Tickster invests internationally – and becomes a Compare company

Tickster in Arvika is expanding profitably and is now facing the next big step in development. "We have a good and growing customer base in Sweden, which confirms that we have services and a business model that works - therefore we are now mature for the international market," says Erik Lindholm, CEO of Tickster AB.

To cope with the expansion, Tickster needs to strengthen the development resources in Arvika. And in order to manage the supply of skills, Tickster becomes an interested company in Stiftelsen Compare Karlstad. "We should have become one earlier but now realize that through Compare we can get the visibility needed to support us in meeting our recruitment and skills development needs," explains Erik Lindholm.

Tickster was started in 2008 as a spin-off from Arvikafestivalen. "Back then it was expensive and cumbersome to manage ticket sales - the tickets had to be sent by letter and we saw great opportunities in being able to simplify the handling with the help of IT solutions," says Erik.

Today, Tickster is a strategic supplier of smart cloud-based IT services that connects organizers and visitors in music, culture and sport. "At the core is our completely self-developed ticket system, which today is used by leading organizers to sell millions of tickets for thousands of events every year," explains Erik and continues: "We help large and small organizers with a simple sales process via the internet, mobile phone, by phone or over the counter – from marketing to the efficient administration of events”.

Among the company's customers are Sweden's largest festivals (Peace & Love, Sweden Rock and Summerburst); Sweden's largest multicultural stage (Södra Teatern); Sweden's largest club and restaurant chain (Stureplansgruppen); Sweden's biggest club scene for pop and rock (Debaser); one of Sweden's biggest sporting events (Vasaloppet); as well as elite teams with arenas in football, hockey, handball, floorball and bandy.

Tickster currently has 12 employees – six at the head office in Arvika, where most of the development takes place, and the rest at the offices in Gothenburg and Stockholm. "We need to be close to the customers, who in many cases are in the big cities - but also to strengthen the development resources in Arvika with skills that don't grow on trees," explains Erik.

Events are fun and should be an experience for all parties - that's why Tickster is far ahead in technological development. "In order to cope with the competition, we have to use the right technology at the right time - we are quick to apply the latest versions of the new technologies," says Erik and gives some examples:

Tickster Resale is a service where sellers and buyers of tickets can carry out the transaction in a simple and completely secure way. Read more >>

Tickster was the first in Sweden with a Passbook solution: A week after Apple released Passbook, tickets from Tickster could be delivered via the app (pictured left). Check out the test page >>

BoxPoint Mobile: Tickster's solution for entry into the entrance with an iOS device (image on the right). Check out the test page >>

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