Navigating the shift: Nick Mirisis on finding a path to profitability for Hometown

The CEO offers a blueprint for how startups can successfully switch gears to grow sustainably.

Oftentimes for startups, growth can feel like a race against time. The need to sprint through hurdles—market competition, customer acquisition, and product scaling—while staying true to the company’s core values is a delicate balance. As companies mature, the focus often shifts to quick wins, but the long-term, sustainable growth can fall by the wayside.

Nick Mirisis, CEO of Hometown, is a prime example of a leader who has successfully navigated the shift from rapid startup scaling to seasoned, strategic growth. Founded in 2016, Hometown has emerged as a premier digital platform for ticketing, event management, and online fundraising. Today, Hometown serves over 17,000 schools and universities across the nation, facilitating everything from the excitement of a Friday night football game to the vibrant energy of a spring concert.

When Mirisis took the helm at Hometown, the company was already on a strong growth trajectory in the developing edtech space. But the marketplace was evolving and adapting to new technologies, regardless of any individual player’s historical presence in the industry.

Since 2020, traditional ticketing, communications, and fundraising methods have been under pressure. Mirisis knew that Hometown needed to refine its approach to the ever-changing demands of the education sector, particularly in the wake of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We saw that the education sector was maturing rapidly, especially post-COVID. Schools needed tech-driven solutions to raise funds and engage their communities,” said Mirisis.

While many tech startups are focused on rapid growth at any cost, Mirisis recognized the need to adapt to new realities and build for the long term.

What followed was a series of strategic decisions that allowed Hometown to evolve into a powerhouse of scalable solutions for schools while maintaining a focus on long-term stability.

One of Mirisis’ first moves was to look for opportunities that could help Hometown provide better value to its customers. That opportunity came in the form of a strategic merger with Schoolfundr, an online platform that offers fee-free fundraising for schools.

“To build a scalable business, you need to first confirm the strength of its culture,” said Mirisis. “This long-term perspective led to an initial partnership with Schoolfundr.”

The merger wasn’t a decision made overnight. Hometown had been partnering with Schoolfundr for over a year, and through that partnership, Mirisis and his team learned that there was significant alignment in both companies’ core values.

“The goal isn’t just to grow—we want to build something that lasts,” said Mirisis.

For Mirisis and Hometown, the merger wasn’t just about increasing market share or expanding product offerings–it was about responding to a clear need in the education sector for more accessible, cost-effective, and scalable solutions.

Despite a seemingly ambitious roadmap, Mirisis remains focused on building a solid foundation for the future. Rather than rushing into acquisitions or ventures, he leads his team at Hometown with a measured approach.

“We were looking at what was happening in the space and realized that the current model, where fundraising platforms take 20-30% of the funds raised, wasn’t serving the schools or their communities,” Mirisis said.

Schoolfundr, with its fee-free fundraising platform, was filling a gap that Hometown wanted to embrace. The merger represents a piece of the larger plan to become the tech partner of choice for schools. By diversifying their solutions and continuing to adapt to the evolving needs of the education sector, this strategic move is setting the edtech leader up for success.

Merging with Schoolfundr reflects Mirisis’ broader vision for Hometown: to build a comprehensive business model focused on the long-term success of its customers—educational institutions. This approach signified a pivotal turning point in Hometown’s growth strategy, from focusing solely on its current offerings to adapting new technologies into their repertoire.

For many CEOs, the entry of private equity backing can signal a shift toward short-term gains and rapid growth, often at the expense of employees’ well-being and long-term vision. But Mirisis has consistently refuted this narrative, opting for a different approach with Hometown.

“The support from our financial partners has been crucial in allowing us to scale thoughtfully,” Mirisis said. “They’ve provided us with the tools to not only grow but also to invest in our long-term vision.”

This sentiment is crucial to understanding how Hometown has successfully maintained its growth without sacrificing sustainability.

In fact, Mirisis’ leadership emphasizes the importance of aligning every strategic move with the company’s larger mission. Mirisis learned an array of lessons from Hometown’s previous acquisition of TicketSpicket in 2022,  including the importance of carefully managing integrations, particularly when it comes to maintaining cultural alignment.

“We’ve restructured our integration process. We now place a much stronger emphasis on the relationship aspect of mergers,” Mirisis said.

This value-based shift has led to more thoughtful and effective integrations, specifically shown by the merger with Schoolfundr.

Rather than simply maintaining a “growth at all costs” mentality, Mirisis has focused on cultivating an environment where employees are given more resources and opportunities to grow. The shift to a more sensible growth model has translated into a stronger, more resilient team at Hometown, where more than 180 employees are ready and excited to adapt with the advancing edtech market.

Hometown now offers a comprehensive platform of digital tools that allows schools to raise funds, communicate with their communities, and engage with fans, in a fee-free manner.

Adaptability has been a cornerstone of Hometown’s strategy. As the education sector continues to evolve, so does Hometown’s platform.

“We’re constantly listening to our customers and responding to their needs,” Mirisis said.

Mirisis’ ability to pivot and remain agile is key to his effective leadership style and open mind.

“I don’t plan on stopping here. Merging with Schoolfundr is part of our larger strategy to diversify and offer even more value to our customers,” Mirisis said.

Nick Mirisis’ leadership of Hometown serves as a powerful case study in how to balance fast-paced startup growth with the long-term needs of a sustainable business. With a clear big-picture vision and a focus on diversification, Mirisis has given Hometown a one-way ticket to market domination not just in the coming months, but for years to follow.

In an era of rapid disruption, Mirisis proves that thoughtful leadership, rooted in long-term goals, can directly lead to success beyond the startup stage.

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