Ticket 9: Revolutionizing Event Management Through Automated Processes

Ticket 9, a B2B startup based in Coimbatore, is simplifying event management through technology, automating various manual processes involved in organizing events and streamlining the workflow. Founded by Yazhini Shanmugam and Santhos Premraj in 2022, Ticket 9 focuses on developing SaaS products to assist users in creating, managing, promoting, and monetizing events of all scales. The platform facilitates scheduling email notifications and tracking ticket sales, making it user-friendly for both novice and experienced event organizers.

One significant challenge that event organizers face, especially with larger events, is managing the check-in process efficiently. To address this issue, Ticket 9 has implemented a robust QR-based check-in validation system. Attendees can present their QR codes, either printed or on their mobile devices, at entry points, ensuring a swift and accurate check-in process.

Ticket 9 operates on a B2B model and charges a minimum transaction fee of 5% for each ticket sold through its platform. The company, which started with an initial investment of INR 18 lakh (approximately $22,000) from its founders, generated $23,000 in revenue in FY23. Notable competitors in the B2B events management space include Bookmyshow and Paytm Insider.

Santhos Premraj, a former event organizer, initially conceptualized Ticket 9 after recognizing the need for technological support in the events industry. He partnered with Yazhini Shanmugam, a software company team lead and event enthusiast. Their journey began in October 2019, with the beta version of Ticket 9 released in February 2020, primarily focused on physical events. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted them to pivot their business strategy to support virtual and hybrid events alongside physical ones.

Ticket 9 operated from their previous company and organized over 60 virtual events during the pandemic, including sports events, meetups, and business webinars with up to 500+ attendees. In 2022, they formally registered as a separate entity, Ticket 9 Event Tech Private Limited, expanding their platform to accommodate the evolving needs of event organizers in the post-pandemic era.

The global events industry market was valued at $887 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $2,194.40 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 13.48% from 2021 to 2028, according to Verified Market Research. Ticket 9 aims to tap into this market, having captured approximately 0.7% of the market share thus far.

In May 2023, the startup secured $120,000 in a pre-seed round from investors, including M2P Co-founder Prabhu Rangarajan, bitsCrunch's Founder and CEO Vijay Pravin Maharajan, CTO Ashok Vardharajan, and other angel investors from the US, Singapore, Australia, and Bangkok. Ticket 9's user base currently includes cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru, and it plans to expand internationally, starting with the UAE and Singapore.

Ticket 9 currently employs a team of 12 members and is poised for further growth and expansion in the events management industry.