Auction Technology Platforms and Managed Services
A Conversation with Dan Main of BidPath
The traditional image of an auction—a fast-talking auctioneer wielding a gavel in front of a crowd—has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Today, digital technologies are fundamentally reshaping how auctions operate, making them more accessible, efficient, and scalable than ever before.
Auctions also play a pivotal role in scaling the circular economy by acting as highly efficient and transparent marketplaces for used, surplus, or end-of-life assets. They match supply with demand, ensuring that products and materials remain in circulation rather than being discarded, which is central to the circular economy's goal of extending the life cycle of goods and reducing waste.
One of the challenges in the circular economy is finding the right buyer for second-life assets. Auctions address this by bringing together a wide range of participants, from end users to dealers and resellers, who might not be reachable through traditional sales methods. The auction format creates a sense of urgency and transparency, with clear rules and deadlines that encourage immediate action and foster greater trust between buyers and sellers. Additionally, auctions provide real-time price discovery, revealing the true market value of an asset and ensuring both parties receive a fair deal.
"All Things Circular" podcast
My colleague Victoria D’Arcy and I had the opportunity to learn more about the evolution of auction technology through an interview with Dan Main, who we featured as a guest on the "All Things Circular" podcast. Dan is the Managing Director at Bidpath, where he has played a pivotal role in helping a broad range of clients—including auctioneers, manufacturers, retailers, and insurance companies—efficiently remarket surplus assets through digital auction platforms.
Under his leadership, Bidpath has expanded its offerings to include not only innovative auction software but also consulting and managed services, advising clients on best practices for running successful auctions and integrating them into broader asset management and circular economy strategies.
Dan is a strong advocate for the role of auctions in the circular economy, emphasizing how digital auction systems can keep products and materials in use, reduce waste, and create new value streams for businesses.
Who is Bidpath?
Bidpath is a California-based provider of auction technology services founded in 1999. Their core clients are auctioneers, but their reach extends to manufacturers, retailers, insurance companies, and virtually any organization with surplus assets to sell. Whether it’s classic cars, industrial equipment, medical equipment or surplus inventory, Bidpath’s technology is designed to bring sellers and buyers together in the most efficient way possible and deliver successful auctions.
The Role of Technology in Auctions
Bidpath specializes in the software that powers both online and hybrid auction formats. Their technology supports timed auctions, live webcast auctions, and reverse auctions. Features like auto-extension prevent last-second “sniping,” ensuring fair bidding and maximizing value for sellers. Security is also a priority, with tools for Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, bidder management, and fraud prevention. Bidpath’s flagship product is the SAM Auction Platform, which was launched in 2008. Today, more than 15,000 auctions are conducted annually on the platform, serving a wide range of asset classes.
Consulting and Managed Services
Bidpath’s expertise goes beyond software. They act as strategic partners, advising clients on auction formats, timing, lot bundling, and market entry strategies. This consultative approach helps both newcomers and seasoned auctioneers optimize their results. For larger enterprise clients, Bidpath can even manage the auction process on their behalf, providing training and ongoing support.
Enabling the Circular Economy
A key theme in Bidpath’s business strategy is supporting the circular economy—keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. Auctions are a natural fit for this model, enabling the resale and reuse of surplus assets across industries. As supply chain disruptions and sustainability goals drive more organizations to consider used equipment, Bidpath’s platform has become a vital tool for both sellers and buyers seeking alternatives to traditional procurement.
Innovation with AI
Bidpath is leveraging artificial intelligence to further streamline the auction process. Their latest innovations include AI-powered cataloging tools that can automatically identify and describe items from photos, dramatically speeding up the preparation of auction lots. While AI accelerates workflows, Bidpath emphasizes the importance of human oversight to ensure accuracy and quality.
Bidpath serves a wide spectrum of clients—from marquee auction houses to SME operations, as well as large enterprises looking to add auction capabilities to their asset management strategies. This diversity reflects the universal need for effective, transparent, and scalable methods to remarket surplus assets.
Conclusion
As Dan described in our conversation, Bidpath sees significant opportunity in integrating auction models with circular marketplaces and e-commerce platforms. By helping brands take control of their secondary markets, Bidpath is not only facilitating asset recovery but also enhancing brand awareness and sustainability efforts. By connecting sellers with motivated buyers, enabling fair price discovery, and supporting the reuse of goods, auctions help keep products and materials in circulation. This not only delivers economic benefits but also advances sustainability and innovation, making auctions an essential mechanism for the growth and success of the circular economy.
The podcast can be accessed here: