aVenture · Feb 2024
Recent company research profile reiterates Flip’s 2014 founding, sneaker-auction model, and a reported $300k seed round; it also estimates a small team size.
Company research
Public company, workplace, funding, and market signals
Updated Jul 29, 2026
Overview
FLIP (PILF, Inc.) is an Oakland-based, private sneaker marketplace that uses mobile-only 90-minute auctions, authentication checks, and a guaranteed-sale model for rare and limited-edition sneakers in the U.S.
Primary product
Mobile-only sneaker resale marketplace with 90-minute auctions and guaranteed-sale fulfillment.
Founded
2014
Headquarters
Oakland, California, United States
Team size
1-10
Work style
Onsite
Industry
Software Development
Sub-industry
E-commerce / sneaker resale marketplace
Offices
Oakland, California, United States
San Francisco, California, United States
Business model
Marketplace commission
Auction-based resale
Consignment-style fulfillment
Inventory buyout for unsold items
Funding
People & investors
Leadership
Founder/CEO
Work & culture
Brand messaging emphasizes a community-driven, trust-first marketplace with authentication, fast sales, and ease of use for sneaker enthusiasts.
Work style
Onsite
Product & market
Pricing
Marketplace take-rate / commission on completed auction sales; unsold items may be purchased by FLIP.
Differentiators
- —90-minute guaranteed sale
- —Community-driven live auctions
- —Authentication/review before listing
- —Mobile-only product
- —U.S.-only availability
- —FLIP buys unsold items
Technology
iOS app
Android app
Google Analytics
cookies
web beacons
Express
Customers
Sneaker collectors
Sneaker resellers
U.S. buyers and sellers of limited-edition sneakers
Competitors
StockX
GOAT
Tradeblock
Sneaker Con
Windup Closet
Scale & contact
Estimated revenue
Less than $1M
Estimated monthly visits
1.4K
Latest news
Lightspeed Venture Partners · Mar 2023
Lightspeed’s company page identifies a 2017 seed investment in Flip and describes the business as a 90-minute auction-based sneaker marketplace.
Marc Randolph podcast · Sep 2021
Podcast discussion with Kemar Newell about growing the peer-to-peer sneaker marketplace and the customer problem Flip was built to solve.
Nylon · Sep 2017
Notes Y Combinator support and that Newell secured an investment from Lightspeed Venture Partners in 2017.
Coveteur · Apr 2017
Explains how Newell arrived at the product idea and how Flip's guarantee and auction format were meant to improve sneaker liquidity.
Jobs and careers at Flip
13 jobs at Flip
Senior Client Success Manager
On-site
Customer Success
New York; Playa Vista, California, United States; New York, New York, United States
4d ago
On-site
Full-time
Event Marketing Manager
On-site
Marketing
New York; New York, New York, United States
3w ago
On-site
Full-time
Senior/Staff Software Engineer
On-site
Engineering
New York
1mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Senior/Staff Software Engineer
On-site
Engineering
Los Angeles
1mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Implementation Manager, Healthcare
On-site
Customer Success
Brooklyn, NY
1mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Implementation Manager, Healthcare
On-site
Customer Success
Marina del Rey, CA
1mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Content & Social Manager
On-site
Marketing
New York
2mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Head of Security & AI Governance
On-site
Engineering
Los Angeles
2mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Customer Success Manager
On-site
Customer Success
Los Angeles
4mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Customer Success Manager
On-site
Customer Success
New York
4mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Product Manager
On-site
Product
Los Angeles
6mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Product Manager
On-site
Product
New York
6mo ago
On-site
Full-time
Recruiting Coordinator
On-site
People
New York
7mo ago
On-site
Full-time