eBay invests in SidelineSwap resale platform

eBay Inc. is joining a prominent sporting goods retailer in funding an omnichannel resale platform.

The e-commerce giant’s venture capital arm eBay Ventures is making an unspecified strategic investment in SidelineSwap, an online marketplace for new and used sporting goods. Launched in 2015, SidelineSwap operates a peer-to-peer online marketplace and through trade-in partnerships with retailers and brands, notably including Dick’s Sporting Goods.

SidelineSwap offers the SidelineSwap Trade-in Platform, which includes pop-up events, in-store and online trade-in options, and a suite of tools for resellers to manage their own trade-in experiences. The Trade-in Platform runs on SidelineSwap’s proprietary marketplace technology and resale data.

The platform’s hybrid model, which includes peer-to-peer and first party sales, gives sellers the option to choose direct resale or instant trade-in value. Customers can also find listings on some platform partners’ branded marketplaces.

Partnering with SidelineSwap, Dick’s is holding a series of 200 trade-in events at select stores in 19 states through the first half of 2023. The companies co-hosted 60 trade-in events during 2022.

The eBay Ventures investment follows a recent investment in SidelineSwap by DSG Ventures, the corporate venture subsidiary of Dick’s Sporting Goods, which was announced in November 2022.

DSG Ventures, venture capital firm FJ Labs, and several angel investors are also participating in the current round with eBay. SidelineSwap says it will use the investment to expand its trade-in platform and continue building the its online marketplace.

"eBay is a pioneer of recommerce – the reselling of pre-loved goods – and it’s been a foundational element of our marketplace since day one,” said Dawn Block, eBay VP of collectibles, electronics and home. "eBay Ventures’ investment in SidelineSwap represents our continued focus on circular economy and resale innovation, and our shared commitment to sustainability, affordability and best-in-class experiences for enthusiast buyers and sellers.”

"We’re excited about the eBay Ventures investment as it will help us to further shape the future of resale,” said Brendan Candon, co-founder and CEO of SidelineSwap. “Our team has long admired eBay as the pioneer in recommerce, and we are looking forward to working together to ensure sporting goods customers find the best selection of gear at the best prices."

[Read more: eBay shoppers support resale for a variety of reasons]

Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay reports it enabled over $87 billion of gross merchandise volume in 2021.