IN THE TRENCHES SINCE 1999

Documentation

Specialised Marketplace Search

THE NEW OIL

Shopping for a great deal or a specific item is incredibly frustrating … all those websites, all so infuriatingly different and desperately difficult to find.

How often have you sat at a computer, multiple tabs open, flicking from one site to another?

From Amazon to eBay, from Facebook Market to Google, from one retailer to another.

Now GAUK does the heavy lifting and customers can buy confidently, secure in the knowledge they found the perfect product at the best price.

GAUK A Marketplace Search Engine Curated by Humans For Humans!

Overview GAUK Gen4

Despite the advancements in technology and the rise of AI, some fundamental aspects of life remain unchanged. Shopping, retains its timeless appeal, as does the exhilaration of bagging a bargain!

Rich History: GAUK (pronounced ‘gawk’) has been delivering high-quality marketplace data since 1999. GAUK Gen 4 represents a ground-up rebuild of its predecessor, ‘Old GAUK,’ which was a manually updated subscription service.

Government Auctions UK started as a simple PDF directory of auction houses dealing in government and liquidated stock. Over time, shaped by its users, it evolved into an online searchable catalogue encompassing all lots across all auctions, nationwide. With over £3M in revenue, it became evident that there was a significant demand for specialized search capabilities … and the requirement is more relevant than ever.

The manual input of data became unsustainable, leading to the development of GAUK Gen4, which is self-funded and 90% complete.

Powered by our proprietary aggregation engine GAUK operates in the largest and most popular categories across multiple countries. GAUK Gen4 monitors auctions, dealers and classifieds, automatically organising and decimating terabytes of data to present the customer exactly what they’re looking for in an intuitive and easy to use interface.

GAUK Motors is the first category developed to a high standard. With this achievement, we are now poised to scale and expand into other high-demand markets and categories.

Specialised Marketplace Search: GAUK gathers listings from auctions, dealers, online stores, marketplaces and classifieds nationwide across multiple specific categories.

GAUK Motors MVP: Proof of concept 90% complete in the vehicles vertical.

Search, Save, Compare: Users monitor products across multiple websites through keyword-defined streams in a Kanban interface.

GAUK the Marketplace Gatekeeper: GAUK is strategically positioned in the largest marketplaces. The tool shoppers use to compare the market and  guarantee the best deal.

User-Driven Evolution: Shaped over many years, GAUK has evolved in response to user demand.

SAAS Pay-to-Search Model: User have demonstrated a willingness to pay for upgraded features.

Valuable Connections: Customers enjoy GAUK. Business seek to connect with them.

Projections: (Based on £5.00/week, 100K visits/month, 3% Conversion)

• Year 1: £3.2m
• Year 2: £9.7m
• Year 3: £16.1m 
• Expansion across USA & Europe

OLD GAUK

• £3M revenue
• 90% net
• Achieved through SEO, affiliates, and email marketing

SEEKING SEED STAGE INVESTMENT: Fueling the Next Phase of Growth and Expansion

GAUK GEN 4

We are delighted to invite investors to join us as we re-enter our familiar stomping grounds.

GAUK GEN 4 STAGE 1 | MOTORS Operational gathering data in real time for vehicles at auction, classifieds and dealers.

Introduction

With over 20 years of success in the market, Government Auctions UK (now GAUK®, a registered trademark) has firmly established a track record and proven a demand in the marketplace intelligence sector.  Now, we are seeking investment to capitalize on our foundation of success and propel GAUK into a new era of growth and expansion.

The Problem

Over the years, GAUK has responded to the issues of inefficiency and fragmentation in mainstream search. In the battle against spam and emerging competition the big players deploy global algorithms that favour old content and actively create significant challenges in obtaining accurate and real-time information … and it’s only getting worse.

Mass Migration

Mainstream search is in turmoil and Ai is exponentially exacerbating the issue. Googlebytes of content is being generated and the big players are finding it increasingly difficult to qualify quality data. User are increasingly turning to alternatives such as Reddit and TikTok when making informed decisions on their latest purchases, desperately seeking answers to the question: “where do I find the best deal?”.

