Not even the creators of AI always know its full potential beyond tasks like drafting emails. However, some startups, such as Y Combinator alum and 2024 Disrupt Battlefield participant Nowadays, are leveraging AI in innovative and highly practical ways.
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Nowadays uses large language models (LLMs) to automate the planning of major events. It taps into a database of 400,000 global venues and employs a proprietary AI model that integrates OpenAI, Anthropic, and its own technology. The system reaches out to venues, caterers, and other vendors via email to solicit bids and even follows up with phone calls when necessary. It then compiles and organizes this information, presenting it to event planners for decision-making and contract signing.
Founded in 2023 by sisters Anna Sun (CEO) and Amy Yan (COO), Nowadays has already facilitated over $4 million worth of event bookings for major clients like Google, Amazon, Notion, and Supabase. The idea for the company stemmed from Sun’s experience as a student at MIT, where she spent hours coordinating event logistics. Her sister, Yan, who graduated from Johns Hopkins and was working at Google, had similar experiences. These challenges inspired Sun to create a more efficient solution.
After securing a spot in Y Combinator’s 2023 summer cohort, Sun convinced Yan to leave her job at Google to join the venture. Sun recalled that they received YC’s acceptance letter the day before her graduation, and Yan submitted her two-week notice immediately.
Nowadays targets events with budgets over $20,000 and charges a 5% fee based on the sourced budget or offers an annual subscription model. While primarily used for corporate events, the platform has also been utilized for occasions like weddings and milestone celebrations.
Event planning with Nowadays starts with an intake form where users specify details such as event type, location, budget, and unique requirements. Sun mentioned some clients requesting meeting spaces with high ceilings to accommodate tall team members, showcasing the platform’s flexibility.
Since its launch, the startup has grown primarily through word-of-mouth among corporate planners. One satisfied client introduced Nowadays to a venture capitalist, who invested $300,000. The client then became an investor as well. Nowadays recently raised $2 million in a party seed round (without a lead investor) from backers such as Y Combinator, Basis Set Ventures, Hike VC, and other investors.
The company faces competition in a crowded market, with established players like Cvent and Eventbrite incorporating AI into their services and newcomers like Partiful gaining recognition, such as being named Google’s App of the Year. Despite this, Nowadays stands out by automating complex event logistics through AI-driven innovation.
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