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Eventbrite
Eventbrite
from Wikipedia

Eventbrite is an American live events marketplace and website. The service allows users to browse, create, and promote local events. It is free to publish unlimited events of any size on Eventbrite.[2]

Key Information

Launched in 2006 and headquartered in San Francisco, Eventbrite opened their first international office in the United Kingdom in 2012. The company has local offices in Nashville, London, Cork, Amsterdam, Dublin, Berlin, Melbourne, Mendoza, Madrid, and São Paulo.[3]

The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange on September 20, 2018 under the ticker symbol EB.[4]

History

[edit]

Eventbrite was founded in 2006 by Kevin Hartz (co-founder and executive chairman) and Julia Hartz (co-founder and CEO) and Renaud Visage (co-founder and CTO). The company was the first major player in this market in the US.[5]

Prior to his position at the company, Kevin Hartz was involved with PayPal and was the Co-Founder and CEO of Xoom Corporation, an international money transfer company. Julia Hartz, wife of Kevin, was raised in Santa Cruz, California. After studying broadcasting at Pepperdine University, she became a creative executive at FX Network in Los Angeles. Soon after the two became engaged, she moved to the Bay Area and helped co-found Eventbrite.[6]

On March 18, 2011 Eventbrite raised $50 million in Series E Financing led by Tiger Global.[7] On April 22, 2013, Eventbrite raised another $60 million in growth capital financing led by Tiger Global, and including T. Rowe Price.[8] On March 13, 2014, Eventbrite raised a private equity round of $60 million,[9] and on September 1, 2017, the company raised $134 million in a Series G funding round. This brought their total funding to $334 million. Previous funding involved firms including Sequoia Capital, DAG Ventures and Tenaya Capital.[10]

In 2016, Julia became the CEO of Eventbrite, while Kevin took the role of executive chairman.[11]

On February 16th 2016, Eventbrite purchased Queue Ticketing for an undisclosed sum signaling their entry into Live Music as a focus area.[12] In March 2017, Eventbrite purchased D.C.-based event tech startup Nvite for an undisclosed sum.[13] On June 9, 2017 Eventbrite purchased Ticketfly from Pandora for $200 million.[14] The acquisition was meant to strengthen Eventbrite's position in the live music market, but according to observers, executives were still struggling to integrate Ticketfly as of 2019.[15]

In January 2017 Eventbrite acquired rival Dutch company Ticketscript.[16]

In April 2018, Eventbrite acquired the Spanish ticketing service Ticketea, citing its events discovery platform and "robust ecosystem of third-party integrations" as being advantageous.[17] Later that month, Eventbrite was subjected to criticism over an update to its merchants' agreement, which specified that the service had the right to attend and record footage of any aspect of an event for any purpose, and that event organizers were "responsible for obtaining, at your own cost, all third party permissions, clearances, and licenses necessary to secure Eventbrite the permissions and rights [to do so]." Following public backlash, Eventbrite chose to remove the passage entirely. The company stated that it wanted the option to "work with individual organizers to secure video and photos at their events for marketing and promotional purposes", but admitted that the clauses were too broadly-worded.[18]

In August 2018, Picatic, a Vancouver-based ticketing and event registration platform, was acquired by Eventbrite.[19][20]

In April 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic which was causing a drastic drop in in-person events, Eventbrite laid off around 45% of its employees, which at that point numbered between 1,000 and 1,100.[15] Reportedly, online events had amounted to less than 10% of the company's revenue in 2019.[15]

In November 2020, the company acquired ToneDen, a social media marketing service based in Los Angeles.[21]

Between October 2023 and September 2024, the company explored a new pricing structure.[22] Since September 2024, it is free to publish unlimited events of any size on Eventbrite.[23]

On December 2, 2025, Eventbrite announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Bending Spoons (same company which acquired Meetup) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $500 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Eventbrite's shareholders will receive $4.50 per share, representing an 82% premium over its recent stock prices. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2026. [24]

Funding

[edit]

On March 18, 2011, Eventbrite raised $50 million in Series E Financing led by Tiger Global.[7] On April 22, 2013, Eventbrite raised another $60 million in growth capital financing led by Tiger Global, and including T. Rowe Price.[25]

On August 23, 2018, the company filed for a $200 million IPO.[4] The company's largest shareholder is Tiger Global Management with Sequoia Capital and the Hartzs also owning significant shares.[26]

