Firstup Strengths, Domain Expertise, and Key Differentiators
Firstup remains the world’s first intelligent communication platform, trusted by over 40% of Fortune 100 companies. Its ability to connect over 18 million employees globally, as reported in August 2023, underscores its scalability. The platform’s real-time engagement data, segmented by organization, department, or individual, empowers leaders with actionable insights. The 2023 HR Tech Award for Best Innovative or Emerging Tech Solution highlights Firstup’s pioneering approach. Additionally, surpassing $100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in August 2023 cements its financial strength and market leadership in workforce communication.
Firstup Recent Developments
Firstup has integrated Generative AI (GenAI) into its platform, launching CommunicationAI in June 2023. This integration leverages GenAI to provide innovative enhancements that improve the employee experience. Key features include streamlined content creation, hyper-personalized communications tailored to individual employee preferences regarding topics and tone, and advanced capabilities such as generative content, predictive analytics, and automation. CommunicationAI is designed to be an indispensable tool for internal communicators, HR professionals, and people managers, facilitating more effective and engaging workforce interactions. Additionally, employees benefit from an AI-enabled interface that allows for seamless information retrieval and interaction, enhancing overall productivity and engagement. As of April 2025, Firstup likely continues to leverage CommunicationAI to address the evolving needs of the modern workforce, ensuring its platform remains a critical asset for organizations seeking to optimize employee communication and engagement. The absence of reported updates since 2023 suggests that CommunicationAI remains a cornerstone of Firstup’s innovation strategy, though further enhancements may have occurred internally.
Firstup Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) Activities
The formation of Firstup in 2021 resulted from the merger of SocialChorus and Dynamic Signal, two high-growth Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies specializing in DEX solutions. This strategic combination positioned Firstup as the leading provider in the DEX market, with a mission to transform how organizations communicate with their workforce. Firstup aims to create a connected and engaged workforce by offering innovative communication strategies that cater to the needs of modern, distributed work environments, ensuring that every employee, irrespective of their location, remains informed and engaged. As of April 2025, no significant new mergers or acquisitions have been reported, indicating that Firstup is focusing on consolidating its market position and enhancing its existing offerings. The 2021 merger continues to define Firstup’s competitive advantage, enabling it to scale its solutions across diverse industries and workforce sizes.
Firstup Customers in ARTW Customer Database
Leveraging a rigorous data-centric research methodology, APPS RUN THE WORLD asks the simple question: Who’s buying Firstup applications and why? And we provide the answers – supported by decades of research – to our clients around the world. Our Customer database has over 100 data fields that detail company usage of Firstup and other enterprise apps by function, customer size, industry, location, implementation status, partner involvement, Line of Business Key Stakeholders and IT decision makers contact details. List of Verified Firstup Intelligent Communication Platform customers.
Firstup Overview
Ownership: - Sumeru Equity Partners
Number of Employees: 300
Functional Market: Workforce Analytics, Onboarding, Performance Management,
Key Verticals: Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Banking and Financial Services, Communication, Construction and Real Estate, CPG, Distribution, Education, Government, Healthcare, Insurance, Leisure and Hospitality, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media, Non Profit, Oil Gas Chemicals, Professional Services, Retail, Transportation, Utility,
Firstup Key Cloud and HCM Applications
Firstup Intelligent Communication Platform
Firstup HCM and Cloud HCM Applications Revenues, $M:
| Type/Year | 2023 | 2024 | YoY Growth, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenues, $M | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| HCM Applications Revenues, $M | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
* HCM Applications Revenues = License + Support & Maintenance + SaaS ( Hardware and Prof. Services are Excluded )
** All revenue figures are estimates based on public records, Cloud and Non-Cloud business models in Apps Run The World's vendor database, and annual survey results including vendor feedback.
