Venuetize, a Tampa-based technology company with a specialty in streamlining sports fans' experiences, has seen a massive growth since the coronavirus pandemic and will now be featured in the National Hockey League league-wide app.
The latest news follows after a renewal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, which Venuetize has worked with the last three years.
Venuetize offerings, such as being able to order food directly to your seat and mobile tickets, are now available on the NHL app for Lightning game attendees.
"It is a huge deal for the company — that's how we grow the business at scale," said Craig Duncan, chief revenue officer for Venuetize. "Once you can integrate with the league-wide app, teams are now reaching out to you because you're a preferred partner."
While it has a partnership with the Lightning, Venuetize will be available for both sporting and non-sporting events at Amalie Arena.
"As we continue to prepare for the reopening of Amalie Arena, it has been critical to have a partner who not only provides us with a contactless way to transact through our venue, but can also layer on season ticket member discounts, rewards and corporate partner offers,” Jarrod Dillon, chief marketing and revenue officer of Vinik Sports Group, said in a statement. “Venuetize is a vital partner to us at VSG as we continue to work on providing our fans with the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.”
Venuetize is also integrated on the PGA TOUR app and is a preferred partner with the MLB. But the company goes beyond sports: It is also working with large venues, such as arenas and casinos, that have undergone pivots in recent months due to the novel coronavirus.
"We're seeing growing interest, especially became of the pandemic, with cashless and mobile-first experiences," Duncan said. "They're hitting the accelerator on those verticals ... after the first month or two when people were trying to figure out what was taking place with the sports and entertainment world, they realized having cashless contact is a must-have."
The major growth comes at a time of change for Venuetize: Its founder, Karri Zaremba, left the company for an opportunity in Major League Baseball in September.
According to Duncan, Venuetize has over 30 clients, with a 42 percent increase of new client acquisition. The company employs 35 people and also expects a 40 percent increase as it enters into 2021, according to Duncan.
"We're in major hire mode for sure," he said. "It's a great place to be right now; after six years of a lot of hard work, it's starting to pay off."
