TicketLeap

TicketLeap operates as an online, self-service ticketing and event marketing platform, primarily targeting small- to mid-sized events. The company was established in 2003 by Chris Stanchak, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The initial idea stemmed from a friend's need to sell tickets for a party, leading Stanchak to develop a web-based system. This concept was then accepted into the Wharton Venture Initiation Program. The company began with Stanchak and his mother as the first two employees and secured initial funding through a $50,000 SBA loan. Over the years, TicketLeap raised approximately $6 to $8.5 million in venture capital from various investors.

The platform provides a suite of tools for event organizers to manage their ticketing process from creation to completion. Clients can create branded event pages, customize ticket types (including timed entry), and manage admissions with mobile ticket scanning apps. The service is designed to be user-friendly, allowing organizers to set up and start selling tickets within minutes. Revenue is generated through a per-ticket fee, which is structured as $1 + 2% of the ticket's price, in addition to a 3% credit card processing fee. This fee can be passed on to the ticket buyer, making the platform free for the event organizer. For tickets priced at $5 or less, a reduced fee of $0.49 is offered, and events that are free to attend do not incur any charges.

Significant developments in the company's history include the launch of a platform integrated with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter in 2010 and an Android ticket scanning app in 2011. In 2012, they introduced a self-service reserved seating feature. In September 2017, TicketLeap was acquired by Patron Technology (now Leap Event Technology), a holding company backed by Providence Equity. Following the acquisition, TicketLeap continues to operate as a self-service ticketing solution within the Leap Event Technology family, which aims to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for the event industry. While the company's team operates remotely, it is supported by physical offices in cities including Pittsburgh and Dallas.

Keywords: event ticketing, online ticketing platform, self-service ticketing, event marketing, event management software, ticket sales, Chris Stanchak, Leap Event Technology, branded event pages, mobile ticket scanning, ticketing fees, small events, mid-size events, event registration, Patron Technology, social ticketing, reserved seating, event organizer tools, online payments, virtual events