At Innovation City, we host a lot of events! From founder conversations and industry panels to networking sessions and summits, bringing the right people into a room is a big part of what we do. And anyone who has organised an event knows that what happens behind the scenes can be just as demanding as what happens on stage.

That's why we use Radi, a South African event platform that's making the whole process easier for organisers and attendees alike.

Now, just three months after launch, Radi has processed more than 7,000 tickets and surpassed R1 million in ticket sales. Even more impressively, it's all been built and run by one person: founder Renier Kriel.

And Radi is now nominated in the Digital Commerce category of the South African Startup Awards 2026.

We caught up with Renier to find out what's behind the platform, why South African event technology needed a rethink and where Radi is heading next.

The problem with event ticketing

The idea for Radi came from Renier's experience organising events at The Open Letter, where considerable effort goes into creating experiences worth attending.

"At The Open Letter we put a lot of effort and care into our events, and attendees invest real time and money to be there. Yet paid ticketing in South Africa felt like it was built in the early 2000s."

For Renier, the disconnect was obvious. People had grown accustomed to digital wallets, WhatsApp communication and beautifully designed online experiences, but local event platforms hadn't kept pace.

Organisers, meanwhile, needed better tools to manage operations, understand ticket sales, report to sponsors and stay connected with their communities.

Radi was built to address both sides.

More than a ticketing platform

Radi handles everything from event setup and ticket sales to attendee check-in and reporting. But Renier believes the attendee experience is what really sets it apart.

"Think the experience of global community platforms, with paid ticketing built for South Africa."

For organisers, that means straightforward event management, the ability to bring external teams on board for check-in and door sales, custom name tags and clear reporting on which marketing channels are driving ticket sales.

There's also a distribution advantage. Every event listed on Radi is promoted to The Open Letter's audience of more than 38,000 readers.

For event organisers trying to reach new audiences, that's a meaningful addition to the platform's offering.

Built for community, not just commerce

While Radi is nominated in the Digital Commerce category, Renier's ambitions extend well beyond transactions.

"As AI agents take over more of the internet, they'll free up time for us to attend events and connect with other humans."

It's an interesting perspective at a time when so much of the technology conversation centres on replacing human interaction with automation.

Renier sees an opportunity to use technology to encourage more of the opposite: people meeting, sharing interests and building relationships in person.

Radi has recently introduced calendars and user profiles, allowing people to follow organisers, discover upcoming events and participate in community activities.

And the platform isn't stopping at business events. In 2027, Renier plans to expand into sports, music, church and school events, opening Radi to a much wider audience.

One founder. A promising start.

Building a technology platform is one thing. Getting people to use it is another.

In just three months, Radi has processed more than 7,000 tickets and over R1 million in ticket sales, all while operating as a one-person business.

But Renier says the most rewarding moments haven't necessarily been the commercial milestones.

"The feedback from Innovation City and The Lekker Network means just as much. Hearing that Radi makes hosting and running their events easier is why I built it."

From our side, we've experienced that benefit firsthand. Radi has become part of how we manage events at Innovation City, helping us simplify the practical work involved in bringing our community together.

Let's get Radi to the SA Startup Awards!

Radi has been nominated in the Digital Commerce category of the South African Startup Awards 2026, recognising platforms that are changing how goods and services are bought and sold.

Renier sums up his pitch simply:

"For years, global community platforms like Meetup and Luma never offered paid tickets for SA communities. The platforms that did offer paid ticketing didn't deliver great experiences for hosts or attendees. Radi brings the best of both to South Africa, to create more meaningful in-person events for South Africans. If you believe in that, I'd love your vote!"

We'd love to see an Innovation City ecosystem business recognised. If you've attended one of our events, you've probably already experienced Radi for yourself. Now's your chance to show your support.

Vote for Radi in the Digital Commerce category of the South African Startup Awards 2026.

Public voting closes Friday, 6 November at 20:00. One vote per email address across the competition, and remember to confirm your vote via email for it to count.

Discover more about Radi at radi.co.za.