Docusign
DocuSign, Inc. is an American software company headquartered in San Francisco, California, that specializes in electronic signature technology and intelligent agreement management solutions.[1] Founded in 2003 by Tom Gonser, the company pioneered the development of eSignature tools to replace paper-based processes with secure, digital alternatives compliant with global regulations like the U.S. ESIGN Act.[2] Its core platform, known as DocuSign Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM), enables users to create, sign, track, and analyze agreements using AI-powered features such as automated workflows, identity verification, and contract analytics.[3] As of fiscal year 2025, DocuSign serves nearly 1.7 million customers across more than 180 countries, including over 95% of Fortune 500 companies, and is used by more than a billion people worldwide.[4][5] The company went public on April 27, 2018, listing on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol DOCU, which marked a significant milestone in its growth from a startup to a global leader in digital transaction management.[2] Under the leadership of CEO Allan Thygesen, who assumed the role in October 2022, DocuSign has focused on expanding its AI capabilities and platform integrations to streamline agreement processes for industries including finance, healthcare, real estate, and government.[6] With approximately 6,838 employees as of January 31, 2025, DocuSign maintains a strong emphasis on innovation, security, and customer-centric solutions, achieving over 99.9% uptime for its eSignature services without scheduled maintenance downtime.[7][5]Company overview
Founding and operations
DocuSign was founded in 2003 in Seattle, Washington, by Tom Gonser, Court Lorenzini, and Eric Ranft, with an initial focus on providing secure digital signature services to streamline document signing processes.[8][9] The company has since evolved from its origins in electronic signatures to a comprehensive platform for digital transaction management, incorporating advanced tools for agreement lifecycle automation and compliance.[10] DocuSign is currently headquartered in San Francisco, California, and maintains global operations across more than 180 countries, serving nearly 1.7 million customers and 6,838 employees as of January 31, 2025.[11][7] Under the leadership of CEO Allan Thygesen, appointed in 2022, the company is guided by a board of directors chaired by James Beer since September 2025, with key members including Maggie Wilderotter, Blake J. Irving, and Teresa Briggs.[6] DocuSign's mission centers on pioneering Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM), which leverages AI to transform agreements into actionable data for organizations worldwide.[11]Financial performance
DocuSign reported total revenue of $2.98 billion for fiscal year 2025, marking an 8% increase from the previous year's $2.76 billion.[4] The company achieved GAAP net income of $1.07 billion, a substantial improvement from $74 million in fiscal 2024, driven by operational efficiencies and higher gross margins of 81.1%.[12][4] In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, revenue reached $736 million, reflecting 7% year-over-year growth, while non-GAAP operating margin expanded to a record 32.2%, up from 25.1% in the prior year period.[13] This performance underscored DocuSign's focus on cost discipline amid moderating top-line expansion. DocuSign went public in 2018, listing on the NASDAQ under the ticker DOCU at an initial offering price of $29 per share.[14] As of November 18, 2025, the share price stood at $65.04, yielding a market capitalization of approximately $13.3 billion.[15] The company's revenue growth has slowed in recent years, with fiscal 2025's 8% increase following 10% in fiscal 2024, attributable to market saturation in the core eSignature segment as adoption matures post-pandemic.[16][17] To counter this, DocuSign is pivoting toward its Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform, aiming to drive future expansion through broader agreement lifecycle solutions and AI integrations.[18]History
Formation and early development
DocuSign was incorporated in April 2003 in Washington state by founders Tom Gonser, Court Lorenzini, and Eric Ranft, with an initial focus on automating the cumbersome manual processes involved in obtaining physical signatures on documents.[19][20] The company emerged in the wake of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act) of 2000, which provided federal legal recognition for electronic signatures and records, and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), a model state law adopted in most U.S. jurisdictions to affirm the validity of electronic transactions.[21][22] Despite these advancements, e-signatures faced significant legal hurdles, including widespread skepticism about their enforceability in court and the need to prove intent, consent, and record integrity equivalent to traditional "wet" ink signatures.[23] In its formative years, DocuSign bootstrapped operations through founder contributions and angel investor support via an initial seed round in early 2003, enabling the development of a secure, cloud-based platform without immediate reliance on large-scale venture capital.[24] The company launched its first eSignature product in 2004 as a software-as-a-service offering, designed to streamline document signing while adhering to ESIGN and UETA requirements for auditability and non-repudiation.[25] Early milestones included securing its inaugural customer partnership with zipForm (now part of zipLogix) in 2005, integrating eSignature functionality into real estate transaction software to accelerate closings and reduce paperwork.[26] Additional collaborations emerged in the financial sector, where DocuSign facilitated compliant digital signing for loan documents and agreements, helping institutions comply with federal regulations while cutting processing times.[27] DocuSign encountered key challenges in establishing electronic signatures as a viable alternative to paper-based systems, which remained dominant due to familiarity, perceived security, and regulatory caution.[23] Compliance with ESIGN and UETA demanded rigorous technical measures, such as tamper-evident seals and signer authentication, to withstand legal scrutiny, while the company invested in education to convince industries of e-signatures' binding nature.[21][22] These efforts laid the groundwork for broader adoption by 2010, though growth remained constrained by the need to navigate varying state interpretations of UETA and ongoing competition from fax and courier services.[28]Funding rounds
DocuSign secured approximately $520 million in venture funding across 17 rounds from its inception in 2003 through 2018, prior to going public.[29] These investments supported product scaling, international expansion, and research and development in electronic signature technology.[30][31] The company's early funding included a Series A round of $4.6 million in 2006, which enabled initial product development and market entry.[32] Subsequent rounds built on this foundation, with a Series C investment of $27 million in December 2010 led by Scale Venture Partners, alongside existing backers such as Frazier Technology Ventures, Ignition Partners, and Sigma Partners; this capital facilitated enhanced platform capabilities and customer acquisition.[33][34] A pivotal Series D round raised $47.5 million in July 2012, led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, with participation from Accel Partners, SAP Ventures, and Comcast Ventures; the funds were directed toward accelerating global growth and operational expansion.[35] By 2014, DocuSign completed additional late-stage rounds totaling $115 million, including an $85 million Series E tranche in March led by institutional funds and a subsequent $30 million extension in November featuring strategic investors like Samsung Ventures; these investments advanced product innovation and international market penetration.[30][36]| Round | Date | Amount | Lead/Key Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series A | 2006 | $4.6M | Ignition Partners, Frazier Technology Ventures |
| Series C | Dec 2010 | $27M | Scale Venture Partners |
| Series D | Jul 2012 | $47.5M | Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers |
| Series E | Mar-Nov 2014 | $115M | Institutional funds, Samsung Ventures |