Notion Expands Privacy Focus with Skiff Acquisition
Notion acquired Skiff, an encrypted file storage platform, expanding its privacy-focused offerings. Skiff’s secure docs, calendar, and email services align with Notion’s commitment to user privacy.
AT A GLANCE
- Notion’s Latest Move: Notion, known for its productivity suite, recently acquired Skiff, a privacy-focused platform offering encrypted file storage, docs, calendar events, and email.
- Skiff’s Background: Skiff, founded in 2020, had raised $14.2 million in funding from investors like Sequoia Capital and Alphabet chairman John Hennessy.
- End-to-End Encryption: Skiff gained attention for providing a secure alternative to Google Docs, emphasizing end-to-end encryption for user data.
- Impressive Product Suite: Notion’s COO, Akshay Kothari, highlighted Skiff’s attention to detail in its product offerings, which include secure document management, calendar, and email solutions.
- Notion’s Interest from the Start: Notion had been aware of Skiff’s work since its early days, with attempts to connect dating back to 2020, showing a sustained interest in the platform.
- Closure of Skiff Services: Following the acquisition, Skiff announced the closure of its services in six months, but users can easily export or migrate their data to other platforms.
- Notion’s Recent Acquisitions: Prior to Skiff, Notion acquired Flowdash in 2022 and earlier acquired Cron and Automate.io, showcasing a strategic expansion of its offerings through acquisitions.
Notion Expands Privacy Focus with Skiff Acquisition
Notion, the popular productivity platform, has made waves in the tech industry with its recent acquisition of Skiff, a platform renowned for its end-to-end encrypted file storage, document management, calendar events, and email services. The move signals Notion’s commitment to enhancing user privacy within its suite of offerings.
Skiff: A Brief Overview
Founded in 2020 by Andrew Milich and Jason Ginsberg, Skiff swiftly garnered attention and secured $14.2 million in funding across two rounds. Investors included heavyweights like Sequoia Capital, Alphabet chairman John Hennessy, former Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang, and Eventbrite co-founders Julia and Kevin Hartz, among others. Skiff emerged as a secure alternative to mainstream platforms, initially focusing on providing a secure alternative to Google Docs. Over time, it expanded its portfolio to include calendar and email solutions, gaining recognition for its meticulous attention to detail.
Notion’s Interest in Skiff
The decision to acquire Skiff didn’t happen overnight. Notion’s COO, Akshay Kothari, revealed that Skiff had been on their radar since its inception. Kothari shared, “Skiff started showing up on our radar at Notion right from the beginning. I actually tried to reach out in 2020 when you were building your Docs product. We never connected then, but I kept tabs on your progress.” The eventual acquisition was the result of a renewed interest, with Kothari expressing admiration for Skiff’s product lineup after a thorough evaluation.
Skiff Joins Notion: What Users Should Know
Skiff users have received official communication about the acquisition. According to a statement on Skiff’s website, the platform will be integrated into Notion, leading to the eventual shutdown of Skiff after a six-month transition period. Notably, Skiff user accounts will not automatically convert into Notion accounts. However, users have the option to export or migrate their data to alternative services, ensuring a smooth transition.
Notion’s Recent Acquisitions
This move follows Notion’s pattern of strategic acquisitions aimed at fortifying its position in the productivity and collaboration space. Notion’s acquisition history includes the integration of workflow management tool Flowdash in 2022. Prior to that, the company added Cron and India-based Automate.io to its portfolio. Automate.io, with its extensive suite of integrations covering 200 services, complemented Notion’s vision of providing a comprehensive and interconnected productivity ecosystem.
Skiff’s Shutdown and Data Migration
As Skiff heads towards closure, users are encouraged to take advantage of the six-month window to export or migrate their data to alternative platforms. Skiff has assured its users that the process will be straightforward, emphasizing a user-centric approach even in the phase-out period.
Notion’s Continued Focus on Privacy
With the acquisition of Skiff, Notion is sending a clear message about its dedication to privacy-focused solutions. While Notion has been a prominent player in the productivity space, this move underlines its commitment to staying ahead of the curve in addressing user concerns about data security and privacy.
Notion’s acquisition of Skiff marks another strategic step in the company’s journey towards offering a comprehensive and privacy-centric productivity suite. As users await the integration of Skiff’s features into Notion, the industry is keenly observing how this move will impact the landscape of productivity tools and the growing emphasis on user privacy in the digital age.
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