We Believe Nothing Should Stand in the Way of
Enjoying the Moment!
It All Started With a Queue…
It was Rock in Rio 2017. Justin Timberlake was headlining, there was a zip wire, it was amazing. Until NOQ Founder, Param Kanabar, wanted a drink and saw the queue.
Refusing to accept it takes 40 minutes to buy a beer, Param partnered with co-founder Andrea Diaferio to create NOQ: A suite of tools designed to not only reduce wait times but also make event and entertainment operators’ lives easier. It does this by giving them a single place to manage all payments, vendors, events and locations. This means more sales, fewer queues, and a better time for everyone.
Named as one of the top 100 UK growing startups in 2022, NOQ now works with sporting events like the Scottish Open, music festivals like Black Deer, nightclubs like Fabric, and food markets like Edinburgh Street Food to ensure everyone can enjoy every moment.
Our Journey
A look back at the milestones that have fueled NOQ’s innovation and solidified our commitment to simplifying event experiences.
2017
The Idea for NOQ is Born
At Rock in Rio 2017, while Justin Timberlake headlined and a zip wire wowed the crowd, NOQ Founder Param Kanabar faced a 40-minute queue for a drink. Frustrated by the wait, Param teamed up with Andrea Diaferio to create NOQ: a platform designed to reduce queues, boost sales, and simplify life for event operators.
NOQ Launches Mobile Ordering
Building on their vision to transform event experiences, NOQ was officially founded, and the first version of the mobile ordering app was launched. This innovation allowed event-goers to skip the queues and order directly from their phones, paving the way for a new era of convenience.
2020
2021
Expanding the Vision
NOQ realized that the challenges went beyond just reducing queues—financial operations at events needed to be more scalable and efficient. This insight led to the development of tools to streamline payments and vendor management, creating a more comprehensive solution for event operators.
Laying the Foundations for Growth
NOQ entered a critical building and development phase, focusing on creating the next generation of its product suite. This period was dedicated to developing functionality, refining the platform, and preparing to deliver greater value to event organizers and attendees.
2022
2024
Becoming a Market Leader
NOQ experienced significant growth and widespread adoption, establishing itself as a market leader in event and entertainment solutions. With its innovative tools, NOQ became the go-to platform for streamlining operations and enhancing experiences across major events and venues.
The NOQ Formula
These four essential rules define our path to success, shaping the way we work, innovate, and create value for our team and our clients.
Customers come first
We pride ourselves on this. We’re on hand to answer any queries and are always here to help.
We enjoy every moment
We do everything to the best of our ability because we enjoy it. We’re all passionate about our business and take pride in its growth and success.
We value our people
The team behind NOQ is carefully chosen. Cultural fit and team bonding is very important. We’re all striving towards the same goal and we want to get there together.
We’re always curious
We’re here to disrupt the industry. We test boundaries, we question the norm, and we challenge ourselves every day.
Our Founders
Param Kanabar
CEO & Co-Founder
While enjoying a position as Kantar’s CFO, Param co-founded NOQ. Recognising the unmissable opportunity, he left his job and turned his full attention to developing the business, fundraising, and nurturing his fast-growing team.
He’s motivated by his ambition to mentor other young people to unlock their inner entrepreneurs and change the world one project at a time.
Never one to rest, Param spends his spare time playing football, tennis, or golf.
Andrea Diaferio
CTO & Co-Founder
Since his childhood summers spent helping at his aunt’s restaurant in Puglia, Andrea has been on a mission to revolutionise the hospitality and entertainment industries.
Having seen first-hand the manual workload associated with manual processes, he’s a passionate believer in the power of technology to release people from back office tasks and keep them front-of-house where they belong.
When he’s not out in the field (sometimes literally) helping NOQ customers.
Our Amazing Team
Our Tech Ecosystem
At NOQ, we leverage a powerful and diverse tech ecosystem to ensure seamless and innovative solutions for our clients. Our core technology is built and maintained by industry-leading firms like Searce and OBSS, specialising in cloud computing, AI, and data analytics.
With access to over 2,100 product developers, we are able to continuously adapt and innovate to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Our integration partnerships include: Adyen, Shopline, Urban Piper, STAR, and Power BI. Together, this ecosystem empowers NOQ to offer a comprehensive, future-forward platform that enhances customer experiences and drives business growth
NOQ x Numbers
100+
Leading festival and event clients
£150M+
Gross sales processed in transactions
15M+
Transactions processed globally
8
Operating countries and expanding
Investors, Partners & Advisors
Our growth and success are driven by our exceptional network of investors and advisors, whose insights and support have been pivotal to NOQ’s evolution.
We are proud to be backed by renowned industry leaders and innovators, including event industry leaders, Kershaw Partners and technology innovators Searce and OBSS.
Our team of advisors, which includes seasoned experts in technology, finance, and the entertainment industry, offers invaluable guidance as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and growth.
