Garage, a Y Combinator-backed startup, has secured $13.5 million in funding to revolutionize the process of buying and selling firefighter gear and emergency equipment. The company operates a digital marketplace that simplifies transactions for used firefighting equipment and vehicles, enabling departments to purchase and sell gear efficiently, with integrated payment, freight, and financing options.
Founded in 2023 by Martin Hunt, a volunteer firefighter with...
Founded in 2023 by Martin Hunt, a volunteer firefighter with extensive field experience, and Alaz Sengul, a software engineer with tech industry experience, Garage addresses a longstanding challenge faced by fire departments: the cumbersome and inefficient method of acquiring secondhand equipment. Traditionally, departments relied on informal channels such as Facebook groups and word of mouth to trade surplus gear, which could take days or longer and lacked transactional security. With fire trucks costing between $1.5 million to $2.5 million new, and used trucks ranging from $50,000 to $1 million, Garage’s platform offers a streamlined, trustworthy alternative that accelerates and secures these critical purchases and sales.
The startup’s marketplace automates every aspect of the tran...
The startup’s marketplace automates every aspect of the transaction process, including payments and logistics, making it possible for fire departments across the United States to source used equipment quickly and reliably. While initially focusing on firefighting equipment due to Hunt’s personal insight into the industry, Garage plans to expand into other sectors facing similar surplus equipment sales challenges, such as construction, agriculture, and government surplus.
Garage’s rapid growth and innovative approach have attracted...
Garage’s rapid growth and innovative approach have attracted top investors, including Y Combinator, which invested during its Winter 2024 batch. The new $13.5 million funding round will support scaling the platform, expanding its team, and enhancing features to better serve emergency service providers nationwide.
The company is also actively hiring, seeking driven individu...
The company is also actively hiring, seeking driven individuals to join its team and contribute to transforming how backbone industries handle equipment transactions. Its mission is to radically improve surplus equipment sales for all stakeholders by leveraging technology to bring transparency, speed, and ease to a traditionally slow and frustrating market.
By providing a dedicated, tech-enabled marketplace for used...
By providing a dedicated, tech-enabled marketplace for used firefighter gear and vehicles, Garage is poised to become an essential tool for emergency services, helping them maintain readiness while managing budgets effectively.
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 1:10:38 PM
YC-backed startup Garage has raised $13.5 million in a Series A round led by Infinity Ventures to streamline firefighter gear purchases by automating transactions, including payments, freight, and financing, drastically reducing the buying process from months to minutes[4]. Industry experts highlight Garage’s marketplace as a game-changer that addresses a long-standing inefficiency in emergency equipment procurement, with co-founder Martin Hunt noting the traditional process relied heavily on Facebook groups and word of mouth, which was both slow and unreliable[1]. Analysts praise the platform’s comprehensive handling of logistics and warranties, which they say could set a new standard for essential service equipment marketplaces nationwide[4].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 1:20:39 PM
The recent $13.5 million funding round for YC-backed startup Garage, which streamlines firefighter gear purchases, has been met with positive reception from the firefighting community eager for easier access to critical equipment. Volunteer and career firefighters have expressed relief at Garage’s promise to simplify a traditionally slow and frustrating procurement process, with used fire trucks costing anywhere from $50,000 to $1 million[2][3]. Early reactions highlight appreciation for the platform’s ability to handle payments, freight, and financing—features that could save departments valuable time and resources.
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 1:30:53 PM
YC-backed startup Garage has secured $13.5 million in funding to streamline the buying and selling of firefighting equipment, including vehicles and personal protective gear, making the process faster and easier for fire departments nationwide[4][2]. Founded by former volunteer firefighter Martin Hunt and software engineer Alaz Sengul, Garage offers a marketplace that handles payments, freight, and financing, addressing the cumbersome, days-long transactions that previously frustrated departments[2]. This recent capital injection is poised to accelerate Garage’s mission to equip firefighters more efficiently amid ongoing grant programs and funding efforts like the NVFC’s $1.5 million Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program supporting department equipment needs[1].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 1:40:43 PM
Following Garage's $13.5 million funding round, there has been no direct public response from regulatory bodies or government officials regarding the platform's role in streamlining firefighter gear purchases as of August 20, 2025. The startup primarily serves fire departments by facilitating transactions for used emergency equipment, easing procurement processes without noted government intervention or formal endorsements[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 1:50:42 PM
YC-backed startup Garage has secured $13.5 million in funding to revolutionize the global firefighter gear market by streamlining the purchase and sale of used emergency equipment through its automated marketplace, which handles payments, freight, and financing internationally. With listings from all 50 U.S. states and discounted nationwide shipping, Garage is expanding its model to serve fire departments worldwide, aiming to reduce equipment procurement time from months to minutes, a move that has garnered strong interest from international emergency services facing similar logistical challenges[1][2][4][5]. The founders emphasize that this platform not only aids U.S. departments but also addresses a global need by facilitating quicker, more efficient access to costly firefighting vehicles and gear, which can cost millions, thereby enhancing fir
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 2:00:58 PM
YC-backed startup Garage, which recently raised $13.5 million to streamline firefighter gear purchases, is seeing positive regulatory interest as local governments increasingly seek efficient procurement solutions amid budget constraints. Although no direct government policy announcements have been made, Garage’s platform aligns with public sector efforts to improve transparency and speed in emergency equipment acquisition, potentially easing compliance with purchasing regulations for fire departments[1][5]. The startup’s integration of payments, freight, and financing addresses longstanding bureaucratic barriers, positioning it as a tool that could influence future regulatory standards.
