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The History of Notion: Everything from launch to now.
Explore the triumph of Notion, the versatile all-in-one workspace tool that has emerged as a preferred choice for both personal productivity and team collaboration.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notion is a versatile collaboration and productivity tool designed as an all-in-one workspace. It serves as a central hub for various functions, including word processing, project management, database management, calendar scheduling, and personal website creation.
With its wide range of features and built-in generative AI writing assistant, Notion aims to provide a comprehensive platform for users to think, write, and plan efficiently.
Notion-Noteworthy Aspects
Notion Company Statistics are given below:
Company Name | Notion |
Founded | 2013 |
Industry Type | Work Collaboration |
Headquarters | San Francisco, California |
Founders | Ivan Zhao, Simon Last |
Employees | 533 |
Developed by | Notion Labs Inc. |
Valuation | $10 Billion (October 2021) |
Total Funding Raised | $343.2 Million |
Website |
Notion Creators
Ivan Zhao and Simon Last are the brains behind Notion, and Ivan is rocking the role of CEO. Now, Ivan's love for coding goes way back to his childhood, and he's got degrees in cognitive science and fine arts. Before diving into Notion, he did his thing at a cool software company called Inkling.
Simon, a designer and engineer based in San Francisco, previously worked at Space Telescope Science Institute and Nebula Inc. He holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.
In 2013, Ivan and Simon founded Notion to create a more unique and customizable user experience.
The Rise of Notion
In just 7 years since launch, Notion has amassed 30M+ users, 4M+ customers, and secured $350M in funding, reaching an impressive valuation of $10 billion.
Notion-The Startup Saga
2013
Notion Labs Inc, founded by Ivan Zhao and co-founded by Simon Last in 2013, aimed to be the LEGO of productivity tools, enabling non-techies to customize tools without code. By the first year, Notion expanded to four employees and secured a minor customer base.
2014
After a year of intense effort, they discovered Notion was on the wrong tech stack. Faced with a tough choice, they opted for a restructuring gamble.
2015
They revamped their company structure, letting go of all 4 employees. Ivan sought family support, borrowing $150k from his mother to rescue the struggling venture. Opting for a fresh start in Japan, they aimed to eliminate social distractions and concentrate solely on Notion's development.
2016
Notion 1.0 debuted in March 2016, earning the top spot on Product Hunt as the #1 Product of the Day, Week, and Month.
2017
Notion expanded its reach a year later with releases for Windows and iOS, giving rise to the vibrant community we recognize today. Its popularity surged through word of mouth, captivating users globally from dedicated enthusiasts to the farthest corners of the Earth.
2018
In March 2018, Notion 2.0 surpassed its original launch with a highly successful update, earning the #1 Product of the Day, Week, and Month on Product Hunt for a 2nd time.
2019
In September 2019, they scaled up every aspect, reaching a milestone of 1 million users worldwide.
2020
In just 8 months, they surged their numbers, quadrupling growth by 400%, reaching a valuation of $2 billion. This remarkable achievement officially crowned them as a unicorn.
2021
In October 2021, Notion secured $275 million in funding, propelling its valuation to $10 billion. With a user base of 20 million worldwide, Notion continued its impressive growth.
2022
In early 2022, Notion introduced the Notion Certified Program, offering users an official accreditation for skill enhancement. Throughout the year, Notion expanded its user base, rolled out updates, and capped off the year by introducing AI to the platform.
Notably, 2022 marked a remarkable 240% growth for Notion, solidifying its position as the fastest-growing app of the year.
2023
In 2023, Notion introduced Notion AI, revamped its template gallery, and unveiled new features. The official Notion community, with hundreds of creators, emerged for collaborative feedback on enhancing the community and template gallery.
Notion continues its dynamic evolution, promising ongoing updates for creators and users.
Notion-Mission & Vision
Notion strives to democratize Computer Science advancements, simplifying work for all users without coding.
Their mission is “To make it possible for everyone to shape the tools that shape their lives” and their vision is “Foremost factor that pioneers the latest technological breakthroughs”.
Product Overview
Notion is an all-in-one workspace and productivity tool designed to enhance collaboration and organization. Available on desktop (Mac and Windows), mobile (iPhone and Android), and through web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox), Notion caters to both individuals and businesses. It functions as a word processor, note-taking application, and a flexible no-code solution for wikis, project management, and website publishing.
Notion Docs
Notion allows users to create and format text using "blocks," which can transform into various types such as headings, texts, quotes, and code. Each page functions like a building block, akin to a LEGO structure. Notion Docs support collaboration with features like sharing links, comments, version history, and the integration of media and embeds (e.g., Google Drive, Tweet, Typeform).
Notion AI
Launched in November 2022, Notion AI is an integrated generative AI tool that assists with writing tasks. It helps users brainstorm, draft, edit, and summarize content. Key features include:
- Q&A Chatbot: Answers natural language queries using information from Notion docs.
- Integrated Writing Assistant: Offers text summarization, tone adjustments, and content generation directly within Notion.
- Autofill Tool: Summarizes documents, generates action items from meeting notes, and organizes data into tables.
Notion Wikis
Notion's wiki functionality centralizes knowledge within the workspace. Users can create interlinked pages, embed content, and organize information for easy access and searchability.