In 2019, Eventbrite laid off 8% of their workforce to cut costs amid worries of an economic downturn. It also planned to relocate about 30% of the remaining roles, including moving certain development roles to Spain and India from Argentina and the U.S. The company added it will relocate nearly all of the customer support and operations roles to locations outside the U.S.[27]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Eventbrite is a global self-service ticketing and experience technology platform that enables individuals and organizations to create, promote, discover, and attend live events worldwide. Founded in 2006 by Julia Hartz, , and Renaud Visage, the company is headquartered in , , and went public on the in September 2018 under the EB. The platform's mission is to bring the world together through live experiences, serving a community of event creators and attendees by providing tools for , ticketing, , and . Eventbrite supports a wide range of events, from small community gatherings and workshops to large-scale concerts, conferences, and festivals, allowing organizers to handle everything from ticket sales to attendee check-ins seamlessly. It operates in nearly 180 countries and, in , facilitated the creation of over 4.7 million events, attracting 89 million monthly average users and resulting in 83 million paid tickets sold. Under the leadership of CEO Julia Hartz since 2016, Eventbrite has expanded its offerings to include advanced features like integrated marketing tools, virtual event support, and data-driven insights to help organizers maximize attendance and . The company generates primarily through transaction fees on ticket sales and premium services for organizers, while maintaining a model that allows free event creation for basic use. In 2025, Eventbrite continues to innovate in the live events industry, adapting to post-pandemic trends such as hybrid events and emphasizing community-driven experiences.

History

Founding and early development

Eventbrite was founded in 2006 in by , Julia Hartz, and Renaud Visage, who sought to address the fragmented landscape of event ticketing and management, particularly for small-scale organizers lacking access to tools used by larger enterprises. The founders, drawing from 's prior experience in with , envisioned a platform that democratized event creation and promotion. Initially, the platform was developed as an experiment leveraging the to handle payments, targeting niche use cases such as tech meetups in the and speed-dating events on the East Coast. The beta version launched in 2006, allowing early users to test core functionalities like event listing and basic ticketing. This was followed by the full public release in 2007, which introduced features enabling organizers to create free events or sell paid tickets with minimal fees—typically a small percentage per ticket sold—making it accessible for independent creators without upfront costs. The platform's simple interface emphasized ease of use, permitting rapid event setup and integration with emerging social tools to boost visibility. During its first two years, Eventbrite operated in a bootstrapping phase without external , relying on the founders' personal resources and from transaction fees to sustain operations. Growth was driven organically through word-of-mouth among event organizers, particularly in tech communities and social gatherings, as users shared positive experiences with the platform's reliability and low . By 2008, Eventbrite had scaled to support thousands of events, predominantly in the U.S. tech and social sectors, marking a foundational milestone in its user base expansion.

Expansion and pre-IPO growth

Following its early years, Eventbrite experienced rapid scaling from 2011 to 2017, transitioning from a primarily tech-focused platform to a broader marketplace supporting diverse event types. By 2013, the company had facilitated nearly 3 million events worldwide, with ticket sales totaling approximately $960 million that year alone. This growth extended beyond tech conferences to include music festivals, such as Coachella and Bonnaroo, and community gatherings like local workshops and charity runs, attracting a wider array of organizers and attendees. Technological enhancements played a key role in this expansion. In late 2011, Eventbrite launched its mobile app, enabling users to discover, purchase, and manage tickets on the go, followed by an Android version in early 2012. The introduction of a public around 2012 further accelerated adoption by allowing third-party developers to integrate Eventbrite's ticketing and event data into other applications, such as tools and social platforms, which streamlined operations for organizers and increased platform stickiness. Internationally, Eventbrite began its global push in 2011 by opening its first office in the and expanding across , capitalizing on the region's vibrant and cultural scene. By 2017, the platform supported events in 180 countries, processing tickets for millions of gatherings and establishing local teams to adapt to regional payment systems and languages. Key performance indicators underscored this pre-IPO momentum. In , Eventbrite processed over 150 million tickets and generated net revenue of $133.5 million, reflecting strong year-over-year growth driven by increased event volume and international penetration.

