Like other entrepreneurs of the Internet, Dave Briddle and Larry Gottula launched a business that has yet to present revenue opportunities. But they are convinced the dollars will come.

The business, iAntique.com, is a social networking site for antique collectors and sellers. The business partners are no strangers to the world of antiques and collectibles. In 1992, they launched the Brass Armadillo, where antique dealers rent space to sell their wares.

After opening in Des Moines, Brass Armadillo antique malls are now located in Denver, Kansas City, Mo., Omaha and Phoenix.

Over two decades, Briddle and Gottula have learned that more than 80 million people collect something, including antique furniture, thimbles, figurines, china, porcelain, toys, dolls, hatpins, inkwells and political campaign buttons.

They also know their mall customers like to talk about purchases and preferences.

“The idea first started when we saw a need in antique malls, because of the fact that antique malls are a tight-knit society, for the social aspect – they like to connect with other people who like to do the same kind of thing,” Briddle said.

Much of that talk takes place on social networking sites, such as Facebook. Following stereotypes, that chat medium seems reserved for young people. Not so, Briddle said.

“Even people over 50 are using social networking to stay in contact with people who have interests similar to theirs,” Briddle said.

iAntique.com provides the interaction that social networkers expect. It offers streaming video, live auctions, demonstrations and a marketplace.

“Sometimes we wind up with close to 200 people in a chat room where they’re asking questions on how to repair an American Girl doll,” Briddle said.

Since its launch in late April, iAntique.com has attracted 1,700 members. During the testing phase of the website, membership is free.

Briddle said it is possible a sign-up fee will be charged at a later time because of the variety of content, some expensive to produce.

“At this point in time, we’re a little like Google, where we will build it and we’ll figure out the revenue at another point in time,” Briddle said.