Top 10: Hybrid event platforms

Updated: July 30, 2023

Hybrid event platforms are innovative solutions that bridge the gap between physical and virtual events, enabling organizations to host events that seamlessly combine in-person and online experiences. These specialized platforms offer a range of features to cater to both on-site attendees and virtual participants, such as live streaming of sessions, interactive virtual networking, and virtual exhibitor booths. Hybrid event platforms provide a centralized interface where organizers can manage event logistics, track attendee engagement, and gather real-time analytics. By embracing hybrid events, organizations can extend their reach to a global audience, foster greater inclusivity, and adapt to changing event preferences. Hybrid event platforms empower event organizers to create dynamic and immersive experiences, combining the benefits of face-to-face interactions with the convenience and accessibility of virtual participation, ultimately delivering impactful and memorable events that cater to the diverse needs of their audience. Some of the most popular hybrid event platforms are listed below.

See also: Top 10 Webinar services

2021. Twine raises $3.3M to add networking features to virtual events



Twine, a startup initially positioned as a "Zoom for meeting new people" during the pandemic, has successfully secured $3.3 million in seed funding. Responding to market dynamics, Twine has shifted its focus to online events and has adapted its offerings accordingly. Event organizers have the option to utilize Twine's website for small events with up to 30 users at no cost. However, for larger-scale events, a license is required to accommodate additional participants. Twine operates on a per attendee pricing model, where customers can purchase attendee packs through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) approach. The company enables its customers to embed Twine directly into their own websites or provide a link that opens the Twine website in a separate browser tab, facilitating a seamless integration experience.


2021. Hybrid events platform Brella raises $10M



Hybrid event platform Brella has successfully raised $10 million in Series A funding. In contrast to many competitors in the market, Brella's primary focus is on capturing the essence of live business events and seamlessly translating them into an intuitive digital format. Rather than overwhelming event organizers with an extensive list of unnecessary features, Brella offers a streamlined and elegantly designed platform that enhances the attendee experience through exceptional user experience (UX) and AI-powered networking capabilities. The new Brella product places significant emphasis on community building, attendee grouping, and unified analytics for both virtual and in-person audiences.


2021. Cisco to acquire startup Socio to bring hybrid events to Webex



Cisco has made an acquisition by purchasing the startup Socio, a company specializing in planning hybrid events that combine both in-person and virtual elements. Socio offers a crucial hybrid event management component that will complement Cisco's existing Webex platform. The objective behind this acquisition seems to be integrating Socio's capabilities with the recently acquired Slido, thereby transforming Webex from a primarily video meeting application into a comprehensive event platform. Socio, established in 2016, has received approximately $7 million in investment capital, as reported by Crunchbase. The company boasts an impressive roster of enterprise clients, including Microsoft, Google, Jet Blue, Greenpeace, PepsiCo, and Hyundai.


2021. InEvent raises $2M for its virtual conference platform



InEvent, a startup that empowers virtual and hybrid events, has secured $2M in seed funding. InEvent's focus lies not in replicating massive consumer events but rather in assisting businesses in hosting virtual events that facilitate meaningful connections with clients and partners. In the realm of B2B events, customization and support are crucial factors, prompting InEvent to develop a visually appealing product that can be tailored with the organizer's branding. The platform encompasses various features, including a virtual lobby for participants to explore the event programming, a video player, a registration system, the capability to create a conference mobile app, and much more. InEvent's innovative approach caters to the unique needs of businesses seeking to deliver engaging virtual event experiences.


2020. Welcome raises $12 million to become the Ritz Carlton for event platforms



Startup Welcome has secured a $12 million Series A funding round. Positioned as the "Ritz-Carlton for virtual events," Welcome provides a comprehensive suite of features tailored for virtual events. These include a control room for event producers, breakout rooms for attendees, a green room for speakers, white-label branding, networking capabilities, audience question and answer functionality, and more. Additionally, Welcome offers event producers the option to host hybrid events, combining both online and in-person experiences. The company primarily targets enterprise customers, offering annual contracts in the five-figure range.


2020. Hopin raises $125M for its online events platform



The startup Explo has successfully secured a seed round of $2.3 million. Explo focuses on assisting customers in creating customer-facing business intelligence dashboards. Initially, the company aimed to streamline the process of preparing data for models or other applications. However, after engaging with customers, the founders recognized a significant demand for a straightforward method to develop data-backed dashboards. As a result, Explo swiftly pivoted its focus to meet this need.