# Bootstrapping event tech for success

- Link: https://eventengine.net/bootstrapping-for-success/
- Published: 2024-02-22T10:00:00+00:00
- Author: rondayvoo

Wonder how startups bootstrap world-class event businesses with no funding? Mads
spills the tea.

Running events can feel like a risky business at times. Between tight budgets, high
partner expectations, and strong competition, the odds often seem stacked against
us as event organizers. We’re forced to pull off minor miracles at times on a strained
budget.

My guest in this episode, Mads Kjer, bootstrapped Ticketbutler starting with just
an idea and sheer determination. We learn how he went from “moonlighting side-hustler”
to leading a thriving event ticketing and badge printing company armed only with
hustle, smarts and an unwavering commitment to customer experience.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to turn your idea into profit, you need to
hear Mads’ story. From leveraging side incomes to laser-focusing on customer pain
points with his ticket builder software and portable badge printer hardware, he 
shares the tactics that allowed Ticketbutler to constantly punch above its weight
class despite limited resources, and a lot of competition.

So whether you’re looking to bootstrap your own event tech startup or simply take
your existing event business to the next level without going into debt, don’t miss
the key lessons from Mads’ journey on how he beat the odds through resilience, agility,
and customer obsession to turn his passion project into a global reaching operation
with just the power of bootstrapping.

### Key takeaways

Whenever I talk to Mads I learn something new or get inspired. Here’s what stood
out to me this time round:

 * If entering a crowded market, consider focusing on the customer experience and
   identifying an underserved niche.
 * Look at leveraging modern technologies like 3D printing to rapidly build MVPs
   before heavily investing in product development.
 * Seek partnerships to access expertise outside your core competencies rather than
   trying to build everything in-house.
 * Aim to obsess over customers by listening closely to their pain points, then 
   solve their **actual** problems.
 * The constraints of bootstrapping encourages you to deliver real value to customers
   first, rather than prioritising growth above all else.

### Connect with Mads

 * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/madskjer/)
 * [Website](https://ticketbutler.io/)