What Tecture does

Tecture is a Chicago-based custom web application development firm founded in 2002, operating with a small, US-based multidisciplinary team of business strategists, UX designers, software developers, and project managers. The firm designs and builds data-driven websites, portals, ecommerce platforms, and API integrations for mid-market and enterprise clients, with vertical specialization in professional and trade associations, healthcare and medical certification bodies, financial services, biotechnology, professional services firms, and music venues. Its core technical approach is a WordPress plugin orchestration methodology: rather than building monolithic custom systems, Tecture layers a custom orchestration plugin and centralized data model on top of off-the-shelf components (WooCommerce, LearnDash, Gravity Forms/Flow/View, BuddyBoss, Keycloak, Uncanny Automator) and integrates them with third-party APIs (Stripe, Salesforce, Twilio, AWS services such as Lambda, DynamoDB, Cognito, ElastiCache, CloudFront), reducing engineering cost while avoiding the plugin-fragmentation problems typical of WordPress implementations.

The company monetizes across five streams: project-based custom software development (requirements through architecture, custom API and database development, cloud hosting configuration, and ongoing support); subscription revenue from Tessera, its venue ticketing platform, sold in tiered annual subscriptions priced $125–$667/month (with custom pricing above 100k annual tickets) on a no-per-ticket-fee basis; one-time Tessera WordPress integration and implementation fees ranging from free DIY to $10,000+ for full redesign; managed WordPress hosting and maintenance at $150–$400/month; and strategic technology consulting engagements delivered through a proprietary Solutions Framework. Tessera was rebuilt from the ground up in 2019 after a 10+ year internal ticketing practice and is distributed via a hybrid self-service/assisted-sales model with its own product website (tessera-tickets.com). Tecture also distributes Bottle, a free open-source WordPress bot-throttling plugin, through wordpress.org, functioning as a developer-community goodwill asset rather than a revenue line. Client distribution is selective and enterprise-leaning: named customers include Linescape (shipping data), the American Board of Preventive Medicine (medical certification, where Tecture's system handled a 400% demand surge), Bioquell (biotech), Mepco (financial services, 10+ year engagement), Jordan Knauff (investment banking), the Medical Library Association (with integration to the National Library of Medicine's DOCLINE API), Charles River Laboratories, and McGonigel's Mucky Duck (Tessera venue). The company is privately held, founder-owned and operated by Ben Rowland, with no external venture or private equity investment disclosed.

Name

Tecture

Legal name

Tecture LLC

Website

https://tecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tecture is a Chicago-based, founder-owned custom web application development firm that builds WordPress-orchestrated platforms, custom ecommerce, and the Tessera venue ticketing subscription product for mid-market and enterprise clients across associations, healthcare, financial services, biotech, and entertainment verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Software Development Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Meeting & Event Program Technology (Registration, Apps, Badging) (THACAFAB)

Keywords

• Custom web application development
• WordPress plugin development
• Venue ticketing platform
• Association management software
• Strategic technology consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Custom Software Development Services: Project-based custom web application development for businesses, startups, and nonprofits. Services include requirements gathering, architecture design, UX analysis, database design, custom API development, third-party API integration, cloud hosting configuration, and ongoing support. Engagement models include fixed-scope projects and ongoing maintenance retainers.
2. Tessera Ticketing Platform Subscription: Hosted subscription-based ticketing platform sold on a tiered annual subscription model based on estimated annual ticket volume. Subscription includes platform hosting, licensing, and support. No per-ticket fees or percentage of sales. Revenue tiers range from $125/month for venues selling under 10k tickets annually to $667/month for venues selling up to 100k tickets. Custom pricing available for venues exceeding 100k tickets.
3. Tessera WordPress Integration and Implementation: One-time implementation fees for integrating Tessera with WordPress websites. Options range from free DIY (for venues with existing WordPress developers) to $3,500 for WordPress Template Plus customization, starting at $6,000 for custom design implementation, and starting at $10,000 for full top-to-bottom redesign and implementation. Additional add-ons include seating chart setup ($500–$1,000), barcode reader capability ($100/month for up to 5 devices), and POS card reader hardware (~$300/device).
4. WordPress Maintenance and Hosting: Monthly WordPress hosting and maintenance service. Hosting is AWS- or Azure-based, with monthly rates of $150–$400 depending on traffic. Maintenance plans cover security updates, plugin updates, PHP version updates, backups, database optimization, uptime monitoring, and minor enhancements. Unused maintenance hours can be applied to other tasks such as design, copywriting, or landing page development.
5. Strategic Technology Consulting: Consulting engagements covering technology assessments, strategy, technology selection, new initiative planning, mobile app consulting, remote consulting, interactive prototyping, and market positioning. Delivered through a proprietary Solutions Framework that produces a prioritized action blueprint. Billed as standalone engagements or as entry point to custom development engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tecture is a Chicago-based custom web application development firm that designs, builds, and supports bespoke web-based software for businesses, associations, and other organizations. In addition to project-based development services, the company sells Tessera, a subscription-based venue ticketing platform with no per-ticket fees, and Tecture Association Platform, a WordPress-based all-in-one system for professional and trade associations. They also distribute Bottle, a free open-source WordPress bot-throttling plugin.