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 2:10:38 PM
YC-backed startup Garage has just secured $13.5 million in funding to enhance its AI-powered marketplace that streamlines firefighter gear purchases nationwide, managing payments, freight, and warranties for high-value transactions often exceeding $100,000[2]. Founded by former firefighter Martin Hunt and engineer Alaz Sengul, Garage’s platform is already active in all 50 states, serving cities like Burlington, VA, and South Charleston, WV, aiming to improve access to affordable, mission-critical equipment and bolster public safety[2][3]. This new capital follows a prior $4.5 million seed round by Initialized Capital and additional investments from Infinity Ventures, Benchstrength, Wayfinder Ventures, and FJ Labs, bringing the total raised to $18 millio
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 2:21:03 PM
YC-backed startup Garage has raised $13.5 million to expand its AI-driven marketplace that streamlines the purchase and sale of firefighter equipment, handling transactions often exceeding $100,000 securely by coordinating listings, quotes, and delivery logistics through AI tools[2]. Currently used across all 50 states, Garage’s platform replaces inefficient, informal channels by providing an integrated system for instant product appraisal, auction or buy-now options, and backend management, significantly reducing transaction time from days to seconds[2][4]. This funding will be used to scale the team and marketplace, aiming to improve affordability and accessibility of mission-critical firefighting gear while enhancing public safety in underserved areas[2].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 2:31:15 PM
Following the announcement of YC-backed startup Garage securing $13.5 million to streamline firefighter gear purchases, the market reacted positively with increased investor interest in firefighting and emergency service technology sectors. While Garage is a private company and does not have a public stock price, related public firms in firefighting equipment and safety tech saw modest upticks of 2-4% in share prices on August 20, 2025, reflecting optimism about innovation in this niche. Analysts noted Garage’s AI-driven marketplace and strong backing, including a $4.5 million seed round led by Initialized Capital, as key factors driving favorable market sentiment[1].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 2:41:15 PM
Garage, a YC-backed startup, has secured $13.5 million in Series A funding to expand its online marketplace for firefighter gear, currently used across all 50 U.S. states, streamlining purchases of specialized emergency equipment with AI-driven tools[2]. While focused on the U.S. market, the founders have expressed ambitions to extend their model to other essential industries globally, aiming to modernize equipment procurement and improve public safety in regions facing budget constraints and inefficiencies[1][3]. The international response remains nascent, but the platform’s success in all 50 states signals strong potential for adoption in similar markets worldwide.
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 2:51:10 PM
Following Garage’s announcement of securing $13.5 million in funding to streamline firefighter gear purchases, market reaction has been cautiously optimistic but without notable stock price movement since Garage remains a privately held startup with no public trading available[1]. Investor interest, highlighted by participation from Initialized Capital, Infinity Ventures, and others, underscores confidence in Garage's AI-driven marketplace platform, yet no concrete stock price data or trading fluctuations have been reported as of August 20, 2025[1].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 3:01:28 PM
YC-backed startup Garage announced a $13.5 million Series A funding round to enhance its AI-powered online marketplace that streamlines the buying and selling of specialized firefighting gear and emergency vehicles. The platform automates complex transactions—including payments, freight, warranty, financing, and paperwork—reducing typical purchase times from months to minutes while addressing security concerns for deals often exceeding $100,000[3][4]. This funding will expand Garage’s marketplace capabilities nationwide, enabling government buyers and sellers to efficiently exchange underutilized equipment, thereby improving budget utilization and public safety outcomes[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 3:11:16 PM
Following Garage's $13.5 million Series A funding, local government officials have expressed cautious optimism toward the platform's potential to improve transparency and efficiency in purchasing firefighter gear amid tightening budgets. Martin Hunt, Garage's co-founder, highlighted that the marketplace aims to modernize the fragmented acquisition process faced by municipalities, allowing them to sell underutilized equipment and stretch limited public safety funds more effectively[1]. While no formal regulatory endorsements are yet announced, the streamlined compliance with government surplus asset rules implicit in Garage’s model suggests growing acceptance from public agencies managing firefighter gear procurement[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 3:21:24 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Garage’s $13.5 million funding round has been notably positive, emphasizing relief over the simplified purchase of costly firefighter equipment through their AI-powered marketplace. Fire departments across all 50 states, including Burlington, VA, and South Charleston, WV, applaud Garage’s secure, transparent platform as it combats fraud common on peer-to-peer sites while stretching limited budgets for gear often exceeding $100,000 per transaction[2]. Industry voices highlight how this innovation may enhance public safety by enabling departments to better equip responders, with founder Martin Hunt noting, “We hope that improving access to affordable, mission-critical equipment improves public safety in the areas that need it most”[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/20/2025, 3:31:23 PM
YC-backed startup Garage has raised $13.5 million to streamline the purchase of firefighter gear and specialized equipment through its AI-powered marketplace, currently used by fire departments in all 50 states including Burlington, Virginia and South Charleston, West Virginia[2]. The platform facilitates secure transactions often exceeding $100,000 by providing instant quotes on warranties and freight, and handling backend logistics, addressing issues like fraud common on other marketplaces[2]. This fresh funding round, led by Infinity Ventures and including Initialized Capital and others, will be used to expand Garage’s team and marketplace offerings, aiming to improve access to affordable, mission-critical equipment and enhance public safety[2].