Elliot Riley-Walsh, an avid collector since age five, found managing his diverse collections challenging. While specialist cataloguing platforms existed for watches and artwork, there was no platform to help collectors catalogue niche collectables, everything from vintage toy cars to film memorabilia, in one place. That's how Elliot came up with the idea for Valart: an AI-powered platform where collectors simply upload a photo and instantly receive identification, cataloguing, and accurate valuations for any collectable.
Today, Valart serves collectors across eight countries and four continents, with over 100 customers using the platform to organise their treasures, secure insurance, and plan their legacy. The company proves that smart technology and the right support can turn a personal passion into an international business.
Founder and CEO Elliot Riley-Walsh shares how the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) accelerated Valart's journey from concept to award-winning tech platform.
What inspired you to start Valart?
I've been a collector since I was young, and I wanted a platform that could help me manage and value my collection. Valart makes it simple: you upload a photo, and our AI identifies the item, catalogues it, and provides an accurate valuation using thousands of data sources. It works for anything from vintage toys and trading cards to LEGO, artwork and antiques.
What problem does Valart solve?
Collectors often have diverse items across multiple categories and tracking everything manually can be overwhelming. Valart enables users to catalogue any collectable instantly and receive accurate, up-to-date valuations from our system, which harnesses multiple AI language models and thousands of verified data sources. We help collectors secure proper insurance; many insurers struggle to accurately value collections, but with Valart, you can prove what you own. Our legacy management tool also ensures collections are properly understood and valued for families. There's no other platform on the market that offers all this functionality.
How has AGP supported your growth journey?
The most impactful support came when we participated in a Welsh Government Export Trip to Japan in June 2025. Through AGP, we worked with an expert in Japanese business culture who helped us prepare thoroughly and make the most of the opportunity. AGP also supported our rebranding, which has better positioned us in the market and helped us articulate our value proposition more clearly to potential customers and partners.
What milestones are you most proud of?
Building a technology company on a shoestring budget that incorporates AI in multiple ways, along with surpassing 100 customers since launching. Two and a half years ago, I didn't think any of this was possible! We've won the Baltic Venture Launchpad top prize and a Wales Start Up Award. We've become a truly global platform with users across eight countries and four continents entirely through word of mouth and organic search. That organic growth validates everything we're building. Customers tell us Valart has transformed how they manage their collections, giving them peace of mind for insurance and legacy planning.
What advice would you give other entrepreneurs?
Everyone will give you advice, but you don't need to take it all on board. Triangulate advice and listen to your instinct. When bringing people onto your team, make sure their values align with yours. You need people who will challenge you healthily and push back when needed, because that's what helps you grow. And remember: if you don't ask, you don't get. Always ask. You never know where it might lead.
What's next for Valart?
Over the next six months, we hope to bring on our first full-time employee. We're expanding our B2B offering, partnering with wealth managers, law firms, and insurance providers to complement our core consumer platform and create deeper connections across the collectables value chain.
Find out more about how theAccelerated Growth Programme can support your business.
Learn more about Welsh Government Export Support.
Learn more about Valart.