Initial public offering

Eventbrite confidentially submitted a draft registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in July 2018 and publicly filed its on August 23, 2018, in preparation for its (IPO). The company priced its IPO at $23 per share on September 19, 2018, the high end of its marketed range of $21 to $23, offering 10 million shares of Class A . Trading commenced on the (NYSE) under the "EB" the following day, September 20, 2018, raising approximately $230 million in net proceeds before underwriting discounts and expenses. At the IPO price, Eventbrite achieved a of about $1.76 billion. The IPO shares experienced notable underpricing, as they opened at $36 per share—56% above the offering price—and closed the debut day at $36.50, marking a 59% gain. This strong market reception reflected investor enthusiasm for Eventbrite's position in the live events industry, building on its pre-IPO growth in user base and international presence. Underwriters, led by and , had a 30-day option to purchase up to 1.5 million additional shares to cover over-allotments. Eventbrite intended to use the net proceeds primarily to repay approximately $83 million in outstanding debt, including prepayment penalties, with the remainder allocated to and general corporate purposes such as product development, international expansion, potential acquisitions, and operational needs. In the immediate aftermath of the IPO, Eventbrite's faced volatility influenced by broader market conditions in the sector, including concerns over growth valuations and economic uncertainty, leading to fluctuations from its debut highs.

Pandemic impact and recovery

The severely disrupted Eventbrite's operations starting in early 2020, as global lockdowns led to widespread event cancellations and a sharp decline in live event activity. Net revenue for 2020 fell to $106.0 million, a 67.6% decrease from $326.8 million in 2019, reflecting the near-total halt in in-person gatherings. To address the financial strain, Eventbrite implemented significant cost-cutting measures, including a 45% reduction in its global workforce—approximately 500 employees—in April 2020, as part of a broader $100 million annualized expense reduction plan. In response to the crisis, Eventbrite rapidly pivoted to support s, launching tools for online ticketing, attendee management, and integrations with streaming platforms like Zoom and during 2020 and 2021. This shift enabled the platform to host over 75 million attendees by the end of 2020, with virtual experiences accounting for a substantial portion of activity as seminars, workshops, and classes migrated online. The adaptation helped sustain operations amid the downturn, allowing Eventbrite to process 3.5 million virtual and limited live events despite the overall revenue contraction. As restrictions eased, Eventbrite began its recovery phase with a gradual return to live events in 2022, powering $3.3 billion in ticket sales across 5 million events that year. Paid ticket volume continued to rebound, reaching approximately 83% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 2023, supported by strong growth in net revenue to $326.1 million—a 25% increase year-over-year. By 2025, Eventbrite had integrated AI-driven features to enhance recovery and future growth, including the launch of the AI-powered Lineup Tool for automated event content generation and personalized recommendations based on user interests and past attendance. These innovations, combined with ongoing margin improvements, positioned the company for renewed expansion, with management projecting a return to year-over-year paid ticket volume growth by Q2 2026.

Acquisition by Bending Spoons

In December 2025, Eventbrite entered into an agreement to be acquired by Bending Spoons for approximately $500 million in an all-cash deal, which would take the company private. The transaction emphasized accelerating Eventbrite's innovations, including plans for AI-powered recommendations and tools to simplify event creation, targeted for rollout in 2026, alongside other enhancements to drive growth.

Products and services

Core ticketing platform

Eventbrite's core ticketing platform provides organizers with an intuitive event creation interface that enables the customization of event pages, including details such as descriptions, images, and schedules to the attendee . Organizers can define various ticket types, such as general admission, VIP, free, paid, or donation-based options, each with customizable names, quantities, and pricing structures to accommodate different event needs. The platform integrates built-in payment processing, charging a 2.9% fee per order for handling transactions securely through major credit cards and other methods. Key ticketing features include real-time tracking, which monitors available tickets and sales dynamically to prevent , accessible via the organizer for ongoing management. For event entry, the platform supports scanning through its tools, allowing quick check-ins and real-time attendance updates to streamline onsite operations. Organizers establish refund policies during ticket setup, specifying conditions like full refunds within a certain period or no refunds, with the platform facilitating automated or manual processing to handle attendee requests efficiently. Security is a foundational element, with Eventbrite maintaining PCI-DSS 4.0.1 Level 1 compliance as both a and , ensuring robust protection for payment data during transactions. The system incorporates real-time detection to monitor and prevent unauthorized activities, such as suspicious ticket purchases, enhancing trust in the ticketing process. As of 2025, the platform powers nearly 5 million events annually, serving organizers and attendees across diverse live experiences while integrating seamlessly with broader discovery tools for enhanced visibility.

