TradeOut.com

TradeOut.com operated as an online marketplace facilitating the buying and selling of business surplus and off-lease assets across a multitude of industries. Founded in 1998, the company established a platform designed to efficiently manage and liquidate excess inventory, connecting businesses with a broad base of potential buyers.

The firm's business model centered on creating a liquid market for assets that would otherwise be difficult to dispose of. By providing a centralized platform, TradeOut.com enabled organizations to quickly find purchasers for their surplus goods, thereby improving asset recovery rates. The company's services were targeted at business organizations looking to manage their excess inventory and off-lease asset purchases and sales.

The company successfully attracted significant venture capital funding, raising $22 million in an early-stage round in November 1999, followed by an additional $15 million in March 2000. Key investors included prominent names such as Benchmark Capital Holdings, GE Capital, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, and eBay. This financial backing supported the company's growth, and by 2001, it had approximately 220 employees.

Ultimately, TradeOut.com was acquired by DoveBid on August 6, 2001, marking its transition from a venture-backed independent entity to part of a larger organization.

Keywords: excess inventory marketplace, business surplus, off-lease assets, B2B marketplace, asset liquidation, online auction, inventory management, surplus goods, DoveBid, Benchmark Capital, GE Capital, e-commerce, asset recovery, business-to-business, surplus asset sales, online marketplace, corporate surplus, equipment liquidation, venture capital, technology platform