products ship to at least nine countries including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, Singapore, and South Korea.
GradedGuard firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GradedGuard
- Legal name
- GradedGuard
- Website
- https://gradedguard.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- GradedGuard designs and sells protective cases, accessories, and monthly limited-edition finishes for graded trading cards (slabs) from PSA, BGS, and CGC, serving individual TCG and sports card collectors globally through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, retailer partnerships, and US convention appearances.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GradedGuard industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trading Card Accessories
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Graded Cards & Third-Party Authentication Retail (CRALAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports Trading Cards Retail (CRALAGAA), Collectible Card Games (CCGs/LCGs) Retail (CRALALAG)
Keywords
Where GradedGuard is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
GradedGuard business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: One-time purchase of protective cases, storage solutions, and accessories. Revenue generated from individual product sales and bundle discounts (e.g., 10% off Jewel Bundle, 9% off Metallic Bundle). Products include Standard Cases ($10), Jewel Cases ($10), Metallic Cases ($22), Storage Boxes ($25-$50), and FlexFilm protection films.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Case - $10.00 USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jewel Case - $10.00 USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jewel Bundle - $45.00 USD (was $50.00) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Metallic Case - $22.00 USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Metallic Bundle - $80.00 USD (was $88.00) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Row Storage Box - $25.00 USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Triple Row Storage Box - $50.00 USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition Cases - $18.00 USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards - from $10.00 USD |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
GradedGuard product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GradedGuard designs, manufactures, and sells protective cases and storage solutions specifically engineered for graded trading card slabs from PSA, BGS, and CGC grading houses. The product portfolio spans Standard, Jewel, and Metallic case lines in multiple color options, FlexFilm surface protection, felt-lined storage boxes, acrylic displays, and a monthly Limited Edition Color Drop series distributed via a fair draw-based system.
Product overview
GradedGuard is a US-based company (established 2021) that creates protective cases and accessories for graded trading cards. The core product offering consists of the Standard Case line (available in 11-12 colors per grading company), supplemented by premium sub-brands: the Jewel Line (jewel-tone finishes in 8 colors at $10) and the Metallic Line (Gold, Silver, Crimson, Viridian matte finishes at $22). All cases are specifically engineered to fit slabs from PSA, BGS, and CGC grading houses. Supporting products include FlexFilm protection film (prevents UV scratches), felt-lined storage boxes (Single Row holds 12 slabs at $25; Triple Row holds 36 slabs at $50), and acrylic displays manufactured by Phantom Display. GradedGuard also operates a monthly Limited Edition Color Drop program featuring exclusive gradient and finish designs distributed through a draw-based system via EQL. The company sells direct-to-consumer through their Shopify store with free domestic shipping on orders over $50.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GradedGuard Standard Cases
- GradedGuard Jewel Cases
- GradedGuard Metallic Cases
- FlexFilm Protection Film
- GradedGuard Storage Boxes
- Acrylic Display Cases
- GradedGuard Gift Cards
- Limited Edition Color Drops
- GradedGuard x Kryptik Collaboration Case
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% reduction in post-launch data cleanup
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use GradedGuard
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
GradedGuard technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
GradedGuard partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- EQLcoreEQL provides a draw-based product launch system with bot protection and order de-duplication to ensure fair access to limited edition releases. Replaced previous Queue-it system which resulted in 300,000 users in virtual waiting rooms, widespread bot attacks, and thousands of duplicate orders.
- SNKRDUNKminorSNKRDUNK is a retailer partner selling GradedGuard products to trading card collectors. Featured in SNKRDUNK interview with founder Minh Hoang.
- CardsHQminorCardsHQ is a retailer partner selling GradedGuard products to trading card collectors.
- Oxley GradingminorOxley Grading is a retailer partner offering GradedGuard products to their customer base.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
GradedGuard competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GradedGuard social profiles
Digital presenceGradedGuard financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GradedGuard leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
GradedGuard funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GradedGuard M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GradedGuard
What does GradedGuard do?
GradedGuard designs, manufactures, and sells protective cases and storage solutions specifically engineered for graded trading card slabs from PSA, BGS, and CGC grading houses. The product portfolio spans Standard, Jewel, and Metallic case lines in multiple color options, FlexFilm surface protection, felt-lined storage boxes, acrylic displays, and a monthly Limited Edition Color Drop series distributed via a fair draw-based system.
Is GradedGuard a public or private company?
GradedGuard is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GradedGuard founded?
GradedGuard was founded in 2021.
Where is GradedGuard based?
GradedGuard is headquartered in United States, in the North America region.
How does GradedGuard make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct Product Sales.
Does GradedGuard have an API?
No public API is recorded for GradedGuard.
What industry is GradedGuard in?
GradedGuard's product category is Trading Card Accessories. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAGAD, Graded Cards & Third-Party Authentication Retail, with a secondary code of CRALAGAA, Sports Trading Cards Retail. Its SIC code is 3080.