Headless CMS specialist Storyblok has successfully raised $47 million in a Series B funding round led by Mubadala Capital and HV Capital, with 3VC and firstminute Capital also participating. This followed a Series A round of $8.5 million in February 2021, bringing the Austrian start-up's total funding to $58 million. The funds will be used to accelerate the expansion of Storyblok’s content management system (CMS), which currently serves over 74,000 companies, including Netflix, Adidas, T-Mobile, Happy Socks, and Deliveroo, across a variety of industries such as education, commerce, and gaming.
As the web development space continues to evolve, headless systems have gained significant traction due to the flexibility and creativity they afford to users. Existing options, like WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix, have set precedents in facilitating dynamic website templates, while newer start-ups have built on this foundation with API-centric, headless solutions that simplify complex technical processes.
However, these solutions still require developers to maintain and populate the front end of sites, putting increased strain on organizations. Storyblok seeks to resolve this issue with a new generation of headless development, offering pre-built modules called “blocks.” These blocks can be initially programmed by developers but can subsequently be updated and modified by non-technical users, such as marketers. This approach streamlines operations and eases the burden on technical teams, freeing them up to focus on tasks within their expertise.
Despite its appeal to non-technical users, Storyblok does not consider itself part of the low-code or no-code movement. The company remains focused on its core functionality, the headless structure and the flexible blocks that distinguish it from competitors like Contentful, Prismic, Contentstack, and Strapi. However, third-party integrations are available to those who wish to leverage the offerings of no-code platforms like AppMaster.
Storyblok has experienced significant growth by addressing the gap between technical and non-technical teams within organizations. As digital content expands to encompass various formats and devices, non-technical users increasingly need to interact with site content, while developers need to maximize their efficiency on specialized tasks. This dynamic makes Storyblok’s solution an essential staple in the web development workflow.
Fatou Bintou Sagnang, Partner at Mubadala Capital Ventures, praised Storyblok’s rapid growth and dedication to product quality, expressing excitement about the continued partnership. Headless CMS providers like Storyblok are revolutionizing web development and paving the way for a more innovative and accessible digital landscape.
