SeatGeek is a big name in live event ticketing. But who owns this company that’s caught the eye of fans and event planners? Knowing who’s behind SeatGeek could reveal why it’s so successful.
Jack Groetzinger and Russell D’Souza started SeatGeek in September 2009. They wanted to change how people buy tickets for live events. Their mobile-first approach and focus on ease have grown the company to over 800 employees. They work with top sports teams and venues in the U.S. and worldwide.
The Founding Story of SeatGeek
SeatGeek, a well-known ticket platform, has a fascinating start. It launched in September 2009 at TechCrunch50. There, it was named one of the top 5 companies by VentureBeat and CNET.
The idea for SeatGeek came from Jack Groetzinger and Russell D’Souza. They started the company during the DreamIT Ventures startup accelerator in Philadelphia.
Early Vision and Launch
Groetzinger and D’Souza wanted to make a ticket search platform. They aimed to make it easy for people to find tickets in a complex market. With their skills and drive, they worked to make this vision real.
Initial Funding and Growth
Investors took notice of SeatGeek’s early success. In May 2009, DreamIT Ventures gave them $20,000 in seed funding. This helped them develop their platform and prepare for launch.
In January 2010, they got between $500,000 and $1 million in seed funding. Then, a $1 million Series A round followed in July 2010.
DreamIT Ventures Support
DreamIT Ventures was key in SeatGeek’s early days. Through the accelerator program, the founders got mentorship and resources. This support helped them turn their idea into a real business.
SeatGeek’s founding story shows the power of entrepreneurship and innovation. It also highlights the role of startup accelerators. From its start to now, SeatGeek has focused on making ticket buying easy and seamless.
Who Owns Seatgeek: Current Leadership and Management
SeatGeek is a top ticket buying platform led by a skilled team. Jack Groetzinger, the CEO, co-founded the company. Russell D’Souza is the President of Supply, and Eric Waller is the Chief Product Officer (CPO).
The team has 21% women and 79% men. They are diverse, with 73% White, 9% Hispanic or Latino, and 11% Black or African American. This shows SeatGeek’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The team has a mix of backgrounds, including tech, finance, and data science. This mix helps SeatGeek make well-rounded decisions and strategies.
In 2021, SeatGeek added Laurel J. Richie, former WNBA President, to its board. This move strengthened the company’s leadership. With over 800 employees, SeatGeek is based in New York City, at the heart of live entertainment.
| Executive | Title |
|---|---|
| Jack Groetzinger | Co-founder and CEO |
| Russell D’Souza | President of Supply |
| Eric Waller | Chief Product Officer (CPO) |
| Brian Murphy | Chief Technology Officer (CTO) |
| Brad Tacy | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) |
| Taylor Lame | Chief People Officer (CPO) |
| Paulo Cunha | President, Consumer |
The leadership at SeatGeek, including the CEO and co-founders, is key to the company’s success. They have diverse skills and a shared vision. They are ready to lead SeatGeek into new growth and innovation in the live entertainment industry.
Key Investors and Investment Rounds
SeatGeek, a leading ticket marketplace, has caught the eye of many investors. It has raised $398 million in funding over 10 rounds. This shows that venture capital firms and angel investors believe in its growth.
Major Venture Capital Partners
SeatGeek’s main backers are Accel, Founder Collective, and Glynn Capital. They’ve given the company the money and advice it needed. This has helped SeatGeek grow and improve its technology.
Strategic Investment Deals
In August 2022, SeatGeek got a $238 million Series E round. Accel led the investment, with help from Arctos Sports Partners, Wellington Management, and Ryan Smith. This deal made SeatGeek worth $1.2 billion, showing its strong market position.
Notable Angel Investors
- Actors Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary, through A-Grade Investments, have supported SeatGeek early on.
- Ryan Smith, the Utah Jazz owner, is also a key angel investor for the company.
SeatGeek’s strong investor list and successful funding rounds have helped it grow. It has formed more partnerships with sports leagues and venues. This has made it a top player in the ticketing industry.
| Investor | Investment Type | Investment Amount | Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accel, Arctos Sports Partners, Wellington Management, Ryan Smith | Series E | $238 million | $1.2 billion |
| Technology Crossover Ventures | Series C | $62 million | N/A |
| Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary (A-Grade Investments) | Angel Investment | N/A | N/A |
| Ryan Smith (Utah Jazz owner) | Angel Investment | N/A | N/A |
Corporate Structure and Business Model
SeatGeek is a private company with a mobile ticket platform. It has changed the event ticketing world. The company sells both secondary and primary tickets for sports and Broadway shows.
SeatGeek offers interactive seating charts and advanced search features. It also partners with big sports leagues and teams. This includes the NFL, MLS, EPL, and NBA.
SeatGeek’s “Deal Score” algorithm rates ticket deals. It looks at price and seat location. This helps buyers make smart choices.
SeatGeek makes money in several ways. It charges fees on ticket sales and charges sellers for using its platform. The company works with over 100 resellers and 150,000+ venues.
With over $100 million in funding, SeatGeek is ready to grow. It has even filed for a confidential IPO. This shows its potential to keep changing the ticketing industry.
Common questions
Who founded SeatGeek?
SeatGeek was started in 2009 by Jack Groetzinger and Russell D’Souza. They began at DreamIT Ventures in Philadelphia.
What does SeatGeek do?
SeatGeek helps people buy and sell tickets for live events. This includes sports, concerts, and theater. It works as both a secondary market and a primary ticket seller.
What is SeatGeek’s business model?
SeatGeek makes money by selling tickets and working with teams and venues. It has partnerships with big sports teams. It also has cool features like interactive seating charts and mobile ordering.
Who are the key leaders and executives at SeatGeek?
Jack Groetzinger is the CEO, and Russell D’Souza is the President of Supply. Eric Waller is the CPO. Other important people include Brian Murphy (CTO), Brad Tacy (CFO), Taylor Lame (CPO), and Paulo Cunha (President, Consumer).
Who are SeatGeek’s major investors?
Big investors in SeatGeek include Technology Crossover Ventures. They led a $62 million Series C funding round in 2015. Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary also invested through A-Grade Investments.
When did SeatGeek go public?
SeatGeek went public in October 2021. It merged with a special-purpose acquisition company. This valued the company at $1.35 billion.
