What is DocSend?
DocSend replaces email attachments with links. A user uploads a pitch deck, sales proposal or report and sends a link instead of the file, and DocSend records who opened it, how long each viewer spent on every page and whether the document was forwarded. Because the link always points to the current version, the sender can update the document or revoke access after sending it.
Senders can require viewers to verify their email address, limit access to an approved list of people, block downloads and set links to expire. Virtual data rooms group many documents behind a single link for fundraising, due diligence and mergers and acquisitions, with analytics showing which investors or buyers reviewed which files.
The product is especially popular with startup founders sharing pitch decks with investors, and DocSend has published research on fundraising drawn from how investors engage with decks. Dropbox bought DocSend in 2021 and markets it alongside Dropbox and Dropbox Sign as part of a workflow that covers storing, sharing, tracking and signing documents. Comparable tools include Papermark and Digify, and dedicated data room providers such as Intralinks and Datasite.
Key features of DocSend
- 01
Trackable links
Documents are shared as links rather than attachments, so senders can update the file, change permissions or disable access at any time after sending.
- 02
Page-by-page analytics
Engagement data shows who opened a document, when they viewed it and how long they spent on each page, highlighting which sections drew the most attention.
- 03
Access controls
Email verification, allowed-viewer lists, passcodes, download blocking and link expiration control who can see a document and what they can do with it.
- 04
Virtual data rooms
Data rooms collect many files behind one link with folders and per-viewer permissions for fundraising rounds, due diligence and company sales.
- 05
Visit notifications
Alerts tell senders when a prospect or investor opens a document, so they can follow up while the material is fresh in the reader’s mind.
- 06
Dropbox connection
Dropbox markets DocSend together with Dropbox storage and Dropbox Sign, giving customers a path from storing a file to sharing it with analytics and collecting signatures.
Who uses DocSend?
- Startup founders send pitch decks to investors and see which firms read the deck closely before scheduling meetings.
- Sales teams share proposals and case studies and prioritize follow-ups based on which prospects engaged with the material.
- Companies raising money or selling a business run due diligence through secure virtual data rooms.
- Agencies and consultants share client deliverables while keeping control over downloads and forwarding.
History of DocSend
DocSend was founded in 2013 by a team led by Russ Heddleston, who had interned at Dropbox in 2010 and discussed the idea with Drew Houston before starting the company. It raised $1.7 million in seed funding in late 2013 from investors including SoftTech VC and Cowboy Ventures, and it launched publicly at the TechCrunch Disrupt NY conference on May 6, 2014, initially supporting only PDF files.
The company raised an $8 million funding round in 2016 and built a following among startups by publishing data on fundraising. Dropbox announced a deal to acquire DocSend for about $165 million on March 9, 2021, when it had roughly 17,000 customers and about 50 employees, and completed the purchase on March 22, 2021.
- 2013
DocSend is founded and raises $1.7 million in seed funding.
- 2014
DocSend launches publicly at TechCrunch Disrupt NY on May 6.
- 2016
DocSend raises $8 million to expand its document sharing product.
- 2021
Dropbox completes its roughly $165 million acquisition of DocSend in March.
DocSend pricing
Pricing modelSubscription
Personal, Standard, Advanced, Advanced Data Rooms and Enterprise plans are priced by the number of licenses and billed monthly or annually.
Prices change often. Check the official DocSend website for current plans.
DocSend alternatives
Well-known alternativesPapermark, Digify, Intralinks, Datasite and Highspot
DocSend: frequently asked questions
Who owns DocSend?
DocSend is owned by Dropbox, Inc. Dropbox announced a deal to buy the company for about $165 million in March 2021 and completed the purchase on March 22, 2021. DocSend was founded in 2013 by a team led by Russ Heddleston, a former Dropbox intern.
What is DocSend used for?
DocSend is used to share documents securely and see how recipients engage with them. Founders send pitch decks to investors, sales teams share proposals with prospects, and companies run virtual data rooms for fundraising or due diligence, using page-level analytics and access controls.
Is DocSend free?
DocSend is a paid product. Dropbox sells it through Personal, Standard, Advanced, Advanced Data Rooms and Enterprise plans priced by the number of licenses, with monthly or annual billing. The higher tiers add capabilities such as virtual data rooms and more advanced security and administration controls.
When was DocSend released?
DocSend launched publicly on May 6, 2014, at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in New York, after the company was founded in 2013. At launch it supported PDF documents and focused on page-by-page analytics and link-based access control.
Why do startups use DocSend for pitch decks?
Startups use DocSend because it shows which investors opened a pitch deck, how long they spent on each slide and whether they passed it on. Founders can also update a deck after sending it or cut off access, which is not possible once a PDF has been attached to an email.
Sources
- DocSend docsend.com
- DocSend Is The Analytics Tool For Documents We’ve All Been Waiting For, TechCrunch techcrunch.com
- Dropbox to acquire secure document sharing startup DocSend for $165M, TechCrunch techcrunch.com
- Dropbox, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K for 2021 sec.gov
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