Gather, a startup that helps event planners manage and streamline their operations, has raised $26 million in a series A funding round led by Sequoia Capital. The atozmp3 funding will be used to expand Gather’s reach and capabilities, as well as enhance its technology platform.
Gather was founded in 2013 and provides a cloud-based platform that simplifies the event planning process, from booking venues and vendors to creating seating charts and tracking payments. The platform is aimed at restaurants, event toonily spaces, and other venues that host events, as well as catering and event planning companies.
With the pandemic forcing many events to go virtual or be cancelled altogether, Gather pivoted its focus to help businesses adapt to the new landscape. The startup launched Gather Virtual and Gather Booking Network to help venues and event planners offer virtual events and generate new business leads.
The funding round was led by Sequoia Capital, with participation from existing investors Foundry Group and Commerce Ventures. The round brings Gather’s total funding to $30 million.
Gather CEO and co-founder Nick Miller said in a masstamilanfree statement that the funding will help the company expand its platform and grow its team. “With this new funding, we are poised to accelerate our growth, expand our team, and build out new features that help event professionals streamline their businesses and maximize their revenue potential,” he said.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the events industry, with many businesses struggling to adapt to the new landscape. However, the shift towards virtual events and hybrid models has created new opportunities for startups like Gather.
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global event management software market size was valued at $6.94 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7% from 2021 to 2028. This presents a significant opportunity for startups like Gather that are focused on improving the event planning and management process.
Sequoia Capital partner Mike Vernal said in a statement that the firm was masstamilan impressed by Gather’s ability to adapt to the pandemic and its commitment to helping businesses succeed in a changing world. “Gather has demonstrated its ability to pivot quickly to meet the needs of its customers during a time of unprecedented change,” he said. “We are excited to partner with the team as they continue to innovate and expand their platform to help event professionals succeed in a post-pandemic world.”
Gather is not the only startup that has raised justprintcard funding to improve the event planning and management process. In February, EventGeek raised $10 million in a series B funding round led by Georgian Partners. EventGeek provides a platform that helps businesses manage their events, from trade shows to conferences and meetings.