Leeds-based ticketing platform, Event Genius, has been acquired by Festicket, the world’s largest platform for music festival experiences.
The sale includes Event Genius’s consumer facing brand, Ticket Arena. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
The new offering, known as Event Genius by Festicket, will create an “end-to-end platform for organisers and fans alike, providing the most complete offering in the live entertainment industry”.
Founded by managing director Reshad Hossenally (pictured above) in 2008, Event Genius offers complete event solutions to events including Wales Rally GB, Motion Bristol, Annie Mac’s Lost & Found Festival, Summer Daze, Ibiza Rocks and BPM Festival.
Following the acquisition, Festicket will roll out the new offering to festivals, concerts, clubs, sports, family attractions and other events worldwide.
Based in Leeds and London, Event Genius and Ticket Arena has worked with over 1.9 million customers and generated over €400 million worth of sales.
Festicket, founded in 2012 by Zack Sabban and Jonathan Younes, is backed by investors including Beringea, Edge, Lepe Partners and ProFounders. It was ranked as the UK’s 21st fastest-growing technology company by the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 in 2018.
Zack Sabban, CEO and co-founder at Festicket, said: “The acquisition transforms Festicket’s product set. In Event Genius, we have found a company that shares our mission to be a disruptive force in the live entertainment market and – ultimately – to bring the best possible experiences to fans. Reshad and the team have built a great product they have good reason to be proud of, and I look forward to welcoming them to the Festicket family.”
Hossenally, who will join Festicket as chief supply chain officer, said: “The Event Genius mission has always been to utilise technology to bring event organisers and consumers a better experience, regardless of the size or type of event. Couple this with Festicket’s global marketplace and supplier network and we have something truly unique for the events industry.”