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Issuu, Inc. (pronounced "issue")[1] is an electronic publishing platform based in Palo Alto, California, United States.[2] The company's software converts PDFs into customizable digital publications that can be shared via links or embedded into websites.

Key Information

Founded in 2006, the company moved its headquarters from Denmark to the United States in 2013.[3]

History

[edit]

Issuu was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2006[2] by Michael and Rubyn Bjerg Hansen, Mikkel Jensen, and Martin Ferro-Thomsen.[4]

In 2009, Apple rejected Issuu's app three times, because it was seen as too similar to Apple's planned Newsstand service.[5][6] In August 2009, the company's website was named one of Time's 50 Best Websites.[7]

By 2011, Issuu software was used by several online publications.[8]

In early 2013, the company opened an office in Palo Alto, California and appointed CEO Joe Hyrkin, formerly of Reverb, Trinity Ventures, and Yahoo!, to helm its Silicon Valley operations.[9][10] The company soon moved its headquarters to the Palo Alto location.[11] Upon the move, the founders of Issuu stated that they chose the city as they saw social media and digital distribution partnerships as the key to its growth, rather than focusing mostly on publishing relationships.[1] Also in 2013, Issuu acquired the Denmark-based software company Magma, including the company's software that allowed collaboration between editorial teams in organizing, laying out and proofing publications. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.[12]

In January 2014, Issuu released its Android app.[13] In July 2014, the company released Clip, a tool that allowed readers to take a snapshot of any part of a publication and share that on social media or through email.[14] In October 2014 Issuu released its iOS app to access Issuu on Apple devices.[5] By 2014 the platform hosted more than 18 million publications[15] and had 83 million users.[16]

In 2019, Issuu announced the launch of Issuu Promote, an ad integration tool for Facebook and Instagram, allowing for content to be distributed across multiple social media channels.[17]

The company announced that its iOS and Android apps would be discontinued in April 2023.[18]

In July 2024, the Italian technology company Bending Spoons announced it had acquired Issuu.[19]

Funding

[edit]

The company obtained $10 million in Series B that closed in 2014.[20] In September 2021, Issuu closed a round of financing that raised $31 million.[21]

Products and services

[edit]

Issuu develops apps that convert PDFs into digital publications that can be shared via links or embedded into websites. Users can edit their publications by customizing the design, using templates, or adding links and multimedia to the pages of their documents. Issuu also provides tools for measuring and monetization of content.[1]

The app includes an offline reading list function that allowed users to read from the Issuu app without being online. The app can also stack publications back to back so that they can be read in succession.[22]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Issuu

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Issuu is a digital publishing platform founded in 2006 in , , by Michael Hansen, Ruben Bjerg Hansen, Mikkel Jensen, and Martin Ferro-Thomsen, that enables users to convert static PDFs and documents into interactive flipbooks and dynamic content for online distribution, embedding, and monetization. Headquartered in , since relocating from in 2013, the company was acquired by in 2024. As of 2023, Issuu serves over 1 million users worldwide, reaching over 80 million readers monthly, hosting over 60 million documents, with over 300,000 pages uploaded daily. Its core features include tools for content creation, hosting, promotion, analytics, and cross-device sharing, transforming traditional print media into engaging digital experiences for publishers, marketers, and creators. Issuu's mission is to connect content to people through values of care, grit, and learning, supporting diverse applications such as magazines, catalogs, portfolios, and marketing assets.

Company overview

Description and mission

Issuu is an platform that enables users to convert static files such as PDFs, images, and text documents into interactive digital flipbooks and other shareable formats for online distribution and discovery. Founded in as a Danish startup and acquired by the Italian technology company in July 2024, Issuu serves as a self-service tool for creating dynamic content experiences accessible on any device. The platform's mission is to empower content creators—including individuals, marketers, and publishers—to connect with global audiences by transforming traditional documents into engaging, interactive publications that enhance and audience engagement. By facilitating the hosting, promotion, , and of content, Issuu aims to power the content economy and help users grow their reach without complex technical barriers. At its core, Issuu's lies in simplifying the process: users can easily upload files, publish them as flipbooks resembling print media, and distribute them via embeds, links, or social channels, all without requiring specialized design software. This democratizes digital , allowing creators to produce magazines, catalogs, brochures, and portfolios that maintain aesthetic appeal while adding interactive elements like videos and hyperlinks. The name Issuu, pronounced like "issue" in reference to a periodical in , underscores its focus on content issuance and dissemination.

