Forward, the business community committed to economic development and local talent in Puerto Rico, announced the acquisition of Ticketera, the Island's leading ticket sales company. This strategic alliance reinforces the vision of Forward to support the growth of Puerto Rican companies with both local and global impact.
Founded in 2016 by entrepreneurs Ricardo Aponte, Omar Báez and Manny Morales, Ticketera transformed the entertainment industry in Puerto Rico by digitalizing ticket sales and offering innovative technology solutions for producers and consumers. The company has demonstrated its ability to handle extraordinary demand during large-scale events, including the historic Bad Bunny residency, which generated more than one million requests per minute.
In January 2025, the company set a Guinness World Record for its innovative promotional code distribution system during the Bad Bunny "No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí" residency. Ticketera distributed more than 21,000 unique codes in just eight hours through an in-person identity verification system at nine locations around the Island, ensuring that the sale of more than 80,000 tickets was exclusive to Puerto Rico residents. The system, which includes patent-pending technology for the distribution and verification of QR codes, generated more than $11 million in ticket sales.
With this acquisition, Ticketera joins companies such as Abarca, Platea, FindIt PR, nBeta, Nave, Xtillion, RVPR, Expert Flyer and the Criollos de Caguas, which belong to the Forward business community. Ticketera's addition strengthens Forward's presence in the entertainment industry and extends its reach in the Puerto Rican market and beyond.
"This acquisition represents one more step in our mission to build a strong business community in Puerto Rico, betting on local talent and creating opportunities that generate impact both on the Island and globally," said Tony Navarro, co-founder of Forward and president of Red Ventures Puerto Rico.
For his part, Manny Morales, co-founder of Ticketera, highlighted the significance of this alliance. "Joining Forward is a natural evolution for Ticketera," Morales said. "From day one, our goal has been to show that world-class technology can be built from Puerto Rico. With Forward, we have access to a network of companies, talent and expertise that allows us to keep growing without losing our identity. We remain committed to our local community, but now with the ability to expand our solutions to new markets. It's a confirmation that when you bet on Puerto Rican talent and give it the right tools, we can achieve extraordinary things."
Reflecting on the journey, Morales highlighted the value of the people who have built Ticketera and expressed gratitude to those who have been part of the company's success. "What I'm most proud of in this achievement is the exceptional talent we have developed at Ticketera. The people who work with us have shown that they can solve complex problems and create solutions that compete at a global level."
The acquisition represents not only an expansion of the Forward ecosystem but also an affirmation of Puerto Rico's economic potential as a center of innovation. Ticketera will continue operating under its own brand and will retain its leadership team.
Forward grows out of the vision established in 2018 with Forward787, a $100 million initiative committed to building Puerto Rican businesses that compete globally. The platform reflects the belief that Puerto Rico belongs to the next generation and that the best legacy is creating opportunities for local talent to thrive on the Island. Forward is not just a group of companies; it is a community with a shared vision where each organization contributes to strengthening Puerto Rico's business ecosystem.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
