Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between iDonate and Eventmaster

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of iDonate by Eventmaster.

Launched in 2011 under the leadership of CEO Alan Coyne, iDonate is one of Ireland’s best-known fundraising platforms. It provides charities, non-profits, schools, clubs, corporates, and individuals with tools for secure donations, raffles, event registration, ticketing, and contactless payments. The platform supports over 5,000 Irish causes and has facilitated more than €165 million in donations.

BGF-backed Eventmaster is Ireland's leading online event registration, ticketing, and membership platform. It delivers integrated e-commerce solutions for event ticketing, fundraising, and membership management, serving event organisers, charities, sporting federations, clubs, and corporates.

The acquisition strengthens Eventmaster’s fundraising proposition and broadens the combined group’s ability to serve customers across multiple use-cases.

As part of the transaction, Mr Coyne will continue with the combined business and will lead fundraising across the group, working alongside Eventmaster founder and CEO John Cleary and the wider team.

In connection with this transaction, BGF is also providing follow-on growth capital to support Eventmaster’s acquisition of iDonate, reinforcing its long-term commitment to backing Irish founder-led businesses executing ambitious growth plans.

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Speaking about the transaction, Mr Coyne said: “For over 15 years, iDonate has focused on empowering charities and fundraisers with simple, powerful technology. Becoming part of the Eventmaster group allows us to accelerate our vision and significantly expand what we can offer charities, fundraisers and event organisers. Eventmaster shares our values, our ambition and our commitment to delivering best-in-class technology. This marks a major milestone for iDonate and a very positive step forward for our customers and team, enabling us to innovate faster, scale internationally and continue raising the bar for digital fundraising.”

Mr Cleary said: “The acquisition of iDonate represents a significant step forward for Eventmaster. This acquisition re-enforces the position of Eventmaster as the industry leader across event participation ticketing and now fundraising in Ireland. We look forward to delivering an enhanced service to our existing customers and extending our ticketing and membership products to the iDonate customer base in both the domestic and international markets.”

Joe Higgins, BGF Investor, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Eventmaster as it embarks on the next stage of its growth journey. Eventmaster has demonstrated impressive momentum in building a market-leading platform for fundraising, ticketing and membership services in Ireland. The acquisition of iDonate represents a highly complementary strategic move that will strengthen the group’s offering and deliver even greater value to charities, community organisations and event organisers nationwide. Our follow-on investment underlines BGF’s long-term commitment to backing ambitious, founder-led businesses with the potential to scale and innovate.”

Christopher Kirby, Senior Associate at Benchmark International, said: “Benchmark International is thrilled to have facilitated the successful acquisition of iDonate by Eventmaster. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the iDonate team on this milestone achievement. This partnership will enhance the strengths of both businesses going forward, combining innovative tools for greater impact, efficiency, and scalability. It has been a privilege to support iDonate throughout this process.”

iDonate was also supported by Eric Gleeson in Eric Gleeson Solicitors, Noel Tyrrell in Mellett Tyrrell & Co. and Robert Lohan in Moore Ireland.

Eventmaster was supported by Mark Mulcahy, Shane McGarry and Gerry Vahey in Forvis Mazars, and Adrian Wall, Ciara Flannery, Sarah Connolly and Neil Nolan in FieldFisher.

BGF was supported by Paddy Quinlan and Andrew Glynn in Taylor Wessing, and Justin Pursell and Flora Keeling in DC Advisory.

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