Grip review covering AI event matchmaking, mobile event app, lead retrieval, onsite tools, funding history, pros, cons and alternatives for 2026.
Category
Video Conferencing
Pricing
Enterprise subscription, custom quote-based, from Custom pricing (no published starting price)
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2014
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Web AppiOSAndroidAPIAI
Overview
Grip was founded in London in 2014 by Brent Hoberman, co-founder of lastminute.com, and Tim Groot, built around AI-driven attendee matchmaking for business events.
A pivot to virtual and hybrid events during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a 13 million dollar Series A round in February 2021, helped Grip expand into a full event technology platform used by major trade show and conference organizers.
Key Features
Grip's core feature is AI-powered matchmaking that analyzes attendee data to generate relevant one-to-one meeting suggestions between attendees, exhibitors and sponsors.
The platform also includes a white-label mobile event app, more than a dozen meeting formats, onsite badge and lead retrieval tools, and sponsorship monetization capabilities.
Pricing
Grip does not publish self-serve pricing because it sells to enterprise event organizers, trade show producers and conference companies through negotiated, per-event or annual contracts.
Pricing depends on attendee volume, which product modules (engagement, management, onsite) are selected, and the level of onsite hardware and support required.
Key Features
AI-powered matchmaking — Analyzes attendee profiles and preferences to automatically generate relevant one-to-one meeting suggestions.
White-label mobile event app — A customizable app providing schedules, exhibitor directories, floor plans and wayfinding for attendees.
Lead retrieval and scanning — Lets exhibitors capture and qualify leads through badge scanning integrated with the event app.
Multiple meeting formats — Supports over a dozen formats including hosted buyer sessions, speed networking, roundtables and investor meetings.
Onsite hardware tools — Badge printing, entrance scanning, smart badges and location tracking for physical events.
Sponsorship monetization — Tools that let organizers package and sell premium visibility and engagement opportunities to sponsors.
AI event assistant — An AI assistant that answers attendee questions instantly during an event to reduce support workload.
Modular platform architecture — Engagement, event management and onsite modules can be combined based on event format and size.
Pros & Cons
Pros
AI matchmaking engine is a mature, well-regarded core differentiator built over a decade
Strong roster of marquee enterprise event customers including Money 20/20 and Messe Frankfurt
Modular platform covers engagement, full event management and onsite hardware in one system
Supports a wide range of meeting formats beyond simple one-to-one networking
Cons
No published pricing; every deal requires a sales conversation and custom quote
Built primarily for large enterprise events, which may be overkill or unaffordable for small event organizers
Feature depth can require significant setup and configuration ahead of an event
Pricing
Engagement Custom quote Custom, per-event or annual
Management Custom quote Custom, per-event or annual
Onsite Custom quote Custom, per-event or annual
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Grip do
Grip is an AI-powered event technology platform that uses attendee data to generate matchmaking recommendations and provides a mobile event app, onsite tools and sponsorship features for conferences and trade shows.
How much does Grip cost
Grip does not publish pricing. It sells to enterprise event organizers through custom, per-event or annual contracts based on attendee volume and selected product modules.
Who founded Grip
Grip was founded in 2014 in London by Brent Hoberman, co-founder of lastminute.com, and Tim Groot.
Does Grip support in-person, virtual and hybrid events
Yes. Grip expanded from its original in-person matchmaking focus to fully support virtual and hybrid events during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to support all three formats.
Who uses Grip
Grip is used by large event organizers and trade show producers including Money 20/20, Clarion Events, Messe Frankfurt and Reed Exhibitions.
Who competes with Grip
Grip competes with Bizzabo, Cvent, Swapcard and Brella in the event technology and matchmaking space.