Grip

Grip is the most sophisticated AI matchmaking engine in the event tech space, purpose-built for large B2B trade shows and conferences. Its 16+ ML algorithms analyze both explicit preferences and behavioral signals to surface high-quality connections that attendees wouldn't find on their own. For organizers running shows with 5,000+ attendees, it delivers measurable ROI through qualified lead generation and sponsorship uplift. However, the enterprise-only pricing, 4-month implementation timeline, and lack of audience engagement features (no polls, Q&A, or gamification) mean it's not the right fit for smaller events or organizers who need an all-in-one platform.

AI Networking & Engagement Paid

Enterprise — custom pricing (contact sales)

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Tool Nutrition Label

Founded 2014

Headquarters London, UK

Company Size 50–100 employees

Funding Venture-backed ($14.5M raised; $13M Series A led by Kennet Partners, Feb 2021)

Pricing Model Subscription-based, custom quotes per event or annual license

Free Trial No self-serve free trial — demo available on request

Contract Annual subscription (custom terms)

Attendee Capacity Built for large-scale events (5,000–100,000+ attendees)

Mobile App Yes (iOS & Android) — attendee-facing app with AI recommendations, meeting scheduling, chat, and offline badge scanning (v10.30+)

Offline Capability Yes

Data & Compliance EU (London HQ); GDPR compliant

Expertise Level Advanced

Event Types

Trade ShowsConferencesB2B EventsCorporate EventsHybrid EventsVirtual Events

Key Integrations

Salesforce (Native) Visit by GES (Native) Registration API (push & pull) (API) Badge Printing Solutions (Native) CRM/Marketing Automation (API)

Support Channels

EmailDedicated Account ManagerHelp CenterPhone

Best For

+ Large B2B trade show and exhibition organizers who need intelligent matchmaking at scale (5,000+ attendees)
+ Event portfolios run by major organizers (Ascential, Hyve, Emerald, Clarion) who need a consistent networking layer across events
+ Organizers focused on measurable lead generation and exhibitor/sponsor ROI
+ Hybrid and virtual events that need AI-powered connection recommendations beyond basic attendee lists

Not For

− Small to mid-size events under 1,000 attendees — the platform is overengineered and overpriced for this segment
− Organizers who need audience engagement tools (polls, Q&A, gamification) as part of the networking platform
− Teams with tight timelines — implementation takes ~4 months, so this won't work for a show launching in 6 weeks
− Budget-conscious organizers looking for transparent, self-serve pricing

Key Capabilities

✓ AI-powered matchmaking using 16+ ML algorithms that analyze explicit preferences and behavioral signals

✓ Personalized attendee recommendations that improve as the event approaches and during the event

✓ 1:1 meeting scheduling with calendar management and conflict resolution

✓ In-app messaging and chat between matched attendees

✓ Badge scanning with offline capability for lead capture on the show floor

✓ Lead retrieval and scoring tools for exhibitors and sponsors

✓ Registration system with API integrations for existing reg platforms

✓ Analytics dashboard with engagement metrics, meeting completion rates, and ROI reporting

Honest Limitations

No Gamification

Grip has no built-in gamification features — no points, leaderboards, challenges, or incentives to drive attendee engagement beyond the matchmaking itself.

Weak Audience Engagement

Polls, Q&A, and live interaction features are not mature or not present. You'll need a separate tool like Slido or Mentimeter for session engagement.

Opaque Enterprise Pricing

No published pricing, no self-serve tier, no free trial. You need a sales call to get a quote, making it hard to compare costs or budget without vendor engagement.

Long Implementation Timeline

Expect ~4 months from contract signing to go-live. This includes data integration, algorithm training, and configuration — not a plug-and-play solution.

Overkill for Small Events

The platform is architected for large-scale B2B events. For events under 1,000 attendees, simpler tools like Brella or B2Match deliver similar networking value at a fraction of the cost and setup time.

Pricing Breakdown

Plan	Price	Details
Enterprise License	Contact for pricing	Custom annual subscription based on event portfolio size, attendee volume, and feature requirements
Per-Event License	Contact for pricing	Single-event pricing available for large shows; typically bundled with implementation and support
Exhibitor/Sponsor Add-Ons	Contact for pricing	Lead retrieval, badge scanning, and premium placement features priced separately or as upgrades

Hidden Costs to Watch

! Implementation and onboarding can take ~4 months of internal team time alongside Grip's team
! Custom integrations (beyond standard API) may require additional professional services fees
! ROI realization typically takes ~17 months from initial deployment

Grip is an AI-powered event networking platform founded in 2014 by Brent Hoberman and Tim Groot, headquartered in London. The platform has become the matchmaking engine of choice for some of the largest B2B trade show organizers in the world, including Ascential, Hyve, Emerald, and Clarion Events.