Event discovery and promotion tools

Eventbrite's event discovery features rely on a sophisticated search and recommendation engine that employs algorithms to deliver personalized suggestions to users. These algorithms analyze factors such as users' location, expressed interests, and history of past attendance or purchases to match events with potential attendees, enhancing and increasing . For instance, the system promotes events to over 90 million active ticket buyers by tailoring recommendations based on purchase history and preferences, often integrating location data to prioritize local or nearby activities. To assist organizers in promoting their events, Eventbrite provides a suite of built-in marketing tools, including capabilities that allow for customizable templates and automated campaigns to target specific audiences. Social sharing integrations enable one-click posting of event details to platforms like and directly from the event dashboard, facilitating organic reach. Additionally, paid options within the platform, such as Eventbrite Ads and targeted social media promotions on and , allow organizers to amplify visibility by reaching broader, interest-matched audiences through managed ad campaigns. Organizers can monitor the effectiveness of these tools via an integrated analytics accessible from the event management interface, which tracks key metrics including attendance rates, ticket sales, and attendee engagement. The supports customizable views, time periods, and filters to visualize on ticket revenue, event views, and interaction levels, providing real-time insights to optimize promotion strategies. In 2023, Eventbrite introduced its main AI features, powered by OpenAI, including automated event description and summary generation, auto-create tools, and aids for marketing copy to streamline event creation and promotion. These features, launched in May and further expanded by , leverage AI to assist in crafting targeted content for event pages, emails, and social ads, marking a shift toward more predictive and automated personalization in event matching. No major new AI feature launches occurred in 2024, with the company instead focusing on publishing content about AI trends for events. In late 2025, Eventbrite outlined plans for its 2026 product roadmap, including AI-powered recommendations throughout the event creation journey to enhance listings and drive ticket sales, building on data from millions of events.

Integrations and mobile features

Eventbrite provides extensive integrations with third-party platforms to extend its core ticketing capabilities, enabling seamless connectivity for virtual events, , and payment processing. For virtual and hybrid events, the platform offers a direct integration with Zoom, allowing organizers to link events to Zoom meetings or webinars, automatically sync registrant data, and streamline attendee access without manual exports. This integration supports paid webinars and real-time updates, reducing setup time for online events. In the realm of CRM systems, Eventbrite integrates with via the AppExchange marketplace, facilitating bidirectional data flow between event registrations and Salesforce records. This connection enables organizers to initiate event creation from , track attendee interactions, and measure event ROI directly within the CRM, enhancing lead nurturing and sales alignment. For payment handling beyond its defaults, Eventbrite supports multiple gateways to accommodate global users. Its primary Eventbrite Payment Processing is powered by Stripe, offering secure online transactions, support for on-site sales, and payouts within three days post-event. Where Stripe is unavailable, organizers can opt for processing, which covers additional currencies and countries, alongside offline options like or checks for flexible revenue collection. Eventbrite's mobile ecosystem includes dedicated apps for and Android, catering to both attendees and organizers for on-the-go . The attendee-facing Eventbrite app allows users to discover events through personalized feeds, purchase tickets securely, and manage orders with details like QR codes for entry. Organizers rely on the Eventbrite Organizer app to oversee event performance, including real-time ticket tracking, manual or scanned check-ins via QR codes, and live attendance monitoring to ensure smooth operations. To support custom development, Eventbrite offers developer tools centered on its and related extensions. The Eventbrite , secured with 2.0, allows programmatic access to event data, orders, and attendees for building tailored solutions or automating workflows. Webhooks provide real-time push notifications for key actions, such as new registrations or order changes, enabling instant integrations with external systems. Complementing these, official SDKs for and Python simplify interactions, supporting client-side and server-side implementations for custom apps. Mobile features have become integral to Eventbrite's platform, with apps driving significant user engagement by facilitating convenient browsing, purchasing, and management across devices.

