Grip

Grip's journey began in 2014, though its official founding year is often cited as 2016, with a clear mission: to revolutionize how professionals connect at events. The brainchild of Tim Groot and Jay Patel, the company set out to harness the power of artificial intelligence to move beyond simple networking and into the realm of intelligent matchmaking. What started as an idea to make event interactions more meaningful quickly evolved into a robust platform. The early years focused on refining the AI algorithms and building a user-friendly mobile app, designed to help attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors forge valuable business relationships. The core belief was that a handshake should be more than a fleeting connection; it should be the start of tangible collaborations and opportunities.

As Grip gained traction, it attracted attention from major event organizers worldwide. Companies like Reed Exhibitions, Messe Frankfurt, SXSW, and TechCrunch began to leverage Grip's technology to enhance their events. The platform's ability to learn from user interactions and provide increasingly relevant recommendations set it apart. By 2019, the team had grown to 25 employees, expanding its reach into new markets. The pivotal moment came in 2020 with the global pandemic. While a challenge, it also served as a catalyst, accelerating the adoption of virtual and hybrid event solutions. Grip adapted, enabling organizers to create engaging online experiences. This period saw significant growth, with the team expanding to 100 employees by 2021 and securing Series A funding to further develop its offerings. In 2024, Grip strategically acquired Connectiv Holdings' event management system (EMS), a move driven by customer demand for a more integrated, end-to-end solution. This acquisition added powerful tools like registration and sponsor management to Grip's portfolio, solidifying its position as a comprehensive event success platform dedicated to helping organizers increase revenue and participant satisfaction through meaningful connections.