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EVA , the chopine that connects event booking agent with local performers , has secured $ 2 million in financing as the popularity of in - person events comes back in full force . The rung , which the Nashville - based inauguration tell was more than double the target amount , prize EVA at $ 15 million .
The recent round is timely as event organizers are see a surge in attending at in - mortal B2B group discussion . According to a study by consequence management companyBizzabo , 86.4 % of planners invested in more in - person outcome in 2023 .
With the newfangled capital , the ship’s company plan to expand its services to new markets , beginning with New York City in early December , before long followed by Los Angeles , California . It ’s presently uncommitted in seven markets : Atlanta , Austin , Dallas , Chicago , Charlotte , Nashville , and New Orleans .
EVA allows event deviser to book performer for various event , include corporal occasions , individual parties , public events , college events , festivals , and marriage ceremony . Upon creating an report , organizers gain accession to a wide extract of entertainers , range from Santa Claus for Christmas parties to motivational speaker , musician , wizard , and even Taylor Swift impersonators .
The chopine also enable planners to make case by inputting details such as locating , day of the month , number of Guest , budget , duration , call for equipment , and attire , and more for performers to apply for . Once the result details are posted , EVA ’s matching algorithm indicate the most suitable entertainers and the event deviser can refresh their profiles before making a engagement . The “ Teams ” hub lets all team penis cooperate on unlike events and deal invoices .
EVA not only aims to revolutionize the event - hosting diligence but also seeks to supply entertainers with access to large upshot they may not have had the chance to assist previously . Many performers on the platform are emerging artists who often struggle to make a living from their cunning , typically being hired for small - scale event like natal day political party or local bar gigs . EVA could potentially offer them greater exposure , serving as a true source of income for local performers .
Tabitha Meeks , a local Nashville singer - ballad maker , differentiate TechCrunch , “ EVA has allowed me to not only grow as an creative person but also live on in a way that I can start to build my future … I am able to not just grate by as a ‘ starving artist , ’ but actually save money . ”
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The company revealed to us that , over the preceding four years , it has helped artists earn $ 6 million collectively . The minimum booking fee for events is $ 400 , however , the company shared that the average transaction range from $ 600 to $ 7,500 .
Organizers are postulate to pay the entertainer 50 % of the deposit prior to the event , and then entertainers gather the second one-half of the payment at least a week before it set out . All performer must submit a professional video recording before being accept on the program .
The company also provides both party with performance contract and issue policy .
“ We carry a cover , general liability , and professional financial obligation insurance policy for our entertainer and the collective clients , ” co - founder Makenzie Stokel told us . “ That was another big roadblock that corporations had with trying to hold entertainers individually , is that typically these entertainers do n’t carry that $ 5 million of policy . That ’s crazy for them to have to carry that , so we contain it ourselves on behalf of every event that we do . ”
In 2015 , the concept for EVA originated from the personal thwarting experienced by Colorado - founders Stokel and Channing Moreland when they attempted to organize case while study at Belmont College . Both of them have music - related backgrounds and noticed that many of their artist friends were being work .
“ At our core , we felt artists and creators merit to be paid for their craft , and so that ’s what started us down this route , ” Moreland said . “ We first started by build an events discovery program to help promote [ our college friends ] . That led us to start producing and promoting our own events and festivals , which then extend us to really understand the big problem with booking and how not vapourous or wanton it was . ”
In 2019 , the platform started offering its overhaul to corporations . renowned companies such as Amazon , BMW , Dell , ESPN , and LinkedIn have chosen EVA as their outcome planning partner , using the platform to connect with entertainers and interactive offering to spice up their events .
There are more than 2,500 entertainer available on the political platform .
Investors in the in style beat include the laminitis of Songfinch — John Williamson , Josh Kaplan , Scott Kitun , and Robert Lindquist — as well as Justin Kalifowitz of Downtown Music Holdings , Cascade Seed Fund , Stout Street Capital , and others .
EVA declined to share its current revenue running rate . However , it said that it take a 20 % program service fee from organizers on all set-aside events .
