Voly cofounder raises $650,000 in pre-Seed funding for antiques marketplace Bazaa

A new online marketplace for vintage, and antique furniture and homewares, Bazaa, has raised $650,000 in pre-Seed funding from angel investors and syndicates.

The idea is the brainchild of Voly cofounder Thibault Henry, and Aria Wigneswaran, a former director of e-commerce fashion marketplace Depop.

Henry calls Bazaa a new way for people to discover, buy and sell vintage homewares, offering a seamless experience from browsing to purchasing to delivery.

“Over the past six months, my co-founder and I have made it our mission to redefine the pre-loved furniture market,” he said.

“We understand the growing interest in sustainable living, we want to instil a culture where people turn to Bazaa to browse thousands of vintage and antique, one-of-a-kind pieces before considering new purchases.”

The platform has only just launched, but already features thousands of items from collectors and independent sellers. It’s easy to navigate, with six sections: new arrivals,  furniture, home decor, lighting, art and rugs broken down into subsections to help you find specific items – a kerosene lamp, cast iron money box or Art deco serving trolley for you next Mad Men-themed drinks party.

Bazaa clips the ticket for 15% of the sale price for sellers (ie. sell for $200, pay $30). But that’s a flat fee and listing is free, so you’re not paying the multiple fees charged by the likes of eBay, or the typical 17-25% an auction house hits up sellers for alongside a 25% buyer’s premium – Bazaa doesn’t charge buyers.

Aria Wigneswaran said the sellers range from seasoned antique store owners to enthusiasts and furniture restorers, all in the one place.

“We understand the challenges of hunting for vintage and antique homewares – the time, energy, and the risk of scams,” she said.

“At Bazaa, we’re here to shake up the game. We’re celebrating the charm of slow-made, pre-loved furniture and home decor, while reshaping how Australians discover, buy, and sell these timeless pieces.”

Wigneswaran said nearly two-thirds of Australian now prefer second-hand furniture over new products and a more sustainable option, while 72% of them have purchased second-hand furniture online.

“At Bazaa, our passion for interior design and commitment to sustainability drive everything we do,” she said.

“We’re shaping a world where pre-loved pieces continue to tell their rich stories of craftsmanship while uniting a community of people contributing to a circular future.”