Top 10: Workplace collaboration software

2022. Valence raises $25M to track team performance with continuous reviews



Valence, an emerging collaboration platform, has successfully raised $25 million in a Series A funding round. But what exactly is a "teamwork platform"? Valence defines it as a suite of tools designed for talent and development within teams within an organization. With Valence, managers can monitor team performance using specific metrics and, if necessary, engage in "guided conversations" to address any concerns. The platform utilizes surveys to gather feedback from team members, asking them to rate the validity of statements such as "We prioritize important matters" and "We make prompt decisions." Based on the responses received, Valence generates discussion guides for managers and provides recommendations on areas of focus.


2022. Collaboration platform CloudApp raises $9.3M to enhance workplace productivity



Visual work communication tool CloudApp has successfully secured a Series A funding round totaling $9.3 million. CloudApp is dedicated to enhancing team collaboration and accelerating information sharing through the seamless sharing of instantly shareable videos, gifs, and screenshots. This comprehensive tool serves as an all-in-one screen recording software, enabling users to capture and embed high-definition videos, annotated images, and more into their workflows. With the added benefit of secure cloud storage, every file created by users is safely stored and easily accessible through CloudApp's native Mac and Windows Apps. Additionally, files can be securely shared on the web via password-protected links, further enhancing data privacy and control.

2021. Officely raises $2M to help hybrid teams coordinate office time right in Slack



Officely, a startup that aims to facilitate hybrid work environments combining WFH and office setups, has recently secured $2 million in seed funding. Officely leverages the popular collaboration platform Slack as its primary tool to streamline work arrangements. One of Officely's key features is desk booking, which allows teams to organize desks based on office locations or designated "neighborhoods" within an office. Users can easily check the availability of desks in a particular office on any given day and reserve a workspace if it's available. Additionally, Officely offers various customization options, such as the ability to flag if someone plans to bring a dog to the office, catering to individuals with allergies or those who prefer working in the company of furry friends.


2021. Microsoft launches Google-Wave-like collaboration service Loop


Microsoft is introducing Microsoft Loop, an app that brings back the essence of Google Wave, the real-time messaging and collaboration platform launched by Google in 2009 and discontinued in 2010. Loop is designed for real-time editing-based applications, enabling users to collaborate on documents seamlessly. It allows teams to have a comprehensive view of their project, facilitating catch-up on individual contributions and tracking progress towards shared objectives. Loop Pages serve as canvases for organizing components and incorporating useful elements such as links, files, or data based on specific project requirements. Additionally, Loop Components can be embedded within pages, documents, or chats, offering features like lists, tables, notes, or even customer sales opportunities from Dynamics 365.


2021. Teamflow lands $3.9m for a productive virtual HQ platform



Teamflow, formerly known as Huddle, has secured $3.9 million in funding. The company is dedicated to developing a virtual headquarters that facilitates collaboration and communication for distributed teams through a unified platform. Upon entering the virtual space, users are presented with a sidebar featuring various options, including whiteboards, countdown timers, and upcoming integrations with Notion and Google Docs. Teamflow serves as a collaboration layer that consolidates multiple applications from disorganized tabs into one centralized location. Leveraging spatial technology, Teamflow creates an environment that simulates spontaneity. When passing by or toggling near a coworker, users can seamlessly join conversations, with the sound decreasing as they move farther away. Additionally, the platform offers breakout rooms where individuals can have focused, invite-only meetings.


2019. Workplace collaboration software Monday.com raised $150M


Monday.com, a rapidly expanding workplace collaboration platform, has recently announced a remarkable $150 million funding round, valuing the company at $1.9 billion. This substantial investment reflects both the platform's current success and the immense potential within the broader collaboration space, particularly in the areas of enhanced team communication and team management. With a customer base now reaching 80,000 organizations, compared to just 35,000 a year ago, Monday.com serves a diverse range of industries spanning over 200 verticals. Notably, these organizations vary in size, with employee counts ranging from as few as two to as high as 4,000. The impressive clientele includes renowned companies such as Carlsberg, Discovery Channel, Philips, Hulu, WeWork, and numerous Fortune 500 firms. It's worth mentioning that Monday.com attracts both technical and non-technical companies that rely on software and computers to facilitate their work processes.


2019. Slack competitor Facebook Workplace has raised its prices for the first time


After a span of three years and an impressive sign-up count of 2 million paying users, Facebook Workplace is revamping its pricing structure. In the past, Facebook's approach to pricing Workplace was straightforward, setting it apart as a paid service unlike the free Facebook platform. The pricing model was based on the fundamental concept of Facebook as a consumer product: a basic version was available for free, while an upgraded premium edition incurred a flat fee of $3 per active user per month. Now, the standard tier will be rebranded as Workplace Essential and will continue to be free. Simultaneously, the premium tier will be renamed Workplace Advanced and will carry a charge of $4 per person per month. Additionally, Facebook is introducing a new tier called Workplace Enterprise, which will be priced at $8 per person per month. This new tier will provide a range of specialized services, including guaranteed and expedited support, as well as exclusive early access to new features.


2019. Facebook Workplace got reboot to boost activity and cut down on noise



Facebook has introduced a significant redesign of its Workplace service. In terms of the user interface, the new design brings two important Workplace features, namely Groups and contacts for Chats, from the less frequently visited right-rail section (where users tended to ignore ads) to the left column. Previously, the left column provided a menu of tools and additional information about the user's organization. Additionally, Notifications now has its own dedicated "inbox" where users can view a comprehensive list of relevant actions that have occurred. By clicking on each notification, users can access the corresponding content separately from the main default page. Another noteworthy update is the introduction of a "focus" mode in sections like Groups within Workplace. This mode removes the left navigation column, allowing users to concentrate solely on the content they are working on, without distractions from alerts originating from other groups, individuals, or the entire company.


2018. Asana launched $19.99 Business tier to help managers handle multiple projects



Project management service Asana is introducing a new tier called Asana Business, tailored for enterprises that handle multiple projects. Priced at $19.95 per user per month, this offering is specifically designed to support teams with managers or executives overseeing numerous projects simultaneously, which can sometimes reach thousands within a single organization. Asana Business provides additional features to aid designated individuals in effectively managing and prioritizing their workload. This emphasis on executives and managers aligns with Asana's broader vision of its role within the spectrum of productivity tools used by businesses. Alongside efficient storage solutions like Dropbox or Box and communication platforms such as Slack, Workplace, and Teams, Asana aims to establish its place as a comprehensive tool for enhancing organizational productivity.