Business model and operations

Revenue streams

Eventbrite's primary derives from service fees and processing fees charged on the sale of paid tickets through its platform. These fees consist of a service of 3.7% of the ticket price plus a flat of $1.79 per ticket sold, which organizers can elect to pass on to attendees or absorb themselves. Prior to adjustments in 2023, the structure included lower rates such as 2.5% plus $0.99 per ticket, but increases were implemented to reflect enhanced platform features. In 2023, Eventbrite shifted toward greater emphasis on organizer-paid fees by introducing an organizer for events exceeding 25 attendees, including free events, as part of a new model announced in and effective September 6 that included subscription-based plans. However, this change faced backlash from organizers, leading to its discontinuation in September 2024, when Eventbrite reverted to a free-to-publish model for unlimited events while retaining optional paid upgrades. Beyond ticketing, Eventbrite generates income through subscription tiers offering premium features for organizers, such as advanced tools and . The Pro plan, for example, is priced based on daily limits, starting at $15 per month for up to 2,000 emails per day and scaling to $100 for up to 10,000 emails per day, with annual options providing discounts. These subscriptions replaced the short-lived Flex per-event plan introduced in 2023 and discontinued in 2024. Additional revenue comes from services, where partners pay to promote content and events on the platform, and from other services like payment processing. , in particular, grew by $5.2 million in 2024 and continued to expand, increasing 38% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025. In 2025, ticketing fees remained the dominant source, accounting for the majority of net , which totaled $71.7 million in the third quarter despite an 8% year-over-year decline partly due to the elimination of the organizer fee. This decline was offset by growth in and stabilizing subscription , though subscriptions saw some contraction amid pricing adjustments. The 2023 fee restructuring, including the introduction and subsequent reversal of organizer fees, aimed to improve organizer retention by simplifying access and reducing barriers, ultimately contributing to a more predictable focused on value-added services.

Global expansion and markets

Eventbrite began its international expansion in 2012 with the opening of its first office in the and the launch of localized versions of its platform in French for , competing with local leaders like Weezevent, and , as well as Spanish for . By 2015, the platform supported more than two million events across over 180 countries, marking a significant early push into global markets. By 2020, Eventbrite provided full global support in nearly 180 countries, including localized payment options in multiple currencies and support for regional payment methods to facilitate seamless transactions for organizers and attendees worldwide. This expansion included adaptations such as multi-language support for event pages, allowing creators to set languages like Spanish, French, and to match local audiences. Eventbrite has established a strong presence in key European markets, including the , , , the , and , where it maintains offices and complies with regional regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) through certifications under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. In , the company has focused on countries like and , with offices in and Mendoza, tailoring its platform to support local event types and languages such as and Argentinian Spanish. International operations have faced challenges, including regulatory hurdles in regions like Brazil, where complex ticketing laws and data protection requirements demand ongoing compliance efforts to navigate varying jurisdictional rules on sales taxes, consumer rights, and event licensing. As of 2024, international markets accounted for approximately 40% of Eventbrite's paid ticket volume, reflecting a substantial contribution to overall activity, with the company continuing to prioritize high-growth areas like Asia-Pacific through launches and support in Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia, backed by a dedicated regional team. In 2025, international paid ticket trends remained stable, contributing to overall growth initiatives amid Q3 earnings.

Funding and finances

Venture capital rounds

Eventbrite received funding of $250,000 in 2006. It secured its initial funding through a in June 2008, raising an undisclosed amount led by along with European and Global Founders Capital, to support platform development and early growth. The company followed this with a $6.5 million Series C round in November 2009, led by , which enabled further enhancements to its self-service ticketing features and team expansion. Subsequent funding included a $50 million Series E round in May 2011 led by , aimed at scaling operations and international reach. In April 2013, Eventbrite raised $60 million in , again led by , to fuel innovation in tools. A notable $60 million private equity round followed in March 2014, valuing the company at over $1 billion and involving participation from existing backers like and . Eventbrite's pre-IPO funding culminated in a $134 million Series G round in September 2017, led by Spectrum Equity with involvement from and , to bolster technology investments ahead of its . Over 11 rounds from 2008 to 2017, Eventbrite raised a total of $349 million in venture capital. Key investors across these rounds included Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, and Founders Fund. The capital was primarily deployed toward product development, hiring talent, and maintaining a strategic emphasis on profitability while expanding globally.

