On Thursday 6th March, Fraser Burnett hosted the fifth instalment in the ‘Network of Tomorrow’ event series, in partnership with Fanbase. He shares some highlights from the evening below.
It was great to welcome both familiar and new faces to our fifth Network of Tomorrow event. The primary purpose of this event series is to facilitate connections among the next generation of leaders in the Scottish intermediary market, and it was once again a pleasure to have a room full of a diverse range of professionals. The variety of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives helps foster both conversations and collaborations, and there are valuable connections for all involved.
For this event, we were lucky enough to partner with Fanbase, a start-up on the cusp of becoming a scale-up, which develops software that delivers more efficient mobile ticketing and a better fan experience for sports clubs. The concept of Fanbase was created by founders Alasdair and Michael Crawley. They saw the challenges faced by smaller sports clubs when maximising engagement with fans, such as their first client Linlithgow Rose, and set out to establish themselves as the best sports ticketing solution. During the event, I hosted a Q&A with founder Alasdair Crawley and their CTO, Carl Barton.
One of the most striking takeaways from the Q&A was the incredible journey of Fanbase, whose story serves as a compelling example of passion, innovation, and perseverance. I want to focus on these three key points below.
Passion: The driving force that fuels dedication and enthusiasm, whether in professional or personal pursuits. For Fanbase, their passion for creating something new and taking that leap of faith is at the core of their journey. This unwavering passion has taken them from ‘doing their thinking in a bathtub’ to building a team of 13 and fostering a culture of determination and commitment.
Innovation: Key to staying ahead in any industry, especially in a start-up business. Fanbase’s innovative approach included creating opportunities through COVID and offering clubs a solution to track and trace, as well as seeing a potential market in sports teams outside of ‘the big dogs’. Their ability to consistently introduce new ideas and adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape has played a crucial role in their growth. By challenging the status quo, they have positioned themselves as a company that can solve problems and are ready to scale up.
Perseverance: Perhaps the most critical quality in any start-up’s journey, especially as they face the ups and downs of early-stage growth. For Fanbase, perseverance has been essential in overcoming the inevitable setbacks that come with being a start-up. Their ability to stay focused on their vision, even when progress felt slow, has allowed them to reach a pivotal moment in their journey: they are on the cusp of success as they prepare for a big year in 2025. This persistence, combined with passion and innovation, has created a solid foundation for their bright future.
Fanbase’s trajectory is a testament to how dedication and resilience can pave the way for success in an ever-evolving landscape. It is clear that the business has developed a unique approach that positions them for tremendous growth. 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for the company, and from a personal perspective, knowing Carl well, I truly hope they achieve all the success they have worked for.
Please get in touch with Fraser Burnett at [email protected] if you would like to join us and become part of a growing network.
