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What Happened to Spreadsheet.com? Why the No-Code Spreadsheet Startup Shut Down
Ever thought your spreadsheets could be so powerful, they’d feel like full-blown apps? That was exactly the dream behind Spreadsheet.com — a sleek hybrid of Excel smarts, project management tools, and no-code customization. But that dream quietly came to an end on May 31, 2024, when Spreadsheet.com officially shut down following its acquisition by Veeva Systems.
So, what went wrong?
At first glance, Spreadsheet.com seemed like a founder’s fantasy: a promising product, strong backers (including First Round Capital and Spark Capital), and a market hungry for no-code tools. But as we’ve seen time and again in the tech world, a good product isn’t always enough. In this article, we’ll explore what Spreadsheet.com set out to do, how it rose to relevance, and—most importantly—why it ultimately fizzled out.
Let’s break it down.
What Was Spreadsheet.com?
At its core, Spreadsheet.com was a no-code platform designed to reimagine the humble spreadsheet as something much bigger: a collaborative, app-like workspace that combined the familiarity of Excel with the power of project management and workflow automation.
A Bold Idea
Founded in 2017 by Matt Robinson and Nathan Ganser, Spreadsheet.com pitched itself as “a spreadsheet that works like an app.” Think: the grid-based interface of Excel, but supercharged with buttons, relational data, Kanban views, Gantt charts, and form inputs.
Much like Airtable (but built to appeal more to spreadsheet-savvy professionals), it promised business users a bridge between lightweight spreadsheets and full software solutions—without knowing how to code.
Early Traction
- Over 1,000 organizations reportedly adopted the platform
- According to Tech Startups, it amassed over 170,000 users
- Raised $5.5 million in funding, with a post-money valuation of $22M in 2021
- Backers included Spark Capital, First Round Capital, and Firebolt Ventures
Despite this initial promise, the company never hit venture-scale velocity—and that’s where the real trouble began.
Why Did Spreadsheet.com Fail?
Short Answer:
Spreadsheet.com couldn’t grow fast enough to justify continued venture funding, leading to its acquisition by Veeva Systems and the discontinuation of its public service.
Long Answer: A Perfect Storm of Startup Challenges
Several forces combined to push Spreadsheet.com off course. Let’s dive into them:
1. Product-Market Fit Never Fully Clicked
While Spreadsheet.com was innovative, many users found it complicated compared to competitors. A tool trying to be both a database, spreadsheet, and no-code app builder had a steep learning curve.
And while it aimed to blend the familiarity of Excel with the versatility of workflow tools, that hybrid nature often confused rather than attracted mainstream users.
2. Monetization Limitations
Even with thousands of users, Spreadsheet.com struggled to convert early interest into paying power users at scale. Freemium models can work—if you have retention and scale. Spreadsheet.com had moderate traction but not exponential growth.
Without a clear monetization engine or viral use case (like Slack or Dropbox enjoyed early on), recurring revenue stayed modest.
3. Fierce Competition in a Crowded Space
Let’s be honest—the spreadsheet/software market isn’t for the faint of heart.
- Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel still dominate the casual and professional spreadsheet crowd.
- Airtable captured the low-code/no-code application-building niche early, with better usability and faster growth.
- Players like Coda, Notion, and ClickUp rapidly evolved into multi-functional tools that “ate” the productivity stack one feature at a time.
Against such competition, Spreadsheet.com simply blended in rather than breaking through.
4. Funding Woes & Startup Economics
Spreadsheet.com raised $5.5 million—not insignificant, but relatively modest compared to competitors that raised tens or hundreds of millions. And in a venture world that’s increasingly biased toward “unicorn” scaling, modest growth just isn’t sustainable.
Without breakaway traction or clear long-term growth signals, follow-on funding likely dried up.
5. Strategic Pivot (or Exit) via Acquisition
In early 2024, Spreadsheet.com was acquired by Veeva Systems, a company specializing in cloud software for the life sciences industry. The exact terms weren’t disclosed, but shortly after, Spreadsheet.com announced that its public service would be retired by May 31, 2024.
Veeva likely saw value in the underlying tech—but not the consumer-facing service. Spreadsheet.com’s assets were integrated internally, and the brand effectively disappeared.