Headquarters and scale

Issuu was originally founded in , , in 2006, before relocating its headquarters to , in 2013 to tap into the U.S. technology ecosystem. The company's primary operations remain centered at 131 Lytton Avenue in , with a continued presence in to support its footprint. Since July 2024, Issuu has operated as a of the Italian technology firm , following its acquisition on July 19, which integrated Issuu into a broader portfolio of digital tools while preserving its independent operational structure. This setup allows for primary decision-making and development in , complemented by distributed teams across , fostering a global organizational footprint. As of 2024, Issuu employs approximately 180 people worldwide, reflecting its transatlantic operational model. In terms of scale, the platform serves over 1 million creators and marketers globally, hosting over 50 million publications, attracting over 100 million unique monthly visitors, and with over 300,000 pages uploaded daily, which underscores its role in enabling widespread digital content distribution.

History

Founding and early development

Issuu was founded in 2006 in , , by Michael Hansen, Ruben Bjerg Hansen, Mikkel Jensen, and Martin Ferro-Thomsen. The four founders, described as a self-avowed group of "mad scientists," sought to address the challenges of sharing digital documents by developing a platform that simplified the upload and distribution of PDF files as interactive online publications. This initial concept was driven by the growing need to digitize print media, enabling users to convert static PDFs into engaging, embeddable formats that could be shared via links or websites without requiring downloads. The platform launched publicly in December 2007, marking the beginning of its operational phase after initial development. Supported by early seed funding, Issuu quickly gained traction among independent publishers and creators seeking an accessible alternative to traditional print distribution. By , the service had achieved notable momentum, earning recognition as a finalist in the Web Awards at (SXSW), which highlighted its innovative approach to online publishing. A significant early challenge arose in 2009 when Apple rejected Issuu's app submission on three occasions, citing concerns over PDF handling policies and potential overlap with Apple's forthcoming Newsstand service. This setback led the company to pivot toward enhancing its web-based platform, reinforcing its focus on browser-accessible interactive content rather than native mobile applications at that stage.

Relocation and growth

In 2013, Issuu appointed Joe Hyrkin, a U.S.-based executive and former CEO of Reverb Communications, as its , marking a pivotal shift toward American leadership. This hiring coincided with the company's relocation of its headquarters from Copenhagen, Denmark, to , aimed at leveraging Silicon Valley's talent pool, investor networks, and proximity to key markets in the digital publishing sector. The move allowed Issuu to better position itself for scaling operations in while retaining European roots through its original office. A $10 million Series B round in July 2014, led by Heartcore Capital and , further accelerated this U.S.-focused expansion by providing capital for product enhancements and team growth. By that year, Issuu had achieved significant scale, attracting 80 million monthly unique visitors and hosting millions of publications, which underscored its rapid adoption among publishers worldwide. During the mid-2010s, the company expanded its offerings with new tools to support user growth; in 2015, it introduced in-publication features to enable direct of , allowing publishers to embed purchase links within flipbooks. capabilities were bolstered around 2018 through Issuu Statistics, providing detailed insights into reader , impressions, and metrics to help optimize content strategies. In the late , Issuu strengthened its ecosystem through partnerships and integrations with systems and marketing platforms, facilitating seamless embedding and distribution of publications. Notable collaborations included integrations with tools like for promotion and early ties to broader CMS workflows, enhancing how publishers incorporated Issuu content into websites and campaigns. These developments contributed to sustained momentum, culminating in pre-acquisition achievements by 2023, when annual reached approximately $30 million and the paying customer base grew to 65,000.

