A Seattle-based startup is revolutionizing the secondhand goods market by offering free pickup services and transforming unwanted items into a profitable resale business. Gone.com, which recently secured $6.3 million in seed funding, operates from a 12,000-square-foot warehouse in Renton, Washington, where collected items are processed and prepared for resale.
The company was founded by Yash Wagh, a former Amazon supply chain executive, who partnered with OfferUp co-founders Nick Huzar and Arean van Veelen. Their innovative approach combines logistics expertise with artificial intelligence to streamline the process of collecting and reselling used goods.
The seed funding round was spearheaded by Seattle-area firm FUSE, with additional participation from various investors including Breakwater Ventures, Evergreen Gavekal, TiE Angels, Tampa Bay Ventures, and OneSixOne Ventures. Notable individual investors include Jeff Hill and Ben Hoskins from 1-800-GOT-JUNK.
Gone.com’s business model addresses a significant gap in the market: while online shopping has become increasingly convenient, disposing of unwanted items remains a challenge for many consumers. The company’s solution involves dispatching its own trucks and working with third-party delivery partners to collect reusable items at no cost to the owner.
The startup leverages AI technology in multiple aspects of its operations, from determining which items to accept to optimizing logistics and pricing strategies. These items are then marketed through various channels, including Gone’s online platform, its physical store in Renton, and popular marketplaces such as OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist.
Currently handling 20-25 pickups weekly, the company maintains a steady flow of inventory through its warehouse facility. The 16-employee operation is now focusing on expanding its customer base and increasing sales through both its physical and digital platforms.
Nick Huzar, who stepped down as OfferUp’s CEO in 2021, sees Gone.com as complementary rather than competitive to OfferUp’s services. While OfferUp excels in individual item sales, Gone.com specializes in handling larger-scale clearances and quick removals of multiple items.
The connection between Wagh and Huzar began with a LinkedIn message, leading to collaborative experiments in collecting used items around Seattle. This practical experience helped shape their vision for Gone.com. Huzar, who now runs a climate change-focused nonprofit and co-founded an EV charging startup called Juicer, brings valuable marketplace expertise to the venture.
The company’s headquarters showcases its commitment to sustainability, featuring salvaged items transformed into office décor, including a distinctive root-carved console table and a moss-covered wall displaying the company logo.
Gone.com is currently using Seattle as its testing ground, perfecting its business model before expanding to other markets. The company is also exploring strategic partnerships with moving companies, real estate professionals, and office liquidation services.
Beyond its commercial objectives, Gone.com emphasizes its
environmental mission, promoting circular consumption as an
alternative to new purchases. This approach aims to reduce carbon emissions and encourage more sustainable consumer behavior.
The initiative represents a significant step forward in the
“re-commerce” sector, offering a convenient solution for those looking to dispose of unwanted items while contributing to environmental sustainability. With its combination of technology, logistics expertise, and environmental consciousness, Gone.com is positioning itself as a pioneer in the evolution of the secondhand goods market.