Humanitix: Transforming Ticketing into an Engine for Good

Humanitix, co-founded by Adam McCurdie and Josh Ross in 2016, emerged from a small charity bingo night in Wagga Wagga, Australia, with the vision of transforming the ticketing industry into a platform for social good. The company operates on a non-profit model, redirecting surcharges and fees from ticket sales to charitable donations. Since its inception, Humanitix has processed millions of tickets for various events, including the recent Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, which marked a significant milestone for the company.

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Humanitix has experienced substantial growth, with revenue tripling to US$14 million in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 55%. The company has donated approximately A$20 million (US$14 million) to various social causes, including initiatives like The Life You Can Save and the Yalari program for Indigenous Australian school children. Despite being a smaller player in a market dominated by giants like Eventbrite and Ticketek, Humanitix is capitalizing on the growing global event ticketing market, projected to reach US$107 billion by 2032.

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McCurdie attributes the company's success to its non-profit structure, which allows for the development of features catering to underserved groups, such as visually impaired ticket buyers, without the pressure of shareholder expectations. Humanitix has expanded its operations internationally, establishing a presence in North America and the UK, particularly in Edinburgh, supported by a £325,000 grant from the Scottish government. The company competes with established platforms like Eventbrite and Moshtix by offering lower fees and a user-friendly experience for event organizers.

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In recent months, Humanitix has secured contracts for approximately ten events at the National Western Center in Denver, competing against larger firms like Live Nation and AXS. McCurdie emphasizes that the flexibility of allowing event organizers to choose their ticketing platform is advantageous, especially for publicly funded venues. Feedback from clients, such as Iain Robertson from the Australian tribute act Stone The Roses, highlights the platform's simplicity and efficiency compared to rivals.

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Looking ahead, McCurdie has expressed a firm commitment to maintaining Humanitix's non-profit status, stating, “That would be lame... We have no interest in this being a traditional commercial venture.” This dedication to social impact over profit maximization underscores Humanitix's unique position in the ticketing industry.

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• “We’ve done thousands of events which enabled us to build out to bigger and more complex things,” — Adam McCurdie, Co-founder of Humanitix

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• “Non-profit means no private equity, no shareholders . . . less people breathing down your neck to charge more. None of those brutal pressures are on us,” — Adam McCurdie

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• “It was the simplicity and velocity that worked for us,” — Iain Robertson, Member of Stone The Roses

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• “We have no interest in this being a traditional commercial venture.” — Adam McCurdie

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Humanitix represents a novel approach to ticketing, merging social enterprise with technology to create a platform that not only facilitates events but also contributes to charitable causes. As it continues to grow, the company remains steadfast in its mission to prioritize social impact over profit, setting a precedent for future ventures in the industry.

Financial Times