Mantel App: A Social Hub for Collectors to Showcase Their Treasures
In February 2024, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian joined forces with Brent Montgomery (producer of Pawn Stars) and Evan Parker (former GM of The Athletic) to launch Mantel, a niche social network designed for collectors. The platform caters to enthusiasts of sports cards, trading card games (TCGs), comic books, coins, stamps, sneakers, watches, and more.
Now, Mantel has expanded its reach with the debut of its mobile app, available for download on both the App Store and Google Play. This marks a significant step forward, offering collectors a seamless way to connect, share, and engage with their passions on the go.
Key Features of the Mantel App
- Mantelpiece: A digital display case where users can showcase their prized collectibles, sparking interest for potential trades.
- Gamification Elements: Streaks, polls, and badges to keep users engaged and motivated.
- Community-Driven Content: A main feed featuring posts from fellow collectors, market reports, and expert insights from industry influencers.
- Groups Feature: Users can join or create niche communities (e.g., “NBA Junk Wax” or “Vintage Non-Sports Cards”). Currently web-only, this feature will soon roll out to mobile devices.
Image Credits: Mantel
Why Mantel Stands Out in the Collectibles Market
The global collectibles market is valued at a staggering $493 billion, yet most existing apps focus heavily on sales. Mantel differentiates itself by prioritizing community and shared enthusiasm over transactions.
Evan Parker, Mantel’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized this unique approach:
“There’s nothing great in the collectible space for sharing content. I don’t see anybody doing what we’re doing.”
While trading and selling are permitted, Mantel’s core mission is fostering connections. Plans for 2025 include Stripe integration and private messaging to streamline peer-to-peer sales—though the team has no intention of building an in-app marketplace, given the dominance of platforms like eBay and CardsHQ.
The Founders’ Vision
The idea for Mantel stemmed from the founders’ personal love for collecting. Parker, a lifelong collector, teamed up with Ohanian (an avid enthusiast) and Montgomery (who grew up selling baseball cards) to create a platform they’d genuinely enjoy using.
Parker shared:
“Alexis is a massive collector, and Brent’s career revolves around the collecting world. Mantel merges community-building expertise from Reddit with deep industry knowledge.”
Investor Backing and Growth Metrics
Mantel boasts an impressive roster of investors, including:
- Courtside Ventures
- Cosmic Venture Partners
- Steve Aoki’s Aoki Labs
- VaynerFund
- Former WNBA star Candace Parker
- Adam Hansmann (co-founder of The Athletic)
Ohanian’s SevenSevenSix and Montgomery’s Wheelhouse Entertainment also contributed to the funding.
Though exact user numbers remain undisclosed, Mantel reports:
- Thousands of active collectors
- 30+ monthly posts/comments per user
- 100+ monthly engagements per user
- Tens of thousands of posts already live
Future Monetization Strategies
The app is currently free, but potential revenue streams under consideration include:
- Targeted advertising
- Premium paywalled Groups
For collectors seeking a dedicated space to celebrate their passions, Mantel offers a fresh, community-first alternative in a crowded market.
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