YC-backed Garage raises $13.5M to help firefighters buy equipment

At just 26 years old, Martin Hunt, a firefighter since he was 15, recognized the challenges faced by small communities struggling to purchase essential fire equipment. During a conversation with a fellow firefighter in 2023, he realized there was a significant gap in the market. "When I couldn't find a better solution, I knew there was a demand for a streamlined, nationwide platform for costly and hard-to-transport equipment like firetrucks," Hunt explained to TechCrunch. This led him to take a leap of faith by leaving his job to create a solution. Teaming up with college friend Alaz Sengul, they developed Garage, a marketplace designed to facilitate the buying and selling of specialized equipment used by local governments and public safety agencies. The platform automates many previously manual tasks, including appraisals, freight quotes, and payment processing. "Our primary users are civil servants, firefighters, fleet managers, and public works directors who lack the time to navigate extensive paperwork and logistical hurdles," said Hunt, who serves as CEO, while Sengul takes on the role of CTO. On Wednesday, Garage announced a successful $13.5 million Series A funding round led by Infinity Ventures. Hunt noted that fire departments often rely on online auction sites like GovDeals, Facebook groups, and even classified ads to procure second-hand equipment. Simultaneously, cities seek to sell outdated equipment to finance new purchases, but many lack the means to reach potential buyers across the country. Garage's platform addresses these issues by allowing sellers to use an AI tool for equipment appraisal, listing items for auction or direct purchase. Buyers can reach out to sellers for immediate quotes on warranties and freight costs. Once an agreement is reached, Garage manages the backend operations and utilizes AI to coordinate delivery logistics. Hunt emphasized the importance of security in transactions that can exceed $100,000, especially given the prevalence of scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Describing the fundraising experience as "catalytic," Hunt shared that he and Sengul connected with their lead investors after participating in Y Combinator’s Winter 2024 cohort. Previously, they raised $4.5 million in seed funding from Initialized Capital before meeting Infinity Ventures. Other contributors to this round include Benchstrength, Wayfinder Ventures, and FJ Labs, bringing Garage's total funding to $18 million. The new capital will be used to enhance the team and expand the marketplace's reach. Currently, Garage's services are utilized in all 50 states, with cities like Burlington, Virginia, and South Charleston, West Virginia, already on board. "We aim to improve access to vital, affordable equipment to enhance public safety where it's needed most, enabling funds to be utilized effectively within our local communities," Hunt stated.