Bruha is an event platform providing the tools and services to help organizer better manage their events, connect with their community and sell more tickets.
- What was the inspiration for your company?
We started the company by trying to solve our own (and our friends’) problem of a lack of awareness with events and experiences happening locally. While connecting the community is very much at the core of everything we do, we’ve made a few pivots along the way to focus on helping event organizers solve their biggest issue, selling tickets and getting the attendance numbers they deserve. We’re making this happen with Promoter, our latest feature integrated into the ticketing platform.
- When did your company start? What year? Who is your team?
We incorporated in October 2015, launched our Beta in May 2016 and went to market with the first version of our ticketing platform in January 2017. We’re a team of five, all coming from different backgrounds, with different skill sets and personalities. We’ve grown a lot together as a team and really play off of one another’s strengths.
Team members include: Graeme Davis (CEO), Kristian Borghesan/myself (Head of Growth), Robert Skoczen (CTO), Ryan O’Neill (Art Director), and Ankur Patel (Web Lead).
- How has Innovation Factory helped you?
We’ve been really fortunate enough to be a part of this incredible ecosystem and Innovation Factory has shown us a tremendous amount of ongoing support from the beginning.
Notably, there have been numerous occasions where Innovation Factory has facilitated introductions to potential channel partners, potential investors, provided us with mentorship and advice, and has given us opportunities to speak and showcase what we’ve been working on.
Over the past 6 months we’ve been seeing 20% growth month over month and we recently launched our Promoter feature, a ground-breaking (first of its kind) innovation in the space. As we continue to scale our product and expand our sales efforts, we’re looking forward to growing our community of event organizers, promoters and event goers.
- What is the most challenging part of being an entrepreneur?
Like any business, in any industry, there are always challenges on the micro and macro scale. However, one of the most challenging parts can be identifying and assessing priority tasks for the short term that will help you reach your milestones at the macro.
- What makes you different from your competitors?
There are many things that make us different from the competition. Our approach, our focus and the value we offer our clients and our community. Not to mention our Promoter feature (did I mention that?!) – We’re the very first platform connecting organizers with local event promoters directly through the platform.
- What role does innovation play in your business?
In a space where innovation has been lacking, innovation plays (and will continue to play) a very critical role in the success of our business.
We’ve successfully built a ground-breaking (innovation) tool now connecting organizers with local event promoters as a tool/method to increase ticket sales.
- What is the best recognition you have received?
The best recognition has been (and always will be in our eyes) is when we receive positive feedback from our clients/partners, knowing that we’ve helped them reach their event goals. This feedback has come in many different forms from a phone call or a text to an email to something as rewarding as receiving referrals.
- What are your plans for the next year? 5 years?
We’ve got quite the roadmap for the next 5 years. First and foremost, our goal will always be to continue growing and strengthening our community.
We’ll be expanding our market focus to target organizers all across Canada, as well as making an entry in the US market, eventually overseas.
We’re also working on something behind the scenes to further drive connections between event goers and organizers. If it sounds vague, it’s because right now that’s all I can mention – but I promise it will be good.
- Do you have any advice for young professionals or students studying to pursue a career in your field?
For the event industry specifically, it would be that running an event is a lot more challenging and requires a lot more time and effort than it appears. Be prepared to do a lot of research, a lot of planning and a lot of learning as you go.
And when it comes to building a product, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of macro patience and micro speed. Let that one sink in.
Social media: @BruhaExclusive (on everything… and I mean everything)
Website: https://bruha.com
