Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, producer Brent Montgomery, and former The Athletic general manager Evan Parker have launched the mobile app for their social network, Mantel, providing collectors with a seamless way to connect with like-minded enthusiasts on-the-go. Initially available only on the web, the app is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

Mantel is a unique platform that focuses on community and sharing, rather than sales, in the $493 billion collectibles market. While many collecting apps exist, most prioritize sales, which may deter some collectors who prefer to simply display their finds and meet new friends. Mantel aims to serve a niche group of hardcore enthusiasts who want to keep their collecting activities separate from other mainstream platforms.

The app offers several standout features, including "Mantelpiece," a digital display case where users can showcase their favorite collectibles and attract interest for trades. Additionally, the app incorporates gamification with features like streaks, polls, and badges. Users can access a variety of content, including market reports and insights from industry influencers, as well as a main feed where they can see posts from other collectors.

In tandem with the app launch, Mantel also introduced a "Groups" feature, which allows users to invite members to groups based on niche interests, such as "NBA Junk Wax" or "Vintage Non-Sports Cards." Although the feature is currently web-only, it will roll out to iOS and Android devices in the coming weeks.

While trading and selling are still allowed on Mantel's platform, the emphasis is on community and sharing. The app will launch a Stripe integration and private messaging to facilitate sales between users in 2025, but there are no plans to develop an in-app marketplace, as the industry is already saturated with competitors like eBay and CardsHQ.

The founding team, consisting of Ohanian, Montgomery, and Parker, created Mantel out of a shared passion for collecting, wanting to develop a platform they personally would enjoy using. The trio has a strong background in collecting, with Ohanian being a massive collector and Montgomery having grown up selling baseball cards.

Mantel has secured notable investors, including Courtside Ventures, Cosmic Venture Partners, Steve Aoki's Aoki Labs, Switch Ventures, VaynerFund, as well as former WNBA player Candace Parker and Adam Hansmann, co-founder of The Athletic. Ohanian's SevenSevenSix and Montgomery's Wheelhouse Entertainment also invested in the platform.

Although Mantel did not disclose the exact number of users, the platform has thousands of users, with each user making more than 30 comments or posts each month and engaging with content over 100 times monthly. The platform also boasts "tens of thousands" of posts.

The app is free to download, but the company is considering monetization options such as advertising and placing certain Groups behind a paywall. With its unique focus on community and sharing, Mantel is poised to become a go-to platform for collectors worldwide.

In the broader context, Mantel's launch highlights the growing trend of niche social networks catering to specific interests and hobbies. As the collectibles market continues to grow, Mantel is well-positioned to become a leading platform for collectors, providing a unique space for enthusiasts to connect, share, and celebrate their passions.