When Did DocuSign Go Public? Key IPO Facts and Dates

DocuSign, a leading e-signature and digital agreement company, made headlines when it went public in 2018. As a business professional, understanding the timeline and impact of DocuSign's IPO can provide valuable insights into the company's growth and the broader market trends. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you through the key facts and dates surrounding DocuSign's journey to becoming a publicly-traded company.

From its humble beginnings in 2003 to its current status as a market leader, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how DocuSign's IPO has shaped the digital signature landscape. Get ready to dive into the world of public offerings and discover how DocuSign's success story can inspire your own business decisions.

DocuSign's Journey to Becoming a Public Company

DocuSign, the leading e-signature and agreement automation platform, has had an impressive growth trajectory since its founding in 2003. The company's journey to going public was marked by several key milestones and funding rounds that enabled it to scale and prepare for its initial public offering (IPO) in 2018. Let's take a closer look at DocuSign's path to becoming a publicly traded company.

1. From Startup to Industry Leader: DocuSign's Early Years

Founded in 2003, DocuSign pioneered the development of e-signature technology, leading the market in managing digital transactions that were formerly paper-based. Over the years, the company has grown its customer base to include millions of users across more than 180 countries, with a focus on enterprise businesses, commercial businesses, and very small businesses.

DocuSign's growth was fueled by significant investments in technology and infrastructure, with more than $300 million in research and development since its inception. This investment enabled the company to build a robust, secure, and scalable platform that could handle the most demanding customer requirements.

2. Funding Rounds Fuel DocuSign's Growth and Expansion

To support its growth and expansion, DocuSign raised several rounds of funding from prominent investors. These funding rounds provided the company with the capital needed to invest in product development, sales and marketing, and international expansion.

Some of the key funding milestones for DocuSign include:

• 2006: $4.6 million Series A funding round
• 2010: $27 million Series C funding round
• 2012: $47.5 million Series D funding round
• 2014: $115 million Series E funding round
• 2015: $233 million Series F funding round

3. Why DocuSign Decided to Go Public in 2018

After 15 years as a private company, DocuSign decided to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in 2018. The decision to go public was driven by several factors, including:

• Increasing market demand for e-signature and agreement automation solutions
• Strong financial performance and growth trajectory
• Desire to raise additional capital to fund future growth initiatives
• Opportunity to increase brand visibility and credibility as a public company

4. Understanding the IPO Process and DocuSign's IPO Details

An initial public offering (IPO) is the process by which a private company offers shares of its stock to the public for the first time. To go public, a company must file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which includes a prospectus detailing the company's business, financials, and risks.

DocuSign filed its registration statement on April 27, 2018, and began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "DOCU" on April 27, 2018. The company offered 21.7 million shares at a price of $29.00 per share, raising approximately $629 million in gross proceeds.

DocuSign's successful IPO marked a significant milestone in the company's history and positioned it for continued growth and success as a public company. In the next section, we'll delve into the details of DocuSign's IPO and explore the company's stock performance since going public. For more on sales strategies, see our guide on sales discovery questions.

DocuSign's S-1 Filing and IPO Details: A Closer Look

DocuSign's journey to becoming a publicly traded company reached a major milestone when it filed its S-1 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 28, 2018. The S-1 filing provided investors with a detailed look at DocuSign's business, financials, and growth trajectory as the company prepared for its initial public offering (IPO). Let's dive into the specifics of DocuSign's IPO filing and initial stock price.

1. DocuSign Files S-1 Registration Statement on March 28, 2018

DocuSign officially began the IPO process by filing its S-1 registration statement with the SEC on March 28, 2018. The S-1 filing is a crucial step for any company seeking to go public, as it provides comprehensive information about the company's business model, financial performance, risk factors, and intended use of proceeds from the IPO.

The filing of the S-1 marked the beginning of DocuSign's journey to becoming a publicly traded company and signaled to investors that the company was ready to take the next step in its growth and development.

2. Key Highlights from DocuSign's S-1 Filing

DocuSign's S-1 filing revealed several key insights into the company's financial performance and growth prospects. Some notable highlights include:

• Revenue growth: DocuSign reported revenue of $518.5 million in fiscal year 2018, representing a 36% increase from the previous year.
• Net losses: Despite strong revenue growth, DocuSign reported a net loss of $52.3 million in fiscal year 2018, compared to a net loss of $115.4 million in the previous year.
• Customer base: As of January 31, 2018, DocuSign had over 370,000 customers, including 7 of the top 10 global technology companies and 18 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies.

These highlights demonstrated DocuSign's strong market position and growth potential, while also acknowledging the challenges of achieving profitability as a high-growth technology company.

3. DocuSign IPO Date, Stock Price, and Capital Raised

DocuSign completed its IPO on April 27, 2018, offering 21.7 million shares of its common stock at a price of $29 per share. The company's shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "DOCU."

The IPO was a success, with DocuSign raising approximately $629 million in gross proceeds. The strong demand for DocuSign's shares reflected investor confidence in the company's business model and growth prospects.

4. DocuSign Trades on Nasdaq Under Ticker Symbol "DOCU"

DocuSign chose to list its shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, one of the world's leading stock exchanges known for its focus on technology companies. Trading under the ticker symbol "DOCU," DocuSign joined the ranks of other prominent tech companies listed on the Nasdaq, such as Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft.

By listing on the Nasdaq, DocuSign gained access to a broad base of institutional and individual investors, as well as increased visibility and liquidity for its shares.

