Hivebrite

Headquartered in Paris, Hivebrite provides a business-to-business, software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for online community management. The company was commercially launched in 2015 by founder and CEO Jean Hamon. Hamon's background is in engineering, and he worked in IT for eight years, where he observed the value-capture and innovation potential of the SaaS revenue model. The idea for Hivebrite emerged from his experience during his MBA at INSEAD, where he identified a need for a better way for alumni to connect and network within a trusted environment, a feature he found lacking on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook.

Hivebrite's business centers on an all-in-one, highly customizable community engagement platform. It serves a diverse client base—including corporations, educational institutions, non-profits, and professional networks—by enabling them to create fully branded, private communities. The company generates revenue through a tiered subscription model, with plans starting at approximately $799 per month, and may also charge a commission on paid memberships facilitated through the platform. Clients include prominent organizations such as Boeing, the Obama Foundation, the University of Notre Dame, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The platform integrates a comprehensive suite of tools designed to manage and engage community members. Key features include member data management, event organization with ticketing and online payment processing, and targeted communication through email campaigns and notifications. It also provides analytics for tracking engagement, a built-in content management system (CMS), and capabilities for fundraising and managing donations. The system is designed for easy setup and administration, allowing organizations to control branding, user permissions, and content visibility. In July 2024, Hivebrite acquired Orbiit, an AI-powered company specializing in member matching, to enhance its platform's ability to create smart connections and nurture targeted member relationships at scale.

Keywords: community management, engagement platform, SaaS, alumni networks, professional networks, non-profit organizations, corporate communities, membership management, event management, data analytics