Knot Technologies secures $1.1M pre-seed to launch AI-driven ticketing platform, tackling fraud, market leakage, and improving fan experiences across MENA.
Knot Technologies, a startup at the intersection of artificial intelligence and live events, has raised USD 1.1 million in pre-seed funding to tackle long-standing inefficiencies in ticketing and access control. The round was led by A15, backing the company’s plan to scale its AI-native platform globally.
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Founded in 2025 by Ahmed Abdalla and CTO Hussein Elbendak, Knot has developed an AI layer designed to authenticate identities, manage ticket distribution, and track real-time demand. The platform aims to reduce unauthorised transfers, curb market leakage, and provide organisers with clearer insights into attendee behaviour.
“Ticketing has become a financial black hole, with value leaking into unregulated channels and no modern tools to prevent it,” said Abdalla. “Organisers lack visibility and control, and fans end up paying the price. Our platform was created to rebuild trust and unlock real economic value.”
Elbendak highlighted that the technology could extend beyond traditional ticketing, potentially supporting access control, loyalty programmes, and new forms of engagement between venues and audiences. “As we scale, the underlying technology has the potential to create value far beyond ticketing,” he said.
The pre-seed funding will be used to accelerate product development, expand internationally, and deepen integrations with partners across the live events ecosystem. Knot aims to become a core infrastructure layer for next-generation events, enabling more secure, seamless, and data-driven experiences for organisers and attendees alike.
The startup’s approach comes as the live events sector faces increasing pressure to adopt digital tools that prevent revenue loss from secondary markets and enhance fan experiences. By leveraging AI, Knot allows event organisers to enforce distribution rules, track demand patterns, and reduce revenue leakage, which is a growing concern for concerts, sports, and cultural events in MENA and beyond.
Industry observers say the combination of AI and real-time analytics could transform ticketing by giving organisers more control over pricing and access while providing fans with fairer, more transparent purchasing options. With digital transformation accelerating across the region, innovative platforms such as Knot are gaining attention from investors seeking scalable solutions for high-demand markets.
Knot Technologies positions itself at a crucial moment for the MENA events industry, which is increasingly hosting large-scale international concerts, sports tournaments, and cultural festivals. By offering a secure and intelligent ticketing infrastructure, the company addresses both operational and financial pain points while supporting the region’s broader push toward technology-driven innovation.
Why Knot Technologies Matters to MENA
MENA’s live events sector is expanding rapidly, with high demand for secure, data-driven ticketing. Knot’s AI platform helps organizers protect revenue, enhance attendee experiences, and scale events safely, supporting the region’s digital transformation in entertainment and live experiences.