The Opportunity

Although the world is moving at a dizzying pace, old school fundamentals are as relevant as ever. People have been looking for ‘the best deal‘ since the birth of commerce.

This funding round marks an exciting milestone for GAUK. Having successfully navigated through our early stages and proven market viability, we are now ready to re-enter the market and accelerate growth.

Market Demand and Track Record

Even through hard times, the marketplace search sector thrives. With in-the-trenches experience, we have gained a deep understanding of our target audience’s needs and GAUK has been shaped through invaluable feedback. Our track record of generating over £3 million in revenue highlights the robust demand for our services.

“GAUK Poised to Become the Gatekeeper, the FIRST Place People Come to Find a Better Deal”

Powerful Marketplace Intelligence

The Evolution of GAUK

GAUK started as a simple venture, offering ‘Government Auction UK’ information.

A PDF directory of auction houses that handle Government stock that could be downloaded for a fiver. However, rapid growth and the evolving demands of users pushed us to develop a more comprehensive platform.

Today, our proprietary aggregation technology form the backbone of our groundbreaking SAAS, empowering users with seamless access to valuable marketplace data.

Mission Statement

‘To do the very best we can do in anything and everything we do’

Our latest iteration GAUK Gen4 , demonstrates our commitment to deliver.

Unrivaled Data Coverage

Our dedicated team diligently scours the internet for valuable information updating the aggregation engine with sources offering comprehensive listings, spanning auctions, dealers and classifieds.

As we grow, we expand our coverage to include a wide range of diverse opportunities.

GAUK Sentry

When accessing GAUK for the first time a unique search stream is automatically generated within a user account based on their selected keyword filters. Each unique stream delivers results from multiple sources allowing them to effortlessly monitor all relevant listings and receive timely notifications for exciting new discoveries.

Users can upgrade to access multiple search streams with unique paramaters including alerts in a user friendly, Kanban style interface.

Vision for the Future:

GAUK is poised for exponential growth, with a dedicated team at the helm.

“GAUK it!”

GAUK will become the gatekeeper to great deals, the go-to platform for marketplace intelligence, globally.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

Target Audience:

Our primary target audience comprises

• the curious
• buyers looking for a better deal
• enthusiasts
• collectors
• investors
• and businesses seeking real-time intelligence and valuable insights

The Freemium Funnel | free > upgrade

GAUK founders have a rich and successful history in online sales and marketing enjoying a profound understanding of the sales funnel.

Through the implementation of a freemium model, the platform strategically attracts free registrations, seamlessly guiding users from the top of funnel, where they initially engage with the free offering, to the upgraded premium services.

Free users – an incredibly valuable asset

Free users will be offered valuable affiliate products and access to registered vendor offers:

Email marketing drives an average of $44 for every $1 spent – Campaign Monitor

77% of email ROI comes from segmented, targeted and triggered campaigns – DMA

87% of all marketers plan to invest more in their email marketing budget – Email on Acid

Automated emails drive conversion rates 180% higher than batch emails – VentureBeat

Email Marketing’s ROI was 28.5% compared to 7% for direct mail – Chief Marketer

Email marketing produces an average of 174% more conversions than social media – Campaign Monitor

Customer Acquisition Plan:

Content Marketing MotorBuzz: VIEW We will implement a content marketing strategy. Our team will create engaging blog posts, articles, and whitepapers that provide valuable insights into the auction intelligence industry and highlight the benefits of our platform. We will also leverage social media to share this content and engage with our audience.

Vehicle Data Motorpedia: VIEW The largest, most beautiful, vehicle resource. We offer the biggest datasets in the world.

Partnerships and Collaborations: Collaborations with industry influencers, auction houses, and relevant organizations will be a cornerstone of our marketing approach.

SEO: The bedrock of any marketing campaign. Our team will focus on a robust search engine optimization (SEO) strategy to improve visibility in mainstream search results.