What sets Grip apart is the depth of its AI. Rather than simple profile matching, Grip deploys 16+ machine learning algorithms that combine explicit attendee preferences (who they want to meet, what topics they care about) with behavioral signals (which exhibitors they visit, which sessions they attend, which profiles they view). The result is a recommendation engine that gets smarter as the event approaches and throughout the live event itself.

For exhibitors and sponsors, Grip delivers measurable ROI through lead retrieval tools, badge scanning (including offline capability since v10.30), and qualified meeting facilitation. Organizers get a powerful analytics layer showing engagement metrics, meeting completion rates, and data to prove networking value to stakeholders.

The trade-off is clear: Grip is built for scale and sophistication, not simplicity. The enterprise-only pricing model means no transparency until you talk to sales, and the ~4-month implementation timeline means this is a strategic platform decision, not a quick tool purchase. For events under 1,000 attendees, tools like Brella or B2Match deliver solid matchmaking without the enterprise overhead.

Comparing this with other event tools?

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Pairs Well With

Salesforce

The default enterprise CRM for event-driven revenue teams that need serious workflow depth, but one that only pays off when you have admin muscle and a clear process.

CRM & Marketing Paid

Native CRM sync pushes qualified leads and meeting data directly into Salesforce for post-event follow-up and pipeline tracking

Slido

A polished Q&A and polling layer for conferences, webinars, and hybrid sessions, though the best features skew toward paid annual or enterprise use.

Audience Response & Polling Freemium

Fills Grip's audience engagement gap with polls, Q&A, and quizzes during sessions — Grip handles the networking, Slido handles the sessions

Swoogo

Enterprise event registration with transparent per-user pricing and a drag-and-drop website builder — sophisticated enough for conference veterans, expensive for small teams.

Event Planning & Management Registration & Ticketing Paid

Registration platform that integrates with Grip's API to sync attendee data and preferences for pre-event matchmaking

HubSpot

The most practical CRM and marketing platform for event-led SMB and mid-market teams, with strong out-of-the-box workflows but a pricing curve that gets real fast.

CRM & Marketing Freemium

Marketing automation for pre-event nurture campaigns and post-event lead scoring based on Grip meeting and engagement data

Alternatives

Brella

Networking-first event platform built around AI matchmaking, meetings, sponsor ROI, and integration into broader event stacks.

AI Networking & Engagement Paid

Self-service AI matchmaking with transparent pricing; better fit for mid-size conferences (500–5,000 attendees) that don't need Grip's enterprise overhead

Swapcard

Revenue-first event platform for exhibitions and conferences, built around annual subscriptions, exhibitor outcomes, networking, and event intelligence.

AI Event Planning & Management Paid

All-in-one trade show platform with stronger exhibitor management and built-in engagement features; less pure-play matchmaking but broader functionality

Bizzabo

Enterprise B2B event platform with modern UX, strong onsite tooling, and a rare published starting price for a premium all-in-one event OS.

Event Planning & Management Lead Retrieval Paid

Full Event Experience OS with networking, registration, content, and analytics in one platform; broader feature set but matchmaking is not as deep

Whova

Conference-focused all-in-one platform known for strong attendee networking, sponsor visibility, and time-saving event operations.

Event Planning & Management Lead Retrieval Paid

More affordable alternative with decent networking and engagement features; better for associations and academic conferences on tighter budgets

b2match

Strong B2B matchmaking and meeting management for in-person, hybrid, and virtual events, but pricing is opaque and advanced workflows quickly become add-ons.

Networking & Engagement Registration & Ticketing AI Paid

Specialized in structured matchmaking and hosted buyer programs; simpler setup and more transparent pricing for focused networking events

Questions to Ask the Vendor

1
What is the minimum attendee count or event size to justify Grip's implementation and cost?
2
Can you share anonymized ROI case studies showing meeting completion rates and qualified lead generation for events similar to ours?
3
What does the 4-month implementation timeline look like week by week, and what internal resources do we need to commit?
4
How does the AI handle cold-start for first-time events with no historical behavioral data?
5
What happens to our attendee and meeting data after the contract ends — can we export it, and in what format?
6
Do you offer a pilot program or single-event trial for new customers before committing to an annual license?

How we research tools

We research each tool by reviewing official documentation, pricing pages, and user feedback from Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra. If something's out of date or inaccurate, use the link below to flag it.

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