Competitor Comparison: Airtable vs. Spreadsheet.com
Let’s briefly look at why Airtable, started just a few years earlier, survived and thrived where Spreadsheet.com didn’t.
| Feature | Airtable | Spreadsheet.com |
|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Visual database / Low-code workflows | Spreadsheet + no-code hybrid |
| UX Design | Highly visual, intuitive | Spreadsheet-first, sometimes complex |
| Funding Raised | Over $600M | $5.5M |
| Viral Adoption | Strong among SMBs, startups, creators | Corporate, but limited viral growth |
| Integrations & Ecosystem | Robust ecosystem, marketplace | More limited third-party integrations |
| Developer Community | Large plugin and extension community | Smaller ecosystem |
The takeaway? Airtable simplified and reimagined data workflows, while Spreadsheet.com dug deeper into existing paradigms. One invited regular users in. The other never quite escaped the comfort zone of those already fluent in spreadsheets.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Idea That Couldn’t Scale
Spreadsheet.com is yet another example of a tech startup that had a compelling premise and strong early signs—but couldn’t make the leap from “niche tool” to “big business.”
Whether it’s freemium fatigue, failing to outshine incumbents, or just sheer timing, startups like Spreadsheet.com remind us that:
- Even innovative products can struggle if they're not 10x better than what already exists.
- Having a versatile product doesn't guarantee adoption. Sometimes simpler is better.
- Small misalignments in focus, pricing, or design can have outsized effects when margins are thin.
In the end, Spreadsheet.com didn’t fail because it was a bad idea. It just wasn’t the right idea for a market already full of superstars.
FAQs
Who founded Spreadsheet.com?
Matt Robinson and Nathan Ganser co-founded the company in 2017.
When did Spreadsheet.com launch?
The platform began development in 2017 and gained more public attention following funding coverage around 2021.
When did Spreadsheet.com shut down?
The public service was officially discontinued on May 31, 2024.
How much funding did Spreadsheet.com raise?
The company raised $5.5 million in seed funding.
Why did Spreadsheet.com fail?
It failed to achieve venture-scale growth due to a combination of competitive market pressures, limited adoption, funding challenges, and strategic decisions following its acquisition.
What happened after Spreadsheet.com shut down?
It was acquired by Veeva Systems. The platform’s technology was likely integrated into Veeva’s internal stack, and the brand was sunsetted.
If you've ever marveled at the simplicity of a spreadsheet and wished it did more, Spreadsheet.com tried to give you exactly that. In some sense, it succeeded. But in the cutthroat world of SaaS, even great ideas need more than ambition — they need momentum.
What is spreadsheet.com?
Spreadsheet.com is a versatile online platform designed to support collaborative work in various contexts. This web-based tool enables users to develop and oversee spreadsheets with capabilities extending beyond traditional data organization. It serves as a multifunctional solution, catering to project management needs, customer relationship management (CRM), and the creation of no-code applications, among other uses.
One notable feature of Spreadsheet.com is its compatibility with common spreadsheet software such as Excel and Google Sheets. This ensures users can leverage their existing knowledge of features, functions, and syntax, making the transition to Spreadsheet.com relatively seamless. Furthermore, Spreadsheet.com offers the added advantage of integrating database functionalities and project management tools, enhancing its utility for diverse business needs.
In addition, Spreadsheet.com harnesses OpenAI technology, particularly ChatGPT, to empower users in generating content, addressing queries, and constructing automated workflows within their spreadsheets. This integration with advanced AI capabilities opens up new possibilities for enhanced productivity and automation within the platform.
How much does spreadsheet.com cost?
The pricing options for Spreadsheet.com, as detailed on their official website, are as follows:
- Free Plan:
- Ideal for individuals and teams who are just starting out.
- Includes 1 free creator.
- Allows for 2 free editors or commenters.
- Offers 1,500 rows per workbook.
- Provides 100 MB of attachment storage space per workbook.
- Grants access to 100 automation actions per month. - Standard Plan:
- Priced at $7 per creator per month when billed annually, or $9 per month when billed monthly.
- Suited for teams managing essential tasks within a single platform.
