From Payments Pro to Tech Entrepreneur: The Journey of Dave Keen, Founder of Tikketfy.com

David “Dave” Keen has spent more than 20 years mastering the payments industry. With leadership experience at First Data and Vantiv (now Worldpay), he built a strong reputation for helping businesses streamline their operations and grow through smart, reliable merchant services. In 2018, he took his career to the next level by launching his own agent team through MerchantPro Express (now part of Fiserv), giving him national reach and access to CardConnect’s advanced processing technology.

But Dave’s story took a heartfelt turn in March 2020. While installing a Clover POS system at a local Italian restaurant in Dayton, Ohio, he stayed late to train the staff—and even his son, Riley—on how to use the new system. At the time, the pizzeria was short-staffed due to the pandemic, and Dave’s hands-on help led to a lasting connection. The owners were so impressed that they offered Riley a job—a deeply meaningful moment, as both of Dave’s sons live with learning disabilities and had struggled to find workplaces that offered real opportunities.

This experience sparked a bigger vision. Through referrals and word-of-mouth, Dave began helping more local restaurants modernize their systems, creating a tight-knit referral network in the Dayton area. Then, in November 2021, an opportunity emerged: the chance to acquire Troni Brothers Pizza, a beloved local Italian eatery. By May 2022, Dave’s family had become full owners, with his sons actively involved in the business.

This ownership extended beyond the kitchen. Dave and his family began partnering with local special education programs to create workplace opportunities for young adults with learning challenges—furthering his mission to build businesses that serve both customers and community.

The Birth of Tikketfy.com

At the same time, Dave was spotting another opportunity: the need for a better, more business-friendly ticketing solution. Many of his merchant clients—especially those in tourism, entertainment, and events—struggled with third-party platforms that withheld funds, charged high fees, or didn’t give them full control.

To solve this, Dave launched Tikketfy.com—a simple, powerful platform that lets businesses manage and sell event tickets directly from their own website.

What Makes Tikketfy Different?

Direct Payouts: Tikketfy never holds ticket revenue. All funds go directly to the client at the point of sale.
Complete Control: Clients can customize events, pricing, ticket availability, and scheduling—without relying on third-party aggregators.
All-in-One Management: From QR code scanning to real-time reports, the platform offers everything needed to manage events in-house.
No Tech Headaches: With a user-friendly interface, even non-technical users can get up and running fast.

Tikketfy is now gaining traction with tour operators, entertainment venues, escape rooms, and event-based restaurants who want more transparency, faster access to funds, and total control over their customer experience.

A Unique Blend of Heart and Hustle

What sets Dave Keen apart is not just his industry knowledge or entrepreneurial skill—it’s his unwavering commitment to people. Whether helping merchants succeed, mentoring his sons, or building tech that empowers small businesses, Dave brings integrity, empathy, and innovation to everything he does.

From the payments industry to pizzerias to platform development, his journey is a true blend of heart and hustle—and it’s only just getting started.