Post-IPO performance and financials

Eventbrite completed its (IPO) on September 20, , pricing 10 million shares at $23 each and raising $230 million, which valued the company at approximately $1.8 billion on a fully diluted basis. Shares debuted strongly, opening at $36 and closing the first day at $36.50, a 59% gain. In its first full year as a , Eventbrite generated net of $310.3 million in , reflecting growth from prior private operations. This figure increased modestly to $326.8 million in 2019, driven by expansion in ticket sales and event volume before the onset of global disruptions. The drastically curtailed live events in , causing net to plummet 67.6% year-over-year to $106.0 million, accompanied by a substantial net loss of $224.7 million, largely attributable to goodwill impairment charges related to acquired businesses. Recovery accelerated post-pandemic, with net rebounding to $187.1 million in 2021, $260.9 million in 2022, and reaching $326.1 million in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels through resumed event activity and platform enhancements. Entering 2025, Eventbrite encountered softer demand and strategic adjustments, including the elimination of certain organizer fees, leading to Q1 net revenue of $73.8 million, a 14% decline from the prior year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.2%. Q2 revenue followed at $72.8 million, also down 14% year-over-year, with a net loss of $2.1 million. In Q3, net revenue measured $71.7 million, reflecting ongoing stabilization efforts, a of $6.4 million, and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.7%, surpassing initial guidance through operational efficiencies and growth in . For the full year 2025, the company narrowed its net revenue outlook to $290–$293 million and elevated its adjusted EBITDA margin projection to 8–9%. Eventbrite's stock performance has been volatile since the IPO, with shares trading around $2.63 as of November 7, 2025, yielding a of approximately $220 million—significantly below the IPO valuation amid broader market pressures on event-related firms.

Acquisitions and partnerships

Major acquisitions

Eventbrite's acquisition strategy has focused on expanding its global footprint, enhancing event discovery, and strengthening its position in through targeted purchases of complementary platforms. In 2013, the company made its first major acquisitions by purchasing Eventioz, a Latin American ticketing service, and Lanyrd, a London-based directory and event data company. Eventioz enabled Eventbrite to enter the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets in , where it had established a strong presence in ticketing for cultural and events, allowing for seamless integration of local payment systems and event listings into Eventbrite's platform. Lanyrd's acquisition complemented this by adding a comprehensive database of professional conferences and networking events, which Eventbrite integrated to improve event discovery tools for users seeking industry-specific gatherings, thereby boosting cross-promotion between social and ticketing features. In January 2017, Eventbrite acquired Ticketscript, an Amsterdam-based self-service ticketing platform specializing in live music and events across . This acquisition strengthened Eventbrite's position in the European market, making it the continent's third-largest ticketing platform by integrating Ticketscript's tools for promoters and venues. Later in 2017, Eventbrite acquired Nvite, a -based platform specializing in customizable, community-focused event invitations and registration. Nvite's tools for branded event pages and social sharing were integrated into Eventbrite's core system to enhance discovery and engagement for professional organizers, such as brands and nonprofits, by simplifying the creation of invitation-style events that foster . That same year marked Eventbrite's largest deal with the $200 million acquisition of Ticketfly, a direct competitor focused on ticketing for U.S. music venues and promoters. This move significantly increased Eventbrite's in the live music sector, combining Ticketfly's venue management software and artist promotion capabilities with Eventbrite's broader tools, resulting in expanded offerings for independent promoters and a unified backend for inventory and sales tracking. In , Eventbrite continued its global expansion with the acquisition of Ticketea, a leading Spanish ticketing provider. Ticketea brought expertise in mid-market and self-service ticketing for music festivals and cultural events across , particularly in and , which Eventbrite integrated to accelerate its momentum in the region by adding local event catalogs and payment options while retaining Ticketea's staff to support ongoing operations. Later that year, Eventbrite acquired Picatic, a Vancouver-based ticketing and event registration platform popular in . Picatic's mobile-friendly tools for event creation and promotion were merged into Eventbrite's ecosystem to broaden its North American presence, particularly for small-scale and corporate events, by incorporating Picatic's technical talent and simplifying registration flows for creators. In November 2020, Eventbrite acquired ToneDen, a Berkeley, California-based platform for and fan engagement, particularly for musicians and event creators, for approximately $7.5 million. ToneDen's automation tools for targeted promotions on platforms like and were integrated to help organizers attract larger audiences and increase ticket sales through data-driven advertising.