Acquisition and recent developments

On July 19, 2024, Italian technology company announced and closed its acquisition of Issuu, a leading digital publishing platform, for an undisclosed amount estimated to exceed $100 million. The acquisition aligned with ' strategy of expanding its portfolio of content and app-based tools, building on prior deals such as the 2023 purchase of , to incorporate Issuu's capabilities in digital publishing. aimed to leverage its technological expertise to extend Issuu's global reach and enhance its distribution, particularly through improved mobile and AI-driven features. Following the deal, Issuu's CEO Joe Hyrkin stepped down after more than 11 years in the role, marking the end of his as part of the transition. Integration efforts focused on aligning Issuu with ' ecosystem to support broader global distribution without immediate operational overhauls. In 2025, Issuu maintained platform stability under ' ownership, with minor updates such as a March revision to its designating as the data controller. However, the company experienced layoffs following the acquisition, including the closure of its office in January 2025, which affected 48 employees, contrasting with more extensive workforce reductions in some of ' other recent acquisitions. The platform continued to roll out incremental features for user engagement.

Products and services

Core platform functionality

Issuu's core platform enables users to digital files, primarily PDFs and images, through a web-based interface that supports drag-and-drop functionality or direct file selection. Supported formats include PDFs, documents, and PowerPoint files, with file size and page limits varying by subscription tier—50 MB and 10 pages for the Basic plan, 100 MB and 500 pages for the Starter plan, and unlimited for higher tiers such as Unlimited and Teams. Upon submission, the platform automatically processes the files for publication. The upload initiates an automated conversion process where PDFs are transformed into HTML5-based flipbooks that simulate realistic page-turning effects, presenting content in double-page spreads for an immersive reading experience. This conversion preserves the original layout while optimizing elements like fonts, links, and images; for best results, users are advised to prepare single-page PDF spreads and tagged files to ensure accurate rendering. Images uploaded separately can be incorporated into publications, though the primary focus remains on PDF-to-flipbook transformation. The resulting flipbooks are interactive and lightweight, leveraging for seamless rendering without proprietary plugins. Once converted, publications are hosted on Issuu's servers, generating a unique for each flipbook that allows immediate access and distribution. Users can share these via , , or direct links, or embed the flipbooks on external websites using simple code snippets, enabling integration into blogs, portfolios, or sites. This hosting model ensures reliable, scalable storage and global accessibility without requiring users to manage servers. The platform is designed for cross-device compatibility, with flipbooks optimized for viewing on desktops, mobiles, and tablets through responsive design, eliminating the need for dedicated app downloads. This approach supports diverse screen sizes and orientations, maintaining visual fidelity and interactivity across environments. The basic from file upload to live publication typically completes in minutes—comparable to the time to send an —thanks to automated processing. During this, Issuu applies measures, such as structuring content for better indexing, leveraging the platform's , and incorporating internal linking to enhance discoverability in search results. Publications become searchable shortly after going live, aiding organic traffic without manual intervention.

Key features and tools

Issuu's tools enable publishers to enhance digital flipbooks by embedding elements directly into pages, transforming static PDFs into dynamic experiences. Users can add hyperlinks for web navigation, shopping, or internal page jumps, as well as videos and audio clips to enrich content engagement. Forms can be integrated via third-party tools like or Typeform for lead capture, while the platform supports the creation of articles, posts, and GIFs derived from existing publications, allowing seamless repurposing across channels. The analytics dashboard provides real-time performance insights, tracking key metrics such as views, impressions, reads, time spent on content, and user interactions like clicks on links. It includes geographic and demographic data to identify audience locations and profiles, along with referral sources to understand traffic origins. Publishers can filter by content type, such as flipbooks or articles, to optimize distribution strategies and measure impact. Embedding options facilitate seamless integration of flipbooks into websites using customizable code snippets, with support for responsive resizing based on publication aspect ratios. Customization features allow removal of Issuu branding from embeds and the use of custom domains for branded hosting, ensuring a cohesive without third-party attribution. Additional tools cater to advanced users, including bulk capabilities for enterprises to manage large volumes of content efficiently. Developers gain access to the Issuu API v2, which supports programmatic uploads, document management, and integration with external systems for automated workflows. Content repurposing extends to generating marketing assets like social posts and articles from a single publication, streamlining multi-channel distribution.

