AI-native ticketing startup KNOT Technologies has secured $1 million in a pre-seed round led by venture capital firm A15. Emerging from stealth with over 50 enterprise clients, the company aims to tackle fraud and revenue leakage in the live events industry. This new capital will scale its infrastructure and fuel international growth.
Addressing Deep-Rooted Industry Flaws
KNOT's founders identified systemic failures in ticketing through research across Europe and the MENA region. They found legacy systems offer organizers poor visibility and control over their events. This environment pushes fans toward unsafe resale channels and causes significant revenue loss to unregulated secondary markets.
For decades, outdated infrastructure has left organizers unable to track revenue captured by resellers, a situation CEO Ahmed Abdalla calls a "financial black hole." This lack of modern tools harms both businesses and fans. The system's core rails have failed to evolve with modern technological demands, creating widespread vulnerabilities.
A Novel AI-Driven Approach
KNOT’s solution centers on an AI layer that authenticates identity, governs ticket distribution, and monitors demand in real time. This technology empowers event owners to restrict unauthorized ticket transfers, effectively cutting off market leakage. It aims to foster a more transparent relationship between organizers and their attendees.
"Organisers lack visibility and control and fans are paying the price," stated CEO Ahmed Abdalla, explaining the company's mission. He emphasized that KNOT was founded to unlock real economic value for event holders. The goal is to rebuild the trust that has eroded between businesses and their customers.
CTO Hussein ElBendak highlighted the significant technical challenges, noting that fraud is constantly adapting. He stressed the need for systems engineered for resilience and rapid learning, not just scale. ElBendak believes the technology could eventually create value far beyond the ticketing industry as it matures.
Investor Confidence and Market Opportunity
Lead investor A15 expressed strong confidence in KNOT's vision, citing its innovative approach to a complex global problem. Karim Beshara, A15's managing partner, stated the technology could reshape how trust and identity function in ticketing. He believes the company is uniquely positioned to lead this industry transformation.
A15's investment highlights its belief in founders using AI to rebuild critical infrastructure and restore market integrity. The firm views KNOT as addressing a structural gap left by incumbents from the pre-mobile and AI era. This positions the startup as a key disruptor in the global live events space.
Strategic Plans for Growth
With the new capital, KNOT Technologies will accelerate product development and pursue international expansion. The funding will also deepen integrations with key partners across the live events ecosystem. This strategic allocation of resources is designed to solidify the company's market position and enhance its platform's capabilities.
The company's long-term vision is to become the essential infrastructure layer powering the next generation of live events. KNOT aims to enable organizers, venues, and fans to interact through more secure and data-driven experiences. This ambition reflects a commitment to improving the entire event lifecycle for all participants.
This $1 million pre-seed funding marks a pivotal moment for KNOT Technologies as it scales its market presence. With a clear solution to the industry's problems of fraud and opacity, the company is well-equipped to deliver on its promise. Backed by A15, KNOT is poised to redefine industry standards and build a more trusted global events ecosystem.