Strategic partnerships

Eventbrite has formed several strategic partnerships to enhance event discovery, promotion, and payment processing, focusing on collaborations that expand its reach without involving equity stakes. One key alliance is with , which began integrating Eventbrite's ticketing functionality into Events in 2019, allowing users to create, sell tickets, and manage registrations directly on the platform. This partnership builds on earlier social media integrations dating back to 2016, enabling seamless promotion of events to 's vast user base and simplifying ticket sales for organizers. In 2024, Eventbrite partnered with to streamline event discovery and ticket sales, permitting creators to link Eventbrite events in TikTok videos and bios for direct promotion to the platform's young, engaged audience. This collaboration aims to boost visibility for niche and local events, leveraging TikTok's algorithm to drive higher attendance and sales through viral content. On the payments front, Eventbrite has maintained a longstanding integration with Stripe as its primary processor in major markets including the , , , and , facilitating secure transactions, instant payouts introduced in 2024, and contactless payments via Stripe readers. This reduces friction in the ticketing process and supports global scalability for organizers handling diverse payment needs. Eventbrite also collaborates with industry organizations like the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), expanding their alliance in 2024 to support independent venues and artists through , resources, and exclusive tools for live event promotion. This tie strengthens Eventbrite's role in the independent live entertainment sector, providing data-driven insights and co-marketing opportunities to counter challenges faced by smaller operators. In November 2025, Eventbrite announced a partnership with Listener.com, an AI-powered analytics platform, enabling podcasters to integrate listener data from platforms like Spotify and YouTube with Eventbrite's event tools to identify engaged audiences, plan live events, and convert digital followers into attendees. In terms of AI enhancements, Eventbrite integrated OpenAI's GPT models in 2023 to automate event page creation, campaigns, and ads, improving efficiency for creators in and promotion. These partnerships collectively contribute to Eventbrite's ecosystem by optimizing user acquisition and retention; for instance, social integrations have enabled low-cost customer acquisition, with efforts achieving positive returns on ad spend in recent quarters.

Leadership and governance

Executive leadership

Julia Hartz has served as Eventbrite's since 2016 and assumed the additional role of Executive Chair in June 2024, guiding the company's overall vision, strategic direction, and expansion efforts. Under her leadership, Eventbrite completed its in 2018 and adapted to the near-total shutdown of live events during the in 2020, pivoting to support virtual experiences and positioning the platform for post-pandemic recovery. Kevin Hartz, co-founder of Eventbrite alongside his wife Julia in 2006, acted as the company's CEO from inception until 2016 and as Chairman until completing his board term in 2024, where he emphasized governance oversight and strategic investments in and startups. Following his departure from the board, he continues to influence the sector as a at venture firm A*, drawing on his prior experience scaling companies like , which was acquired by . Anand Gandhi joined Eventbrite as in November 2024, overseeing financial operations, budgeting, and to support the company's post-IPO stabilization and revenue diversification strategies amid fluctuating event markets. His tenure has focused on optimizing costs and enhancing profitability, as evidenced in the company's Q3 2025 earnings, where net income reached $6.4 million despite revenue pressures. Vivek Sagi served as from August 2020 to May 2025, directing global engineering initiatives to innovate Eventbrite's platform, including enhancements in ticketing scalability and creator tools that bolstered the company's technological edge during recovery from the . Ted Dworkin has been since January 2023, leading , design, and research teams to develop user-centric features that align with Eventbrite's strategy of empowering event organizers through intuitive tools and data-driven insights. His contributions have emphasized roadmap evolution to integrate AI and , supporting sustained growth in creator adoption. Samantha Wu was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in August 2024, steering global marketing strategies to amplify Eventbrite's brand and drive user acquisition in competitive markets.

Board and corporate structure

Eventbrite, Inc. maintains a consisting of eight members as of 2025, with seven independent directors and one non-independent director, Julia Hartz, who serves as CEO and Executive Chair. The board's composition emphasizes diversity, with seven members identifying as female and over one-third as BIPOC, supporting robust governance oversight for the company's operations as a NYSE-listed entity. Independent directors include Katherine August-deWilde, a former president of ; Jane Lauder, executive vice president at ; Pilar Manchón, senior director of engineering at ; Sean Moriarty, CEO of Primer; Helen Riley, CFO of Dapper Labs; Naomi Wheeless, former global head of customer success at ; and April Underwood, co-founder of Adverb Ventures. The board operates through three standing committees: Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance, each composed entirely of independent directors to ensure impartiality in key oversight functions. The , chaired by Helen Riley, includes Pilar Manchón and Sean Moriarty, and is responsible for financial reporting, internal controls, and , including cybersecurity. The Compensation Committee, chaired by August-deWilde, oversees executive pay, incentives, and broader talent strategies, with Helen Riley as a member. The Nominating and Committee, which includes August-deWilde and Naomi Wheeless, handles director nominations, board evaluations, and policies; since 2022, it has incorporated oversight of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters following the company's initial ESG priorities assessment. Eventbrite is incorporated in the State of , a common jurisdiction for U.S. public companies due to its established corporate laws. The company employs a dual-class share structure, with Class A carrying one vote per share and Class B carrying ten votes per share, enabling founders Julia Hartz and to retain significant voting control despite owning a minority of total equity. This structure, established at the IPO, aligns with founder-led models but includes provisions for automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A upon certain triggers, such as a transfer exceeding specified thresholds. Eventbrite's corporate policies reflect its status as a NYSE-listed , including annual through Corporate Responsibility Reports that detail progress on ESG priorities like carbon neutrality and diversity. These reports comply with evolving regulatory expectations, such as SEC climate-related disclosures. Regarding AI, the company's Supplier prohibits sharing customer or confidential with third-party generative AI tools without approval, underscoring a commitment to data privacy and ethical use in its event platform enhancements.

