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Kapow

Full company profile

uuid0002sd8

Namestring
Kapow
Legal namestring
Kapow
Websiteurl
kapow.com
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
2012
Descriptiontext

Kapow was an event technology platform founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago that connected companies with venues for booking unique client events online in real-time. The platform specialized in group dining and corporate event management, enabling corporate event planners to discover, book, and manage venues for group dining experiences and corporate events. Kapow operated with 51-100 employees and raised approximately $22.2 million in disclosed funding across four rounds from 2012 to 2017, with notable investors including Drive Capital (which led a $14M round in 2016), Chicago Ventures, FireStarter Fund, and INCISENT Labs. The company was owned by Hello! Destination Management prior to its January 2025 acquisition by Bizly, an AI-powered event planning platform. The acquisition was part of broader consolidation in the event tech sector during early 2025, as established players sought to expand capabilities in group dining, virtual events, and accommodation management. Following the acquisition, Kapow operates as a subsidiary within Bizly's portfolio, contributing its group dining and corporate events capabilities to the acquirer's broader enterprise event platform.

Short descriptiontext

Kapow is a Chicago-based event technology platform that connected corporate event planners with venues for booking group dining experiences and corporate events in real-time. The company was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in January 2025.

Operating statusenum
Acquired
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
51–100
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersChicago, United States
HQ citystring
Chicago
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Keyword5 values
corporate event booking, venue marketplace, group dining platform, event management software, venue discovery platform
Industry1 code
1Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management
CodeTHAHACAMPrimaryYes
NAICS code1 code
  • Convention and Trade Show Organizers561920
Product category
Event Management Software
Social media profiles3 records
Cost components4 values
Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeSoftware
Software
Core offering1 text field

Kapow is an event technology platform that connects companies with venues to book unique client events online in real-time. The platform specializes in group dining and corporate event management, enabling event planners to discover and book venues for group dining experiences and corporate events. It was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in January 2025.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Product overview1 text field

Kapow was an event technology platform that specialized in group dining and corporate event management. The platform was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in early 2025 as part of Bizly's strategy to consolidate capabilities in group dining and corporate events. The product enabled event planners to discover and book venues for group dining experiences and corporate events.

Product and service1 record
1Kapow (Group Dining Platform)
CategoryEvent Management Software
Description

An event technology platform that enables corporate event planners to discover and book venues for group dining experiences and corporate events in real-time. It connects companies seeking event venues with venue providers, facilitating online booking of unique client events.

Scale indicator1 record

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership1 partner
1Hello! Destination Management
Strategic tierMinorTypeOthersAnnounced on2025-01-01
Description

Hello! Destination Management divested Kapow to Bizly in early 2025 as part of the event tech sector consolidation trend. This acquisition represents a strategic exit by Hello! Destination Management and brings Kapow under Bizly's ownership to strengthen their group dining and corporate events capabilities.

Recent move4 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight3 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
1Bizly
TypeDirect peer
Description

AI-powered in-person event planning platform that acquired Kapow in 2025 to add group dining and venue booking capabilities. Direct corporate events peer serving similar enterprise planner customers.

2Cvent
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Largest enterprise event management platform covering venue sourcing, registration, and meetings. Operates a 'Cvent Supplier Network' that overlaps directly with Kapow's venue booking marketplace for corporate planners.

3Bizzabo
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Enterprise event experience platform offering registration, agenda, and engagement tools for corporate events and conferences. Comparable in serving corporate event planners with overlapping use cases.

4Aventri
TypeDirect peer
Description

Event management software for corporate meetings, conferences, and events with venue sourcing and registration capabilities. Directly comparable in mid-market and enterprise corporate event workflows.

5Tripleseat
TypeDirect peer
Description

Sales and event management platform for restaurants, hotels, and unique venues to manage group bookings and private events. Highly comparable on the venue-side marketplace that Kapow aggregates for corporate group dining.

6Eventbrite
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Large consumer and small-business event ticketing and registration marketplace. Overlaps with Kapow on event discovery and booking mechanics but skews to public ticketed events rather than corporate group dining.