Notion Projects
Released in May 2023, Notion Projects is a project management tool that integrates with Notion's ecosystem. It allows users to break down projects into tasks, visualize progress through Kanban, database, or calendar views, and manage assignments and deadlines.
Notion Calendar
The Notion Calendar app simplifies time management by integrating with the existing workspace. It provides a unified view of schedules, notes, tasks, and projects, reducing the need for multiple applications.
Notion Databases
Notion Databases resemble spreadsheets and can be viewed in multiple formats such as tables, lists, boards, calendars, or galleries. Users can customize database properties, search, and filter to find information efficiently.
Business & Revenue Model
Notion operates under a SaaS business model with four subscription tiers:
- Free: Ideal for individuals, this plan allows for unlimited blocks and includes up to 10 guests per workspace. It offers a limited seven-day page history and a restricted block trial for teams.
- Plus: Priced at $10 per user per month (billed annually), the Plus plan is designed for small teams. It features a 30-day page history and supports up to 100 guests.
- Business: At $15 per user per month (billed annually), the Business plan caters to larger teams, providing a 90-day page history and accommodating up to 250 guests.
- Enterprise: This plan offers customized pricing and a range of advanced features not available in the other plans.
Additionally, Notion AI is available for an extra $8 per member per month.
Notion-Funding & Investors
Notion achieved Unicorn status by securing $343.2 million across five funding rounds, with a significant investment in April 2020.
DATE | ROUND | AMOUNT | INVESTORS NAME |
October 8, 2021 | Series C | $275 Million | Sequoia Capital, Coatue, Shine Capital |
April 2, 2020 | Series B | $50 Million | Index Ventures, Assiya Capital Partners |
July 19, 2019 | Series A | $18.2 Million | A. Capital Ventures, Next Play Ventures, Josh Kopelman, Elad Gil, Aydin Senkut, Ram Shriram, Daniel Gross, and Lachy Groom |
January 1, 2017 | Seed | - | SV Angel, Sequoia Capital, First Round Capital, Felicis Ventures, Thibaud Elziere, Matt Maclnnis, Sherpalo, Elad Gil, Naval Ravikant, A.Capital Ventures, Draft Ventures, Third Kind Venture Capital, and Terrence Rohan |
January 1, 2015 | Angel | - | SV Angel |
Notion’s Acquisitions
Notion has acquired four organizations to date, marking its first international acquisition in India in September 2021.
DATE OF ACQUISITION | COMPANY NAME |
September 8, 2021 | Automate.io |
January 1, 2014 | Sugarbox.io |
June 9, 2022 | Cron |
July 12, 2022 | Flowdash |
Feb 10, 2024 | Skiff |
How Many Users Does Notion Have?
In 2019, Ivan Zhao, Notion's CEO, announced that the platform had reached 1 million users. As of today, the company has more than 30 million users and serves around 4 million paid customers.
How Big is Notion's Team?
The company expanded to a team of around 8 during the launch of version 2.0, and currently boasts a workforce of approximately 500 employees.
Notion’s Growth
In 2013, co-founders Ivan Zhao and Simon Last launched Notion with just 4 employees. By 2015, a minimal investment and a sub-optimal tech stack led to constant crashes, causing a major setback. Struggling with limited funds, the company faced near demise.
Ivan and Simon, facing financial challenges, utilized borrowed funds, and tirelessly worked to revive their company. Notion's first version emerged in 2016. During the pandemic, they achieved Unicorn status in April 2020 with a $50 Million funding.
In just six years, Notion's remarkable journey led to a $10 Billion Market Valuation after securing $275 Million in October 2021.
Notion’s Competitors
Notion faces competition that excels in certain areas. Here are some key competitors of Notion:
- Evernote
- Trello
- Quip
- Microsoft OneNote
- Confluence
- Slab
- Tettra
- ClickUp
Conclusion
Overall, Notion stands out as a versatile all-in-one workspace, winning over millions globally with its intuitive interface and customizable features. Ideal for personal productivity, project management, and team collaboration, it has become a go-to tool.
If you’re interested to elevate your workspace, get started with these Notion Templates!
![Build your site with custom domain and pre built templates using Notion and Bullet. [Get started for free]](https://www.notion.so/icons/globe_gray.svg?mode=light){kind=icon}
Build your site with custom domain and pre built templates using Notion and Bullet. Get started for free
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Notion and its main features? Notion is an all-in-one workspace offering word processing, project management, database management, and more. It also includes an AI writing assistant.
- How did Notion achieve its success and what is its valuation? Founded by Notion Labs Inc in 2013, Notion reached a $10 billion valuation in 2021 due to its innovative features and rapid growth.
- Who are the Notion founders and their backgrounds? Notion was founded by Ivan Zhao and Simon Last. Ivan Zhao is the Notion CEO, with a background in cognitive science and fine arts. Simon Last has a background in design and engineering.
- What are Notion's pricing plans and how can I download it? Notion offers Free, Plus ($10/user/month), Business ($15/user/month), and Enterprise plans. You can download Notion for desktop and mobile devices from the official Notion website.
- How does Notion compare to its competitors? Notion competes with tools like Evernote, Trello, Quip, Microsoft OneNote, and Confluence. While each competitor has its strengths, Notion is known for its versatile all-in-one functionality, combining elements of project management, note-taking, and database management into a single platform.
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