Subscription and pricing models

Issuu offers a tiered subscription model designed to accommodate users ranging from individual creators to large organizations, with pricing billed primarily on an annual basis in U.S. dollars. The free Basic plan allows limited publishing, including up to five documents with Issuu branding and advertisements displayed on publications, with each document limited to 10 pages and 50 MB, providing essential access for beginners without cost. The Starter plan, priced at $19 per month (billed annually at $228 per year), removes advertisements and Issuu branding while enabling unlimited public publications, on websites, basic for 30 days, and support for up to 500 pages or 100 MB per file, with a limit of five private documents. Higher tiers build on these capabilities; the Unlimited plan, at $188 per month (billed annually at $2,256 per year), includes unlimited private documents, advanced , custom branding, and tools, offering a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. For collaborative needs, Issuu for Teams starts at custom pricing (starting at approximately $595 per month billed annually for basic configurations), adding features such as multi-user access, private workspaces, , and dedicated support, with scalable seats and teams. Digital Sales serves as an integrated add-on across plans, enabling publishers to monetize content through in-flipbook purchases like single copies, subscriptions, or merchandise without any commission fees from Issuu, allowing 100% of revenue to go to the creator. Following the acquisition by in July 2024, Issuu restructured its plans in October 2024 by merging the previous Premium and Optimum tiers into the Unlimited plan, resulting in adjusted for enhanced features like expanded analytics access in higher tiers, while annual billing provides approximately 17% discounts compared to monthly options where available. Additional discounts include a free one-year Starter plan for eligible students. Enterprise-level customizations, such as access and bulk publishing tools, are negotiated directly for large-scale users.

Business and operations

Funding history

Issuu's funding history features two major public investment rounds prior to its acquisition, reflecting a strategic approach to scaling its digital publishing platform. The company received seed of $1.3 million in 2007. Its first notable external capital infusion came in the form of a Series B round, raising $10 million in July 2014 from Heartcore Capital, a Danish venture firm, and , the Japanese telecommunications giant. This investment supported U.S. market expansion, including team growth and the eventual relocation of headquarters to , enabling broader international operations. Following a period of , Issuu secured its next round in September 2021, a $31 million committed financing from Capital IP Investment Partners, a growth equity firm focused on intellectual property-driven companies. The funds were allocated primarily to enhancing platform features, such as advanced and distribution tools, and bolstering initiatives to attract more creators and publishers. This brought the total capital raised to approximately $42.3 million across these rounds, with no additional public equity or debt financings disclosed after 2021. Issuu's independent funding era concluded with its acquisition by , an Italian software company, on July 19, 2024, in a transaction estimated to value Issuu at over $100 million. This exit marked a significant return for early backers and underscored the platform's growth in the digital content sector.

Leadership and organization

Issuu was founded in 2006 in , , by Michael Hansen, Ruben Bjerg Hansen, Mikkel Jensen, and Martin Ferro-Thomsen, with Michael Hansen serving as the initial CEO until 2013. Hansen has maintained ongoing involvement as a hands-on board member and advisor to tech startups, including Issuu. In 2013, Joe Hyrkin was appointed CEO, a role he held until the company's acquisition in 2024, during which he scaled annual revenue from $4 million to $32 million and led Issuu to profitability. Hyrkin oversaw the transition following the acquisition by , an Italian technology company, which integrated Issuu as a while emphasizing continuity for the team. Following the acquisition, Issuu's leadership operates under the strategic oversight of ' CEO, Luca Ferrari, who has highlighted the platform's growth potential within the parent company's portfolio. Issuu's supports a remote-friendly work environment with approximately 180 employees distributed across offices in the United States (headquartered in ) and (, ). The company is divided into key departments, including for platform development, for user acquisition and content promotion, and for enterprise partnerships and subscription growth. This setup enables cross-functional collaboration while accommodating a global, distributed workforce.

