Notion
Series C+Raised Since FeaturedYour connected workspace
All-in-one workspace combining notes, docs, projects, and wikis with AI-powered tools for teams and individuals.
About
Notion is an all-in-one digital workspace that combines note-taking, document management, project tracking, and wikis into a single flexible platform. Founded in 2013 by Ivan Zhao and Simon Last, the company nearly failed in its early days โ after building on the wrong tech stack and letting go of all four employees in 2015, the founders relocated to Kyoto, Japan with $150K borrowed from Zhao's mother to rebuild from scratch. Notion 1.0 launched in August 2016, and the product's modular "LEGO blocks" approach to productivity resonated deeply with users. The platform now serves over 100 million users worldwide, including 90% of Forbes Cloud 100 companies and over 50% of Y Combinator startups. With the addition of Notion AI in 2023 and subsequent AI features throughout 2024-2025, the company has evolved from a productivity tool into an AI-powered workspace. Notion reached $500M ARR in September 2025 and is widely considered one of the next major B2B IPO candidates.
DailyDropout Take
Notion is the rare productivity tool that has transcended its category to become a platform. With 100M+ users, $500M ARR, and a $11B valuation, it has grown into its once-lofty price tag. The AI integration across docs, databases, and projects positions Notion as a serious contender for the next great B2B IPO.
Discovery signal: Explosive user growth in developer and startup communities, strong bottom-up enterprise adoption, founder-led product vision
What Makes Them Unique
Notion pioneered the modular "blocks" approach to productivity, allowing users to build custom workflows without code. Its unique combination of docs, databases, wikis, and project management in a single tool โ enhanced by AI โ has created deep user loyalty and a thriving template ecosystem that competitors struggle to replicate.
$500M+ (Sept 2025)
ARR
100M+
Users
$11B (Dec 2025)
Valuation
~700 employees
Team
Target Markets
Founders
Ivan Zhao
Co-Founder & CEO
Born in China, raised in Canada. Studied cognitive science and fine arts at University of British Columbia. Previously worked in product at Inkling before founding Notion in 2013. Still owns 30% of the company.
Simon Last
Co-Founder
Graduated in Computer Science from University of Maryland. Previously worked as a software engineer at Space Telescope Science Institute and Nebula Inc. Joined Ivan Zhao to co-found Notion in 2013.
Key People
Previously: LinkedIn (VP Product, Head of LinkedIn India, Co-Founder of LinkedIn Pulse)
Notion is hiring!
Team size: ~700
Funding History
Lead: Unknown
Valuation: $800M
Lead: Draft Ventures
Valuation: $2B
Lead: Index Ventures
Lead: Unknown
Valuation: $10B
Lead: Coatue Management & Sequoia Capital
Investors
Firms
Individual Investors
AI researcher and investor
Investor, Author of High Growth Handbook