Docker, Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, Technology |
| Founded | January 1, 2008 in Paris, France (as dotCloud) |
| Founder | Kamel Founadi, Solomon Hykes, Sebastien Pahl |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Docker Hub, Docker Desktop, Docker Engine, buildkit |
| Website | www |
Docker, Inc. is a U.S.-based technology firm specializing in productivity solutions focused on Docker, a platform that streamlines the deployment of code within software containers. Its prominent commercial offerings comprise Docker Hub, a primary repository for containers, and Docker Desktop, a graphical interface application designed to manage containers across Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. The company’s previous Docker Enterprise PaaS segment was acquired by Mirantis. Docker actively participates in CNCF initiatives, including projects like containerd and runC. Its principal open source projects, Docker Engine and buildkit, have been rebranded under the Moby umbrella project, while the Dockerfile specification remains a registered trademark of the company.
History
Initially established as dotCloud in 2008 by Kamel Founadi, Solomon Hykes, and Sebastien Pahl in Paris, the organization was incorporated in the United States in 2010. Benjamin Golub took over as CEO in July 2013.
In September 2013, dotCloud formed a partnership with Red Hat to embed Docker technology within Red Hat's OpenShift PaaS platform. The company underwent rebranding to become Docker on October 29, 2013.
In July 2014, Docker acquired the startup Orchard, and shortly after, in August 2014, it divested its original dotCloud technology and brand to cloudControl. Later that same year, Docker expanded its engineering capabilities by acquiring Koality.
Key strategic alliances included a collaboration with Microsoft announced in October 2014, followed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) endorsing Docker services on Amazon EC2 in November 2014.
After securing $95 million in funding during April 2015, Docker achieved a valuation exceeding $1 billion, entering unicorn status. It was later revealed in April 2016 that In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s investment division, was among its significant investors.
Rob Bearden assumed the role of CEO in May 2019. In November of that year, Mirantis purchased Docker’s enterprise division, coinciding with Scott Johnston's appointment as CEO.
On August 31, 2021, Docker launched the Docker Business subscription aimed at large-scale enterprises and updated licensing policies for users of Docker Desktop.
Venture Funding Rounds
Docker has completed several financing rounds to support its expansion. Initially, in February 2011, it obtained $800,000 in seed funding from angel investors such as Chris Sacca, Jerry Yang, and Ron Conway. Shortly thereafter, in March 2011, Docker secured $10 million through a Series A round led by Benchmark Capital and Trinity Ventures. The company further attracted substantial capital with a $15 million Series B round spearheaded by Greylock Partners in January 2014, followed by a $40 million Series C round led by Sequoia Capital in September of the same year.
In April 2015, Docker raised $95 million during a Series D round led by Insight Venture Partners, with an additional $18 million added later that year under the same funding series. After undergoing restructuring, the firm announced a Series A recapitalization amounting to $35 million in November 2019. More recently, Docker obtained $23 million in a Series B round led by Tribe Capital in March 2021 and subsequently raised $105 million in a Series C round led by Bain Capital in March 2022.
Acquisitions
- July 23, 2014 – Orchard
- February 26, 2015 – SocketPlane
- January 21, 2016 – Unikernel Systems
- April 11, 2022 – Infosiftr
- May 10, 2022 – Nestybox
- May 24, 2022 – Tilt
- June 21, 2022 – Atomist
- June 27, 2023 – Mutagen
- December 11, 2023 – AtomicJar