Stacker Raises $20M Series A to Empower No-Code Software Development

Stacker Secures $20 Million to Revolutionize No-Code Application Development

The no-code development market is experiencing significant growth, and Stacker, a London-based company, is aiming to redefine its boundaries. The platform empowers users to construct web applications directly from spreadsheet data, integrating information from multiple sources to automatically generate sophisticated business solutions – though some customization may be necessary.

Recent Funding and Investment Details

Stacker recently announced a $20 million Series A funding round, spearheaded by Andreessen Horowitz. Existing investors, including Initialized Capital, Y Combinator, and Pentech, also participated in this investment. According to Crunchbase data, the total funding raised by the company now amounts to $23 million.

Stacker's Core Functionality and Vision

Michael Skelly, CEO and co-founder of Stacker, explains the platform’s purpose is to transform essential business data into practical applications that enhance workplace efficiency. He stated, “[We enable] business professionals to build applications that streamline their work – such as customer portals and internal tools – leveraging the data they already utilize to manage processes, and converting it into a functional app.”

The platform’s strength lies in its data connectivity. “We believe that true business utility requires integration with the data that matters most to an organization,” Skelly emphasized. “We allow users to import spreadsheets, SQL databases, and Salesforce data, essentially all the information used to operate their business, and automatically generate an application.”

After data integration and initial app creation, users can refine the application’s appearance. However, Stacker provides a substantial foundation for a usable product from the outset, as Skelly points out.

Investor Perspective

Jennifer Li, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, highlighted the startup’s unique approach to no-code development. “Having observed the no-code landscape for some time, Stacker distinguishes itself through its deliberate product design, enabling business operators to instantly create a functional application that seamlessly aligns with existing workflows,” she noted in a blog post announcing the funding.

Growth Plans and Team Expansion

Currently, Stacker employs 19 individuals. The newly acquired capital will be used to expand the team to 30-40 employees by the end of the year. Skelly prioritizes building a diverse workforce and is actively implementing strategies to achieve this goal.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Skelly has identified three key approaches to fostering diversity within the company. “First, we focus on building a diverse applicant pool, recognizing that the composition of candidates significantly influences hiring outcomes. Second, we actively seek individuals with varied career stages, offering opportunities for growth and development.”

He further added, “Third, and often overlooked, is the potential of individuals seeking transitions into programming roles, particularly those from underrepresented groups. We are facilitating internal transitions from non-technical positions to DevOps, broadening the talent pool.”

Remote-First Approach and Company History

Stacker operates as a remote-first organization, with Skelly based in London and co-founder Sam Davyson located in Geneva. They intend to maintain this remote structure. The company was founded in 2017, initially developing a more complex product that required extensive support. They ultimately determined that simplicity was paramount and launched the current version of the product in late 2019.

Future Outlook

Stacker envisions becoming the standard software development tool for business units. “We anticipate a future where, similar to email, chat tools, spreadsheets, and video conferencing, every organization will have a dedicated software tool for creating and running the custom software that powers their operations,” Skelly concluded.