Vivid Seats and Vista Equity Partners Announce Strategic Partnership with GTCR

CHICAGO, May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivid Seats LLC, the largest independent full-service secondary ticket marketplace for live sports, concerts and theater events, today announced a strategic partnership with GTCR, a leading private equity firm. The investment will enable Vivid Seats to accelerate growth as it delivers the best tools in the industry for buyers and sellers to discover, shop, share, plan, and organize live event experiences.

With a proprietary technology platform and robust data analytics, Vivid Seats is well positioned within the growing secondary ticket exchange market. Vivid Seats leverages its technology leadership to efficiently connect its vast network of sellers with live event customers, offering a wide selection of tickets at competitive prices. The company offers an easy-to-use online interface and dedicated mobile apps, giving customers a safe and convenient way to purchase tickets to their favorite events at any time.

"Here at Vivid Seats, we are passionately focused on our mission to deliver to fans the safest, most affordable, and all-around best ticket purchasing experience in the industry," said Eric Vassilatos, co-founder of Vivid Seats. "Gaining a new strategic partner in GTCR validates the path we've taken with Vista and elevates our potential to achieve our vision of taking Vivid Seats to the next level."

"The pace of growth for Vivid Seats will continue to evolve in an exciting way with two strategic partners in Vista and GTCR," said Jerry Bednyak, co-founder of Vivid Seats. "This strategic partnership with Vista and GTCR will enable us to take big steps forward as the largest independent full-service secondary ticket marketplace, while continuing to innovate with the best service experience in the industry."

Vista Equity Partners is a leading private equity firm that invests in software, data and technology-enabled companies. Vista partners with management teams to foster operational excellence and create sustainable, long-term value.

GTCR is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on investing in growth companies in the Financial Services & Technology, Healthcare, Technology, Media & Telecommunications and Growth Business Services industries.

"In just over a year, Jerry, Eric and the entire management team at Vivid Seats have extended their industry-leading position through a winning combination of exceptional service and powerful technology," said Brian Sheth, Co-Founder & President of Vista Equity Partners. "We are pleased to partner with GTCR to accelerate Vivid Seats' momentum and see the company scale further to match the demand in the growing secondary ticket marketplace."

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. served as financial advisors to Vivid Seats, and RBC Capital Markets and Barclays served as financial advisors to GTCR.

About Vivid Seats

Vivid Seats is the largest independent marketplace for tickets to live sports, concert, and theater events. Founded in 2001, the Chicago-based company offers industry-leading affordability across one of the widest selections of premium tickets and event packages. Vivid Seats supports all orders with a comprehensive buyer guarantee and an in-house customer service team to ensure the safest and most convenient purchase experience. Fans that want to sit closer and see more of their favorite live events can order directly on vividseats.com or by phone at 866.848.8499.

About Vista Equity Partners

Vista Equity Partners, a U.S.-based investment firm with offices in Austin, San Francisco, Chicago, and Oakland with more than $30 billion in cumulative capital commitments, currently invests in software, data and technology-enabled organizations led by world-class management teams with long-term perspective. Vista is a value-added investor, contributing professional expertise and multi-level support towards companies realizing their full potential. Vista's investment approach is anchored by a sizable long-term capital base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions, and proven management techniques that yield flexibility and opportunity in private equity investing. For more information, please visit www.vistaequitypartners.com.

About GTCR

Founded in 1980, GTCR is a leading private equity firm focused on investing in growth companies in the Financial Services & Technology, Healthcare, Technology, Media & Telecommunications and Growth Business Services industries. The Chicago-based firm pioneered The Leaders Strategy™ - finding and partnering with management leaders in core domains to identify, acquire and build market-leading companies through transformational acquisitions and organic growth. Since its inception, GTCR has invested more than $12 billion in over 200 companies. For more information, please visit www.gtcr.com.

Media Contact:

Marita Thomas, Vivid Seats, [email protected], +1-312-291-9966, Ext. 149

SOURCE Vivid Seats

Related Links

https://www.vividseats.com