DocuSign's successful IPO marked a significant milestone for the company, providing it with the capital and resources needed to continue its growth and expansion.

In the next section, we'll explore how DocuSign's stock price has performed since the company went public. Learn more about AI sales automation and how it can help streamline your sales process.

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DocuSign's Stock Performance: From IPO to Present Day

Since DocuSign went public in 2018, the company's stock has experienced significant growth and milestones. The e-signature and digital agreement pioneer's journey as a publicly traded company has been marked by strong financial performance, strategic acquisitions, and continued market leadership. Let's take a closer look at how DocuSign's stock has performed since its initial public offering.

1. DocuSign's Stock Price Soars Post-IPO

Following its successful IPO in April 2018, DocuSign's stock price experienced substantial growth in the months and years that followed. The company's shares, which were initially priced at $29, quickly surged as investors recognized DocuSign's potential in the rapidly growing e-signature market.

By the end of 2018, DocuSign's stock had already risen to over $40 per share, representing a significant return for early investors. This strong performance continued into 2019 and 2020, with the company's stock reaching new heights.

2. Market Capitalization Growth Reflects DocuSign's Success

At the time of its IPO, DocuSign had a market capitalization of approximately $4.4 billion. However, as the company's stock price continued to climb, its market capitalization grew significantly.

As of September 2024, DocuSign's market capitalization stands at an impressive $11.466 billion, more than doubling its value since going public. This growth reflects the company's strong financial performance, increasing customer base, and expanding product offerings.

3. Earnings Reports and Acquisitions Drive Stock Performance

DocuSign's stock performance has been influenced by various factors, including the company's quarterly earnings reports and key acquisitions. Consistently strong revenue growth and improving profitability have helped to drive investor confidence in the company.

Additionally, DocuSign has made several key acquisitions since going public, such as the purchase of SpringCM in 2018 and Seal Software in 2020. These acquisitions have strengthened DocuSign's product suite and competitive position, further contributing to its stock performance.

4. DocuSign Joins the Nasdaq-100 Index

In 2020, DocuSign achieved a significant milestone when it was added to the Nasdaq-100 Index, which comprises the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock market. Inclusion in this prestigious index is a testament to DocuSign's growth and market leadership.

As a member of the Nasdaq-100, DocuSign's stock has gained increased visibility and liquidity, attracting a broader range of investors and solidifying its position as a major player in the tech industry.

DocuSign's impressive stock performance since its IPO underscores the company's successful transition from a private startup to a publicly traded market leader. With strong financials, a growing customer base, and continuous innovation, DocuSign is well-positioned for future growth and success.

The Lasting Impact of DocuSign's Successful IPO

DocuSign's initial public offering in 2018 was a pivotal moment for the company and the broader e-signature and digital agreement market. The IPO not only provided DocuSign with a significant influx of capital but also solidified its position as a market leader. Let's explore the lasting impact of DocuSign's successful IPO and what it means for the company's future.

1. Fueling Growth and Innovation

By going public, DocuSign was able to raise substantial capital to invest in its growth and innovation initiatives. The company has used the proceeds from its IPO to expand its product offerings, enhance its platform, and pursue strategic acquisitions.

For example, DocuSign acquired SpringCM, a leading cloud-based document generation and contract lifecycle management software provider, shortly after its IPO. This acquisition strengthened DocuSign's position in the CLM market and enabled the company to offer a more comprehensive suite of digital agreement solutions.

2. Accelerating Market Adoption

DocuSign's successful IPO brought increased visibility and credibility to the e-signature and digital agreement market. As a publicly-traded company, DocuSign has been able to leverage its heightened profile to drive market adoption and expand its customer base.

The company's strong performance since its IPO has also attracted more investors and analysts to the space, further validating the importance of digital agreement solutions in today's business landscape. This increased attention has helped to accelerate the adoption of e-signature and related technologies across industries.

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3. Outperforming Peers

Since its IPO, DocuSign's stock has outperformed many of its peers in the technology sector. The company's strong financial results, consistent growth, and market leadership have made it an attractive investment opportunity for many investors.

DocuSign's success has also inspired other companies in the digital agreement space to consider going public, as evidenced by the recent IPOs of companies like AdobeSign and HelloSign. However, DocuSign's first-mover advantage and strong brand recognition have helped it maintain its competitive edge.

4. Positioned for Long-Term Success

Looking ahead, DocuSign appears well-positioned for long-term success as a public company. The company's strong financials, growing customer base, and expanding product portfolio provide a solid foundation for future growth.

As more businesses embrace digital transformation and seek to automate their agreement processes, DocuSign is poised to benefit from the increasing demand for its solutions. The company's continued investment in innovation and its focus on customer success suggest that it will remain a leader in the digital agreement market for years to come.

DocuSign's IPO was a significant milestone that has had a lasting impact on the company and the broader market. By raising capital, driving market adoption, outperforming peers, and positioning itself for long-term success, DocuSign has cemented its position as a leader in the digital agreement space. Thanks for sticking with us through this in-depth look at DocuSign's IPO – we promise the rest of the article won't be quite so "signature" heavy!

Conclusions

Understanding when DocuSign went public and the details surrounding its IPO is crucial for investors and those interested in the company's growth trajectory. This guide covered:

• DocuSign's journey from startup to publicly-traded company
• The specifics of DocuSign's IPO filing and initial stock price
• How DocuSign's stock has performed since going public
• The lasting impact of DocuSign's successful IPO on the company and industry

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