Thinkfree is a software company specializing in office productivity solutions, particularly known for its web-based office suite. The company has positioned itself as a pioneer in online office technology, offering alternatives to traditional desktop-based office software.
Thinkfree was founded in June 2000 in Silicon Valley, California. The company is recognized as the world's first online office editor, predating well-known solutions like Google Docs and Microsoft 365. This early entry into the market attracted significant media attention, including coverage on CNN.
In 2001, Thinkfree gained notable recognition when Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer highlighted it as a significant competitor, considering it a potential threat second only to Linux.
The company's growth trajectory took a significant turn in November 2003 when Hancom, a South Korean office software company, acquired Thinkfree. This acquisition led to expansion into other foreign markets, including the establishment of a subsidiary, Haansoft USA, Inc., in San Jose, California, in January 2004.
Thinkfree has gone through several funding rounds. The company's total raised capital is reported to be $22.1M, with the last raised amount being $16M in a Series C round. However, the company is currently listed as "Dead" in terms of its funding stage, which may indicate a change in its operational status or funding situation.
As of the most recent data available, Thinkfree's estimated annual revenue is $2.6M per year. The company's estimated revenue per employee is $101,500.
Thinkfree's primary product is Thinkfree Office, an online office suite that includes:
Presentation program.
Key features of Thinkfree Office include:
White labeling options for service providers.
The company also offers Refinder AI, an AI-powered search and question-answering solution for the global corporate market.
In October 2023, Hancom split its online office business unit as “Thinkfree Inc.”, indicating a strategic move to focus on the online office market.
Thinkfree has expanded its product line to include:
Recent developments include the launch of Refinder AI in July 2024, which integrates and searches data across multiple business platforms like Gmail, Google Drive, Confluence, Zira, Slack, and Notion.
Thinkfree's mission is to improve clients' workflows and create an office environment where knowledge and ideas flow freely. The company emphasizes innovation, as reflected in its name "Thinkfree," which embodies the idea of overcoming limitations and defying conventions.
As of 2007, Thinkfree had registered 250,000 users in its online community. More recent figures suggest that Thinkfree has been integrated into platforms with larger user bases. For instance, a leading web portal with about 100 million users integrated Thinkfree Office into its email services.
Thinkfree's user community is globally diverse, with users from more than 200 countries. The largest user bases come from the United States, South Korea, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
