Software developers turned their collecting frustration into a solution that’s revolutionizing how Pokemon fans manage their treasures.
NEW YORK, NY – What started as a late-night complaint session between two childhood friends has evolved into Card Codex, the comprehensive Pokémon card database that’s changing how collectors track and manage their prized collections.
Tom Urbain and Oli Southward had been Pokemon card enthusiasts since the original Base Set release in 1998. But by 2022, their shared hobby had become a source of constant frustration.
“We both had these absolutely massive Excel files,” laughs Urbain, a full-stack developer at a local tech startup. “Oli had over 3,000 rows in his spreadsheet, and I wasn’t far behind. We’d spend entire weekends trying to figure out which cards we were missing from new sets.”
The breaking point came during a particularly heated trading session. Southward, a UX designer, had accidentally bought duplicate copies of a $200 Charizard because his spreadsheet organization had failed him. Again.
“I looked at Oli surrounded by these identical expensive cards and said, ‘Dude, we’re software people. Why are we living like this?'” Urbain recalls.
That weekend, fueled by pizza and childhood nostalgia, the duo began sketching out what would become Card Codex. Their vision was simple: create the Pokemon card database they wished existed as collectors, not just as developers.
Building for Collectors, By Collectors
Unlike existing databases that focused primarily on card information, Card Codex was designed around the actual collecting experience. The platform combines comprehensive card data with intuitive collection management, real-time market pricing, and smart watchlist features.
“We knew the technical specs of every card weren’t enough,” explains Southward. “Collectors need to know what they own, what it’s worth, and what they’re hunting for next. Most tools only solved part of that puzzle.”
The friends spent nine months building Card Codex in their spare time, testing features with their local Pokemon league and iterating based on real collector feedback. They launched with a database of over 20,000 cards spanning every major Pokemon set, complete with high-resolution images and current market values.
From Personal Project to Community Platform
What began as a solution to their own spreadsheet chaos has grown into a platform serving over 1,500 collectors worldwide. Users have cataloged more than 150,000 cards worth an estimated $1.4 million in total value.
“The growth has been incredible,” says Urbain. “We’re seeing everyone from casual collectors with 50 cards to serious investors tracking portfolios worth tens of thousands of dollars.”
The platform’s watchlist feature has become particularly popular, allowing collectors to track cards they’re hunting across multiple sets and receive alerts when prices drop or cards become available.
The Future of Digital Collecting
As the Pokemon card market continues to evolve, Urbain and Southward see Card Codex playing an increasingly important role in the community. They’re currently working on features like collection analytics, market trend predictions, and expanded social features.
“We’re still those kids who got excited pulling a holographic Charizard,” says Urbain. “Now we just happen to have built the tools to help other collectors have those same moments more easily.”
For collectors still managing their prized Pokemon cards in spreadsheets, Card Codex offers a free tier to get started. Premium features unlock advanced analytics and unlimited collection tracking.
The platform is available at card-codex.com.
About Card Codex
Founded in 2024 by Tom Urbain and Oli Southward, Card Codex is the comprehensive Pokemon card database designed by collectors, for collectors. The platform combines detailed card information, real-time pricing data, and intuitive collection management tools to help Pokemon fans track, value, and grow their collections with confidence.
Contact:
Tom Urbain and Oli Southward
hello@card-codex.com
Card Codex
New York, NY
Media Contact
Organization: Card Codex
Contact Person: Tom Urbain
Website: https://card-codex.com/
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City: New York
State: New York
Country:United States
Release id:34262
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No More Spreadsheets Two Childhood Friends Launch Card Codex – A Pokmon Card Database Built for Collectors
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