7Planning Pod
TypeEmerging player
Description

Event planning management software for venues, corporate event planners, and meeting organizers with booking, proposal, and CRM features. Comparable on the corporate planner and venue workflow overlap with Kapow.

8EventMobi
TypeEmerging player
Description

Event apps and engagement platform for corporate meetings and conferences. Comparable as a corporate event technology vendor targeting enterprise planners, though more focused on attendee experience than venue sourcing.

9Groupize
TypeEmerging player
Description

Group hotel booking and meetings platform for corporate event planners and travel managers. Directly comparable on the group booking marketplace mechanic that Kapow extends into dining venues.

10Hello! Destination Management
TypeOthers
Description

Former parent of Kapow and destination management company providing corporate events and group experiences. Comparable as a corporate event services peer and former owner that divested Kapow to Bizly in 2025.

Market position
Strengths4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat3 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Ideal customer profile1 record

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
Yes
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles1 record

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds4 records

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors6 records

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Kapow

Event Management Softwarekapow.com

Kapow is a Chicago-based event technology platform that connected corporate event planners with venues for booking group dining experiences and corporate events in real-time. The company was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in January 2025.

What Kapow does

Kapow was an event technology platform founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago that connected companies with venues for booking unique client events online in real-time. The platform specialized in group dining and corporate event management, enabling corporate event planners to discover, book, and manage venues for group dining experiences and corporate events. Kapow operated with 51-100 employees and raised approximately $22.2 million in disclosed funding across four rounds from 2012 to 2017, with notable investors including Drive Capital (which led a $14M round in 2016), Chicago Ventures, FireStarter Fund, and INCISENT Labs. The company was owned by Hello! Destination Management prior to its January 2025 acquisition by Bizly, an AI-powered event planning platform. The acquisition was part of broader consolidation in the event tech sector during early 2025, as established players sought to expand capabilities in group dining, virtual events, and accommodation management. Following the acquisition, Kapow operates as a subsidiary within Bizly's portfolio, contributing its group dining and corporate events capabilities to the acquirer's broader enterprise event platform.

Kapow firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Kapow
Legal name
Kapow
Website
https://kapow.com
Company type
Private
Founded year
2012
Operating status
Acquired
Headcount range
51–100 employees
Short description
Kapow is a Chicago-based event technology platform that connected corporate event planners with venues for booking group dining experiences and corporate events in real-time. The company was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in January 2025.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Kapow industry classification

Industry
Product category
Event Management Software
NAICS
Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
akta.pro primary industry
Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)

Keywords

  • Corporate event booking
  • Venue marketplace
  • Group dining platform
  • Event management software
  • Venue discovery platform

Where Kapow is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Chicago
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Markets served

Kapow business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Software
Cost components
Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Kapow product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Kapow is an event technology platform that connects companies with venues to book unique client events online in real-time. The platform specializes in group dining and corporate event management, enabling event planners to discover and book venues for group dining experiences and corporate events. It was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in January 2025.

Product overview

Kapow was an event technology platform that specialized in group dining and corporate event management. The platform was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in early 2025 as part of Bizly's strategy to consolidate capabilities in group dining and corporate events. The product enabled event planners to discover and book venues for group dining experiences and corporate events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • Kapow (Group Dining Platform) An event technology platform that enables corporate event planners to discover and book venues for group dining experiences and corporate events in real-time. It connects companies seeking event venues with venue providers, facilitating online booking of unique client events.

Companies that use Kapow

Customer profile

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Kapow technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Kapow partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

  • Hello! Destination ManagementminorOthers · 1 January 2025Hello! Destination Management divested Kapow to Bizly in early 2025 as part of the event tech sector consolidation trend. This acquisition represents a strategic exit by Hello! Destination Management and brings Kapow under Bizly's ownership to strengthen their group dining and corporate events capabilities.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Kapow competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

  • Bizly: AI-powered in-person event planning platform that acquired Kapow in 2025 to add group dining and venue booking capabilities. Direct corporate events peer serving similar enterprise planner customers.
  • Aventri: Event management software for corporate meetings, conferences, and events with venue sourcing and registration capabilities. Directly comparable in mid-market and enterprise corporate event workflows.
  • Tripleseat: Sales and event management platform for restaurants, hotels, and unique venues to manage group bookings and private events. Highly comparable on the venue-side marketplace that Kapow aggregates for corporate group dining.

