Automattic
Automattic is a global web development company known for its development and support of open-source software projects. Founded in 2005 by Matt Mullenweg, Automattic's primary focus is on WordPress, the most popular content management system (CMS) in use today.
History
Matt Mullenweg, who originally co-founded WordPress in 2003 with Mike Little, started Automattic to support WordPress and related projects. Here are some key milestones in Automattic's history:
- 2005: Automattic was founded, with the initial funding from Y Combinator.
- 2006: WordPress.com was launched, offering a hosted version of WordPress where users could start blogs without needing to manage the software or hosting themselves.
- 2008: Automattic acquired Gravatar, a service that provides a globally unique avatar for users across various websites.
- 2010: The company introduced Jetpack, a plugin that brings features from WordPress.com to self-hosted WordPress sites.
- 2014: Automattic acquired WooCommerce, a popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress.
- 2015: The company received significant investment from Tiger Global Management and Insight Partners, valuing Automattic at over $1 billion, making it a unicorn startup.
Corporate Culture
Automattic is known for its unique corporate culture:
- Remote Work: Employees, known as "Automatticians," work remotely from all over the world, which has been part of the company's ethos from the beginning.
- Open Source Advocacy: Automattic supports open source development, contributing significantly to WordPress and other projects.
- Community Engagement: The company actively engages with the WordPress community through events like WordCamp and supports community initiatives.
Products and Services
Automattic's portfolio includes:
- WordPress.com: A hosted version of WordPress, providing both free and premium services.
- Jetpack: A plugin that enhances the functionality of WordPress installations.
- WooCommerce: An e-commerce plugin that allows merchants to sell online.
- Pressable: Managed WordPress hosting services.
- Tumblr: Acquired in 2019, although it operates more autonomously under Automattic.
Notable Acquisitions
Automattic has made several strategic acquisitions to expand its ecosystem:
External Links
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