HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Platinumlist started 18 years ago with a simple mission: to help people discover and attend the best local events, parties, and nightlife in Dubai.

The first version of the platform was nothing more than a guest-list tool for Audio Tonic, a popular event at 360° Jumeirah Beach Hotel. One of our founders, performing under the alias Vas Floyd, built it together with Max, who would go on to become CTO.

As Audio Tonic grew in popularity between 2009 and 2013, so did demand for a smarter solution. A simple ticketing feature was added in 2009, paired with our marketing reach, it quickly gave organisers a competitive edge. That innovation, backed by just $10,000 in seed capital (still our only external funding to this day), set the stage for what Platinumlist would become.

From the start, we reinvested nearly every profit into improving the platform: building stronger ticketing tools, expanding marketing reach, enhancing customer experience, and developing in-house technology that could adapt to an industry in constant motion.

GROWING BIGGER

A turning point came in 2013, when the UAE government introduced the Central Inventory. Platinumlist became the first to integrate with the new API. Competitors missed the deadline, and the majority of organisers shifted their sales to us. The result? More than 95% of those organisers are still with Platinumlist today.

That period defined us: growth at speed, powered by agility and trust.

Diversifying Offerings

In 2019, Platinumlist added Attractions and Experiences, a move that proved vital during the pandemic, when live events paused but many tours and cultural sites continued operating. This diversification kept the platform active, relevant, and valuable to both organisers and audiences.

Though our name still reflects our origins as a guest list tool, today Platinumlist is synonymous with event discovery and ticketing across the Gulf. A recent brand refresh modernised our look, while keeping the name trusted by millions.

Trusted Partnerships

We would not be here without our organisers. Some have been with us since day one, shaping the platform with feedback, scaling alongside us, and trusting us with their biggest moments.

Today, more than 1,000 organisers in 20 countries, from concert promoters to museums, sports leagues to cultural festivals, use Platinumlist to run events, reach audiences, and grow sustainably.

The Team Behind the Platform

Platinumlist is powered by 250+ people from 30+ nationalities, working across offices in Dubai, Riyadh, Muscat, Manama, and Doha, as well as remotely.

We’re developers, marketers, designers, and music lovers, united by one belief: real experiences matter. Many of us are fans ourselves, building the platform we’d want to use.