Convio
| Company type | Public (until 2012) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, Internet marketing, Business management |
| Founded | November 1999 |
| Founder | Vinay Bhagat, Dave Crooke |
| Defunct | May 7, 2012 |
| Fate | Acquired by Blackbaud |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas , United States |
Area served | Non-profit organizations in the United States |
| Products | Software-as-a-service platform for nonprofit marketing and management |
| Parent | Blackbaud (from 2012) |
Convio was an American software firm headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional offices located in Washington, DC and Emeryville, California. The company specialized in internet marketing and business management solutions specifically designed for non-profit organizations, catering mainly to charities, educational entities, and political advocacy organizations. In May 2012, Convio was purchased by Blackbaud for $325 million.
History
Established in November 1999 by Vinay Bhagat and Dave Crooke with funding from Austin Ventures, Convio sought to improve upon traditional fundraising techniques such as telethons employed by PBS and NPR. Unlike rivals who concentrated exclusively on online donation processing, Convio created an extensive software platform that enabled non-profits to engage supporters through digital channels. These tools were intended for communication professionals and offered usability comparable to standard desktop word processors. Originally called ShowSupport.com to reflect its purpose, the company later adopted the name "Convio" (pronounced con-VEE-oh), a coined expression meaning "with vision," selected for its distinctiveness and domain availability.
Understanding the limited IT capabilities within non-profits, Convio was among the first to implement a software-as-a-service (SaaS) approach, hosting its applications on proprietary infrastructure instead of distributing software licenses. This model allowed clients to access services via web browsers without needing to maintain complex IT environments.
In January 2007, Convio broadened its reach by acquiring GetActive Software, which at the time was the second-largest provider of eCRM solutions for U.S. non-profits. GetActive originated as a spin-off from former Environmental Defense Fund employees who developed online activism tools that connected users with their political representatives through web technology.
Convio made its initial public offering on NASDAQ on April 29, 2010. Subsequently, Blackbaud acquired the company in 2012 for $325 million, strengthening Blackbaud’s suite of non-profit software offerings.
Controversy
Between 2005 and 2007, Convio encountered a boycott campaign initiated by influential left-leaning political bloggers John Aravosis and Markos Moulitsas through their platforms Americablog and Daily Kos. The boycott arose due to Convio’s policy of serving clients across various political affiliations.[1] Over time, some opponents moderated their views; for example, Daily Kos eventually promoted political advocacy campaigns powered by Convio’s technology.[2]
Acquisition
On January 17, 2012, Convio announced it had reached an agreement to be acquired by Blackbaud, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLKB) at a price of $16.00 per share, representing a 49% premium over its prior trading value. The transaction was completed on May 7, 2012, resulting in Convio becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackbaud.
External links
- ↑ "Policies". Convio. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ↑ Beverly Bell and Other Worlds (2010-03-05). "Haiti: Non-random Acts of Kindness". Daily Kos. Retrieved 2012-07-17.