Behind the Site

Notion

notion.so

Notion makes an all-in-one workspace app combining notes, docs, wikis, project tracking and AI tools.

  • Productivity software / collaboration software
  • active
  • Founded 2013
  • Researched Sep 2026
Confirmed
Age13 years
Confirmed
Based inSan Francisco, California
Unverified
Employees2,500-3,500Revelio Labs LinkedIn-based headcount estimate: ~2,811 (2024) rising to ~3,350 (2026)
Likely
Funding$418M raisedSeed $2.0M · Growth round $50M · Series C $275M · Secondary market
Confirmed
PlatformsWeb, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, API
Confirmed
Founders2 foundersIvan Zhao, Simon Last

The story

Notion Labs was founded in San Francisco in 2013 by Ivan Zhao and Simon Last, who spent years rebuilding the product before its 2016 public launch. It grew from a niche note-taking tool into a widely used workspace platform, raising venture funding at a $10 billion valuation in 2021 and later expanding into calendar, mail and AI-agent products. It remains an independent, venture-backed private company as of 2026.

Timeline

  1. Founded2013

    Company founded

    Ivan Zhao and Simon Last found Notion Labs in San Francisco.

  2. Funding2013

    Seed round

    Raised around $2 million in initial seed funding.

  3. LaunchAug 2016

    Notion 1.0 released

    First public release, quickly adopted by tech enthusiasts.

  4. MilestoneMar 2018

    Notion 2.0 released

    Company had fewer than 10 employees at the time.

  5. MilestoneSep 2019

    1 million users

    Company announced reaching 1 million users.

  6. FundingJan 2020

    $50M raised

    Index Ventures-led round valued Notion at $2 billion.

  7. MilestoneSep 2021

    Acquired Automate.io

    Acquired India-based integrations startup Automate.io.

  8. FundingOct 2021

    $275M Series C

    Coatue and Sequoia led round valuing Notion at $10 billion.

  9. MilestoneJun 2022

    Acquired Cron

    Bought calendar app Cron, later relaunched as Notion Calendar.

  10. New platformFeb 2023

    Notion AI launched

    Added AI chatbot features across the workspace.

  11. LaunchJan 2024

    Notion Calendar launched

    First standalone app, a scheduling tool tied to Notion.

  12. MilestoneFeb 2024

    Acquired Skiff

    Bought privacy-focused email/productivity startup Skiff.

  13. LaunchApr 2025

    Notion Mail launched

    AI-powered Gmail-based email client using Skiff's infrastructure.

  14. MilestoneSep 2025

    $500M ARR, Notion 3.0

    Crossed $500 million annual revenue, launched AI agent features.

  15. New platformMay 2026

    Developer Platform launched

    Added Workers, database sync, and external AI agent integrations.

Founders

  • Ivan Zhao

    Co-founder and CEO

    Co-founded Notion in 2013; leads product vision and company strategy.

  • Simon Last

    Co-founder

    Co-founded Notion with Ivan Zhao in 2013; long-time engineering/product leader.

16 sourcesEvery fact above links back to these.
  1. Notion homepagenotion.com
  2. The History of Notion: Everything from Launch to Nowbullet.so
  3. Notion CEO Ivan Zhao: Augmenting Human Intellectsequoiacap.com
  4. First Block with Notion Co-Founders Ivan Zhao and Simon Lastnotion.com
  5. Notion (productivity software) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
  6. Notion Labs Number of Employees - Revelio Labsreveliolabs.com
  7. Notion Stock Price, Funding, Valuation - CB Insightscbinsights.com
  8. Notion - Funding Rounds & List of Investors - Tracxntracxn.com
  9. Notion IPO Timeline and Financing Details - Forgeforgeglobal.com
  10. Notion: Notes, Tasks, AI - App Storeapps.apple.com
  11. Notion just turned its workspace into a hub for AI agentstechcrunch.com
  12. Notion rides AI boom to $500 million in annual revenuecnbc.com
  13. Notion releases an AI-powered email client for Gmailtechcrunch.com
  14. Notion acquires privacy-focused productivity platform Skifftechcrunch.com
  15. Notion launches a standalone calendar apptechcrunch.com
  16. Notion Reaches $10 Billion Valuationforbes.com
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