collaborative ios app craft docs secures $8m, led by creandum and a ‘skyscanner mafia’
Craft Docs Secures $8 Million in Series A Funding
The Craft Docs application, initially released in November of the previous year, has successfully obtained $8 million in Series A funding. This investment round was spearheaded by Creandum, with additional participation from InReach Ventures and a collective of tech entrepreneurs.
Notably, several former executives and leaders from Skyscanner are among the investors, contributing to what some are calling a “Skyscanner Mafia.”
Platform Availability and Future Development
Currently, Craft is accessible on iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS platforms. The company’s roadmap for 2021 includes the introduction of APIs, expanded integrations, and a browser-based editor.
Craft aims to establish itself as a competitive alternative to Notion, a popular productivity and note-taking application.
Distinguishing Features and Competitive Landscape
Balint Grosz, founder and CEO of Craft, highlighted the key differences between Craft and Notion. He explained that while Notion excels in database management and structured content, Craft provides a superior experience for written content.
Hierarchical content organization is a core strength of Craft, allowing users to create notes within notes, offering a flexible structure for content creation and navigation.
Craft emphasizes several advantages over its competitors:
- User Experience (UX): A focus on intuitive and user-friendly design.
- Data Storage and Privacy: An offline-first approach with real-time synchronization and collaboration.
- Cloud Service Integration: Compatibility with third-party cloud services like iCloud.
- Tool Integrations: Seamless connectivity with other productivity tools.
Skyscanner Alumni and Industry Recognition
Prior to founding Craft, Grosz led mobile strategy at Skyscanner following the acquisition of his previous venture, Distinction.
Fredrik Cassel, general partner at Creandum, praised Craft’s ability to deliver both aesthetic appeal and powerful functionality, anticipating that upcoming features will further differentiate the application.
Roberto Bonanzinga, co-founder at InReach Ventures, expressed early confidence in Craft’s vision to revolutionize how individuals organize and express their thoughts.
The Rise of the “Skyscanner Mafia”
The funding and launch of Craft contribute to a growing trend of ventures founded by former Skyscanner employees, following the company’s acquisition by Trip.com Group in 2016.
Additional investors include Carlos Gonzalez, Filip Filipov, Ross McNairn, Stefan Lesser, and Akos Kapui – all former Skyscanner leaders with extensive experience in the technology sector.
These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to support Craft’s continued growth and innovation.
Mike Butcher
Mike Butcher: A Profile of a Leading Tech Voice
Mike Butcher, M.B.E., is a highly respected figure in the technology landscape. Previously serving as Editor-at-large for TechCrunch, his journalistic background includes contributions to prominent UK newspapers and magazines.
Recognition and Influence
Wired UK has recognized Butcher as one of the most influential individuals shaping European technology. This acknowledgement underscores his significant impact on the sector.
Speaking Engagements and Interviews
Butcher is a sought-after speaker, having presented at prestigious events like the World Economic Forum, Web Summit, and DLD. He has conducted interviews with a diverse range of prominent figures.
Among those he has interviewed are former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, actor Kevin Spacey, model Lily Cole, Telegram founder Pavel Durov, and Wikipedia’s Jimmy Wales, alongside numerous other technology executives and celebrities.
Broadcasting and Advisory Roles
As a frequent broadcaster, Mike Butcher regularly appears on major news networks. These include BBC News, Sky News, CNBC, Channel 4, Al Jazeera, and Bloomberg.
His expertise extends to policy advising, having consulted with UK Prime Ministers and the Mayor of London regarding technology startup initiatives. He also served as a judge on the UK edition of The Apprentice.
Awards and Founding Ventures
GQ magazine once listed him among the 100 Most Connected Men in the UK, highlighting his extensive network. Butcher is also the co-founder of several notable organizations.
- TheEuropas.com: A platform showcasing the Top 100 European startups.
- Techfugees.com: A non-profit organization.
- TechVets.co: Another non-profit initiative.
- Startup Coalition: Focused on supporting startups.
In 2016, Mike Butcher was awarded an M.B.E. in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. This honor recognized his contributions to both the UK technology industry and the field of journalism.