Townscript

Townscript operates as a self-service event ticketing and registration platform, initially carving out a niche in India's burgeoning events market. Founded in Pune in 2014 by Sachin Sharma and Sanchit Malik, the company established itself by providing a do-it-yourself (DIY) solution for small and medium-scale event organizers. This approach allows creators of workshops, local conferences, and exhibitions to quickly set up an event page and begin selling tickets online.

The business model centers on a transaction-based fee structure, charging a percentage of the ticket price plus a flat fee for each booking. This transparent pricing appealed to organizers who needed a straightforward way to manage registrations and collect payments without significant upfront costs. The platform's features include customizable registration forms, discount code creation, attendee data management, and a widget that enables ticket sales directly from an organizer's own website.

A significant milestone occurred in February 2017 when Bigtree Entertainment, the parent company of India's largest entertainment ticketing portal BookMyShow, acquired a 75% majority stake in Townscript. This strategic, all-cash deal provided Townscript with the resources to scale its operations and technology while continuing to operate as an independent entity. The partnership was a synergistic match, allowing BookMyShow to tap into the DIY event segment while giving Townscript access to a much larger user base. Following the acquisition, the platform saw accelerated growth, expanding its focus from tier 1 cities to tier 2 and 3 markets across India and making its product available for international use.

In response to the global shift in the events industry, Townscript has evolved its offerings. The company launched Townhall, a platform designed specifically for hosting highly interactive virtual and hybrid events. This service provides organizers with tools for live Q&A sessions, polls, and seamless integration of in-person and virtual audiences, addressing the new demands of the event landscape.

Keywords: event ticketing, registration platform, self-service events, virtual events, hybrid events, event management, BookMyShow, Townhall, Indian startup, event technology