Figma

Founded: 2012

Founders: Dylan Field, Evan Wallace

Industry: Design Tools

Revenue: $600M+

Valuation: $20B (acquired)

What makes them interesting

Figma turned design from a solo activity into collaborative work. Browser-based tools that actually work.

Before Figma, design collaboration meant endless file sharing, version conflicts, and “can you export this as a PNG?” Design was isolated from the rest of product development.

The breakthrough

They built multiplayer design tools that work in the browser with real-time collaboration. Suddenly designers, developers, and product managers could all work in the same space.

Key innovations:

• Real-time multiplayer: See cursors moving in real-time
• Browser-based: No downloads, works everywhere
• Developer handoff: Inspect, export, and copy code
• Component systems: Reusable design systems

The $20B validation

The Adobe acquisition validated that they didn’t just build a better design tool - they built the future of creative software.

“We’re not just replacing Photoshop, we’re reimagining how creative work gets done.” - Dylan Field

Why it mattered

Figma proved that even Adobe’s moat wasn’t impenetrable. Sometimes the best way to compete with incumbents is to change the game entirely.

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