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ESADE MBA Launches Peer-To-Peer Ticketing Platform Based On Blockchain Technology

Aike Gagel co-founded his new business in an innovation class at ESADE Business School

Wed Feb 15 2017

BusinessBecause
Aike Gagel is one of a team of music-loving ESADE Business School MBAs launching a new, secure, peer-to-peer ticketing platform based on cutting-edge blockchain technology.

Ticketvault uses blockchain to allow music fans to purchase tickets for live events securely, verifying ticket ownership and tracking ticket transactions. And the Ticketvault platform ensures promoters and artists get a fair share of the revenue.

Aike tested out a bitcoin payment solution idea prior to his MBA at ESADE in Barcelona. He came up with the idea for Ticketvault during an innovation class at the school. He found his CTO during an MBA exchange in Tel Aviv. And he was connected to a Berlin-based startup accelerator by his MBA professor.

After his MBA, he’s going to go full-time with his business. At ESADE, he’s gained the knowledge and the network necessary for success.

How did the idea to start ticketvault come about?

My co-founder and I met at a concert before we started the ESADE MBA together. So when we formed a team during our MBA’s innovation class, music events were our starting point

I had already worked with bitcoin and we flipped some ideas around on how to use the underlying technology for selling tickets. Our professor then connected us with an early-stage startup accelerator in Berlin which was super helpful because we had a lot of resources to refine our idea over the summer break.

Where are you at right now? What do you hope to achieve?

We are developing a solution for mobile tickets. By allowing transfers only inside our platform, event organizers can monetize on ticket resales and keep prices under control, a big issue in the industry.

I was lucky to find a great CTO during my MBA exchange in Israel, so now the development part is going much faster than expected. By the end of the MBA, we will have a first proof of concept with a smaller event. Ticketing is a very competitive industry, so finding the right investors will be crucial.

After the MBA, I’ll work on the business full-time. I think Berlin is a great match for an early-stage startup. Or, in Barcelona, we could really benefit from ESADE’s network of investors and mentors.

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at ESADE?

ESADE’s emphasis on social responsibility and entrepreneurship stood out. After I visited the campus, I knew that I had made my choice.

ESADE does a great job at bringing together a diverse group of people from different backgrounds but with shared values. It’s a very collaborative environment. And the location in Barcelona, with its culture and vibrant startup scene is another plus.

What should applicants think about when deciding to do an MBA?

Most people look at a school’s ranking and the prestige of the name. These are good indicators, but it’s also important to get a feeling for the school, to see if it is a good match for you. I recommend visiting the school, not just for an open day. The people you will meet will be the most important part of your MBA journey.

How have you profited from the ESADE MBA experience?

Compared to my previous education, the ESADE MBA has been a completely different experience. The school’s network and the way entrepreneurship is taught helped me from the ideation stage onwards. I’ve really grown as a person at ESADE, and I’ve learned as much from my classmates as I have from the professors.

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