Harris Williams Advises LiveAuctioneers LLC on its Controlling Investment by Cove Hill Partners

Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces that it advised LiveAuctioneers LLC (LiveAuctioneers), a portfolio company of Bessemer Venture Partners (Bessemer) and Jason Finger, on its controlling investment by Cove Hill Partners (Cove Hill). LiveAuctioneers is an online live-auction source for fine and decorative art, antiques, jewelry and vintage collectibles. The transaction was led by Mike Wilkins, Erik Szyndlar, Brian Titterington and Jay Petrie of Harris Williams’ Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT) Group.

“LiveAuctioneers’ curated online marketplace and auction technology solutions provide immense value to its customers,” said Mike Wilkins, a managing director at Harris Williams. “By instantly expanding the number of bidders participating in an auction, LiveAuctioneers helps auction houses grow sales and improve efficiency.”

“Over the past four years since Brian Feinstein of Bessemer and Jason have been involved, the company re-architected its core technology platform and made deep investments in building out its team, greatly improving operations and creating a highly-scalable business,” added Erik Szyndlar, a director at Harris Williams. “We are proud to have worked with exceptional management on this transaction and are excited to see the company continue to grow and innovate.”

“Every member of our Harris Williams team provided world class counsel on this transaction. Their analytical rigor sharpened our thinking about our own business,” said Finger, former executive chairman of LiveAuctioneers. “Harris Williams was a true strategic partner that added tremendous value through both advice and insights during every phase of the process.”

LiveAuctioneers digitally connects an audience of millions with the live-bidding action at more than 5,000 premier auction houses and galleries in 59 countries, providing an expertly curated, globally trusted marketplace of exceptional items. LiveAuctioneers is a leading, live online-auction source for fine and decorative art, antiques, jewelry and vintage collectibles. A pioneer in mobile-bidding technology, LiveAuctioneers opened new horizons for bidders with its development of both an industry-leading app for iOS (Apple) devices and the first live-auction bidding app for Android.