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Patrick van der Vorst, former Sotheby’s director and founder of ValueMyStuffNow.com, has received a £100k cash investment from BBC Dragons Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden.
He secured the investment for his arts and antiques valuation website on this week’s BBC 2 Dragon’s Den (watch it here) in return for a 40 per cent share of the business.
Users of ValueMyStuffNow.com post photographs of items with a brief description and Patrick says they are guaranteed an evaluation from his team of 40 arts and antiques experts within 48 hours.
Victoria-based Patrick van der Vorst says: ‘With the help of my Dragon investors I can put my service on the map both here and in the USA where there is very keen interest in memorabilia, art and antiques. My vision of offering inexpensive valuations to all is about to be realised.’
Theo Paphitis says: ‘The service is ideal for use by the antiques trade, serious collectors and keen punters alike. We know from programmes like the Antiques Road Show that many people haven’t a clue about the value of their treasured possessions and ValueMyStuffNow goes a long way to protect them for selling at too low a price.”
Deborah Meaden adds: ‘Patrick’s credentials are superb and he has instant access to specialists who between them have over 975 years of combined experience. Most of them have worked for Sotheby’s or Christie’s and each has specialist knowledge, from art to sports memorabilia to wine.’
Tags: Deborah Meaden, Dragons' Den, Theo Paphitis, ValueMyStuffNow.com
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