Fresh on the heels of the launch of its new Event Experience OS and acquisition of video production startup TeeVid, Bizzabo is continuing to invest in experiential tech through its acquisition of Montreal-based startup Klik in a deal valued at $13.5 million, with a mix of cash and stock.
Klik was founded by the creators of PixMib, a live event tech company that specializes in immersive crowd lighting experiences and has worked with the Montreal Canadiens, Shawn Mendes, and Taylor Swift, among many others. The acquisition of Klik, which was announced at Bizzabo’s “The Future of Event Experiences” hybrid event earlier this week, will enable Bizzabo to offer Klik’s smart wearable tech for innovative onsite experiences as in-person events return.
“We are designing our Event Experience Operating System to free Event Experience Leaders from the technical limitations of event management software so they can create immersive experiences for attendees, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers,” said Eran Ben-Shushan, co-founder and CEO of Bizzabo, in a statement. “With Klik’s novel technology and exceptional team of event professionals, we’re going to revolutionize in-person experiences.”
Kilk’s offerings include smart wristbands, badges, badge sleeves, and buttons that will allow eventprofs to collect attendee engagement, participation, and networking data more easily at in-person events, which they have come to expect with virtual events. Klik’s wearables use advanced BLE (Bluetooth) technology instead of RFID/NFC and also act as communication devices, so they can trigger customized content and networking recommendations for attendees.
“We originally created Klik with the vision of enabling genuine connections between people at events and helping organizers create delightful in-person experiences. We know that event organizers seek to engage with their guests in the smartest way possible. This is why we developed Klik as a data-driven solution leveraging our smart wearables,” said Vincent Leclerc, CEO of ESKI Inc., the parent company of PixMob and Klik, in a statement. “With Klik becoming part of Bizzabo’s comprehensive suite of event management solutions, we are happy to know that our technology will continue to fulfill our original mission of creating better professional events.”
Bizzabo will be integrating Klik’s technology, which has already powered major events such as C2 Montréal into the Event Experience OS as part of its onsite module. The company will also use Klik’s technology with its proprietary Event Serendipity Engine, which is powered by tech from x.ai and will proactively recommend other peers, content, sessions, and sponsors to attendees.