Broad incumbents

  • Cvent: Largest enterprise event management platform covering venue sourcing, registration, and meetings. Operates a 'Cvent Supplier Network' that overlaps directly with Kapow's venue booking marketplace for corporate planners.
  • Bizzabo: Enterprise event experience platform offering registration, agenda, and engagement tools for corporate events and conferences. Comparable in serving corporate event planners with overlapping use cases.
  • Eventbrite: Large consumer and small-business event ticketing and registration marketplace. Overlaps with Kapow on event discovery and booking mechanics but skews to public ticketed events rather than corporate group dining.

Emerging players

  • Planning Pod: Event planning management software for venues, corporate event planners, and meeting organizers with booking, proposal, and CRM features. Comparable on the corporate planner and venue workflow overlap with Kapow.
  • EventMobi: Event apps and engagement platform for corporate meetings and conferences. Comparable as a corporate event technology vendor targeting enterprise planners, though more focused on attendee experience than venue sourcing.
  • Groupize: Group hotel booking and meetings platform for corporate event planners and travel managers. Directly comparable on the group booking marketplace mechanic that Kapow extends into dining venues.

Others

  • Hello! Destination Management: Former parent of Kapow and destination management company providing corporate events and group experiences. Comparable as a corporate event services peer and former owner that divested Kapow to Bizly in 2025.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Kapow social profiles

Digital presence

Kapow financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Kapow leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Kapow funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Kapow M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kapow

What does Kapow do?

Kapow is an event technology platform that connects companies with venues to book unique client events online in real-time. The platform specializes in group dining and corporate event management, enabling event planners to discover and book venues for group dining experiences and corporate events. It was acquired by Bizly from Hello! Destination Management in January 2025.

Is Kapow a public or private company?

Kapow is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.

When was Kapow founded?

Kapow was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is Kapow based?

Kapow is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.

Who are Kapow's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Bizly, Aventri and Tripleseat. Broad incumbents are Cvent, Bizzabo and Eventbrite. Emerging players are Planning Pod, EventMobi and Groupize. Hello! Destination Management is listed as an others.

Does Kapow have an API?

No public API is recorded for Kapow.

What industry is Kapow in?

Kapow's product category is Event Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAM, Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management. Its NAICS code is 561920.

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Live signals
TechCrunchThe Trillion-Dollar Market To Remake Business ApplicationsAt the On Demand Conference in San Francisco, CEOs of B2B on-demand companies discussed applying on-demand business models to enterprise clients, a market representing over $1 trillion in annual spend that trails consumer adoption despite its size. Chicago Ventures, which has invested in companies like Kapow Events, Shiftgig, and Rocketmiles, identifies four emerging models in this space: on-demand people marketplaces, on-demand crowdsourcing, resource-sharing marketplaces, and real-time booking platforms. CBInsights data shows $4.1 billion in funding to on-demand mobile service companies in 2014, with enterprise-focused platforms on pace for approximately $400 million in investment in 2015, comparable to the consumer on-demand market in 2011.VC News DailyKapow Events Raises $1.6M in Series AKapow Events announced the closing of an additional $900,000 in Series A funding led by I2A Fund and INCISENT Labs, bringing the total investment to $1.6 million. The capital will be used to accelerate the development of its technology platform for corporate event planning. This funding builds upon an initial $700,000 commitment made in June 2012.FinSMEsKapow Events Closes $900K in Series A FundingKapow Events, a Chicago-based event marketplace, closed $900k in Series A funding led by I2A Fund and INCISENT Labs. The round brings total Series A financing to $1.6m, to be used for platform development. The company serves over 1,200 client members, including more than 50 of Chicago's largest companies.