# Former Firefighter Builds $225 Million Used-Truck Marketplace Martin Hunt’s startup Garage secures $41 million to modernize municipal equipment sales. - **Source:** [Fortune](https://fortune.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/67957a06-0c41-4245-9d6a-477191ff3cca ## Marketplace for Municipal Assets Garage, a digital platform founded by Martin Hunt and Alaz Sengul, facilitates the sale of used fire trucks and public works vehicles. The company connects local departments looking to liquidate surplus equipment with buyers seeking affordable alternatives. This model replaces outdated, inefficient local auctions with a nationwide, transparent online marketplace. ## Funding and Valuation Growth The startup recently secured $41 million in Series B funding, led by Invus Opportunities, bringing its total capital raised to $60 million. This investment round values the company at $225 million. The capital will support team expansion and the company's strategic entry into the public works and sanitation vehicle sectors. ## From Firehouse to Finance Martin Hunt, a former volunteer firefighter and Goldman Sachs private equity investor, identified the market gap while managing equipment sales for his local department. Alongside cofounder Alaz Sengul, a former software engineer at Twitter and Mem, he launched the platform to solve the logistical nightmare of selling heavy municipal machinery. ## Logistics and AI Integration Operating across all 50 states and Canada, Garage manages the complex transport of 80,000-pound vehicles. The platform utilizes AI tools to provide instant freight quotes, equipment appraisals, and financing options. Over 90% of transactions cross state lines, with the average piece of heavy equipment traveling approximately 1,400 miles to its destination. ## Economic Impact for Communities By accessing a broader pool of buyers, municipalities generate significantly higher revenue from surplus sales. For instance, South Charleston, West Virginia, earned $1.2 million through the platform, far exceeding its initial budget. These funds allow local governments to reinvest in essential services like schools and roads without increasing the tax burden. ## Operational Revenue and Scale Garage generates revenue by charging a 10% success fee on buy-now purchases and a 10% premium on auction items. The platform currently facilitates over $100 million in annualized equipment sales. Despite this growth, Hunt estimates the company currently serves only 1% of the total available market for used fire trucks. ## Risk Management and Transparency While the platform aims for an Amazon-like user experience, it acknowledges the inherent risks of purchasing used heavy machinery. Buyers can access inspection reports and schedule video walkarounds to verify vehicle condition before purchase. This digital transparency helps mitigate the uncertainty typically associated with buying high-value, pre-owned industrial equipment online. ## Future Expansion and Strategy The company is aggressively expanding beyond fire services into sanitation and public works. Private sanitation companies represent the fastest-growing segment for the platform. By scaling its logistics infrastructure, Garage aims to become the primary hub for municipal asset lifecycle management, proving that even heavy industrial equipment can benefit from modern e-commerce. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/11/10/garage-used-fire-trucks-martin-hunt-funding/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._