ticketscript

Founded in 2006 in Amsterdam, ticketscript carved a significant niche in the European event technology market before its acquisition by Eventbrite in January 2017. The company was established by Frans Jonker and Ruben Meiland, who were deeply involved in Amsterdam's electronic music scene. Meiland had founded an electronic music website, and through this experience, both founders recognized that event promoters needed more control over their ticketing process. This insight formed the core of ticketscript's strategy: to empower event organizers.

Ticketscript operated as a self-service digital ticketing platform, providing event organizers with technology to sell tickets directly from their own websites, social media channels, and at the venue. This model was a clear departure from traditional ticketing agents, as it allowed organizers to retain ownership of their customer data and build their brand. The platform catered to a wide range of events, including music festivals, concerts, clubs, fairs, exhibitions, and more. Its primary clients were independent event businesses and promoters across Europe. Revenue was generated through fees associated with the ticketing software.

The company's main offering was a software platform that included e-ticketing, customizable 'Ticket Shops' for integration into websites, and real-time sales reporting. These tools provided organizers with direct control over sales and immediate access to customer analytics, features that were not widely available at the time. The company also developed the 'Flow' app for managing guestlists and entry. This focus on organizer empowerment and data control was a key differentiator in the market.

Following its inception, the company expanded its footprint across Europe, opening offices in London, Berlin, Barcelona, and Antwerp. A significant milestone was a £7 million investment from FPE Capital in 2014, which fueled further international growth and product development. By 2016, the combined operations of ticketscript and Eventbrite processed over 35 million tickets worth more than €500 million. The acquisition by Eventbrite positioned the combined entity as Europe's third-largest ticketing platform. As part of the deal, CEO Frans Jonker transitioned to become Eventbrite's General Manager for continental Europe.

Keywords: event ticketing, self-service ticketing, digital tickets, event management software, online ticketing, European events, Amsterdam startup, Frans Jonker, Ruben Meiland, concert ticketing, festival ticketing, event technology, ticketing platform, Eventbrite acquisition, nightlife ticketing, live music, event promotion, guestlist management, e-ticketing, Ticket Shops