At 26, Martin Hunt has already dedicated over a decade to firefighting, beginning his service at the age of 15. His firsthand experience exposed him to the challenges that small communities face when trying to procure essential firefighting equipment on limited budgets.
In 2023, during a conversation with a fellow firefighter, Hunt was asked if there was a more efficient method to acquire necessary equipment. Realizing the absence of a streamlined solution, Hunt remarked, When I couldn’t find anything, it became clear that there was a need for a streamlined, nationwide marketplace for expensive, hard-to-move equipment like firetrucks. This realization prompted him to leave his job and, without any initial product or funding, embark on creating a solution.
Partnering with his college friend, Alaz Sengul, Hunt co-founded Garage—a specialized marketplace tailored for local governments and public safety sectors. Garage automates traditionally manual processes, including equipment appraisal, obtaining freight quotes, and managing payment solutions. Hunt, serving as the company’s CEO, emphasized the platform’s value: Many of our customers are civil servants, firefighters, fleet managers, and public work directors who don’t have the administrative bandwidth to deal with endless paperwork and logistical coordination. Sengul holds the position of CTO.
On August 20, 2025, Garage announced a successful $13.5 million Series A funding round led by Infinity Ventures. This investment aims to expand the team and enhance the marketplace’s capabilities.
Traditionally, fire departments have relied on platforms like GovDeals, Facebook groups, or even classified newspaper ads to source pre-owned equipment. Simultaneously, cities attempting to sell outdated equipment to fund new purchases often face logistical challenges, especially when potential buyers are located thousands of miles away.
Garage addresses these challenges through its nationwide platform:
1. AI-Powered Appraisal: Sellers utilize Garage’s artificial intelligence tool to assess the value of their equipment accurately.
2. Flexible Listing Options: Equipment can be listed in either auction or buy now formats, providing flexibility to sellers.
3. Streamlined Communication: Buyers can directly message sellers to request instant quotes for warranties, freight, and other considerations.
4. Secure Transactions: Once an agreement is reached, Garage manages the backend processes and employs AI to coordinate delivery logistics.
Hunt highlighted the importance of security in high-value transactions, noting, With transactions of this size, often times greater than $100,000, security is a major concern, especially with the number of scammers that lurk on platforms like Facebook marketplace.
The journey to secure funding was described by Hunt as catalytic. After participating in Y Combinator’s Winter 2024 cohort, Hunt and Sengul connected with lead investors, leading to a $4.5 million seed round by Initialized Capital. Subsequently, they were introduced to Infinity Ventures, culminating in the recent Series A funding. Additional investors include Benchstrength, Wayfinder Ventures, and FJ Labs, bringing Garage’s total funding to $18 million to date.
Currently, Garage’s platform is operational across all 50 states, serving cities such as Burlington, Virginia, and South Charleston, West Virginia. Hunt expressed the company’s mission: We hope that improving access to affordable, mission-critical equipment improves public safety in the areas that need it most, while allowing funds to go further and stay in the hands of those serving our local communities.
