Gigstart operates an online marketplace that facilitates connections between entertainers and party planners. The company commenced operations less than a year before the article and reports 30% month-on-month growth since inception, with particularly strong recent traction. Gigstart closed a $210,000 seed funding round to support its early expansion. The company plans to invest the funds in technology infrastructure and product scaling, content creation and promotion, hiring key talent, and exploring newer geographies. It will also assist artists in producing videos and audios to improve conversions and will increase marketing through on-ground activities and event co-sponsorships. Gigstart operates an online marketplace for booking live artists and performers, vetting listings and curating a roster of acts including dancers, musicians, comedians and magicians. The platform currently lists about 1,800 curated artists and has supported roughly 200 gigs to date, charging a 10% fee on each booking. Founders Atit Jain and Madhulika Pandey launched the platform in March and built payments into the product via PayU, also accepting credit cards and PayPal. The six-person team includes several musicians and holds monthly jam sessions as part of its culture. Management says India’s wedding market — roughly 10 million weddings a year — is a major opportunity and plans to expand the service into other Asian markets. The company aims to scale its marketplace to about 90,000 artists within the next two years.

Total raised

$0M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Dec 2014