Yazhini Shanmugam ( Param ) (Param), Co-Founder and CEO of Ticket9 embodies the power of transforming fear into a driving force for success. Her entrepreneurial journey—from leaving a secure job to launching a groundbreaking event tech start-up—serves as an inspiring testament to the potential within each of us to face fear and use it as fuel to propel forward. In 2017, Yazhini made the bold decision to leave a high-paying role at a well-established firm. While many might have been anxious about financial stability or professional reputation, Yazhini’s fear was rooted in something deeper: the fear of staying stagnant, of missing out on the dream that had long consumed her thoughts. She wasn't afraid of the unknown in the traditional sense but was more concerned about the regret of never taking the leap to pursue her passion. As she explains, fear is not a barrier but a powerful motivator—one that pushed her to embrace the uncertainties of entrepreneurship and move beyond the comfort zone of a well-charted career path. Yazhini’s own venture, Ticket 9—a Coimbatore-based event-tech startup she co-founded with Santhos Premraj in 2022—was born from a vision to revolutionize event management. But the journey wasn’t easy. Initially, they started out with small savings and a beta version of their platform aimed at physical events. When the pandemic hit, they had to pivot, rapidly adapting to the new normal by incorporating virtual and hybrid events. This agile response during an unprecedented crisis reflects Yazhini's belief in overcoming fear by embracing change. Today, Ticket 9 is an emerging leader in the event-tech space, having raised $120,000 in pre-seed funding and supported over 270 events globally. By simplifying the event planning process through automation, Ticket 9 empowers event organizers to manage everything from invitations to ticket sales with ease. Their innovative platform streamlines workflows with features like a QR-based check-in system and automated event notifications, all designed to enhance the user experience for both organizers and attendees. Ticket 9’s success is a direct reflection of Yazhini and Santhos's commitment to solving real-world problems with technology. But behind the tech is a powerful story of persistence, resilience, and the courage to leap into the unknown. “We have captured approximately 0.7% of the global event industry market, which is valued at over $887 billion," Yazhini shares, "and we’re just getting started." With plans to expand internationally and strengthen their presence in key markets like the UAE and Singapore, the future looks bright for Ticket 9. As Yazhini herself puts it, “Dream big, take risks, and trust in your journey. Even if it’s slow, even if the steps are small, keep marching forward.” The road ahead may not always be easy, but as Yazhini Shanmugam (Param) proves, the rewards of embracing fear and daring to dream are more than worth the effort.Madhuri Awande
Nirav Hiingu
4d
Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey, Yazhini. Your story highlights the importance of taking risks and embracing change in order to achieve success. It's impressive to see how Ticket 9 has adapted to the challenges of the pandemic and emerged as a leader in the event-tech space. Your focus on solving real-world problems with technology is commendable and I look forward to seeing your continued growth and expansion. Your message to dream big and keep marching forward is a valuable reminder for all of us. Keep up the great work!
New In Asia
1d
This is such an inspiring story! 💪 Yazhini Shanmugam ( Param )'s courage to leave her comfort zone and pursue her passion is a reminder that we all have the potential to transform fear into fuel. Can't wait to see what's next for Ticket 9 and their innovative platform 🌟
Sujit Kumar
1w
Wow, Yazhini Shanmugam (Param), your journey is truly inspiring! Leaving a secure job to start your own business takes a lot of guts, but you've shown that fear can be a powerful motivator. And let's not forget the pandemic pivot - Ticket 9's ability to adapt to change is truly impressive. Keep up the great work, and who knows, maybe one day I'll be using Ticket 9 to plan my own events (if I ever have the courage to host one)! 😂
This is a token of appreciation for your hard work, consistent effort, and unwavering winner attitude. You truly deserve it Yazhini! 💐 💐 💐 🏆 😍 Keep it Up !!!! I’m eagerly awaiting to witness your success stories!🤗
Congratulations Yazhini Shanmugam ( Param ) !
Co-Founder & CEO at Ticket9
1wThank you for featuring Women Startup Stories