seaters
{{Short description|Marketing technology company}}
{{Orphan|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Seaters
| logo = Seaters Primary Logo.png
| type =Private
| founded = August 2013
| founders = Jean-Sebastien Gosuin, Manu Jans, Dominique Snyers
| industry = Tech
| products = Ticketing technology, Ticket Sales and Resales
|website = {{url|https://www.seaters.com}}
| locations= (4) New York, Brussels, Paris and London
}}
Seaters is a privately owned marketing technology company, with headquarters in New York City. Seaters platform and app was created to address the prevalent problem of empty seats at events.
History
Based on his experience as a ticketing agent and familiarity with the empty seat problem, Jean-Sébastien Gosuin founded Smart Seats (later changed to Seaters) in August 2013 with Manu Jans and Dominique Snyers.{{cite web|title=Belgische bedrijf Seaters mikt op jaaromzet van 1 miljoen|url=http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20150209_01519280|website=De Standaard|date=9 February 2015 |accessdate=4 March 2017|language=nl-BE}}
In 2014, Seaters raised $4 million from investors in the United States and Europe.{{Cite web|url=http://trends.levif.be/economie/high-tech/numerik/la-start-up-belge-seaters-s-attaque-au-marche-francais-et-vise-l-euro-2016/article-normal-388491.html|title=La start-up belge Seaters s'attaque au marché français et vise l'Euro 2016|date=2015-04-09|publisher=Le Vif/L'Express|access-date=2016-08-02}}
In 2015, Seaters was one of 17 companies in the inaugural group accepted by Le Tremplin, for its sports-related incubator in Paris.{{Cite web|url=http://trends.levif.be/economie/entreprises/seaters-la-start-up-belge-qui-vise-a-combler-les-places-vides-lors-d-evenements-video/article-normal-365591.html|title=Seaters, la start-up belge qui vise à "combler les places vides" lors d'événements|date=2015-02-09|publisher=Le Vif/L'Express|access-date=2016-08-02}}
In 2017, Seaters raised $3 million in fresh capital with participants including existing investors and new investors.{{Cite news|url=http://www.alleywatch.com/2017/03/nyc-startup-closing-3m-give-hope-concert-sold/|title=NYC Startups Seaters is Making Sure Sporting Events are Full|date=2017-03-13|work=AlleyWatch|access-date=2017-05-02|language=en-US}}
Overview
Seaters has a two part solution to the empty seat problem, which has been found to occur at virtually all sold-out events, at a rate of 2-10% vacant seats. Both parts involve aggregating demand for unused tickets in advance of an event, so tickets can be distributed easily when they become available, even at the last minute.{{cite web|last1=Edwards|first1=Samantha|title=Havas SE and Seaters join forces|url=http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/havas-se-seaters-join-forces/agencies/article/1336756|website=Eventmagazine.co.uk|accessdate=4 March 2017}}{{cite web|title=Seaters: "Our first-minute tool for the last-minute problem of empty seats is a win-win for everyone"|url=https://www.iminds.be/en/news/20150401_news_seaters-in-the-picture|website=iMinds|accessdate=4 March 2017|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://markets.financialcontent.com/startribune/news/read/32463498/BNP_Paribas_Fortis_Rolls_Out_Customer_Loyalty_Campaign_with_Seaters|title=BNP Paribas Fortis Rolls Out Customer Loyalty Campaign with Seaters, a New York Marketing Technology Company|last=|first=|date=|website=Star Tribune|publisher=|access-date=2016-08-02}}{{cite web|title=Plus de places pour un grand match ? "Seaters" trouve des sièges inoccupés|url=http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2015/05/09/2101712-plus-places-grand-match-seaters-trouve-sieges-inoccupes.html|website=La Dépêche du Midi|accessdate=4 March 2017|language=fr}}
Seaters mobile app allows to join Fan Groups for preferred events that are sold out. Members of Fan Groups wait in a virtual queue for notification that a ticket is available for them to purchase. Seaters earns a 20% handling fee from each sale.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/app-gives-fans-another-shot-sold-events-225648947.html|title=App gives fans another shot at sold-out events|publisher=Yahoo! Tech|access-date=2016-08-02}}{{cite web|title=Belgisch bedrijf Seaters mikt op jaaromzet van 1 miljoen|url=http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/942/Economie/article/detail/2211670/2015/02/09/Belgisch-bedrijf-Seaters-mikt-op-jaaromzet-van-1-miljoen.dhtml|website=Het Laatste Nieuws|accessdate=4 March 2017|date=9 February 2015}}