Nextech3D.AI (CSE:NTAR, OTCQX:NEXCF) CEO Evan Gappelberg talked with Proactive about the launch of the new mobile version of the Map D platform, which introduces AI-first capabilities to the event technology space.
The iOS and Android apps aim to redefine how events are managed by integrating AI matchmaking, cryptocurrency payment options, and soon attendee registration and QR scanning, all into one interface.
Proactive: All right. Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. And joining me now is Evan Gappelberg. He is the CEO of Nextech3D.ai. And Evan, it's great to see you again. How are you?
Evan Gappelberg: I'm good. Great to be back.
Yeah. Big news out today about the Map D platform. And really, you've talked about in the past this AI-powered platform, and now you're seeing the success of all the improvements that you've made.
Yeah. I mean, it's more than that. We've launched the mobile version — a mobile app, iOS and Android — that really positions Map D at the forefront of the event industry as an AI event technology suite. Really. And so that is kind of the big news. It's a pivotal step in Nextech’s broader strategy to be an AI-first company.
And, you know, when you have an app that allows you to navigate to a booth at an event, when you have an app in your pocket that gives you real-time AI matchmaking, when you have an app in your pocket that we supply you with, that also provides you to use cryptocurrency for payments — all of that is really game changing for Map D.
Historically, Map D was really a one-and-done platform where it created interactive maps where you could sell booths at trade shows. Now, it's a suite of offerings, and it all happens on your mobile phone. And we're already starting to see a pickup in business. We've already signed three new deals just because we have this app. And we're seeing more and more interest from existing clients and new clients. So it's an exciting time for the platform.
Evan, what are you hearing from the corporate events world? I'm sure they've been asking for this specifically, but what's the advantage for them to have this as far as how events are put on and the things they can offer within the app?
Yeah. I mean, they need an app to be able to provide that for their attendees. The app ultimately is also going to have attendee registration and scanning capabilities. If you've ever gone to a trade show, you always have your booth scanned by some third-party software. It's like when you go to check out at the supermarket — they scan the QR code. It's the same technology at trade shows. We're going to have that tech built into this same app by the end of Q3 2025. So it's really an all-in-one solution. And that is what everybody is asking for. It opens up the opportunity for us to really expand quite significantly into the $50 billion event industry.
Right now, we're kind of in a niche with nonprofits. But we're moving up the ladder quite significantly with this new launch and these new capabilities.
And just as far as margins are concerned, I would imagine that that's a pretty strong margin for the company as well?
The Map D platform has the highest margins that we operate with. It's over 90% gross profit margin. It's pure software. It's a very profitable business. And our investors should really keep an eye on that business. Map D right now powers over 500 annual events with over 50,000 exhibitors and over 1 million attendees. And these AI infrastructure upgrades are only going to increase that number in 2025 and 2026 and beyond.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and style