Product overview

Tecture is a custom web application development company that offers a portfolio of named products and services. The core products include Tessera Venue Ticketing (a subscription-based ticketing platform with no per-ticket fees), the Tecture Association Platform (a WordPress-based platform for professional associations combining memberships, communities, education, credentialing, and ecommerce through orchestrated plugins), and Bottle (a free open-source WordPress bot throttling plugin). Services include Custom Software Development, WordPress Plugin Development, Strategic Technology Consulting, Integrated Business Websites, Design and User Experience, Operations and Marketing Support, Portals/Intranets/Extranets, Custom Ecommerce, Technology Assessment, Certification and Credentialing Programs, WordPress Maintenance, and API Design and Development. The company operates as a Chicago-based custom development firm established in 2002.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tessera: Venue ticketing platform that provides agile ticketing without high per-ticket fees, designed for music venues and event organizers
• Bottle
• Tecture Association Platform

Products and services

• Tessera Venue Ticketing A subscription-based venue ticketing platform that integrates with WordPress websites via API. Offers no per-ticket fees, custom ticket types, password-protected pre-sales, mobile-optimized checkout, real-time guest check-in with QR code scanning, POS capabilities for door sales, integrated merch sales, seating chart support, and analytics. Designed for independent music venues, comedy clubs, theaters, and event organizers seeking an alternative to high-fee ticketing vendors.
• Tecture Association Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• 400% increase in application processing capacity for American Board of Preventive Medicine after moving from paper to Tecture's electronic certification system
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration39 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered key integration, key client and collaborator, core, major and supporting.

