KYD Labs: Defining the Future of Live Events

If you've tried to grab a ticket to see your favorite artist, you’ve probably felt the pinch—sky-high prices, excessive fees, and limited choices. The live entertainment industry is ripe for disruption, and KYD Labs is working to make that happen.

Anyone Can Become Their Own Ticketmaster

Ahmed Nimale, Co-Founder and CEO at KYD Labs, spent a decade in the ticketing business at companies like Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster. He saw firsthand how big companies controlled the industry—and how revenue objectives often came at the expense of artists and fans. Then the pandemic hit.  

“Thousands of venues went out of business and there wasn't anything I could do to stop that,” he reflects. “That time period really shifted my purpose as a builder—from contributing to music to trying to change it.”  

And with that, KYD Labs was born. KYD stands for Keep Your Distribution. It’s more than just a tagline—it’s a mission. “KYD is a platform that turns every artist and venue into their own Ticketmaster,” Ahmed says. “Artists and venues deserve to own their distribution and truly benefit from the value fans bring.”

Why KYD Labs Builds on Aptos

KYD Labs initially built their platform on another L1 chain, but the team quickly realized that building the future of ticketing required technology capable of matching their ambitions. That’s when they made the pivotal decision to switch to Aptos.

Aptos was the perfect fit, and a critical factor was its ability to support mass adoption and smooth onboarding for users unaccustomed to Web3. 

“Our decision to build on Aptos was simple. We’re dealing with hundreds of thousands of fans, some of the world's biggest artists, venues, and festivals. We need speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Across those three dimensions, Aptos met every single one,” Ahmed explains.

Empowering Artists, Venues, and Fans

The results speak for themselves. Since launching on Aptos, KYD Labs has already powered 500K+ fan experiences and $1M+ in ticket sales. They’ve supported global acts like Steve Aoki, FrvrFriday, and DJ Mike Nasty, and partnered with over 30 iconic venues across the U.S.

One of their biggest milestones came earlier this year when KYD Labs signed an exclusive four-year agreement with Le Poisson Rouge, a renowned New York City venue that welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans annually. This groundbreaking deal marked the first time a major music venue went on‑chain.

KYD Labs isn’t just about maximizing numbers—it’s about returning power to the people who make live entertainment possible. With KYD Labs and Aptos, artists, venues, and event organizers have full control over ticket resale. The impact is clear: KYD Labs’ clients have seen a 3X return on their advertising investment and are selling twice as many tickets. Artists are also seeing the benefits, with some earning up to 10X more from their events.

Ahmed concludes, “We’re building for the next 100 years. We couldn’t have done that without Aptos.”

This is part of our special Built Different series highlighting unique projects—and the builders behind them—that are shaping the future of Web3.