Company: Mintlist, Vancouver, British Columbia
Company Description: We are a Vancouver-based company and created MINTLIST, an online solution that uses the power of AI to make it easier and more profitable for consumers to sell their car. We (incorporated as TrafficDriven 2020) won 1st place in the 2021 New Ventures BC Competition for Mintlist and have been featured as one of the Top 10 most promising tech startups of the year by Vancouver Tech Journal.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Tech Startup of the Year- Software
 Nomination Title: MintList Technologies
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 196 words used.
Launched in 2022, MintList is an award-winning AI-powered marketplace enabling car buying and selling with dealers across North America within 24 hours. MintList CEO, Mike Wood, with 30+ years experience and >$500,000,000 in automotive sales understands how to create a winning consumer experience: he won best car dealer awards >10 years, was the first Canadian President of the U.S. National Vehicle Leasing Association in its 50+ year history. Mike with co-founder, Mehrsa Raeiszadeh, Ph.D., and award-winning technology developer, recognised a gap: 98% of consumers hate the traditional dealership experience while dealers hold 99% of in-market vehicle inventory.
With >60 car dealers and committed ARR >$1,000,000 in 1 month before writing code, the team started building MintList in 2020 for consumers to get a fair price for their car with no fees, no negotiation or obligation, securely. Unlike competition, MintList owns no inventory, so it can scale up inexpensively.
In 1 year, MintList became the chosen platform for RBC, Carfax, Industrial Alliance, and Canada’s largest Auto Group, grew to 30 employees, and processed $25M in transactions. MintList traction and patented technology received 2022 Auto Tech awards next to BMW and Lyft.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 248 words used.
- A five-year deal with Industrial Alliance, one of Canada's largest insurance companies
- Exclusive agreement with North America’s preeminent broker of vehicle parts to distribute MintList to its 6,000+ dealer partners.
- Partnership with a key industry player prepaying >$500,000 in SaaS fees to access our technology platform
- Partnership with one of largest auto insurance brokers in N.A. to provide insurance quotes on each car on MintList
- Each of these partners have a national presence (some global), supporting our expansion across N.A., providing a consistent flow of consumers and accelerating dealer onboarding.
- MintList platform and marketplace is patent pending
- Sold >$25M cars in the first year
- 1400% increase in lead conversion rate in first 3 month
- >$2M committed ARR from partnerships with Canada’s largest auto dealers
- >200 auto dealer partners subscribed to MintList
- >100 dealers are waitlisted across N.A.
- Additional $6M ARR with >400 dealers ‘in the pipeline’ via a Canadian strategic partner
- First-mover advantage in the unique sell-buy-trade space
- >100 years experience in technology and automotive by MintList executive team
- 2023 CanadianSME award - Startup of the Year, Finalist
- 2023 The Forum National Awards - Finalist
- 2022 Gold International Business Stevie Award – Women in Business, Startup of the Year
- 2022 AutoTech Breakthrough Award – Best Car Buying App (next to BMW and Lyft)
- 2022 Silver International Business Stevie Award, Startup – Software
- 2022 BC Tech Technology Impact Award –Finalist
- 2022 Google for Startups Accelerator
- 2021 1st Place Award Winner – New Ventures BC
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 228 words used.
MintList presents a distinctive business strategy diverging from the capital-heavy models utilised by companies like Carvana, Shift, and Vroom. These latter models often falter in high-interest rate conditions. MintList, instead, capitalises on the existing inventory and infrastructure of dealers, making it a low-cost, highly scalable, and profitable venture. The platform provides digital tools for car dealers, facilitating direct inventory sourcing from consumers and car sales to the same consumers.
Its patent-pending AI technology enables consumers to conduct guided vehicle inspections on mobile devices, providing dealers with comprehensive vehicle information with enhanced vehicle data gathered from various sources, presenting a comprehensive view to dealers in a quick 30-minute auction. MintList confidently backs 100% of its offers due to this AI-powered inspection accuracy.
Acting as a dealer hub, MintList unlocks access to nearly all vehicle inventory in a trillion-dollar global market, offering new and used cars. Consumers have the flexibility to choose among dealers, potentially yielding substantial sales tax credits. For example, selling a $50,000 BMW and buying a $75,000 Mercedes from different dealers incurs tax only on the $25,000 difference, leading to significant savings.
MintList focuses on consumer demands: quick, optimal-value car transactions with no negotiation, obligation, or fees. The platform prioritises consumer information confidentiality. Proudly unique in its scalability, security, and service, MintList stands alone in offering these comprehensive benefits globally for consumers and dealers.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 237 words used.
MintList Company Overview explains how we access 99% of the vehicle inventory in a >$1T global market without owning it, and our key value proposition for consumers: consumers can sell their car for the best value in less than an hour to the dealer that is willing to pay the most for it, and then save thousands of dollars in tax ($5,000 on average in North America) when they trade it for for any car, from any dealership.
MintList Product demo demonstrates how our patent-pending technology enables consumers to list their car in minutes to get the best offer from 100’s of dealers in 45 minutes with no negotiation, no obligation, and no fees. All done securely online.
Awards Summary - MintList’s traction and patented technology has earned recognition in both the tech and auto industries.
Press Media Kits highlight our presence in the media.
Letter of Support from the President of Industrial Alliance , one of Canada's largest insurance companies, identifying MintList as a disruptor in a >$1T market.
Highlights of Executive Team LinkedIn profiles : Our executive team has >100 years of experience.
Reviews from delighted consumers who sold their car securely for the best value within hours and saved thousands of dollars in tax by trading and buying their favourite car from a certified dealer on MintList.
Our 30-second Ad Spot highlights key consumer pain points when selling their car which are solved by MintList.
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