Email Marketing: Building an email list will be crucial for nurturing leads and engaging with our audience. Through targeted email marketing campaigns, we will deliver personalized content, special offers, and updates to keep our subscribers informed and engaged.

Customer Support and Retention: VIEW Exceptional customer support will be a top priority. Our team will ensure that subscribers receive timely assistance and support throughout their journey with GAUK.

Digital Marketing: We leverage digital marketing strategies, including search engine sponsored listings, content marketing, email campaigns, viral competitions and giveaways and social media campaigns, to attract potential customers.

Affiliates Referral Program: We incentivise partners and existing users to refer GAUK to their network by offering rewards or discounts. This referral program fosters powerful organic growth through word-of-mouth marketing.

Event Participation: We actively participate in industry events, conferences, and webinars to showcase our platform’s capabilities and engage directly with potential customers.

Alternative Channels: We leverage those channels that marketing strategists dont think of, such as Quora (300 million monthly active users): Quora is a popular platform for research and comparison for automobile enthusiasts. Around a third of Quora users (34.9%) are interested in cars and motoring and 31.8% drive regularly (Quora for Business).

Distribution Channels:

Website and Mobile Apps: Our primary distribution channels are our website and mobile applications.

Partners and Affiliates: Collaborating with partners and affiliates allows us to distribute our services through their platforms, tapping into their existing customer base and reaching new markets.

Data Feeds: In addition to our website and mobile applications, we offer access to our data streams and API for other businesses.

Successful Marketing Campaigns and Partnerships:

We have conducted successful email and online marketing campaigns that have contributed to our growth. Notably, our content marketing initiatives, including blog posts, Motorpedia, MotorBuzz, industry insights, and case studies. These campaigns have attracted a steady stream of engaged users and fostered a loyal community.

The Team… 

Risks and Mitigation

• Market Competition: The comparison sector is lucrative.
  Mitigation: GAUK will focus on its unique value proposition, which includes extensive global coverage, user-centricity, and diverse datasets. We will continuously monitor the competitive landscape, adapt our offerings, and invest in innovation to stay ahead.

• Technology Integration: Integrating with Amazon Rekognition and developing a mobile scanning app may pose technical challenges.
  Mitigation: To address this, we will collaborate closely with Amazon’s technical team and solution architects, conduct rigorous testing, and invest in skilled developers to ensure seamless integration and a robust app.

• Data Security and Privacy: Handling large datasets requires robust security measures.
  Mitigation: We will implement industry-leading data security encryption protocols, ensure compliance with data protection regulations, and conduct regular security audits to safeguard user information.

• Subscription Acquisition: Reaching the target of 1,000 paying subscribers is a challenge.
  Mitigation: We will employ a multi-channel marketing approach, including social media, content marketing, and targeted advertisements, to attract and retain subscribers.

• Market Volatility: Economic fluctuations can impact user spending behavior and auction activities.
  Mitigation: Surprisingly, during challenging economic landscapes, the demand within liquidation and auction markets tends to soar.  As economic conditions change, GAUK’s agile approach enables us to quickly and easily adapt and capitalize on emerging trends.

• Scalability and Infrastructure: As our user base grows, scaling our platform and infrastructure will be crucial.
  Mitigation: We currently have an AWS platform compliant with Amazon’s ‘Well Architectured Programme’. We will continue to monitor and invest in scalable technologies and cloud-based solutions to accommodate increasing demand without compromising performance.

• Talent Acquisition: Attracting and retaining skilled personnel.
  Mitigation: We will implement competitive compensation packages, foster a positive work culture, and invest in employee development to build a talented and dedicated team.
• Customer Satisfaction: Ensuring high customer satisfaction is vital for user retention.
  Mitigation: We will prioritize customer support, conduct user surveys, and gather feedback to continually improve our services.

Let’s Talk!

Paul Tranter
GAUK Media
“Life’s Too Short To Think Small”