Firstup Revenue Breakdown by Type:
Firstup HCM Applications Revenues By Sub-Functional Markets, $M:
Split by Sub-Functional Markets | % of HCM Revenue in the HR Segment | 2024 HCM Revenues, By HR Segment, $M | |
Firstup HCM Applications Revenues By Verticals, $M:
Firstup Total and HCM Applications Revenues by Region:
| Region | % of Total Revenues | 2024 Total Revenues, $M | 2024 HCM Applications Revenues, $M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| EMEA | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| APAC | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| Total | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
Firstup Direct vs Indirect sales
| Type | Direct Sales | Indirect Sales | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type % | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
| Revenues, $M | Subscribe | Subscribe | Subscribe |
Firstup Customers - Breakdown by Geo, Size, Vertical and Product
List of Verified Firstup Customers
No. of Firstup Customers: 500
No. of Firstup HCM Applications Customers: x
No. of Firstup Cloud HCM Customers: 500
No. of Firstup Cloud HCM Subscribers: 18 million
Firstup connects with over 18 million employees globally and is selected by more than 40% of Fortune 100 companies. Prominent clients such as Amazon, Dow, Ford, and Hilton depend on Firstup to maintain effective communication with their workforce, provide tailored content, and leverage insights to boost employee engagement. The platform’s ability to scale across diverse industries and workforce sizes highlights its versatility and reliability. As of April 2025, Firstup’s customer base likely remains robust, with no significant changes reported, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted solution for large-scale enterprises seeking to enhance employee connectivity and engagement. The company’s focus on non-office workers, as highlighted in a July 2024 Forbes article, underscores its unique value proposition in addressing the communication needs of deskless employees, who constitute a significant portion of the global workforce.
Firstup Market Opportunities, M&A and Geo Expansions
Early 2023 saw Firstup strengthen its leadership with the appointment of Cheryl Chavez as Chief Product Officer and Ed Bielawa as Chief Technology Officer. These experienced enterprise software experts are crucial to Firstup’s strategy of leading the market and fulfilling its vision of integrating the employee experience ecosystem. Their expertise will be key in gaining deeper insights into employee behavior and providing actionable data to enhance engagement, productivity, and retention. Firstup has significant growth potential through both horizontal and vertical market expansions. By entering new industries and geographic regions, Firstup can broaden its impact. The platform’s capability to improve employee engagement offers substantial opportunities for organizations seeking to build a more connected and motivated workforce. As of April 2025, these opportunities likely remain relevant, with Firstup well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced employee experience solutions, particularly as businesses prioritize workforce connectivity in hybrid and remote work environments.
Firstup Risks and Challenges
Firstup faces both internal and external risks, particularly from the integration of SocialChorus and Dynamic Signal following their 2021 merger. Successfully managing the complexities, costs, and resource allocation involved in such integrations requires careful planning and execution. Additionally, external market pressures, such as evolving regulatory environments and increasing competition in the DEX sector from competitors like Staffbase and Simpplr, pose ongoing challenges. As of April 2025, Firstup must continue to navigate these risks effectively to maintain its market leadership and ensure sustained growth. The lack of recent public data on integration progress suggests that these challenges may persist, requiring ongoing strategic focus to mitigate potential disruptions.
Firstup Ecosystem, Partners, Resellers and SI
Firstup offers seamless integration with leading business system providers across multiple functions, such as service delivery, employee engagement and feedback, talent acquisition, wellness programs, learning and development, rewards and recognition, and performance management. Notable integrations include ADP, Workday, UKG, Oracle, Medallia, Qualtrics, iCIMS, Achievers, O.C. Tanner, Workhuman, Betterworks, and other prominent industry players. This robust ecosystem enables Firstup to provide a comprehensive solution that meets the diverse needs of enterprises, enhancing its value proposition in the market. As of April 2025, Firstup’s ecosystem likely remains a key strength, supporting its ability to deliver a unified and effective employee experience. The platform’s compatibility with these systems positions it as a versatile solution for organizations seeking to streamline their employee experience infrastructure.
Research Methodology
Data used in research reports are derived from publicly available documents, continuous surveys of applications vendors, customers, resellers, Independent Software Vendors, systems integrators and other verifiable sources.
Vendor shares and market forecast results are based on a combination of existing databases as well as demand side and supply side research conducted throughout the year with validation from vendors, customers, channel partners and documentations such as earnings releases and 10Q and 10K filings, vertical industry studies, regional and country-level statistics from public and private institutions(i.e. colleges, universities, government agencies and trade associations).
For additional information on our methodologies, here's the link:
https://www.appsruntheworld.com/taxonomy
https://www.appsruntheworld.com/FAQ
