Dublin-based startup Artfetch.com, a curated e-commerce platform for global contemporary art, has been sold to London-based online marketplace Rise Art for an undisclosed sum.

Artfetch was founded in 2012 by Patricia Tsouros and her daughter, Katie, and the platform grew to represent over 70 international artists, with a customer drawn from around the world. Artfetch promotes and sells the work of their artists online, taking a commission on all sales made through the website.

Patricia Tsouros is a contemporary art curator who previously owned the KT art gallery in Dublin.

Rise Art offers a unique try-before-you-by art rental service, which lets anyone live with art in their home or office before they buy, while earning credits towards purchase in the process. Rise Art has over 5,000 artists on its platform, working with around 500 sellers.

Speaking about the acquisition, Katie Tsouros said: “Joining a larger company within an extensive market gives us the opportunity to really further the Artfetch goal of making art buying easy and accessible, and we are very happy to become part of a business that is aligned to our vision and shares our mission to get the world buying great art.”

In Association with

Rise Art CEO Scott Phillips added: “Over the past three years, Katie has built up an impressive roster of artists and a passionate community of collectors. Katie will be joining the Rise Art management team as our brand marketing manager, responsible for sharing the stories of our artists as we expand the company beyond the UK.”