User base and market impact

Issuu's user base primarily consists of marketers, small publishers, and independent creators who utilize the platform to digitize and distribute content such as magazines, brochures, and portfolios. As of 2025, the platform serves over 1 million active users worldwide, reaching an audience of more than 80 million readers monthly through the publication of over 5 billion pages. By 2023, Issuu had approximately 65,000 paying customers, a figure that has been sustained following its acquisition by Bending Spoons in July 2024, with the company's resources enabling continued user retention and platform enhancements. The company's revenue performance reflects steady growth in the digital sector, reaching approximately $30 million annually prior to 2024, primarily driven by subscription fees and digital sales features. In 2024, revenue increased to $32 million. This financial trajectory underscores Issuu's role in subscription-based content delivery, where models contribute to user retention by offering scalable access to publishing capabilities. Issuu holds a leading position in the flipbook publishing market, where it competes with platforms like FlippingBook, Publuu, and Flipsnack by providing accessible tools for converting PDFs into interactive digital formats. Its influence extends across industries such as , , and media, facilitating the digitization of materials like yearbooks, property listings, and newsletters to broaden reach and engagement without requiring advanced technical skills. This democratization of publishing has contributed to trends by enabling creators to produce mobile-optimized, trackable assets that integrate seamlessly into multichannel strategies. User reception remains positive, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 on based on over 150 reviews, praising the platform's ease of use and intuitive interface for non-technical users. Despite some over a significant price increase in early 2025, Issuu's tools continue to support efficient content distribution, reinforcing its impact on scalable digital publishing practices.

References

  1. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/issuu
  2. https://issuu.com/about
  3. https://www.inc.com/graham-winfrey/joe-hyrkin-sold-issuu-for-over-100-million-heres-his-advice-for-ceos/91145739
  4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/issuu
  5. https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/issuu-profile/
  6. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240719725742/en/Digital-Publishing-Platform-Issuu-Acquired-by-Bending-Spoons
  7. https://issuu.com/
  8. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/55391-68
  9. https://www.willkie.com/news/2024/07/willkie-advises-bending-spoons-on-acquisition-of-issuu
  10. https://techcrunch.com/2008/12/19/issuu-really-wants-to-kill-the-document-download/
  11. https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/issuu-gets-android-app/
  12. https://www.macworld.com/article/666632/issuu-review.html
  13. https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2013/09/danish-online-publisher-issuu-hires.html
  14. https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2013/09/16/digital-publisher-issuu-moves-to-palo-alto/
  15. https://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2014/07/14/issuu-raises-10m-to-become-youtube-for-catalogs-magazines/
  16. https://issuu.com/blog/in-publication-shopping-links
  17. https://issuu.com/blog/analytics-to-track
  18. https://issuu.com/resources/video-tutorials/hootsuite-integration
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  21. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/joehyrkin_startuplife-techexit-techacquisition-activity-7223564565018554368-huMY
  22. https://issuu.com/legal/privacy
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  28. https://help.issuu.com/hc/en-us/articles/39447331082907-What-happens-to-my-publications-when-I-downgrade-to-Issuu-s-Starter-paid-plan
  29. https://help.issuu.com/hc/en-us/articles/34628546223387-Understanding-Issuu-s-subscription-plans-and-features
  30. https://issuu.com/flipbook
  31. https://issuu.com/solutions
  32. https://issuu.com/blog/digital-publishing-seo-optimizing-your-flipbooks-on-issuu
  33. https://help.issuu.com/hc/en-us/articles/5772743879067-Links-and-Videos-in-your-Content
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  35. https://help.issuu.com/hc/en-us/articles/5772741285659-Social-Posts
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  40. https://help.issuu.com/hc/en-us/articles/5772756733083-Resizing-Embeds-To-Be-Responsive
  41. https://issuu.com/features/teams
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  49. https://globalventuring.com/corporate/issuu-attracts-10m-in-series-b-round/
  50. https://issuu.com/blog/issuu-announces-raising-31-million-of-committed-financing-from-capital-ip
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  52. https://tracxn.com/d/companies/issuu/__z2m1Oyb9cunQrh-Wlu2gzM1VT4kWE8Az5WSmjy4fIq4/funding-and-investors
  53. https://tracxn.com/d/companies/issuu/__z2m1Oyb9cunQrh-Wlu2gzM1VT4kWE8Az5WSmjy4fIq4
  54. https://people.equilar.com/bio/org/issuu/665820
  55. https://oresundstartups.com/issuu-moves-silicon-valley-scales-new-ceo-help-google-director/
  56. https://dk.linkedin.com/in/issuu
  57. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/4412062
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  59. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/issuu-inc/352812438
  60. https://leadiq.com/c/issuu/5a1d98b92300005b00875be6
  61. https://www.g2.com/products/issuu/competitors/alternatives
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  63. https://www.capterra.com/p/212526/Issuu/
  64. https://www.magazineproduction.com/issuu-users-fuming-over-450-price-hike
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