SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is an online survey[7] development cloud-based software as a service company, founded in 1999 by Ryan Finley. SurveyMonkey provides free, customizable surveys, as well as a suite of paid back-end programs that include data analysis, sample selection, bias elimination, and data representation tools.[8] In addition to providing free and paid plans for individual users, SurveyMonkey offers more large-scale enterprise options for companies interested in data analysis, brand management, and consumer-focused marketing.[9] Since releasing its enterprise in 2013, business-focused services, SurveyMonkey has grown dramatically, opening a new headquarters in downtown Palo Alto.[5]

SurveyMonkey provides data collection, data analysis, brand management, and consumer marketing for Facebook, Virgin America, Salesforce.com, Samsung, and Kraft Foods, among others.

As of 2015, SurveyMonkey has 25 million users, and receives 90 million survey responses a month. The company was named to the Forbes Unicorn List in 2015.
Founding

The company was majority-owned by Ryan and Chris Finley until 2009, when it was sold to a private equity consortium. SurveyMonkey CEO Dave Goldberg died suddenly on May 1, 2015 while on vacation abroad with his wife, Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg.[12]

Starting August 3, Bill Veghte will replace the late David Goldberg as SurveyMonkey CEO. Veghte held top posts at HP and Microsoft, and attended Harvard with Goldberg. He credits the SurveyMonkey founder as a mentor.

In 2010, the company received US$100 million in debt financing from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.[13]

In 2013, the company raised $800 million in debt and equity valuing the company at $1.35 billion.