- Includes 2 free editors or commenters per creator.
- Offers 5,000 rows per workbook.
- Provides 2 GB of attachment storage space per workbook.
- Allows for 250 automation actions per month. - Premium Plan:
- Priced at $18 per creator per month when billed annually, or $22 per month when billed monthly.
- Designed for teams handling complex initiatives.
- Offers unlimited editors and commenters when there are 4 or more creators.
- Provides 100,000 rows per workbook.
- Offers 50 GB of attachment storage space per workbook.
- Allows for 100,000 automation actions per month. - Enterprise Plan:
- Tailored for organizations requiring enhanced security, control, and support.
- The pricing for this plan is not disclosed on the website and necessitates contacting the sales team for a customized quote.
These pricing options cater to a wide range of needs, from individual users and small teams to larger organizations with more complex requirements. It's important to note that the Enterprise plan's pricing is not publicly available and should be discussed directly with the sales team for specific details.
How can I sign up for Spreadsheet.com?
To register for Spreadsheet.com, you can complete the following steps:
- Navigate to the official Spreadsheet.com website.
- Locate and click on the ""Get started now"" button situated in the top right corner of the webpage.
- Provide your email address and select a password, or alternatively, opt for sign-up options through Google, Microsoft, or Apple accounts.
- Verify your email address by clicking on the verification link sent to your email inbox.
- Choose a suitable workspace name and a unique URL for your Spreadsheet.com account.
- Once these steps are completed, you can commence your work on creating and collaborating on online spreadsheets, harnessing the capabilities of a robust database and project management system.
How secure is spreadsheet.com?
Spreadsheet.com prioritizes the security of user data and has implemented a range of protective measures. As per information available on their website:
- Data Encryption: Spreadsheet.com employs encryption both in transit and at rest, utilizing industry-standard algorithms and protocols. This safeguards data during transmission and while stored on their platform.
- Reliable Cloud Infrastructure: The platform relies on Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading cloud provider known for its high standards of reliability and security. This choice of infrastructure enhances data protection and availability.
- Access Control: Users benefit from secure access control mechanisms. Spreadsheet.com offers authentication options through OAuth2-based Google Account Authentication or email and password-based authentication. Additionally, plans include the implementation of 2-factor authentication (2FA) in the near future, further strengthening security.
- Vetted Sub-processors: The platform carefully selects sub-processors, such as MongoDB Atlas, SendGrid, and Pusher, based on their strong security and privacy practices. This ensures that data handling remains secure throughout its lifecycle.
- SOC 2 Type II Compliance: Spreadsheet.com has obtained a SOC 2 Type II Report, demonstrating adherence to the Trust Services Criteria. This encompasses security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, reinforcing their commitment to comprehensive data protection.
These security features collectively contribute to a robust and trustworthy environment for managing sensitive data and information within Spreadsheet.com.
What are the benefits of spreadsheet.com?
Using Spreadsheet.com offers a range of advantages:
- Familiar Functionality: Users can employ the well-known features, functions, and syntax found in Excel and Google Sheets, but with added flexibility and enhanced functionality.
- Versatile Data Views: Spreadsheet.com enables the creation of diverse data views, including sheet, kanban, calendar, form, and gantt views, tailoring data presentation to individual preferences and needs.
- Automation Capabilities: Repetitive tasks and workflows can be automated efficiently through no-code automations and seamless integrations with other tools.
- AI Integration: Spreadsheet.com incorporates the capabilities of ChatGPT, allowing users to generate content, respond to inquiries, and construct automated workflows directly within their spreadsheets.
- Real-time Collaboration: Teams can collaborate in real-time, facilitated by permission settings and locking features, ensuring smooth and secure collaboration on projects.
- Data Analysis: Users can analyze their data effectively and make informed decisions using customizable dashboards and reports that can also be embedded for easy sharing.
- Flexible Pricing: A variety of pricing plans are available to accommodate different budgets and requirements. The free plan, with no expiration date, offers 1,500 rows per workbook, 100 MB of attachment storage space per workbook, 100 automation actions per month, and more.
These benefits make Spreadsheet.com a versatile and powerful tool for managing data, projects, and collaborations, while also providing cost-effective options for a range of users.
