Readmill

Dec 31, 2014

Email  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn The UpTake: Recently valued at $10 billion, a big chunk of Dropbox's value actually comes from its acquisitions. In the past year alone, Drew Houston's company has significantly altered its identity. In the past four months Dropbox has acquired four app companies, effectively turning the filesharing site into an app platform that not only lets people save and share their files, but dig deeply into the content with a host of tools. And yet, those much publicized acquisitions are only the most recent of a string of purchases the company has made over the past year. Swirling around in Dropbox's $10 billion technological DNA are influences from each of these nine acquisitions: Mailbox: Acquired in March of 2013 for $100 million, this San Francisco-based startup built a sleek email platform specifically for mobile users. TapEngage: Based in San Francisco, this mobile advertising platform was acquired in July 2013. Endorse: This San Mateo, California-based ecommerce site that lets loyal shoppers earn reward was also acquired in July 2013, after raising $4.25 million in venture capital. Foundry Hiring: Acquired in September 2013, this human resources startup based in Palo Alto, California helps users manage their hiring process. Sold: This Boston, Massachussets-based online marketplace was acquired in November 2013. Zulip: Also based in Boston, this messaging company was acquired in March 2014 before it even opened to public use. Readmill: Founded in 2012, this Berlin, Germany-based ebook company was also acquired in March. HackPad: This collaboration platform was acquired in April 2014. Loom: Based in San Francisco, this cloud photo company was acquired in April 2014 after raising $1.4 million venture capital. The amount spent on acquisitions totals $100 million, according to Crunchbase, the source of all the information on this report. Which is roughly a sixth of the San Francisco-based company's $607 million in total ventue capital.