Slack is one of the most popular messaging platforms for teams today. It makes communication easier and faster. But have you ever wondered who really owns Slack? Where did it come from? And how did it grow so big? Don’t worry — we’ve got the full scoop for you!
Contents
What Is Slack?
Let’s start with the basics. Slack is a workplace messaging tool. It helps teams chat, share files, and stay organized. You can create channels for different topics and send direct messages to teammates. It’s like texting, but way more powerful — and built for work.
Slack is used by small startups and giant companies alike. Google, Amazon, IBM, and even NASA use Slack!
The Company That Created Slack
Slack was created by a company called Tiny Speck. But this company wasn’t originally focused on messaging.
Back in 2009, Tiny Speck was actually making a multiplayer online game called Glitch. The game had bright colors and funny characters. It was creative, but sadly, it didn’t take off. The team shut it down in 2012.
However, during the game development, the team built an internal chat tool. They needed a better way to communicate. That internal tool? It eventually became Slack!
Who Founded Slack?
Let’s meet the brains behind the idea:
- Stewart Butterfield – Co-founder and CEO
- Cal Henderson – Co-founder and CTO
- Eric Costello – Co-founder
- Serguei Mourachov – Co-founder
Fun fact: Stewart Butterfield was also a co-founder of Flickr, the photo-sharing site. That’s right — he’s a tech veteran with a great eye for what people need online.
What Does Slack Stand For?
Slack isn’t just a catchy name. It’s actually an acronym:
Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge
Pretty clever, right? It reflects what the product does — keeping all your team’s communication in one place where you can find anything easily.
When Did Slack Launch?
Slack officially launched to the public in August 2013.
It quickly became a hit. Teams loved how easy it was to use. It was fun, colorful, and smooth. Within just a few months, thousands of companies were using it daily.
By 2014, Slack was already valued at over $1 billion. That made it one of the fastest-growing tech companies ever.
Slack’s Journey: Big Milestones
Slack’s path to fame is full of big moments. Here’s a quick timeline:
- 2013: Public launch
- 2014: Becomes a Silicon Valley darling
- 2017: Hits 5 million daily users
- 2019: Goes public with a direct listing on the NYSE
- 2020: Announces it will be acquired by Salesforce
- 2021: Officially becomes part of Salesforce
So… Who Owns Slack Today?
Slack is now owned by Salesforce, a major cloud computing company based in San Francisco. It’s known for its CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software.
In December 2020, Salesforce announced it would buy Slack for a whopping $27.7 billion. The deal was finalized in July 2021.
This was one of the biggest tech deals ever. Salesforce wanted to add Slack to its suite of work tools. It was a big move to compete with Microsoft Teams.
Why Did Salesforce Buy Slack?
Here’s the simple reason: collaboration is the future.
Salesforce saw that businesses need better ways to work together. Instead of switching between email, chat, and meetings, companies want a one-stop shop.
Slack gave Salesforce a way to make that happen. Now, teams can talk right where their work lives — inside Salesforce tools.
Who Owns Slack Stock?
Since Slack is part of Salesforce, you can’t buy Slack stock directly anymore. But you can buy Salesforce (CRM) stock. When Salesforce bought Slack, it absorbed the company and its shares.
Before the acquisition, Slack’s stock symbol was WORK. After joining Salesforce, that stock ticker was retired.
So anyone who wants a piece of Slack today needs to own shares of Salesforce.
How Is Slack Doing Now?
Slack is still growing and evolving. It now works more closely with Salesforce’s products. Features like AI tools, automation, and tighter integration with CRM are rolling out fast.
Companies continue to adopt Slack across the globe. It’s used in education, healthcare, tech, government, and more. And it’s not just for chatting — more and more teams are using Slack as their digital HQ.
Fun Facts About Slack
Let’s wrap up with some fun tidbits:
- Slack’s emoji reactions are called “reacji.”
- The first Slack logo included the # symbol — just like a Slack channel!
- Slack has hidden games and messages in its loading screens — go look for them!
- Before Slack, Stewart Butterfield once studied philosophy. Chat apps were not in the original plan!
Final Thoughts
From a failed video game to a powerful enterprise tool, Slack’s story is all about creative thinking and turning obstacles into opportunities.
Today, Slack is owned by Salesforce, but its original heart still beats strong. It continues helping teams talk, collaborate, and build great things together.
So next time you send a Slack message, remember — you’re using a tool that came from some pretty unexpected beginnings.
And now, you know who owns Slack: not just a tech company, but a whole team that believed in better ways to work.
Happy Slacking! 🎉
