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Loket’s RFID bands for live events. Photo credit: Loket.

Go-Jek doesn’t see itself as a ride-hailing app. “We’re a new animal now,” its CEO Nadiem Makarim once said.

Indeed, Indonesia’s first unicorn has been branching out, slowly turning itself into an everything-on-demand empire. That effort got a boost today with the acquisition of live event management and ticketing startup Loket.

“Go-Jek and Loket will provide their respective technology strengths to improve the whole event experience for both consumers and promoters,” the duo said in a joint statement, without disclosing the value of the deal.

Founded in 2013, Loket is part online ticket booking, part event management software. It distributes radio-frequency identification (RFID) wristbands – attendees wear them and this lets event organizers identify them when they pass through access gates. The tech also lets organizers monitor crew, enables cashless payments, and gathers information about attendee behavior.

Currently, Go-Jek provides ticket purchasing via Go-Tix, which has tie-ups with cinemas and various event organizers, as well as cashless payments via Go-Pay. Locket will tap into this network.

“With this partnership, we are able to better benefit our partners by supporting more events of all sizes covering live music events, festivals, attractions, workshops, seminars, and movies,” said Loket co-founder and CEO Edy Sulistyo.

“Ticket purchases, the atmosphere at the event location, as well as transacting at the location of the event, should be smoother,” added Makarim.

To date, Loket claims to have facilitated more than 80 percent of large-scale music events in Indonesia. The company is backed by East Ventures and Sovereign’s Capital.

Locket said its management and operations will remain independent from Go-Jek’s following the acquisition.

This post Go-Jek acquires Loket in a bid to conquer live events space appeared first on Tech in Asia.

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