From $0 to $10 Billion. The story of Notion

Akshay Kothari, co-founder and COO of Notion, has been on an exhilarating roller-coaster ride in tech and entrepreneurship scene. Notion, a revolutionary productivity software, aims to be that magic wand in your digital life, consolidating everything from note-taking to knowledge management into one neat package.

Early Days: From Engineering to Entrepreneurship

Akshay’s academic pursuits saw him diving deep into math and physics. This path led him to the U.S., studying electrical engineering. However, practical exposure soon revealed that the engineering minutiae weren't for him. Instead, he was drawn towards the thrilling intersections of product development and business.

Before Notion, Akshay was with LinkedIn, which had acquired his earlier startup, Pulse. This acquisition journey had its origins in Stanford, where Akshay, ever the entrepreneurial spirit, attempted multiple startups. Pulse, designed as a groundbreaking news application for the then-nascent iPad, stood out. This academic project, crafted in a mere six weeks, skyrocketed to the top of the App Store charts after none other than Steve Jobs mentioned it at WWDC 2010.

Lessons learned

• Bias Towards Action: Instead of waiting for perfection, launch your beta. Immediate user feedback is invaluable.
• Solve Real Problems: Pulse filled a gap in the 2010 market – mobile news consumption.
• Product Distribution: Beyond creating an excellent product, consider how to get it into users' hands.

The Birth of Notion

Akshay’s introduction to Notion began with its founder, Ivan Zhao. While they initially crossed paths when Akshay wanted to recruit Ivan for Pulse, their eventual reunion culminated in the birth of Notion, a venture Akshay wholeheartedly invested in.

Ivan was deeply rooted in the belief that technology should enable creation, not mere consumption. His passion was infectious and inspired Akshay to invest in him and later join Notion full-time as its COO.

However, the journey wasn't always smooth. Notion initially presented users with software-building blocks. The idea? Craft any software your heart desires! But there was a snag. The average user doesn't want to construct software; they want solutions. This realization required a fundamental shift in Notion's approach and even led the team to consider relocating to Japan's serene Kyoto to reset and refocus.

The Rise of Notion 2.0

Notion's metamorphosis came with its 2.0 release. Instead of expecting users to create, they were presented with tailored templates to address specific needs, streamlining their tasks.

Yet, the foundational capabilities, the 'building blocks,' remained intact, giving users unparalleled flexibility. This ingenious duality skyrocketed Notion’s growth, from an eight-person team in 2018 to a 500-strong family in 2022.

Community: Notion's Beating Heart

The power of community cannot be overstated. Take, for instance, the story of the first Notion consultant in Korea, who built a community of 43K passionate members. These communities, sprouting worldwide, showcase the synergy of art and technology that Notion encapsulates.

Notion Today & Tomorrow

In its constant bid to innovate, Notion has introduced Notion A.I., integrating artificial intelligence directly into workspaces. From drafting content to summarizing extensive docs, this A.I. aims to elevate user efficiency.

Still, Akshay feels that the journey has only just begun. With a clear mission and defined values, the future of Notion looks brighter than ever. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creative soul, or just someone looking to streamline your digital life, Notion promises to be your faithful companion.

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