Controversies and challenges

Fee and pricing disputes

Eventbrite has encountered significant backlash from organizers and attendees over its pricing model, particularly regarding fee structures perceived as opaque or burdensome. In 2020, a was filed alleging that Eventbrite's refund policy for events postponed or canceled due to the was deceptive and unfair, as the company refused to refund ticket prices or associated fees despite prior assurances of refunds. The suit claimed violations of laws, seeking full refunds for affected ticket buyers, and highlighted how fees contributed to the overall financial impact on consumers. During the post-pandemic recovery period, organizers voiced complaints about fee hikes that exacerbated financial pressures on event hosting. Eventbrite increased its service fees and per-ticket charges in 2022, with the total effective rate reaching approximately 6.6% including payment processing, amid rising operational costs for creators recovering from event shutdowns. These changes led to heightened dissatisfaction, contributing to organizer churn as some sought lower-cost alternatives, with reports indicating declining platform engagement in the sector. The most prominent controversy arose in 2023 when Eventbrite shifted its model by introducing organizer fees for free events exceeding 25 invitees, effectively ending the longstanding free tier and moving costs directly onto creators. This change was criticized as introducing hidden costs that undermined the platform's accessibility for small-scale and nonprofit events, sparking widespread protests from organizers on and forums who argued it disproportionately affected community-driven activities. The backlash resulted in an exodus of event hosts, with Eventbrite reporting declining paid ticket metrics and a notable drop in organizer retention during the year. In response to the outcry and broader regulatory pressures, including new FTC rules mandating upfront fee disclosure to combat "drip pricing," Eventbrite reversed course in 2024 by eliminating the organizer fees and allowing unlimited free event publishing. The company also enhanced its pricing transparency through updated tools and dashboards that clearly outline all fees for organizers, aiming to rebuild trust and comply with evolving standards. In 2024, a WIRED investigation revealed significant lapses in Eventbrite's , uncovering over 7,400 listings that appeared to promote illegal activities, including the sale of prescription opioids such as Xanax, Valium, and , as well as escort services. These listings violated Eventbrite's community guidelines, which explicitly prohibit content dedicated to selling illegal substances or services, yet some were promoted in search results, including to users querying addiction recovery resources. Following the report, Eventbrite removed the identified illicit listings and committed to strengthening its detection mechanisms. Eventbrite has faced several legal challenges related to its platform content and operations. In , shareholders filed a securities alleging that the company and its executives made misleading statements in its IPO registration about growth projections and the integration of its Ticketfly acquisition, which contributed to a post-IPO decline. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of dismissed the initial complaint with leave to amend in April 2020, citing insufficient specificity in the allegations, though the case ultimately settled in 2021 for $1.9 million. Additional legal scrutiny has centered on data privacy and platform . Separately, multiple lawsuits have accused Eventbrite of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining a and app that are not fully accessible to blind and visually impaired users, lacking sufficient compatibility and alternative text for images; these cases, including Kathy Wu v. Eventbrite, Inc. filed in 2025, remain ongoing in federal courts. In response to these content and legal issues, Eventbrite has expanded its moderation efforts by 2025, integrating technologies to proactively scan and flag prohibited listings, alongside a dedicated team of human reviewers. The company has also updated its community guidelines to emphasize stricter enforcement against illegal content and formed informal collaborations with law enforcement agencies to report detected violations, such as drug-related listings, aiming to enhance platform safety and compliance.

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