Grip - Intelligent Business Interactions.

Grip Security, based in Tel Aviv, Israel, develops a SaaS security platform providing comprehensive visibility and control over enterprise SaaS applications, including shadow SaaS and dormant accounts. The company's platform aims to displace legacy CASB solutions through automated discovery and management tailored for modern cloud environments. To date, Grip Security has raised a total of $25 million in funding, including a $6 million seed round from YL Ventures in April 2021 and a $19 million Series A round led by Intel Capital in December 2021. The firm, which grew to approximately 76 employees, serves large US-based enterprises in the cybersecurity sector. Founded in February 2021 by Lior Yaari, Idan Fast, and Alon Shenkler, the founders were also recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

High-Level Overview

Grip is an AI-powered event platform designed to enhance business interactions at events by facilitating matchmaking, networking, and engagement for organizers, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees.[1][2][3] It serves event organizers such as SXSW, RX, Clarion Events, GSMA, Hyve, and Cannes Lions, solving the problem of inefficient in-person, virtual, and hybrid networking by using AI to recommend relevant connections, schedule meetings, and track relationships across events, resulting in higher engagement, NPS scores, and revenue.[1][2][3] With over 5,000 events powered, 15 million participants, and 2 million meetings booked, Grip demonstrates strong growth momentum, employing around 85-88 people, generating $5 million in annual revenue, and having raised $13 million in Series A funding led by Kennet Partners.[2][3][6]

Origin Story

Grip was founded in 2016 by CEO and Co-Founder Tim Groot with the mission to connect people in-person using Artificial Intelligence for business meetings and opportunities.[1][2] The idea emerged from a focus on improving event experiences through intelligent matchmaking, quickly gaining traction in 2017 when the team grew to 15 people, launched an advanced web platform, secured major clients like Hyve and RX, and won awards including the UFI Technology Award.[1] Expansion continued in 2019 with growth to 25 employees and entry into new markets, adding clients like GSMA; the 2020 pandemic prompted rapid adaptation with virtual networking tools.[1] Headquartered in London, Grip has evolved from in-person event tech to a comprehensive AI-driven platform for hybrid events.[2][6]

Core Differentiators

• AI-Powered Matchmaking and Recommendations: Uses machine learning with over 15 strategies, billions of interactions, and behavior-based segmentation to connect the right participants at the right time, boosting meetings by over 250%.[1][3][5]
• Integrated Event Platform: Combines award-winning mobile app (white-label, multilingual in 18+ languages), registration, badging, exhibitor lead capture, scheduling across 8 days, push notifications, and analytics for seamless management and onsite tools.[3][5]
• Proven Engagement and ROI Tools: Drives transformational experiences with calendar sync, navigation, automated notifications, and lead scoring, helping organizers reduce churn, increase sponsorships, and demonstrate value to exhibitors and attendees.[3][5]
• Scalability and Flexibility: Modular products for engagement, management, and onsite needs; supports copying flagship events for quick setup; trusted by thousands of events with massive scale (15M+ participants).[3][5]

(Note: Search results distinguish this Grip from an unrelated INDG/Grip platform for 3D content automation using NVIDIA tech.[4])

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Grip rides the trend of AI-enhanced event technology, capitalizing on the post-pandemic shift to hybrid events where virtual tools became essential for maintaining business relationships amid travel restrictions.[1][3] Timing is ideal as organizers seek data-driven solutions to boost revenue—97% aim to increase valuable connections—and Grip's platform aligns with rising demands for personalized, scalable networking in a $1T+ global events industry.[3] Market forces like AI adoption in B2B software, growth in professional networking (NAICS 518210), and hybrid event normalization favor Grip, enabling it to influence the ecosystem by powering major events like SXSW and GSMA, setting standards for engagement metrics, and helping organizers like RX achieve higher satisfaction and rebooking rates.[1][2][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Grip is poised to expand its AI capabilities, potentially deepening integrations for ongoing relationship tracking beyond single events and targeting emerging hybrid formats in growing markets.[1][3] Trends like advanced AI personalization, Web3 event communities, and sustainability-focused events will shape its path, amplifying its role in revenue-generating business interactions. As event tech matures, Grip's influence could evolve from matchmaker to ecosystem orchestrator, sustaining momentum through client wins and funding for global scale—reinforcing its core mission to connect people, ideas, and opportunities.[1][2][6]