Ticketmaster acquires Knife Capital portfolio company Quicket
Knife Capital invested in Quicket in 2017.
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Ticketmaster, the world’s leading ticket marketplace, is acquiring South Africa’s Quicket, a major player in Africa’s general admission event and festival ticketing.
Quicket is a Knife Capital portfolio company. Knife Capital invested in Quicket in 2017 via its Section 12J VCC: KNF Ventures.
Keet van Zyl, Knife Capital co-founder and partner said: “VC exits are hard. It is easier to invest in early-stage private companies than it is to unlock value from these investments – especially in Africa. Quicket’s high growth rate while remaining capital efficient, its world class ticketing offering and resilient team piqued inbound interest from several potential acquirers throughout its journey. But because of the shared passion for connecting African artists to a global audience in a seamless customer experience, Ticketmaster is a perfect fit for the next growth phase of Quicket.”
Mark Yovich, president of Ticketmaster said: “Africa is home to some of the most passionate fans in the world who we have the privilege of connecting to the events they love, simply and securely. Our commitment to delivering top-tier tools for promoters, venues, and artists is unwavering. Partnering with Quicket will supercharge our mission to elevate Africa's dynamic live events to the global spotlight they truly deserve. Together, we are igniting a new era of unparalleled growth for African entertainment.”
James Tagg, managing director of Quicket, said: “The passion for live entertainment is at the heart of African culture. Over the past 13 years, we've empowered event creators across the continent to deliver exceptional experiences through our ticketing platform. Partnering with Ticketmaster marks a landmark moment in connecting African artists to a global audience and enhancing the experience for local fans and promoters alike.”
Under the leadership of James Tagg, Quicket will continue to operate as a standalone business unit from Cape Town.
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