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§ Private Profile · 1810 Gateway Drive, Suite 200, San Mateo, CA 94404, United States
SugarSync is a technology company.
SugarSync provides a comprehensive cloud-based platform for active file synchronization, online backup, and secure sharing across multiple devices. Its core offering enables users to effortlessly keep files, photos, and music updated across personal computers, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring ubiquitous access to their digital content. The service differentiates by maintaining the original folder structure, allowing for flexible and intuitive management of data.
The company's technology originated from Sharpcast, founded in 2004 by Gibu Thomas and Ben Strong. Their vision emerged from recognizing a nascent but critical need for a reliable and active synchronization solution for digital files across disparate devices. They aimed to deliver a robust service for personal and business users, addressing a market gap where larger technology firms had yet to provide an effective, unified solution for managing distributed digital assets.
SugarSync serves a broad user base, including individuals and professionals who require constant, secure access to their files from any location. The company's long-term vision centers on empowering users with complete control and seamless accessibility to their entire digital life. It strives to be the trusted hub for personal and professional data, simplifying digital workflow and ensuring content availability across evolving technological ecosystems.
SugarSync has raised $52.0M across 5 funding rounds.
SugarSync has raised $52.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
SugarSync has raised $52.0M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Series U in May 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2013 | $3M Series U | — | Accel, Jackson Square Ventures, Redpoint Ventures | Announced |
| Jun 28, 2012 | $10M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
| Feb 1, 2012 | $15M Series D | Yuval Almog | Accel, Jackson Square Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Hatteras Venture Partners, Hercules Capital, Sigma Partners | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2009 | $10M Series C | — | Accel, Jackson Square Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Threshold Ventures | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2006 | $14M Series B | — | Accel, Jackson Square Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Selby Venture Partners, Sigma Partners | Announced |
SugarSync has raised $52.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
SugarSync's investors include Accel, Jackson Square Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Yuval Almog, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Hatteras Venture Partners, Hercules Capital, Sigma Partners, Threshold Ventures, Selby Venture Partners.
SugarSync is a technology company that provides mobile cloud services focused on online backup, file synchronization, sharing, and storage for files like documents, music, photos, and videos.[1][2][3] It enables users to access, sync, and share data across devices including Macs, PCs, iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, and Windows Mobile, syncing files from any folder without reorganizing them.[2][3] Targeting mobile consumers and professionals, SugarSync solves the problem of seamless, secure file access and collaboration on-the-go, distinguishing itself in the early cloud sync market.[1][3] The company raised $54.5M in funding, reported $16.8M in revenue, and had around 51-80 employees as of recent profiles, with millions of users worldwide before its 2015 acquisition by J2 Global.[3][4]
SugarSync originated from Sharpcast, Inc., incorporated in 2004 by founders Gibu Thomas (CEO) and Ben Strong (CTO) in San Mateo, California.[1][2][5] In 2006, Sharpcast launched Sharpcast Photos, a tool for syncing photos across PCs and mobile devices, marking early traction in mobile file access.[1] The founders departed in November 2008, prompting a pivot: Laura Yecies became CEO in December 2008, refocused the product on broader file sync, and rebranded to SugarSync, Inc. in 2009, shutting down Photos to migrate users.[1][4] Mike Grossman took over as CEO in March 2013, emphasizing mobile, sharing, collaboration, and sync enhancements amid user demands like a Linux client (never released).[1] J2 Global acquired SugarSync in March 2015, integrating it into its portfolio; it now operates as a Ziff Davis company in New York.[1][3][4]
SugarSync rode the early 2000s cloud storage and mobile sync wave, emerging when smartphones popularized on-the-go file access amid rising digital media like photos and documents.[1][3][4] Its timing capitalized on the "file sync crossing the chasm" in 2011-2012, as noted in independent studies, positioning it ahead of broader adoption before giants like Dropbox dominated.[4] Market forces favoring it included explosive mobile growth and demand for non-destructive syncing, influencing ecosystems through partnerships (e.g., BestBuy, Lenovo, Orange) and OEM integrations that normalized personal cloud services.[3][4] Post-acquisition, it contributed to J2 Global's (now Ziff Davis) cloud portfolio, helping shape enterprise-grade sync amid competition from free tiers and platform-specific tools.[1]
SugarSync's acquisition solidified its role within Ziff Davis, likely focusing on integration with email, productivity, and enterprise tools rather than standalone innovation.[1][4] Upcoming trends like AI-driven file management and edge computing could revive demand for its flexible sync, especially if Ziff Davis invests in modern platforms (e.g., Linux, expanded mobile AI features absent since 2013).[1] Its influence may evolve toward B2B embedding in larger suites, sustaining relevance in a mature market dominated by hyperscalers, tying back to its pioneering any-folder sync that predefined user-friendly cloud access.[3][4]