Resource Partners Secures Majority Stake in Romania\’s Leading Ticketing Platform iaBilet and Promoter BestMusic
Strategic Expansion into Romania’s Digital Entertainment Sector
Private equity firm Resource Partners has made a significant move by acquiring majority stakes in two key players in Romania’s digital ticketing and live entertainment industry. The firm now holds 82.5% of iaBilet, the country’s largest online ticketing platform, and 55% of BestMusic, a prominent concert promoter. This acquisition marks Resource Partners’ strategic entry into the region\’s growing digital entertainment market.
Emil Ionescu and Razvan Manta, the founders of both companies, have retained minority stakes and continue to play active roles in the business. They sold their shares to NCH Capital and other founding shareholders, allowing Resource Partners to take control of the operations.
Growth and Innovation at iaBilet
Since its establishment in 2012, iaBilet has emerged as a dominant force in Romania’s ticketing landscape. The platform has sold over 4 million tickets in 2024 and supports more than 4,000 event organizers. Its advanced technology integrates ticketing, marketing automation, and analytics, providing a comprehensive solution for event management.
In addition to its core services, iaBilet recently launched daBilet.ro, a ticket resale marketplace that further expands its offerings. This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of its users.
BestMusic: A Leader in Live Entertainment
BestMusic, another key player in the Romanian entertainment scene, has organized over 3,000 shows since its inception. It is known for bringing international acts such as Iron Maiden, Slipknot, and Eros Ramazzotti to local audiences. The company’s reputation for quality events and strong relationships with global artists has solidified its position as one of the country’s most respected promoters.
Vision for the Future
Gosia Bobrowska, Managing Partner at Resource Partners, expressed confidence in the long-term potential of the Romanian market. She stated, “We are long-term believers in the Romanian market, which continues to offer highly entrepreneurial businesses with regional potential, and iaBilet is a great example of that. […] We see strong growth prospects in the live entertainment and digital services space and are excited to support the company’s next stage of development.”
The acquisition comes at a time of steady growth for iaBilet, which generated EUR 5.8 million in turnover last year. Resource Partners plans to accelerate the company’s expansion by upgrading its digital infrastructure, enhancing services for promoters, and improving the overall customer experience.
Continued Commitment to Values
Emil Ionescu, CEO and co-founder of iaBilet and BestMusic, emphasized that the partnership will help the companies better serve the live events community while maintaining their core values of accessibility, innovation, and reliability. He added, “This new partnership will help us serve the live events community even better, while staying true to our values of accessibility, innovation, and reliability.”
NCH Capital, which exits its investment through this transaction, praised iaBilet as one of Romania’s most successful independent digital platforms.
About Resource Partners
Resource Partners is an independent private equity fund established in 2009 by a team of experienced investment managers. The firm has been active in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region since 2000, investing on behalf of top regional and international financial institutions and funds. Over the years, Resource Partners has raised three generations of funds, leading to total investments exceeding EUR 500 million.
