BGF invests €4 million into Limerick tech company Eventmaster

BGF has announced a €4 million investment into Limerick-based business Eventmaster.

Eventmaster’s technology platform provides ticketing, membership registration, and fundraising software solutions for large sports events, national governing bodies, charities and event organisers.

Its products underpin more than 3,000 events annually, with over 1.5 million tickets sold each year. The company also provides key tech support to various national sports bodies (with a combined 250,000 members), including Athletics Ireland, Cycling Ireland and Canoeing Ireland.

This new investment will see BGF take a minority stake in the company. Meanwhile, John Cleary, who founded Eventmaster in 2010, will remain as its CEO and majority shareholder.

Today, Eventmaster is the leading online registration platform in the Irish sports participation market. Its ticketing and fundraising technology is used by some of the country’s largest athletic and cycling events, including: Irish Life Dublin Marathon; Cork City Marathon; Moy Park Belfast City Marathon; Ring Of Beara Cycle; and Tour de Connemara.

The company provides ticketing solutions for entertainment events as well, such as festivals, balls, debs, and a number of student unions. It also supports charities and clubs with their fundraising efforts, having onboarded over 300 charities to date.

Following the deal with BGF, Eventmaster plans to accelerate its growth by investing in sales and marketing, scaling its team with additional hires, and expanding its platform across Ireland and the UK.

The investment was led by BGF investor Joe Higgins, who will join Eventmaster’s board as a Director, and BGF investor Aoife McAdam, who will join the board as an Observer.

Experienced executive and board director Feargal Mooney will also join as Non-Executive Chair. Feargal’s previous roles include a 16-year tenure at Hostelworld, first as COO and later CEO, during which he led the business through several acquisitions and funding rounds — before its IPO in 2015 on the main markets of the London Stock Exchange and Irish Stock Exchange. Feargal was also Chair of AA Ireland, and holds non-executive roles at Hubli (previously known as MeetingsBooker), Rosetta Brands and Luzern eCommerce.

Commenting on the deal, BGF investor Joe Higgins said: “Eventmaster is one of the most impressive tech companies we have seen in the Irish market. Over the past 14 years, they have carved out a leadership position in the Irish market, and they have exciting plans for expansion here and further afield. BGF is delighted to support them on this journey, and to help John and his team realise their huge potential.”

Meanwhile, the company’s incoming Non-Executive Chair, Feargal Mooney, added: “I am delighted to join Eventmaster as Chair at this exciting stage of its growth journey. John and his team have developed a leading position in ticketing, registration and charity fundraising technology in Ireland, and I look forward to working with them, supported by BGF, to accelerate this growth and maximise their share of the opportunity, both in the Irish market and beyond.”