Masterworks is a company.
Masterworks has raised $110.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Masterworks.
Masterworks has raised $110.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Key people at Masterworks.
Masterworks has raised $110.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Masterworks's investors include 75 & Sunny, Boosted Commerce, Galaxy Digital, Galaxy Interactive, J12 Ventures, Left Lane Capital, Not Boring Capital, Team Global, Dennis Yang, Douglas Stark, Elias Aalto, Fredrik Hjelm.
Masterworks is an online investment platform founded in 2017 that democratizes access to fine art by allowing investors to buy and sell fractional shares in multimillion-dollar masterpieces by renowned artists like Basquiat, Picasso, Monet, Warhol, Banksy, and Yayoi Kusama.[1][2][3][5][6] Its mission is to make art investable for everyone, focusing on blue-chip art from the top 100 artists, which offers portfolio diversification uncorrelated with stocks and bonds, with nearly $1 billion in assets under management and over 883,000 investors.[2][4][5] The platform serves retail and accredited investors seeking alternative assets, solving the problem of high entry barriers to art investment through securitized shares in specially structured LLCs and Cayman entities that provide regulatory oversight, insurance, storage, and potential exits for liquidity.[2][4]
Masterworks was founded in 2017 by Scott Lynn, who serves as CEO, with key leadership including VP of Growth Richard McBeath.[1][5] The idea emerged to disrupt the exclusive fine art market, traditionally accessible only to ultra-wealthy collectors, by enabling fractional ownership and trading of shares in investment-grade artworks—making it the first platform of its kind.[1][3][5] Early traction came from strategically purchasing high-profile pieces, raising over $110 million in a Series A round at a $1 billion valuation, and building a track record of exits like a Banksy work yielding 32% annualized net returns.[2][4]
Masterworks rides the wave of alternative asset democratization, fueled by fintech platforms tokenizing illiquid assets like art, real estate, and collectibles amid low interest rates and inflation-hedging demand.[2][4] Timing aligns with post-2020 retail investing boom via apps like Robinhood, extending to "blue-chip" art as a non-correlated diversifier—art markets have shown resilience, with top pieces appreciating steadily.[1][4] Favorable forces include rising wealth inequality limiting traditional art access, blockchain-adjacent securitization for trust, and SEC oversight legitimizing the space, influencing ecosystems by inspiring copycats (e.g., ArtSplit) and broadening fintech into culture-economy intersections.[2]
Masterworks is poised to expand as art investment matures, potentially integrating AI for valuation/pricing, blockchain for true tokenization, or partnerships with galleries/auctions for more inventory amid growing AUM toward $2-5 billion.[2] Trends like wealth transfer to millennials (art enthusiasts), climate-resilient assets, and regulatory clarity will shape growth, though challenges include market volatility, fee scrutiny, and liquidity depth. Its influence may evolve from pioneer to category leader, further blurring lines between finance and fine art—echoing its founding promise to unlock masterpieces for the masses.[1][5]
Masterworks has raised $110.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $110.0M Series A in October 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2021 | $110.0M Series A | 75 & Sunny, Boosted Commerce, Galaxy Digital, Galaxy Interactive, J12 Ventures, Left Lane Capital, Not Boring Capital, Team Global, Dennis Yang, Douglas Stark, Elias Aalto, Fredrik Hjelm, Inbal Leshem, Maria Raga, Mats Diedrichsen |