What began as a personal problem—a living room view of Mount Rainier blocked by a “mountain” of trading cards—has evolved into a high-tech solution for the massive collectibles industry. Renton, Washington-based startup Gradient is leveraging custom robotics and artificial intelligence to revolutionize how sports and gaming cards are handled.
From a 15-Year Project to Real-Time Tech
The idea for Gradient sparked when co-founder Matt Lubbers visited his friend Tim Clothier’s home and found it overflowing with over 7 million cards. Clothier estimated that sorting his entire collection by hand would take roughly 15 years. Recognizing an opportunity to modernize a manual process, the duo spent the last four years developing technology to do the heavy lifting.
How it Works
Gradient’s system is designed to handle the end-to-end lifecycle of a collectible:
- Automated Sorting: Custom robotics quickly organize thousands of cards, a task that previously required hundreds of man-hours.
- AI Analysis: The system uses artificial intelligence to identify specific cards, assess their condition, and determine their market value.
- Seamless Selling: Once processed, the startup helps users list and sell their cards on marketplaces like eBay, turning “forgotten treasures” into liquid assets.
Disrupting a Growing Industry
With the U.S. trading card market valued at approximately $15 billion, Gradient isn’t just helping hobbyists clear out their garages. The startup aims to provide a scalable platform for serious collectors and businesses to manage massive inventories with precision. By combining “card geeks” with world-class engineers, Gradient is positioning itself as a major player in the high-stakes world of modern collectibles.