EventHub

EventHub is a Japanese software-as-a-service (SaaS) company providing a comprehensive event marketing platform designed for B2B clients. The firm was established on February 24, 2016, by CEO Rie Yamamoto. Born in the U.K. and raised in the U.S. and Japan, Yamamoto graduated from Brown University and began her career at McKinsey & Company in San Francisco. Her experience there, combined with a stint at Teach For Japan and freelance work with a Japanese space venture, highlighted a gap in the Japanese market for event technology she had seen in the U.S., which directly inspired the formation of EventHub.

The company launched its event management platform in 2018, initially focusing on enhancing networking at in-person events. A significant turning point came with the global pandemic in 2020. EventHub swiftly adapted by developing and releasing an online version of its platform, leading to rapid growth. Strategic investments from Salesforce's venture arm in 2019 and Sansan in 2020 fueled this expansion. By November 2022, the company had raised a total of $6.7 million, including a $4.5 million Series A round led by JAFCO, with the goal of solidifying its domestic market share and expanding into the Asia-Pacific region.

EventHub's business model is centered on its subscription-based platform that empowers companies to manage virtual, hybrid, and in-person events from start to finish. It serves a wide range of clients, from large enterprises like Microsoft, Adobe, and Salesforce to smaller businesses, helping them execute webinars, conferences, user groups, and trade show exhibitions. The platform generates revenue by providing tools that streamline event organization and maximize return on investment through enhanced lead generation and customer engagement. Its key features include attendee registration, video streaming, interactive communication tools like chat and Q&A, and detailed analytics on attendee behavior. A unique selling point is its ability to provide deep data insights and integrate seamlessly with existing CRM and marketing automation (MA) tools, such as Salesforce, Marketo, and Sansan's Eight, allowing for efficient lead nurturing and faster sales follow-up.

Keywords: event marketing platform, B2B events, SaaS, lead generation, webinar software, virtual events, hybrid events, conference management, corporate events, Rie Yamamoto, data-driven marketing, attendee engagement, marketing automation integration, Salesforce integration, customer journey, lead nurturing, event analytics, Japanese startup, APAC, B2B marketing, event ROI, online conferences, trade show management, corporate communications, user groups