Professional Market Research Report: Flip

Overview

Flip is a leading employee communication platform targeting enhanced engagement for deskless workforces. Established in 2018 by Benedikt Ilg and Giacomo Kenner, it was designed to meet the communication needs of employees without desks by providing them key tools for effective interaction and information access. As an alternative to traditional communication solutions like Workplace from Meta, Flip aims to empower non-desk workers by bringing the workplace to their pockets. Its core features include a news feed, chat functionalities, surveys, and privacy-compliant integrations.

Mission and Vision

Flip's mission is to connect employees across various industries, such as retail, manufacturing, logistics, and food service, with essential resources and information required for efficiency in their roles. The vision is to incorporate every employee into the corporate framework, particularly those without a fixed working desk, ensuring they access the same communication opportunities as their office-based colleagues.

Products and Features

Flip's comprehensive suite of tools for deskless employees includes:

News Feed & Channels: Keeps employees updated with company news.

Chats and Surveys: Facilitates interaction and feedback collection.

Tasks and Forms: Enables task management and form creation.

Privacy & Security: Ensures data protection and GDPR compliance.

Leadership Team

Benedikt Ilg: CEO and Chairman of the Board, former project manager at Porsche AG, where he recognized the market need for a platform like Flip.

Giacomo Kenner: Co-Founder and Head of Product, brings expertise in product design from his experience in healthcare startups.

Luqman Sungkar: Co-Founder and CTO, responsible for technical leadership and the platform’s development.

Sourabh G.: VP of Product & Design, oversees product design aspects.

Financials and Funding

Flip has amassed $236 million in funding across several rounds, with the most recent being a $144 million Series C round, valuing the company at $1.05 billion. Prominent investors include AppLovin and Streamlined Ventures. Investments have been directed towards enhancing Flip's social commerce algorithms and expanding market reach.

Market Strategy and Impact

Flip seeks to revolutionize communication by focusing on the often-overlooked blue-collar workforce. The platform enhances supply chain operations' efficiency, product quality, and connection, playing a pivotal role in digital transformation initiatives company-wide.

Industry Position

Supporting a variety of sectors from retail to logistics, Flip is establishing new standards for digital communication tools. Its commitment to a user-friendly, authentic, and bold product aligns with modern workforce management and engagement demands. With a robust leadership team, innovative methodologies, and substantial financial backing, Flip is strategically poised to shape deskless worker engagement and corporate communication globally.

Competitive Landscape

Flip operates in a competitive landscape, facing significant rivals in the customer service solutions space. Key competitors include:

1. Zendesk

A service-first CRM leader providing versatile software to enhance customer interactions. Known for their Zendesk Suite, it supports over 100,000 customers across 160 countries. They focus on integrating customer service within organizational workflows, employing more than 5,450 employees globally.

2. Intercom

Specializes in business messaging and has expanded its platform since 2011 to cater to over 25,000 paying customers across six continents. Intercom leverages conversational tools to offer personalized customer interactions, a competitive advantage for sales and customer service.

3. Workvivo

Acquired by Zoom in 2023, Workvivo focuses on employee experience and communication, boasting 2 million users globally. The platform enhances workplace culture through connectivity, a valuable asset for firms seeking improved employee engagement.

4. Beekeeper

Founded in Zurich, Beekeeper connects deskless workers via digital solutions, having secured $100 million in funding and supporting over 1,000 customers globally. It enhances real-time communication and automates manual processes for seamless frontline operations.

5. Staffbase

Known for providing a leading internal communication platform, Staffbase is valued at $1.1 billion with investments totaling 295 million USD. They focus on integrating communication channels and resource impact measurement, appealing to large enterprises.

Strategic Insights

Understanding these competitors' strengths offers insights into industry trends and benchmarks. Companies like Zendesk and Intercom prioritize integrating support and communication channels to enhance customer interaction. Workvivo, Beekeeper, and Staffbase highlight internal communications and employee engagement, indicating a trend toward improving employee experiences alongside customer service. By potentially adopting strategies focused on integration capabilities and user experience enhancement, Flip can further bolster its competitive position in the market.