Amsterdam-based startup Tiqets was launched in 2015 to solve two problems: a lack of options for consumers to easily book admission tickets for museums and attractions, and insufficient access to mobile technology for venues to reach a global audience. Tiqets allows museum-goers to buy e-tickets ahead of time on their smartphones, without having to wait in long lines. By connecting directly with venues, Tiqets guarantees instant, last-minute, and mobile entrance.
Tiqets has just secured €20.4 million in funding, adding to the €15 million the company raised in Series B in May 2017. The round was led by HPE Growth Capital with participation from existing shareholders. The fresh capital will allow Tiqets to further develop its technology and continue its expansion.
Tiqets now works with over 2,000 venues in 140 cities and is bookable in 9 languages. In August 2018, close to 500,000 people booked their tours through the platform, and the startup has now sold 7 million tickets since its launch.
Simon Breakwell, co-founder of Expedia and chairman of the board, said: “The company has built an outstanding platform. With unique real-time connectivity to top partners, we can offer customers great availability and choice at the most popular museums and attractions in the world. Tiqets’ growth is exceptional, we are incredibly product-driven and as a result, we have been able to scale at capital-efficiency levels that are unparalleled in the industry. I have enormous respect for how the team continuously strives for innovation, with great insight into the market needs.”
Luuc Elzinga, CEO of Tiqets, said: “Tiqets invested heavily in its technology in the last years, which paid off. We will continue to do this and keep improving our mobile booking experience, as over 70% of our customers book on mobile. In addition to our own B2C platform, we support venues by developing the best solutions to improve their customer experience, provide them with technology that helps increase conversion onsite, and increase CLTV (Customer Lifetime Value).”