• National Library of Medicine (NLM)key integrationTechnology or IntegrationTecture worked with NLM to integrate its DOCLINE interlibrary loan request system with the Medical Library Association's EFTS billing platform. Tecture designed and implemented a custom data exchange API that automatically sends ILL transactions from DOCLINE to EFTS, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring data accuracy. This was a core technical component of the EFTS replacement system.
• Medical Library Association (MLA)key client and collaboratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLA engaged Tecture to develop the Electronic Funds Transfer System (EFTS), an interlibrary loan billing system for its medical library members. Tecture designed and implemented the entire platform including DOCLINE API integration, wallet-based payment system, accounting dashboards, and pricing automation. The project was funded through a 'crowdfunding' model where participating libraries paid modest setup fees.
• WooCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationTecture extensively uses WooCommerce as the ecommerce engine in its custom WordPress implementations. WooCommerce serves as the foundation for ecommerce integrations, subscription systems (via WooCommerce Subscriptions), membership platforms (WooCommerce Memberships), and ticketing solutions. Tecture extends WooCommerce with custom attributes, order workflows, and API integrations.
• LearnDashcoreTechnology or IntegrationTecture integrates LearnDash LMS into its WordPress-based association platform and certification systems. LearnDash provides the course and learning management foundation, which Tecture extends with Tin Canny Reporting (xAPI/SCORM), custom credit types, course transcripts, and exam question integration.
• Gravity Forms / Gravity Flow / Gravity ViewcoreTechnology or IntegrationTecture uses Gravity Forms as the primary data entry and dynamic form builder for its association platform, certification systems, and portal solutions. Gravity Flow adds custom workflow capabilities with review steps, approvals, and notifications. Gravity View creates dynamic views of form entries. All three are extended via custom feeds and workflow steps.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationTecture integrates Stripe payment gateway across its ecommerce, Tessera ticketing, and financial services implementations. Stripe features used include customer profile creation, card tokenization, subscriptions, BBPOS WisePOS E POS integration, and JavaScript API for point-of-sale hardware. Stripe supports Tessera's POS feature for door sales.
• SalesforcemajorTechnology or IntegrationTecture integrates Salesforce CRM with client websites and portals across multiple engagements (Bioquell multi-region contact forms, association platforms). Also integrates Microsoft Dynamics for clients requiring alternative CRM solutions.
• BuddyBosscoreTechnology or IntegrationTecture integrates BuddyBoss as the community platform within its WordPress-based association platform, enabling member groups, private messaging, discussion threads, personalized notifications, and community engagement features.
• KeycloakcoreTechnology or IntegrationTecture uses Keycloak for SSO integration in its association platform and enterprise WordPress implementations. Keycloak provides secure authentication with multi-factor authentication support, enabling members to access the website and connected third-party platforms with a single login.
• Uncanny AutomatorcoreTechnology or IntegrationTecture uses Uncanny Automator to create automation recipes connecting WordPress plugins and external systems. Its custom trigger and action capabilities allow Tecture to add bespoke automation to its orchestration methodology, extending beyond standard plugin capabilities.
• MailChimpmajorTechnology or IntegrationTecture integrates MailChimp for email marketing within its association platform and custom web implementations. Used for audience segmentation, member targeting, renewal email journeys, and automated email campaigns based on user profile data.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationTecture deploys custom web applications and the Tessera ticketing platform on AWS cloud infrastructure. Specific AWS services used include Lambda (API key creation), DynamoDB (customer data migration), Cognito (SSO JIT migration), ElastiCache (Redis caching), CloudFront (CDN), and EC2/RDS for hosting. The company's own WordPress hosting is also AWS-based.
• TwiliosupportingTechnology or IntegrationTecture integrates Twilio for SMS notification capabilities in custom applications, such as sending text message reminders to customers about deadlines for submitting information.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 10up: 10up is a WordPress-focused digital agency offering custom plugin development, enterprise WordPress engineering, and design services. Directly comparable to Tecture's core custom WordPress/plugin orchestration practice and serves similar enterprise and association clients.
• Human Made: Human Made is an enterprise WordPress and open-source digital agency that builds custom web platforms, integrations, and large-scale publishing infrastructure. Closely comparable to Tecture's bespoke WordPress + API integrations focus and operates in overlapping verticals including publishing and association-style clients.
• Ticket Tailor: Ticket Tailor is a low-fee event ticketing platform for independent venues, comedy clubs, and small organizers with DIY-to-managed tiers. Directly comparable to Tecture's Tessera on positioning (low fees, indie-venue friendly) and similar target customer base of small-to-mid-sized live-event venues.
• Wild Apricot: Wild Apricot is membership-management and event-registration software aimed at small-to-mid-sized associations and nonprofits. Highly comparable to Tecture's Association Platform product, both offering membership databases, event/registration, payments, and websites for the association segment.
• mindgrub: mindgrub is a custom digital agency building web applications, enterprise platforms, and integrations. Comparable to Tecture in size, model, and service mix (custom software + UX/strategy + integration), though typically larger and more diversified across federal/healthcare clients.
• DockYard: DockYard is a custom software development agency specializing in web and mobile applications with strong UX and integration capabilities. Comparable to Tecture in offering project-based enterprise software development and design, though with broader technology stack (Elixir, React) rather than WordPress-centric.

Broad incumbents

• WordPress VIP: WordPress VIP is Automattic's enterprise WordPress platform offering hosted infrastructure, support, and agency partnerships for large-scale WordPress deployments. A broader incumbent in Tecture's orbit — many of Tecture's enterprise clients could also engage WordPress VIP directly, making it adjacent competitive context.
• Eventbrite: Eventbrite is the dominant self-service event ticketing platform globally with consumer brand awareness and major venue partnerships. The broad incumbent against which Tecture's Tessera positions itself as a no-per-ticket-fee, self-owned-payment alternative for indie venues.
• YourMembership: YourMembership (by Community Brands) is a leading AMS platform for associations and nonprofits with membership, events, learning, and career-center capabilities. A larger incumbent SaaS offering overlapping with the customer outcomes Tecture's Association Platform delivers for professional and trade associations.

Emerging players

• MemberClicks: MemberClicks provides association management software for small and growing associations, including membership, events, and learning. An emerging SaaS-only player in the same vertical that Tecture's Association Platform addresses with a WordPress-orchestrated alternative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tecture
• Facebookfacebook.com/7025979259
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tecture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Tecture